International Youth Internships – Summer 2020
Over the past four years Srishti Foundation has partnered with Internationally renowned charitable organizations in North America, India (Bharat), Ghana and Nepal to provide North American Youth an opportunity to connect with the people, land and soul of these countries.
These are unpaid summer internships and offers opportunity to youth and young adults to contribute their time to a larger movement of serving humanity, while engaging in self-development. Interns spend the duration of their internship working with NGOs in their respective communities at their location. They seek to serve and engage in a transformative experience that empowers them, as they strive to make an impact in their chosen field
This year, we are offering four of the following programs. Scroll down for details of each of these programs and how to register for any one of them –
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- in the Tropical Rain-forests bordering Kerala & Tamil Nadu, India.
- in the snow-capped foothills of the Himalayas, in Himachal Pradesh, India
- in Africa for the first time, in Ghana.
- in beautiful Himalayan country of Nepal.
Serving to Discover@ Kerala & Tamil Nadu
Location : Scenic Attapady Valley, Kerala, India Map
Our Partner NGO: Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission (SVMM)
Areas of Work : Health, Education & Tribal Empowerment / Community Development projects.
Accommodation: Arsha Vidya Gurukulam, Anaikatti, Tamil Nadu Map
The accommodation set in a scenic setting, is clean, modern, in a secure campus, well kept and hosts international students from all over the world, for their own programs. Clean, hygienic and healthy vegetarian food, prepared with love and Seva is provided at the Ashram. The Ashram also has a Reverse Osmosis Plant that provides clean drinking water.
Timing : May to August 2020
Duration : 4 weeks (1 week orientation followed by 3 weeks of field work)
Who can apply:
1. Youth (18 + years old), University Youth.
2. Be able to participate for the full duration of the internship program.
3. Be a resident of USA or Canada.
4. Possess strong enthusiasm to make a difference and willingness to serve.
5. Be able to adapt well to situations, a new environment and people.
6. Be respectful of local communities, their language, culture & traditions
7. Be able to participate in Sadhana & Seva activities at the Ashram.
Language skills : Comprehension of Malayalam or Tamil, since work entails interaction with local communities in the villages.
Project Descriptions, Roles & Deliverable : In the role of a community social worker, interns will be assigned to one of the ongoing projects involving creation of self help groups and resolution of community development issues. Interns will also have an opportunity to
- Follow Doctors of the hospital as they go about treating patients.
- Teach English at the local school
- Experience life at an Ashram and attend lectures there
- Trek into Tropical Forests, especially the famed Silent Valley National Park and watch wild life.
Cost : Each intern pays equivalent of US $600 (total) in Indian Rupees to SVMM ($300) & Arsha Vidya Gurukulam ($300), during their internship in India. This includes accommodation, food and local transportation during the internship. Interns pay for their own travel to India and getting to the internship location and return.
So far 9 KHNA youth have successfully completed this internship since its inception in 2016. Five of the past interns were girls. 6 of the past interns were from Canada and 3 from USA. They have since been involved helping fundraise and implementing projects to address issues they worked on, in the community, during their internship. This has helped the interns bring closure to their work from studying the issue, collecting data, coming up with possible solutions and then implementing the best suited solution i.e. being truly part of the solution.
Reports &Testimonials from past interns at SVMM, Attapady, Kerala, India.
Once interns are short listed, more details on visa requirements, and what to carry and prepare for the internship will be shared, via email, video conference calls etc.
Serving @ CORD in the Himalayan Foothills, India
Location : Sidhbari, Himachal Pradesh, India Map
Our Partner NGO: Chinmaya Mission London (Canada)
For over twenty years, CORD, the service wing of Chinmaya Mission, has been helping rural communities create programmes and adopt practices for holistic welfare; facilitating participatory, integrated and sustainable development for underprivileged communities in over 700 villages and remote areas across India.
CORD has a reach spanning over one-half million villagers in four states of India: Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, at present.
