Volunteer
In India
Volunteer
In India
Volunteering in India: Culture, Need & Diversity
India is a land with a history and culture as old as civilization itself — a country of contrasts that stretches from the majestic, ice-capped Himalayas in the north to the tropical mountains and golden beaches of Kerala in the south. For centuries, travelers have been enchanted by India’s rich traditions, vibrant festivals, and the lure of its spices and cultural heritage. Our volunteering holidays in India are primarily based in the serene southern state of Kerala, often called God’s Own Country.
Yet, behind the beauty lies pressing need. Despite a fast-growing economy since the late 1990s, many communities in India still face poverty and lack access to basic human necessities. Challenges such as limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation facilities, and under-resourced healthcare remain widespread. In addition, issues around women’s rights and equal access to education continue to affect many families.
This is where volunteer work in India becomes truly meaningful. By joining one of our India volunteer programs abroad, you can help bridge these gaps — supporting projects in teaching English, women’s empowerment, healthcare & medical internships, and community development. Volunteering in India allows you to not only experience the country’s cultural richness but also contribute directly to the upliftment of its people, leaving a lasting and positive impact.
Volunteer Opportunities in India
Our volunteer abroad programs in India are based in the tropical gem of Kerala, South India — famously known as “God’s Own Country.” This magical state is blessed with palm-lined backwaters, spice and tea plantations, and a golden coastline that is fast becoming a surfing paradise. Volunteers stay in our dedicated volunteer house in Fort Kochi, a charming and artsy coastal town in Kerala’s cultural hub of Kochi (also known as Cochin).
Unlike the bustling chaos of North India, Kerala offers a more relaxed and exotic atmosphere, making it the perfect choice for first-time travelers to India who want rich cultural experiences without feeling overwhelmed.
What makes volunteering in India at our Kerala base so unique is the chance to live in Fort Kochi itself. This off-beat town is steeped in history, dating back to Kerala’s spice trade era. Today, its leafy streets are lined with colonial-era mansions, ancient churches and temples, trendy cafés, an emerging art scene, and fragrant spice markets. Fort Kochi’s greatest charm lies in its diverse and harmonious community — Catholics, Muslims, and Hindus living side by side — giving volunteers an authentic experience of India’s cultural and religious tapestry.
From our base here, you can join a wide range of India volunteer projects including:
- Women’s Empowerment Programs
- Teaching English & Education Projects
- Special Needs & Disabled Care
- Yoga & Volunteering in Kerala
- Medical & Healthcare Internships in India
- Family Volunteering in India
Volunteering in Kerala gives you the best of both worlds: meaningful community engagement and the chance to enjoy one of India’s most beautiful and culturally rich regions.
Internships in Abroad Locations
Teaching English in India
Our Teaching English volunteer project enables volunteers to help at schools in disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Kerala. Volunteers will gain experience teaching English while providing young students with the chance to develop their language skills and practice talking with a fluent speaker.
Women Empowerment in India
Our Women Empowerment volunteer project in India enables volunteers to teach free classes for local women who tend to live in highly traditional ways. Volunteers can gain teaching experience while giving English lessons and helping women learn about modern social issues.
Yoga & Volunteering in India
This unique volunteer holiday in Kerala is for people who want to combine wellness, yoga and philanthropy in one holiday. Taking a fully holistic approach, we believe that by taking part in community yoga classes, you will be gaining a true understanding of the philosophy of yoga.
Medical and Nursing Electives in India
Our Medical electives and internships gives volunteers the unique opportunity to see Kerala’s world-class healthcare system in action. Medical students will shadow highly respected doctors and nurses as they go about their work, including watching consultations and surgeries.
Special Needs & Disabled Care in India
Join our Special Needs and Disabled Care Volunteering in India program in Kerala and support children with disabilities through education, therapy, and daily activities. Gain valuable experience in psychology and special education while making a real difference in under-resourced communities.
