Omprakash works at the intersection of technology, education, and international development to create mutually beneficial relationships between people and grassroots social impact projects in over thirty countries around the world. Our 'Partner' organizations use our platform to recruit talent, raise funds, and connect with each other, and meanwhile individuals use the platform to find international volunteer and internship opportunities, to raise funds, and to receive accredited online training and mentorship. Through our EdGE program, we help universities, schools, and nonprofits reimagine and reinvent their global social impact efforts in ways that disrupt paternalism and inequality and strive for more radical learning and social change. Our bold vision is to reinvent 'global learning' to make it more affordable, more ethical, and more impactful.

Our organization is named after a person who first inspired our Founder in 2004, and continues to inspire us today.  While volunteering in 2004 at a hospice center in north India where six nuns care for three-hundred physically and mentally disabled residents, Willy met Omprakash: a partially paralyzed gentleman who had been living at the center ever since suffering a stroke thirty years earlier. The conditions at the center were far from what most people would call ideal, but Omprakash said that he felt like he lived in paradise, simply because the people there treated him with such kindness. This comment shed light on the extent to which simple human relationships can be a force for positive change, and our work has evolved out of an appreciation for this point.  

The initial Omprakash.org website was simply a listing of a handful of organizations in India which were trying to recruit volunteer English teachers.  Today, more than a decade later, our work has taken on many new dimensions, but the core principles remain true to our namesake: we help build relationships which create mutual learning and mutual benefit.

We have been working for two decades to develop and refine a model for global engagement which is more ethical, more affordable, and more educational than any other program offering to facilitate international volunteer or internship experiences.

'More ethical'

Internships with Omprakash Partners revolve around the innovative relationship-based methodology at the heart of Omprakash: we do not 'place' people; we allow individuals and Partner organizations to communicate directly, and thus we empower our Partner organizations to choose particular individuals to fulfill particular internship positions.  It is not a mere coincidence that popular 'placement' organizations don't do this: these organizations make money by 'selling placements,' so, naturally, it is not in their interest to let students and organizations work it out organically -- even if this sort of organic process would lead to more impactful exchanges in the end.  

'More affordable'

Many international internship opportunities are inaccessible to potential students due to high program fees and inflated 'in-country costs.'  We go against the grain by charging a low tuition fee and zero 'placement' fee, and our Partners work to help interns find extremely affordable accommodations, food, and other necessities while in-country.  The result is that our opportunities are more affordable than anything else on the web -- sometimes by a factor of ten or more!  Learn more here.

'More educational'

Many companies that offer international volunteer or internship opportunities provide little to no pre-departure training or substantive learning objectives. In contrast, the EdGE program is built around a robust pre-departure curriculum that numerous universities have evaluated as worthy of academic credit. The curriculum uses the tools of social science and critical theory to help students reflect upon the ethics of their desires to 'help others,' and the economic, social, political, and environmental contexts in which their work will unfold.  It also prepares them to conduct their own empirical inquiries while in their field positions, and ultimately to synthesize these inquiries into multimedia digital storytelling projects.

EdGE is an online learning platform designed to foster critical reflection and dialogue amongst people seeking to ‘do good’ when crossing differences of culture and power -- whether under the banner of volunteering, interning, service-learning, gap years, or any other.  EdGE supports students before, during, and after their field positions by providing mentorship, customizable curricula, logistical support, and more.  EdGE students learn approaches to participatory research, and ultimately create and publish Capstone Projects which explore different perspectives on a given social issue.  Anyone can join a public EdGE cohort, and we also offer custom cohorts for universities, schools, and other institutions seeking to deepen their students’ learning and dialogue.  

We originally created EdGE as a training platform for volunteers working with Omprakash Partners, and we still think that combining EdGE with an Omprakash field position is one of the best ways to take advantage of our platform.  However, EdGE participants are not required to work with Omprakash Partner organizations, and indeed, many do not.  EdGE can be a great complement to a self-directed international experience or to an international experience organized by a third party outside of the Omprakash network. 

