PMGY - Volunteer in India from $375

Spending four weeks with PMGY in India felt more like a lifetime on another planet. We spent a month divided between the Delhi and the Kerala regions, volunteering for a week in orphanages in each location. It was evident that we made an impression on the children and brightened up their every day, but we were also able to make a lasting impact on the school - helping to paint and refurbish. After a week of volunteering, we spent 7 days travelling around the region, seeing the Taj Mahal, Jaipur's Red Fort and the mountains of Kerela amongst other beautiful sights.

Being in a culture so different to our own and removed from the comfortable security of home was a cultural shock; but I am very grateful to the hosts at PMGY for giving us such raw exposure to India at both the most decadent and dire extremes. We were supported all the way by staff who grew up and lived around the accommodation, so I can recommend this to both experienced and first time travellers alike!

I have just arrived back in England after having an amazing 4 weeks in India, on the medical programme. Seeing the differences in healthcare compared to my own country was a real eye opener for me. Also, I could not have asked for better hosts whilst I was there; Vishy and Karanti and all their staff were so welcoming to all the volunteers, and it really made me feel like I was at home during my stay there. I am in awe of all the work they all do for all the volunteers, orphans, and slum community.

I have just returned from my second summer with plan my gap year in India ( both three weeks long) and have loved every minute of it. I spent both summers mainly at the Isabella school and, having seen/ been through other volunteering opportunities; it is apparent the difference that PMGY volunteers makes to these children's lives. You are able to see how the money that you pay is put back into the projects and community in order to ensure they keep improving.
I especially like how pmgy offers a personal feel to their programmes through the volunteer handbook, Facebook group and employing previous volunteers in order to act as In-country coordinators. Lisa, Hannah and Steph( from my first summer), went above and beyond to share their experiences with me and offer support throughout my trip.
During my time in India, I visited Dharamsala, the golden triangle, Amritsar, Varanasi, Mumbai, Goa and south India . All of which Vishy helped me plan and book.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my summer with pmgy . I never once felt like I was just another customer and I think this is through the support I received from the uk and in-country teams. I would not hesitate to recommend or use them again.

Two very simple words can be used to describe the experience... Absolutely amazing!!!
Before booking with PMGY year I did extensive research on various companies however PMGY came out top based on affordability and reviews and after being out there and experiencing it for myself, I can understand why.
The welcome pack they send out to you prior to leaving is fully comprehensive and you have lots of communication / contact before departure. It was great joining the relevant PMGY FB page, as it allows you to start talking to other volunteers which in turn puts you at ease also (especially when you're going out on your own).
When I arrived in Delhi, Vishy and his family genuinely can't do enough for you and they make you feel welcome from the moment you are met from the airport. Vishy was always on hand to answer questions or have information at the ready, especially when it came to planning your weekend trips. He also gives you ideas and helps you plan for evening activities to ensure you truly soak up the culture and learn their way of living.
The projects are fantastic and the kids are truly amazing. I spent my time working at the Isabella school and it was lovely working alongside their teach Rita who again was so friendly and welcoming. The programmes also gives you flexibility so I was able to spend a day at the Slum school as well.
The only thing I wished I'd done differently was fund raising before I went out as for just £80, you can send a child to private school for a whole year which can make such a difference to a youngs life. I would say it's definitely worth finding out this sort of information before going.
Overall... Would I do it all again... Absolutely. And I'm already looking at my next adventure with PMGY.
Good luck and have fun to all the future volunteers

I spent two weeks in India on the medical programme. I had the most amazing and memorable experience from start to finish. Vishy, Steph and all the other PMGY organisers were so helpful and welcoming, they are able to accommodate your preferences in what you want to get out from your experience; whether you want to spend time in surgery, gp clinics or labs. The food was delicious and there was plenty of time to visit and discover Delhi.
My time in India confirmed my decision to go into Medicine and was so beneficial to my application!
I would highly recommend anyone to participate in volunteering with PMGY.

As a first time solo traveller I felt very safe and welcome at the PMGY India programme. Vishy, the programme leader was very helpful and always available to answer any questions you might have. The set up there is great. It lends perfectly to a great social experience, meeting your fellow volunteers and the volunteering enables you to gain experience in a variety of areas, across each volunteer programme. There were lots of opportunities to travel and explore both Delhi and further afield in India. I had an amazing experience as part of this programme, both gaining essential first hand work experience and making friends for life. I highly recommend this programme to all!

My experience volunteering in India was one of the most amazing and breathtaking experiences of my life. Having been my first solo trip abroad, and to India, initially I was apprehensive of booking this trip however, I honestly was not disappointed!
The project I had booked to do was English Teaching within a Slum school and this was an invaluable and extremely enjoyable experience in which I was able to interact with children of different age groups, teaching them basic English and Maths. I was also able to help out within an Excel class which would run in the morning, within the orphanage we were staying, for older teenagers/students. This I also found to be a great experience - helping out other people who were my age and older - talking to them and listening to their different life experiences.
Further to this, I was also extremely fortunate that the projects were really flexible so within the first week of my stay I was also able to help out within the medical clinic in the slum. This I found to be really rewarding as I interacted with many patients of different age groups and medical needs, as well as doctors from different countries! This I found to be extremely engaging and everyday presented a new case - witnessing how appreciative the patients (and children within the slum school) were of the care and help they were receiving really opened my eyes, making me appreciate more of what its available to me at home.
As the projects mainly started in the morning and ended by the early afternoon, there was a lot of time in which we were able to spend traveling the local areas and experiencing the culture of India. Being an hour away from Delhi allowed us to enter the city many times seeing most/if not all of the major tourist attractions. Also as at the weekends we were free - trips could be arranged to Agra to see the Taj Mahal (YOU CAN'T GO TO INDIA AND NOT SEE THE TAJ MAHAL), Jaipur and many other destinations to see tourist attractions. So visiting Agra & Jaipur for me was also an added bonus!
Volunteering with PMGY I found to be a really great experience, not only were the projects an invaluable experience but meeting so many new people and also being able to travel and sightsee was really amazing making the experience, in my opinion, even better. I would definitely recommend this programme! :)

I believe that the Teaching program is beneficial to the students, on-site, teachers and volunteers. I also believe that changes can be made to improve the effectiveness of the program for all three groups (which I have already shared).
I am impressed by the quality and quantity of volunteers, and by their young age!
I believe that the experience has been positive for me and for those with whom I have come in contact.