Family Volunteering in India
Experience meaningful travel with our Family Volunteering in India programs, based in Kochi, Kerala. Support local schools, community projects, and special needs care while bonding as a family and exploring India’s rich culture, backwaters, and beaches together.
Dental Internship in India
Dental Electives or Internship in India is a fantastic opportunity for dental students to gain firsthand insight and experience at a clinic in Kochi, Kerala. You will be able to see a range of procedures in action, gain an understanding of dental care in a cross-cultural setting and learn about running a dental practice.
Volunteer Abroad Video Reviews
Medical Electives in Sri Lanka
Our Medical Elective Program in Sri Lanka is based in the coastal city of Galle, in Southern Sri Lanka. Medical students will be placed in one of our partner public teaching hospitals, a prestigious institution with a wide range of clinical departments.
Teaching In Vietnam
Join our Teaching Volunteer Program in Vietnam and inspire the next generation of young learners. With your help, children in Da Nang can improve their English, gain new skills, and dream bigger for their future.
Medical Electives in Cambodia
Join out Medical and Nursing Electives or Internships in Camdodia where you will be given a placement in large hospitals. Learn about healthcare, learn about the culture in Cambodia and make memories of a lifetime.
Volunteering Abroad
Volunteering Journeys is for the go-getters, adventure seekers, and travelers looking for immersive volunteer abroad experiences. Our programs let you explore a country from the inside out while making a real impact.
Medical Electives in India
Join our medical internship programs in Kerala, India, designed for medical students seeking global experience. Gain exposure to procedures and surgeries rarely seen back home while learning in local hospitals. These medical electives abroad are ideal for final-year and 5th-year medical students looking to enhance their clinical knowledge and skills.
Safety in India
Safety is often a concern for young travelers, especially female volunteers in India. In this review, our volunteers share their first-hand experiences of volunteering in India safely, from daily life to cultural immersion. They also provide helpful insights on what to expect with Indian food during your stay.
Volunteer with Sea Turtles in the Maldives
Make a difference in marine conservation by volunteering with sea turtles in the Maldives, where you’ll help rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured turtles back into the wild.
Over 50s Volunteer in Kathmandu
Linda from Scotland joined our disability volunteer program in Nepal, supporting children and adults with special needs. In her volunteer review, she shares how this volunteering abroad experience in Nepal has been both rewarding and life-changing.
Nursing Internship in Nepal
Some of our students from France joined the Nepal Nursing Program, gaining hands-on experience in hospitals and clinics. This nursing volunteer abroad opportunity is perfect for students who want to develop clinical skills, learn from international healthcare systems, and experience life in one of the world’s most inspiring destinations.
Family Volunteering In Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for family volunteering abroad. Known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” it offers breathtaking landscapes — lush jungles, pristine beaches, national parks — together with rich culture, warm communities, and wildlife. For families seeking volunteer opportunities, Sri Lanka delivers not just impact, but also adventure, learning, and connection.
Over 50s Volunteer in Nepal
Linda from Scotland joined our disability volunteer program in Nepal, supporting children and adults with special needs. In her volunteer review, she shares how this volunteering abroad experience in Nepal has been both rewarding and life-changing.
Career Break Volunteer in Sri Lanka
Meet Chris from Alaska, who joined our career break volunteer program in Sri Lanka. Over four weeks, he dedicated his time to teaching English to Buddhist monks, gaining cultural immersion, meaningful experiences, and the chance to give back while traveling abroad.
Family Volunteering in Kerala
Experience meaningful travel through our family volunteering abroad programs. Join exciting adventures where you and your children can give back while exploring new cultures. Kids learn to appreciate diversity, grow more mature, and become globally aware citizens. As a family, you’ll make a positive impact together.
Dental Volunteer In Nepal
Join our dental internship abroad in Nepal designed for dental student groups. Work alongside local dentists in community clinics, assist with basic procedures, and gain valuable international experience while making a meaningful impact on oral healthcare in underserved communities.
