Women and Girls' Empowerment in Rajasthan, India

For four weeks I worked at the Jodhpur Empowerment Center and taught basic English and math. There were three groups each: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced. My job was to prepare and deliver the lessons according to the different learning levels. Once a week there were workshops on various topics, for example to get to know other countries and cultures, but also to address issues such as health, children’s rights, hygiene, violence, etc.

It was wonderful to see how the women and children like to visit these centers. I could really feel how much joy they had in exchanging ideas with each other and learning and sewing. For many, it was a way to escape from their daily problems at home and forget their hardships for a while.

It was a great experience and I would definitely recommend this Program!

I have been volunteering at Sambhali for two months now and I experience enriching, interpersonal drvelopments almost every day.I am volunteering in Jodhpur at the Durag Niwas Guesthouse. The food and accomodation has a very high standard and it's good living together with other volunteers for practical and emotional support. In the mornings I have been helping out as an admin and in the afternoon I teach English at the Sambhali Boarding Homes. I find it very interesting to get to know the personal background of the Boarding Home girls. Teaching was and still is quite of a challenge as the girls are used to another learning culture.Nevertheless, the experience is very authentic and enriching. Although the life style here may seem strange and perhaps slower than at home, you will enjoy it and become extremely adaptable a personal goal that may come in handy later.

I was volunteering at Sambhali Trust for one year and it was the best year in my life so far. All people at the NGO welcomed me with open arms and tried their best to make my stay as perfect as possible. In the mornings, I went to one of the Women Empowerment Centers and taught English, Maths and general knowledge to girls and women from the neighbourhood. After lunch at the Durag Niwas Guesthouse, the Sambhali van dropped me at one of the two Boarding Homes. Over there, I helped young girls from desert villages around Jodhpur with their homework. In addition to that, we played games, read stories and danced whenever we had more time. I left Germany with one family and came back with so many new brothers, sisters and more. Jodhpur is my second home now and I could not imagine my life without it, Sambhali and all the people anymore. I am so grateful and thankful for this opportunity and the work Sambhali does!