Who can go:
1. Youth (18 + years old), University Youth.
2. Be able to participate for the full duration of the internship program.
3. Be a resident of USA or Canada.
4. Possess strong enthusiasm to make a difference and willingness to serve.
5. Be able to adapt well to situations, a new environment and people.
6. Be respectful of local communities, their language, culture & traditions
7. Be able to participate in Sadhana & Seva activities at the Ashram.
8. Previous exposure to Chinmaya Bala Vihar or CHYK program would be an asset; however not mandatory.
Areas of Work : Rural Development and Health Care.
Accommodation: Chinmaya Tapovanam Ashram
Timing : May or June or July or August 2020
Duration : 4 weeks (1 week orientation followed by 3 weeks of field work)
Language skills : Comprehension of Hindi is an asset, but not mandatory.
Cost : Each intern pay equivalent of US $500 in Indian Rupees to CORD directly, when onsite during internship. This includes accommodation, food during the internship and a Dakshina to facilitate this internship. Interns pay for their own travel to India and getting to the internship location and return.
For pictures & testimonials from Aarushi & Kusha – two past interns
CONTACT US to apply to Serve @ CORD Himachal Pradesh
Serving West Africa – Ghana
The Hindu Monastery of Africa was established in 1975 by the first native African Hindu monk, His Holiness Swami Ghanananda Saraswati. The Hindu Monastery of Africa has a membership of about 2000 Ghanaian families worshiping at five Ashrams in Ghana and Togo. Since its establishment, the monastery inspired by the principle of service, undertakes monthly social service to the underprivileged and the poor. Charity support is given to persons with physical and mental disabilities, children orphanages, leprosarium as well as yearly donation to the biggest teaching hospital in Ghana.
Serving Africa @ Hindu Monastery of Africa is an unpaid 4 week summer internship and offers opportunity in Ghana, Africa to youth and young adults to seek to serve and engage in a transformative experience that empowers them, as they strive to make an impact in their chosen field
Location : Accra, Ghana, Africa.
Our Partner NGO: Hindu Monastery of Africa
Who can go : University Youth (Age 18 or above), Young Adults.
Accommodation & Food : Residences at the Hindu Monastery of Africa campus. Vegetarian Food will be served at the Ashram
Timing : May 2020
Duration : 4 weeks.
Language skills : English.
Areas of Work : Work with, coach and run camps with Middle School, High School and University youth comprising the following activities :
– Yoga, Games & Martial Arts, Basket Ball, Hindu Philosophy & History.
– Public Speaking & Debating sessions in English.
– Home work help & coaching in Math & Science.
– Lessons on basic health care & nutrition.
These camps will run everyday in the afternoon on week days and during the morning on weekends. Depending on intern’s area of expertise and comfort they can choose the subjects they would like to teach or instruct. There is flexibility in the program, depending on expertise of the interns.
In addition interns will
– experience life at an Ashram and great African hospitality.
– participate in Seva activities in the Ashram & Aarti at the Ashram.
– experience life and culture at an Ashram
– visiting Ghanain homes in the community.
– tour to four other Ashrams in Ghana.
– visit Cape Coast, tropical forests and other local attractions in Ghana
Cost : US$ 800 – to be paid to the Hindu Monastery of Africa during the Internship. This covers accommodation & food during the internship.
Interns pay for their own travel to Ghana & visitor visa. Airport pickup and drop off will be arranged in Accra.
Once interns are short listed, more details on visa requirements, vaccinations and what to carry and prepare for the internship will be shared, via email, video conference calls etc.
Serving Nepal @Youth for Seva
Location : Pokhara, Nepal. Pokhara is Nepal’s second largest city. It is set in the back drop of the tenth highest mountain in the world, Annapurna, at 26,545 ft. It is also the most popular adventure and leisure destination in Nepal, a gateway to treks in the Annapurna circuit, scenic places of interest, with plenty of entertainment for individual travellers and their families.
Imagine waking up, to the sight of the mighty snow capped Himalayas towering over your backyard everyday……..
