Gap for Good: Tibetan Service and Immersion
Dates: Open enrollment between September 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010
Country: India
Location of Program: McLeod Ganj, northern India

Description of Program:
With a mix of meaningful service and the option of a traditional Tibetan home stay or a simple apartment in the Himalayan foothills, you are able to become a part of the community in the Tibetan settlement of McLeod Ganj. You will spend your days teaching in a local school for Tibetan children, tutoring newly arrived refugees, helping in a local daycare center, or teaching computer skills that will be valuable for Tibetans trying to develop a new life in India.

After a brief orientation, you will be ready to get involved in the local community through daily service projects that are of interest to you. After your days of service, you can participate in Buddhist studies, Thangka painting, meditation, yoga, local cooking or other courses of your own choice. In the evenings, you will find yourself meeting new friends over a cup of steaming chai tea, making offerings at the Dalai Lama’s Namgyal Monastery or helping to make a dinner of momo’sandthukpha with your home stay family.

Description of Location: Local community is Tibetan, with most speaking Tibetan and a small amount of English. The climate can be varied and in the winter, snow is minimal, but winter temperatures to come. The spring can have rain occurring on occasion.

Suggested Service Projects Available on this Program:

Project 1: Children’s Nursery Assistant
Description of Service: Assist in childcare in a small volunteer-run nursery.
Location of project: McLeod Ganj, India.
Hours Per Week for this Project: Hours can be dependent on the student, but up to 40 hours/week depending on the interest. They request 2-weeks minimum commitment.
Transport to project location from program location: Within walking distance from accommodations.

Project 2: English Teaching/Tutoring
Description of Service: Teaching either English or French to newly arrived Tibetan refugees.
Location of project: Lha Social Work Organization/Tibetan Children’s’ Village school McLeod, Ganj, India.
Hours Per Week for this Project: Hours can be dependent on the student, but up to 40 hours/week depending on the interest. They request 2-weeks minimum commitment.
Transport to project location from program location: Within walking distance from accommodations.
Note: Both French and English speakers are needed.

Project 3:Computer Skills Teacher
Description of Service: Teaching computer skills ranging from basic (Office, basic photo editing, internet, etc…) to advanced (graphic design, web design, etc.).
Location of project: Lha Social Work Organization, McLeod Ganj, India
Hours Per Week: Approx. 20 hours/week.
Transport to project location from program location: Within walking distance from accommodations.
Notes: Placement will be dependent on your computer skill level.

Program Start Location: Students will receive instructions on how to take a bus toor flight to McLeod Ganj and can safely and easily travel independently.

Description of Accommodations: Students will have two options. They can either do a home stay with a local Tibetan family, which will have simple accommodations and will also include breakfast and dinner with the family. They will have a simple room with bedding provided. The bathrooms are typically squat toilets and some families have showers, but in most cases, students will take bucket showers with warm water provided by the family. Students also have the option of having a simple apartment. Depending on the availability, these typically have a private bathroom, gas burner/small kitchen, and a bed with bedding provided.

Medical Facilities Available: A small hospital run by the Tibetan government-in-exile can handle most minor emergencies. More serious issues will need to be taken care of in Dharamsala (10 minutes away by car) or Palampur (1 hour’s drive).

Food available: Students choosing the home stay option will have breakfast and dinner provided by their host family.There arealsomany restaurants in the town. Students choosing to say in an apartment will be able to cook their own meals.

Cell phone reception: Great with local Airtel SIM card
Availability of Internet: There are many Internet cafes located in townonly a short walk away.

Laundry: Services are available for approximately $5/load, hand washed

Program leader/Managing Director: Scott Poniewaz (Scott@rusticpathways.com)

Optional activities: Several small movie theatres (basically a couple seats and a TV or a projector), many hiking options, we can also help arrange a trekking trip for an additional cost. Swimming (seasonal), pickup basketball/soccer games occur daily

Packing List: http://www.rusticpathways.com/india/clouds.php

Any Special Equipment Required for this trip: Positive vibrations

Medical Requirements: All students must consult their doctor for suggested precautions to take when traveling.

Note: If in a home stay, late nights are not going to be acceptable. The legal drinking age in India is 25 years old. Students who break this law will be removed from our programs at their own cost.