An amazing and worthwhile experience

I had received verbal feedback from a previous volunteer with similar life experience to myself and felt confident that I would be safe on my first visit to India travelling alone.
The guide met me at the airport and we stayed in Delhi for about 12 hours at a hotel, before boarding the bus for the overnight journey to Dharamasala. We arrived early in the morning at the volunteer house and the first day is mainly relaxation/recovery before starting the program the next day.
My days were well structured with day care centre in the mornings, community work (painting new day care centre) in the afternoon, then evening class teaching English to school students.
The staff at the volunteer house provided transport to all work placements and cooked delicious meals each day. The volunteer house was comfortably furnished with hot showers, cable TV and internet access - all set in the most magnificent scenery of the foothills of the Himalayas.
The impact of the organisation was demonstrated by the practical response to disadvantage experienced by local people. Varun (the founder) provides patronage to local services/tradespeople with disabilities, provides food and support to families who are recently bereaved, and organises sponsorship of promising students to be able to continue their education.
I took advantage of the add on excursions and a highlight of my trip was the visit to the Golden Temple at Amritsar.
I thoroughly recommend this organisation/volunteer placement. It has given me the confidence to travel to India again as a volunteer.