Joint Assistance Centre volunteer programs in India
 

Joint Assistance Centre is a non-governmental voluntary group headquartered in Delhi. JAC coordinates conferences and trainings in various parts of India on disaster preparedness. JAC works in close liaison with other groups, individuals and small grass-roots projects all over India, focusing on such areas as community welfare, health, education, youth development, and agricultural training. JAC welcomes volunteers from around the world to participate in the work of these organizations.
JAC publishes information materials, books and newsletters, and maintains a library on disasters, environment, healthcare and welfare of women and children.
JAC works in cooperation with various international organizations in disaster preparedness.

OBJECTIVES: The international volunteer programs of JAC are intended to provide opportunities for visiting friends from abroad to see India and learn about its people and their concerns. The experience enhances the perspective of the volunteer as well as the people working with the volunteers, all becoming ambassadors of peace and understanding. During the last decade nearly 3,000 volunteers have visited India this way from North American, Europe, Australia, Japan, and other parts of Asia
.

PLANNING YOUR PROGRAM: Programs run year round in different parts of India. An individual schedule is created for each person or group to meet his or her needs. Arrangements need to be made at least 30 days in advance of arrival in India in order to plan properly. There is a minimum of one month’s commitment required for the JAC programs. A commitment of at least three months duration will provide a more complete and satisfying experience and is required for the long-term placements.

GROUPS: Special programs for groups of volunteers can be put together with sufficient advance notice. This is particularly useful for college or university student groups for whom academic assistance can be provided in India.

JAC PROGRAMS:

SHORT-TERM PROJECTS:
• Participation in village work camps: work with villagers on projects such as sanitation, construction, agricultural, environmental improvement, literacy, women’s welfare, health (including local herbal medicine). 1-4 weeks.
• Helping in JAC New Delhi office: office work, research on cultural exchange, disaster preparedness, and other programs.
• Preparing for and attending conferences on development, disasters, and environmental issues.
• Taking part in environmentally oriented treks in the Himalayan region.
• Participation in yoga, meditation, and natural healthcare training programs.

LONG-TERM PLACEMENTS:
These entail a more in-depth involvement in the work of the sponsoring organizations. While this work may be similar to work camp programs, the focus may be more specialized. Volunteers can get involved with editing and publishing or organization of conferences and projects. People with medical backgrounds can be placed at medical centers. Those wishing to work with children can stay at a school or a home for children and teach English. These volunteers should be prepared to learn some basic Hindi language, preferably before they leave for India. Learning Hindi language is also possible at the JAC Delhi office.


You can download a brochure and an application form here.

If you have any other specific needs or questions please contact Mr. N.B. Shrivatava, JAC Director in India by email at jac.india@gmail.com

 JAC VILLAGE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT IN INDIA - LIBRARIES

 

Rapid urbanization is causing problems for the rural poor and their children in India, who live without civic amenities like power (electricity) and sometimes water. For their social and agricultural development, the best answer is improved education, through reading materials like books and periodicals including text books. To support the villages, Joint Assistance Centre is planning to establish libraries in five villages. The locations of the library projects are:

Village Ahmed Nagar, District Kheri (U.P.) INDIA
Village Sansarpur, District Kheri (U.P.) INDIA
Village Prayagpur, District Behraich (U.P.) INDIA
Village Maigra, District Gaya (Bihar) INDIA
Village Siodhara, District Barabanki (U.P.) INDIA

Improved educational levels can impact employment levels and income, including agricultural output. These changes would influence the number of homes getting electricity and water, for example.

At Ahmed Nagar, a room had been already constructed with book shelves. In other four places the safe place to house the library and reading rooms are to be constructed and sufficient land has been donated for this purpose.

A. Cost estimate for rooms: Library/reading rooms to cater 50 persons at a time are to be constructed at four places. This will require an amount of $8,000 ($2,000 for each location)
B. Cost estimate for furniture: Approximately $5,000 will be required for low cost durable furniture for each all locations.
C. Books and periodicals: About one thousand books of Agriculture Disasters and Social Sciences are available with JAC. In addition to this about 200 books for each library will be required. If average cost of books is $4 the amount for 200 books will be $800. The 50 periodicals for 5 libraries will require an expenditure of
$700 annually. Total amount required will be $1,500.

The total cost of the Library project for five villages is $14,500. Any amount received for this project will be used on need based manner starting from establishing the library at Ahmed Nagar village. Work in other villages will be scheduled afterwards.

Your tax-deductible contributions in any amount can be made to using our downloadable donation form: