Older Volunteers
| High school students |
| Undergraduate students |
| Recent graduates/Gap year |
| Career breakers |
| Older volunteers |
| Groups |
With age comes a mix of maturity, patience and understanding which are indispensable qualities when embarking on a volunteer program in an intercultural setting. iSPiiCE volunteering in India place older professionals and retirees in programs based on their skills and preferences be it in teaching or care programs, women's empowerment or health care. Older volunteers are highly valued by our partner institutions for the exceptional contributions they make in terms of sharing their life experience and skills with the local community. This respect and gratitude is openly expressed and felt.
Join an iSPiiCE volunteering program and select from flexible start dates and durations throughout the year, take advantage of three weekend excursions visiting India's, and indeed some of the world's most famed landmarks including the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Golden Temple in Amritsar and trekking in the Himalayan mountains. Alternative arrangements are made for those volunteers who do not wish to complete the trek to enjoy the local area. Popular destinations include the Norbulingka Institute, McLeod Ganj township, Dalai Lama monastery and stunning country walks.
Meet Margaret Pilling
"I retired from my post of School Business Manager last year and as my skills are up to date and I had so much more free time I felt a great need to 'put something back', travel and meet new cultures head on. The iSPiiCE organisation ticked all the boxes and with great excitement and some trepidation I flew to India in May 2010. I was greeted in Delhi by iSPiiCE staff and from that moment on felt secure in their hands; they were organised, always available for translation, accompanied any journeys I made and gave good advice and support.
All my placements in Himachal Pradesh were interesting, I felt as if my work was making a difference and I (quite unexpectedly) fell in love with the Himalayas and its people. Whenever I travelled I was treated with respect and curiosity. I was accommodated in a wonderful farmhouse with views over the fields and the Himalayas.
To find out more about my experiences you might like to read my blog which is full of details about the project work, the generosity of the people and the incredible beauty of Himachal Pradesh. My time spent with the organisation was really rewarding, so if you are serious about working and helping, go ahead, you will not regret it and will learn a lot about yourself, the country and its people".
Margaret Pilling - May 2010.