Our Partner NGO: Youth for Seva Nepal
Youth For Seva (YFS) Nepal, is a registered charity in Nepal that seeks to engage Nepalese youth in selfless service of Nepal through
- self-development programs & study of Dharma.
- projects serving the under-privileged.
- preserving timeless Nepali culture.
Who can go:
1. Youth (18 + years old), University Youth or Young Adults
2. Be able to participate for the full duration of the internship program.
3. Be a resident of USA or Canada.
4. Possess strong enthusiasm to make a difference and willingness to serve.
5. Be able to adapt well to situations, a new environment and people.
6. Be respectful of local communities, their language, culture & traditions
7. Be able to participate in Sadhana & Seva activities at YFS Nepal.
Areas of Work : Working with Nepalese Children, Youth and Women in any (or multiple areas) of
- Coaching in spoken English.
- Home work help – Math & Science.
- Yoga, Meditation & Vedanta lessons.
- Computer Applications Training
- Women’s empowerment – Health, Hygiene & Nutrition.
Interns will be provided a couple of days of orientation on arrival in Pokhara regarding activities of YFS Nepal and the audience the interns would work with. After that YFS coordinators will go over the schedule and work for the next 3 -4 weeks. Interns will conduct these sessions either at our centre or at external venues like schools, colleges where the youth study or temples or cultural centres. Transportation will be provided wherever required and our Sevaks or Sevikas will accompany the interns. YFS volunteers will make all the arrangements to facilitate these session.
Experiencing Nepal, the Himalayas, its culture, language, cuisine, places of interest
In addition
- experience the Himalayas.
- trek into the mountains.
- visit Lumbini (birth place of Gautama Buddha) & Muktinath.
- experience Nepalese culture & hospitality
Accommodation & Food : We are offering interns with three options, which ever suits them best
- Accommodation & Vegetarian Meals (Nepali cuisine) at Youth For Seva Nepal Centre, Nepal.
- Home Stay & accommodation including vegetarian meals (Nepali cuisine) at an award winning lodging Villa Papillon at the Lakeside, in Pokhara. Villa Papillon is a family owned business and provides quality and family atmosphere. The on-site resident family who owns the business also volunteers with Youth For Seva Nepal. Recommended for female interns.
- If interns have friends or family in Pokhara, staying with them is also an option that we can accommodate.
Timing : May or June 2020.
Duration : 4 weeks.
Language skills : Comprehension or Spoken skills in Nepali or Hindi is an asset, but not mandatory.
Cost : Depending on choice of accommodation, costs are given below
US$ 600 – covers accommodation & food at Youth for Seva Nepal Centre for 4 weeks duration of the internship.
US$ 900 – covers accommodation & food at Villa Papillon for 4 weeks duration of the internship.
US$ 301 – Interns stay with their family and friends option. Covers Dakshina plus costs incurred by YFS (Nepal) to facilitate, coordinate and supervise this internship.
Interns pay for their own travel to Pokhara, Nepal. Outstation sight seeing (OPTIONAL) visits to Lumbini (202 Kms) and Muktinath (175 Kms) are not included in above costs.
Visas:
- Canadian and US citizens can obtain entry visas, on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, in Kathmandu.
- If you are an Indian citizen, visa is not required to enter Nepal.
Arrival & Transit to Pokhara:
- Our volunteers in Kathmandu can help receive interns at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu.
- Our volunteers can then help them transit to the adjacent Domestic Terminal and take the domestic flight to Pokhara.
- If the intern wishes to spend a day or two in Kathmandu city before departing for Pokhara, that can be facilitated too, if requested.
- Travelling to Pokhara by road is also an option which takes 6 hours, from Kathmandu.
- Youth For Seva volunteers will receive interns at Pokhara airport or designated meeting point and take them to either of their chosen accommodation.
- Parents or Family or Friends are welcome to accompany interns and drop them off at Pokhara, check out the YFS Nepal centre, meet our volunteers and interns’ accommodation.
Once interns are short listed, more details and what to carry and prepare for the internship will be shared, via email, video conference calls etc.