PMGY - Volunteer in India from $375

I spent three weeks volunteering with the Women's Empowerment Project in Faridabad and it was spectactular.
The coordinator Vishy was fantastic at making sure you felt comfortable, helping organise weekends trips, changing your money. He knew everything and was always willing to help, just swing him a WhatsApp!
Going to the slum school everyday was also a great learning curve. I spent time with the sewing business set up by Vishy wife, Kranti.
Unfortunately the women's empowerment project itself wasn't quite what I was expecting. It was only three afternoons a week and was predominantly teaching English to the few girls that turned up. However, in my last week we changed the Project around so volunteers would visit the girls polytechnics school- much better!
I definitely wouldn't go for any less than three weeks if you want the true, Indian experience. Definitely worth it, go whilst you can.

Had the best time in India for 6 weeks! I felt really helpful within the teaching programme, and loved joining in with the woman's empowerment when I could! Vishy is one of the nicest people ever and so incredibly helpful booking so many of our trips for us. Anything you need he can help you out. The only thing I noticed is that the medical programme came become a little crowded at peak times, but as Vishy is opening up new clinics I think this problem will soon be resolved. Prepare yourselves for a massively rewarding and 100% authentic Indian experience! Best time ever.

Volunteered in india for 2 weeks. Was one of the best life time experiences and would love to do it again. Worked as a clinical volunteer which also included work in the orphanage and the slum school. Visited many hospitals and also had the chance to watch surgeries and assist in providing health check ups for the public. Also had the chance to visit many beautiful attractions such as the taj mahal and other beautiful places in Delhi and jaipur. This experience had a positive impact on my life as I got to learn so much about the different cultures and beliefs and this experience helped me get a hospital placement in london.☺

Had a wonderful 2 and a half months this year in Faridabad. Vishy and his family were so accommodating and willing to help with anything whilst the projects themselves were interesting and enjoyable.
Weekends were completely flexible also meaning it was easy to travel around if you wished.

The only issue I may have raised would be it can be overcrowded within certain projects at times but Vishy tried his ultimate best to make sure this didn't become an issue.

I had a wonderful and precious time in Faridabad. It was the opportunity to know the culture and the environment in India.

I am a nursing student in Japan. I was studying English during this year in Sydney because I want to work in developing countries as a nurse in the future and I need to improve my English skills. The purpose of this volunteer was to know how the area where the project has conducted is, to know whether I can adapt such an environment and to apply to my English skills.

One of the most surprising aspects in India was the low level of hygiene. Although I searched the environment in India before I came, it was more terrible than I expected. In particularly, I realised that the situation in a hospital was not good even though I knew this is because of the lack of money. On the other hand, in a slum school, children wash their hands before the lunch time. I was admired this custom.

In terms of the communication between participants, which is one of my goals, it was hard for me to have a good relationship with them. At the beginning of the project, I tended to stay in a room after the project because I felt a bit nervous and I couldn't understand their conversation. But they were very kind and attractive girls so I could gradually get along with them. Indeed, I miss them now.

As a result, I could get great experience through this volunteer. I really appreciate Vishav and his family to organise everything for the project. In addition, I met a lot of people in Faridabad and wonderful members. I will not definitely forget this experience and I would like to visit India again.

I stayed in India for 5 weeks and was able to travel around India including Mumbai, Varanasi, Dharmsala and Rishikesh, as well as making the most of my time volunteering in Delhi. I was able to see all of the main attractions in Delhi during the week as the metro system is great. We also had a few good nights out in Delhi.
The family we stayed with were very helpful and generous and I received support before and during my trip. I would definitely recommend it as a first travelling experience.

I went to India with PMGY few weeks ago and it was one of the best experiences I have done. The accommodation and the people there was great and I hope to go abroad with PMGY again over the coming years. I would thoroughly recommend any thinking of going abroad to do it with PMGY, not only can enjoy the travels of your destination but have the satisfaction of helping others as well.

I had the best time ever in India, and I would do it all over again. Hopefully I will do many other trips with PlanMyGapYear.

I spent 4 weeks teaching in India with PMGY. Before I left the support and guidance I received from Josh was very good. He was very swift with his responses to any questions, queries or worries I had. When I arrived the country was nothing what I expected as it is totally different to the UK but the accommodation was very good (a lot better than what I was expecting). The food in the accommodation was also good- a lot of Indian food though but still very good. The project was amazing. I really felt I was making a difference when I was with the children and the kids were so welcoming and so willing to learn. The whole project is also incredibly flexible so if you wanted to do teaching with different age groups then that was organised for you or if you wanted to do some work with the women's empowerment then you could do that. The project works with you and it is so easy to change to make you happy so that you can make a real difference. There was also enough free time for me to explore such an amazing country and I would definitely recommend the golden triangle trip- seeing the Taj Mahal is definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity and Jaipur is a beautiful trip. The trip is very well organised and gives you the opportunity to see parts of the cities with your guides which you wouldn't get if you decided to just go by yourself.
Thanks PMGY for an amazing trip