Medical Interns In India
Join our Medical Elective Program in India and gain clinical experience in hospitals. This medical internship abroad allows you to learn about India’s healthcare system, observe diverse patient cases, and network with medical professionals while developing essential clinical skills.
Volunteer In India, Kerala
Thinking about joining a volunteer abroad program in India? Watch this video to see what volunteering in India is really like. Discover volunteer experiences, cultural immersion, and the impact you can make in this beautiful destination.
Teaching English In Maldives
Watch our over 50s volunteer share her inspiring story of teaching English in the Maldives. Her experience as a volunteer teacher abroad was life-changing, combining cultural immersion with meaningful impact through our teaching volunteer program in the Maldives.
Family Volunteering In South Africa
Our Family Volunteer Program in South Africa focuses on community upliftment. Families with children can take part in a variety of meaningful activities. This family volunteering abroad opportunity is ideal for parents who want to combine travel with giving back and creating lasting memories together.
Sports Volunteer In South Africa
Our Surf & Sports Volunteer Program in South Africa is perfect for those passionate about sports and youth development. Volunteers work with local children, leading activities such as swimming, boxing, spike ball, surfing, and skateboarding. This sports volunteering abroad opportunity combines outdoor adventure with meaningful community impact.
Nursing Placement In Sri Lanka
A group of final-year nursing students from France joined our nursing internship program in Sri Lanka, gaining valuable clinical experience in hospitals. Under the guidance of expert nursing teams, they rotated across departments and practiced essential procedures. Beyond their hospital placement, the students also explored Sri Lanka.
Dog Care Volunteer In Sri Lanka
Our volunteer from Canada joined our Dog Care Volunteer Program in Galle, Sri Lanka during his gap year. He was supporting a local dog shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray dogs in southern Sri Lanka. This animal care volunteering abroad opportunity is perfect for dog lovers who want to make a real difference while gaining meaningful experience in animal welfare.
Engineering Internship In Nepal
Two friends from Norway joined our Engineering Placement in Nepal. They worked alongside local engineers on structural design projects and supported community development. This engineering internship abroad gave them valuable real-world experience, strengthened their resumes, and taught them how to adapt to the challenges of working with limited resources.
Women Empowerment In India
Two friends from the UK joined our Women’s Empowerment volunteer program in Kerala, India. They taught English and life skills to women in Fort Kochi, helping to build confidence and opportunities. By living and working alongside locals, they experienced authentic Indian culture, explored Kerala, and made a meaningful contribution to the community.
Medical Internship In Nepal
A group of medical students from the University of Newcastle, Australia, joined our medical electives placement in Nepal. Over four weeks, they rotated through various hospital departments, gaining exposure to patient cases rarely seen back home. This medical internship program provided valuable hands-on experience and learning in an international healthcare setting.
Family Volunteering In India
The Stoddart Family from Canada joined the India Family Volunteer Program. With children aged 10 and 7, they spent two weeks volunteering on our kindergarten teaching project in Kerala. Supported by our local team, the family balanced meaningful volunteer work with cultural exploration, creating unforgettable memories together.
Other Volunteer Abroad Destinations
How to volunteer abroad with us
1. Choose a destination or project
Select a program in Asia or South America related to community or conservation. If you are not sure what to do just contact us and we can guide you
2. Apply Online
Fill an online application form and pay your deposit so we know you are committed to coming out. Don’t worry all your personal details will stay confidential.
3. Confirmation of placement
Once we get your application form we will contact you and confirm your spot and also share your details with our local team.
4. Support in preparing
Our team will send material to help you prepare for your upcoming program and to support you and answer any questions related to your location.
5. Getting ready
We recommend you get your visas, insurance, flights as well as packing list organised well in advance so you are not rushing last minute.
6. Come out & start the adventure
This is the exciting part! Once you reach us in the country everything is taken care of. All you have to do is focus on making a difference & enjoying the experience.
Have more questions? Get in touch