Information
Where does Lha Charitable Trust work:
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Lha Charitable Trust
Dharamsala H.P , India
Volunteer Online Positions Available
Volunteer Opportunities at Lha
Lha offers you the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills with the Tibetan refugee, local Indian and people from Himalayan community, and gain hands on experience working with a non-profit, community social work organization.
Whilst taking part as a volunteer with Lha, you will be immersed in the fascinating culture of the people you are serving, develop friendships, learn about issues currently facing the Tibetan refugee community, and create positive change in someone else’s life.
At Lha we aim to connect volunteers with opportunities for a valuable experience. We offer relevant services and comprehensive courses and programs, working within the wider network of other non profit and government organisations in the local area.
Lha's office is located in central McLeod Ganj, Upper Dharamsala – a town nestled in the ridges and foothills of the Himalaya, Northern India. Mcleod Ganj is a hub of Tibetan life since the influx of Tibetan refugees following the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959 and since Dharamsala became the new home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile the following year. There are over 8,000 resident Tibetans in Dharamsala, and this town is home numerous organizations, monasteries and nunneries and schools.
Lha has been established for over ten years, in that time working within a wider network of local member organizations, and providing a vital and welcoming resource center to the community. At Lha if necessary we are happy to redirect your enquiry to other local organizations where your skills will be of most benefit.
Volunteer Activity
| Stacey Kitson | 09/2013 - 09/2014 |
| Katie Youtz | 09/2011 - 02/2012 |
| Petrina Marsh | 07/2011 - 09/2011 |
| Anoop Jain | 02/2011 - 03/2011 |
| Anoop Jain | 06/2010 - 08/2012 |
| Anoop Jain | 06/2010 - 08/2010 |
| Mohamad Mustafa | 01/2010 - 05/2010 |
| Stacey Garretson | |
| Willy Oppenheim | |
| Neil Guidry |
Cost for Volunteers
Who says nothing comes for free?? Well volunteering at Lha does!!!
Currently we are unable to offer free food and lodging to our volunteers but living in McLeod Ganj is relatively cheap and inexpensive. Accommodation can start from as little $5 per night depending on your needs and requirements. Rooms can also be hired in the Lha Ahimsa House for a reasonable rate and also includes Wi-Fi. Proceeds from the Lha Ahimsa house assist in the running of the Lha Classes and services so that we can continue to offer free classes to the Tibetan community.
Lha offer a Reception and Orientation Service for a small donation to our incoming volunteers. This includes reception and pick up at Delhi Airport, accommodation in Manju Ke Tila (Tibetan colony in Delhi), your overnight bus trip to McLeod Ganj, reception in McLeod Ganj by a Lha representative who will also assist you in finding appropriate accommodation that suits your needs and budget, followed by a tour of the area including the Dalai Lama’s Temple.
Lha can organise the opportunity to experience a home-stay with a local Tibetan family whilst you are here volunteering. Many volunteers enjoy this experience and have made life long friends with the families that they live with as well as having learnt about the Tibetan culture first hand. For more information on this you can visit our website www.lhasocialwork.org
Eating out in McLeod Ganj is a great way to experience Tibetan cuisine. It is delicious as well as great value for money with meals starting from as little as 70 rupees! There is also plenty of Indian and western options available, not to mention pretty well stocked grocery stores and fresh veggie markets if you are up for cooking.
You can definitely have a comfortable stay in McLeod Ganj even on the tightest of budgets.
Volunteer Placement Logistics
For language teachers it is preferred that you are able to volunteer for at least 3 months to see out the length of each program. This is not only a benefit to our students but also the volunteer as you get to see the fruits of your labour through the progress and elevated education of the students that you have taught.
If you are able to volunteer for only a day, week or a couple of weeks we also have English Conversation classes that run for an hour every afternoon and are a great experience for all of our volunteers. Our students are able to practice their English skills that they have acquired, in the simple form of everyday conversation. So if you are up for a bit of a chat this is a great way to learn about Tibetan culture, history and lifestyle and you may even strike up a friendship.
Teaching Computer skills are suitable for those that are able to stay one month or more.
We also offer one-on-one tutoring to our students. This can be for short or long term volunteers and can lead to long lasting friendships.
For those looking for a more cultural connection you can check out our Cultural Exchange program on our website. This is a great way to connect one on one and learn from one another.
We also have many projects on the go here at Lha across all areas that short and long term volunteers can get involved in. So apply now at www.lhasocialwork.org
Volunteer Skills Needed
We welcome all skills especially those that hold certifications in teaching including Teaching English as a Second Language.
We require volunteers to teach English, French, Chinese, Spanish and computer basics classes, office assistants, web designers, advertisement and project professionals, fundraising professionals, medical professionals, librarians, yoga instructors, journalists, massage therapists and instructors.
Those who are trained in other particular skills are also free to apply. Lha will find meaningful avenues to use your talents and skills for the benefit of others.
So if you have a willingness to contribute and make a difference then you can online apply now with Lha by going to our website www.lhasocialwork.org