You're needed to start the new year serving orphaned, displaced and abused children outside the colorful and stimulating southern city of Chennai. Once homeless or living in unimaginable poverty, the youth you can serve are now preparing for a productive, healthy future. Teach and stimulate young minds, care for young orphans, provide medical care, or assist with light construction and renovation to improve educational and living conditions.

"I was speechless everyday when I would see the smiling happy faces of these orphans who literally have nothing." - Tom Sperry, India Global Volunteer

This special JOURNEYS-Global Volunteers opportunity enables you to both experience life in the spiritual land of India -- with its diverse languages, culture, and lifestyles -- on a custom JOURNEYS tour, and contribute needed time and resources to deserving children. What's more, your Global Volunteers program fee provides critical funds for the projects to improve the children's living conditions. With one trip abroad, you can make a personal, lasting investment toward eradicating poverty and homelessness!

View a "Day in the Life" documentary by Indian students.

Week One: This unique opportunity begins with six days of touring with JOURNEYS Director Joan Weber in the north including Old Delhi and New Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, and Rajasthan's Jaipur, using homestay and Heritage Palace accommodations. The tour goal is to understand India's emergence as a 21st century leader, her success in creating a highly educated middle class and her impressive accomplishments as the globe's largest democracy. Read the formal JOURNEYS itinerary.

Week Two: Global Volunteers India Service Program. Your Global Volunteers team leader will meet your group at the Chennai airport on Saturday, and take you to Porur, a 15-minute drive, to Global Volunteers' guest house -- your "home" in India. Following a team orientation and team building session, you'll meet your community hosts. On Monday, you'll begin your service program.

Global Volunteers serves six community partners: one children's home, two daycare orphanages, two schools and a hospital. Your work assignments are directed by community leaders who match your skills and interests to our hosts' current needs.  Your team leader supervises your daily schedule and coordinates your team activities.

Read volunteers' descriptions of the work projects.

Global Volunteers began working in India in 2000. Working in partnership with local people on long-term community service work projects is foundational to our relationship with host organizations worldwide. Our investments of volunteer service, financial support and international recognition are hallmarks of our commitment to this partnership.