Welcome to Volunteering in India.

Teach English volunteer program in India

Why iSpiice ?

Unlike other volunteer organisations based in India, we’re run by Indian people that understand the needs of the community and how to effectively implement change. iSpiice provides international volunteers with the opportunity to genuinely improve the lives of women and children in the rural villages of India. iSpiice volunteers come from all corners of the world and from all walks of life. Participants share similar motives for volunteering such as a passion for helping others and the desire to meet like minded people while travelling.

LOW FEES

We make every effort to keep costs low and at the same time offer you professional and comprehensive services for your volunteer abroad experience. Please compare our prices and services with other organizations and you will be surprised. The size, simplicity and clear focus of our organisation means our program fees are much lower than others. We keep costs to a minimum and still allow a portion of your Placements Fees to be donated straight to the community.

  • 35% of your fees go directly to the community for educational supplies, basic food supplies, school renovation supplies and help iSpiice sponsor local children to get an education.
  • 65% of your fees covers the costs associated with your program such as rent, food, utlities, transport, hotels, sight seeing and provide a small wage for our staff members that will be with you along the way, during your Indian volunteer adventure.
EXPERTISE

Varun Verma our Founding Director has had more than 15 years experience working with Indian NGO’s and International volunteers. Varun spent more than a decade working with volunteers to assist in the slums of Mumbai, Goa and Delhi prior to starting iSpiice.
His experience and understanding of the Western culture ensures all Volunteer Placements are as beneficial for the volunteers as they are for the communities our volunteers are supporting.

iSpiice aim to be flexible in its offerings to support the communities holistic development and also to make the most of volunteers wide range of skills, experiences and abilities.

DIVERSITY

iSpiice offers a diverse range of Volunteer Programs for international volunteers to choose from. Our Programs include Teaching English, Child Care, Women’s Empowerment, Street Children, Computer Skills, Health Education, Private Tuition, Summer Volunteer Programs, Gap Year Programs and much more. We offer variety of volunteer programs in India which volunteers can choose from. We also offer Optional ADD-ON TOURS for volunteers while volunteering and also offer combine volunteer & travel programs in India. Allowing volunteers to enjoy their weekends, giving them time to see India’s sites. We take volunteers on cultural, spiritual and adventurous journeys every weekend.

  • → ACCOMMODATION

 

The iSpiice Volunteer House is large, clean, comfortable and communal. It’s a true rural experience with cows, wheat fields and gardens but we have western comforts to go with it (electricity, hot water, filtered water and western toilets). Volunteers enjoy the shared environment of the Volunteer House – large bedrooms (separate male and female), bathrooms, large living areas for enjoying meals, relaxing and preparing lessons and our large backyard for soaking up the sun during the day or sitting by the bonfire at night.

 

  • → FLIGHTS

 

Flights are not included in your Placement Fees and it’s advised to book as early as possible to secure cheaper tickets.

 

 

→ ARRIVAL FLIGHT TO DELHI

Your flight should be arranged to arrive to Delhi International Airport on Sunday. Pickup timings are available whole Sunday. You will be met at the airport at your time of arrival by an iSpiice staff member holding an iSpiice placard.

 

FLIGHT DETAILS TO PROVIDE US

When you have made your flight booking please submit the following flight details:

  • → Airline and Flight Number
  • → Flight Arrival Date
  • → Flight Arrival Time
  • → Travel Insurance Policy Number
  • → Departure Flight Date
  • → Departure Flight Time

 

  • → 24 HR SUPPORT

 

From the moment your Application is accepted, you are in our mind an iSpiice Volunteer. And so we offer 24 hour support to you – to assist with flights, visas, onward travel or anything else you may have questions about. The same goes when you are at the iSpiice Volunteer House or working at your Programs.

 

 

 

  • → PICK UP IN DELHI AIRPORT AT THE TIME OF ARRIVAL

 

For many of our volunteers it is their first time in India and landing in Delhi can be overwhelming for some. For this reason we  pick you up at Delhi International Airport when you land in India.

 

→ DEPARTURE FLIGHT FROM DELHI

Departure flight should be booked any time between Sunday early morning 02:00 AM to Sunday afternoon before 02:00 PM if possible. Please share your arrival and departure information with us: info@ispiice.com

 

→ OPTION TO FLY FROM DELHI TO DHARAMSALA

Some of our volunteers choose to book a connecting flight from Delhi to Dharamsala – where iSpiice is based. This allows volunteers to spend more time in Delhi if they choose to and often saves them time and energy, as they do not need to take an overnight bus or train with an iSpiice staff member after their long haul flight.

Volunteers who fly to Dharamsala can start their program any day of the week; however their program finish day will remain as Saturday. For this reason most volunteers choose to arrive on a Sunday or Monday.

An iSpiice staff member will greet you at Dharamsala airport with an iSpiice placard. We will also be monitoring your flight arrival time, so do not worry if your flight is delayed.

 

DETAILS ON THE DHARAMSALA AIRPORT AND AIRLINES

Airport code – DHM
Airport name – Gaggal Airport (alternatively known as Kangra Airport or Dharamsala-Kangra Airport)
Airlines available – Air India & Spice Jet.

  • TRAVEL INSURANCE

    It is necessary for you to purchase travel insurance to cover you for the entire time you are away. An emergency abroad can be very expensive if you do not have sufficient coverage.

    You should purchase comprehensive travel insurance for your trip and we recommended you shop around online before you buy. Cheaper policies provide less coverage and as a minimum ensure your policy provides for your outdoor trekking, emergency medical and health coverage and lost or stolen possessions coverage.

  • VISA APPLICATION

    Receiving an appropriate Visa for volunteering purpose is the volunteer’s responsibility. iSpiice strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get an appropriate visa before departing for India, please check with your local Indian Embassy in your country for more details. If needed, iSpiice does provide with written document which would help volunteers in getting the Visa.

  • MEDICAL INSTRUCTIONS

    All travelers should visit their personal physician or travel health clinic at least 4 weeks prior to departure to discuss the different travel vaccines available.

    Malaria medication may be taken and it can be worthwhile for time spent outside of Dharamsala, (where there is little risk of malaria). Apart from this, the best way to prevent malaria is to avoid mosquito bites, so consider bringing bug spray.

    A water filter is provided at the volunteer house and bottled water can be bought nearby. To help prevent any stomach upset some people take stomach strengthening acidophilus pills (containing good bacteria needed for digestion) which can be bought over the counter before departure.

  • WHAT TO PACK

    There is no master packing list that you should follow meticulously and depending on the individual and time of the year you will have different things you want to bring along.

    As a general guide the list below will help. In addition it is best to pack light and after arriving in India you will probably find yourself acquiring a whole new wardrobe with so much choice in beautiful authentic Indian dress, at a low cost.

    Long comfortable trousers and t-shirts covering the shoulders, mid-riff and chest. (Shorts and tank tops are not considered appropriate for men or women). All tops should cover the waistband of your trousers and if your trousers have draw strings these must be tucked inside.

WHAT TO PACK AT A GLANCE

  • A pair of sandals which are easy to slide on and off.
  • A pair of walking shoes with good grip.
  • Sunscreen and bug spray.
  • Hand sanitize for when you’re unable to wash your hands.
  • Flashlight is useful during power cuts and for your trek.
  • Plug adapter (which is the same as Europe: 2 circular prongs).
  • Day pack – for excursions.
  • Facial or baby wipes are perfect to refresh on long journeys.
  • Towel for showering (please not bed linen is provided).
  • Combination lock for locking your luggage when traveling.
  • Journal for keeping track of names, addresses, sites and experiences.
  • Passport – double check your passport and visa and make sure they are both valid through the duration of your stay.

 

You may wish to pack other items, pending the season you are arriving.

Cold season (late October- early February) – bring a warm sweater, warm jacket, leggings to wear under trousers, warm socks and closed toe shoes. Do still bring sunscreen for sunny daytime weather.

Wet season (July-August) – take a light raincoat.