Volunteer work teaching english in dharamsala

"We would like those who come here to use their time sagely, no substance if it's six hours or six calendar month," says Dave Bloom, the Resource Coordinator for the Dharamsala Earthville Institute (DEVI), which provides information, advice, and contacts between the Tibetan and military volunteer communities.

Dharamsala's greatest long-term need is for instructor. Refugees arrive at a rate of 3,000 a year, 80 percentage of whom are kid. The authorities in exile provides education through high school as well as up to three years of linguistic communication training for grownup. Experienced instructor are needed for math, history, English, environmental issues, and other basic K-12 social class.

According to Dave, "Schools for grownup like the Young Ling Adult English language Program will take English language conversation military volunteer for a day or provide you with your own class." Experience is preferred but not necessity. For a 1-month commitment, it is possible to negotiate a stipend to cover basic room and board.

In add-on to instruction, you may also find work with one of the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) workings with Tibetans in and about Dharamsala. Solutions in Action, which has introduced village cleanups and instruction programs, is one illustration of a local NGO which can ever use an extra hand.

The Tibetan Library, the Tibetan Welfare business office, and the Tibetan Youth United States Congress all take military volunteer for three calendar month or more. Volunteering can lead to a paid place, either inside the business office in which you're placed or through a contact elsewhere. All the organizations working to improve the Tibetan situation are constantly looking for researchers, data compilers, editors, designers, translators, and activists. Perhaps the most pressing need is for computer experts. Dave Bloom says that no matter what you can do, DEVI can find a place where you can help. Just don't expect the reward to be in cash.

Most visitors work about 20 to 30 hours a week, which leaves a lot of time for attending lectures on Tibet, studying Dharma, or taking courses in meditation, Yoga, and other spiritual practices—or just for hiking in the cool mountain air. Here in the Himalayas, working in the spiritual seat of Tibetan Buddhism, many have found there's a different definition to living the high life.

Contact: Charamsala Mandala/DEVI, Dharamsala Mandala (above Western Travels), Dalai Lama Temple Rd., McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala [HP] 176219, India; , www.earthville.org/devi. If you've already arrived to Dharamsala, you can find DEVI at the Khananirvana café on the Temple Road.

DAN KAPLAN writes from Massapequa, NY.