EdGE is a highly customizable platform, and we build unique EdGE programs to suit many different audiences.  A 'classic' EdGE experience looks something like this:

• You join EdGE, get matched with a mentor in our online learning space, and begin reflecting on your goals and intentions for volunteering or interning abroad.
• You begin browsing our Partners and applying for volunteer and internship opportunities throughout our global network.
• You confirm a field position with one of our Partners.  This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on your interests, how many Partners you apply to, etc.  You will determine the start and end date for your field position in direct consultation with your host Partner.
• You complete the EdGE pre-departure course on whatever schedule suits you best, working with your mentor to prepare for your international experience.  EdGE provides support as you complete logistical tasks such as acquiring a visa, arranging airfare, getting vaccinations, preparing emergency plans, etc.  
• If desired, you can use our Crowdfunding platform to raise funds to cover the cost of your trip.
• You go abroad and complete your internship or volunteer position on the timeline that you have arranged with your host Partner.
• Throughout this experience, your EdGE Mentor supports you as you develop and execute a self-directed research project that will eventually be published on our website.

Enrollment in a standard EdGE program costs $750.  We offer scholarships and grants via our own grant program, and we also provide students with a crowdfunding platform and with information about other funding opportunities.  

Travel expenses and in-country costs vary by location.   As a rough indicator, airfare might range from $500 to $1500. Average daily cost of living and working with Omprakash Partners tends to range from around $10 to $30, depending on location.  This means that living expenses for a three month stay might range from $900 to $2700.  In some cases, Partners offer free room and board, in which case a student can go abroad for several months while spending little money beyond airfare, EdGE tuition, and incidentals.  

We get it: even though an EdGE experience is sometimes 10x cheaper than other options (seriously), it can still be a significant challenge to afford the costs of international travel, especially when forgoing income for an extended period of time.  That's why we are proud to offer our own Ethical Global Engagement Grants, along with a crowdfunding platform available for all EdGE students to use, and plenty of resources for students seeking additional scholarships.  Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have more questions about how to make this work for you!

All Partners use their Omprakash profiles to post specific positions for which they are recruiting volunteers or interns.  Individuals browse Partner profiles and apply directly via Partner profiles to fulfill specific positions.  

After a Partner receives an application, the Partner is expected to take action within 15 days.  Ideally the Partner will be able to interview the applicant and accept or decline the application within this timeframe, but the Partner can also request up to three 15-day extensions.  If a total of 60 days elapse since the date of submission and the Partner still has not made a decision about the application, the application will expire.  If a Partner chooses to approve an application, the applicant will have up to 60 days to accept or decline the invitation to work with this Partner.  If 60 days elapse from the date that the Partner approved the application, and the applicant still has not accepted or declined the invitation, the application will expire.  After an applicant accepts an invitation, the trip is confirmed, and the individual and Partner organization can begin making further arrangements.  

Throughout this process -- while browsing opportunities, applying to Partners, and then preparing for departure -- individuals can receive personalized mentorship, training, and support from the Omprakash team by joining our EdGE program.

We welcome social impact organizations around the world to apply to join our diverse network of Partners. Generally speaking, the organizations that stand to benefit most from an Omprakash Partnership have consistent Internet access and a genuine need for volunteers, interns, or researchers. Successful Partnership applicants demonstrate that they will use their membership in our network to increase their web presence, share resources and expertise, and proactively recruit human and financial resources to advance their social impact.  Learn more here.

The initial vetting process considers applicants’ mission and programming.  Is the mission clear, focused, and aligned with our values of dialogue, critical reflection, and social justice?  Is the organization effectively pursuing this mission through its everyday programming?  Does the organization have clear metrics for assessing its own impact?  Is the organization financially transparent and sustainable?

The next stage of vetting considers applicants’ capacity to make use of an Omprakash Partnership.  What kinds of volunteers, interns, researchers, and other collaborators are applicants hoping to recruit via the Omprakash network?  Do applicants demonstrate capacity for clear and reliable communication?

The next stage of vetting considers applicants’ capacity to provide visitors with enough oversight and guidance to ensure their success and safety.  Omprakash administrators consider factors such as access to healthcare and emergency services, access to affordable food and accommodations, and quality of written references from past visitors.

After an organization is accepted as a Partner, it is still subject to ongoing vetting which occurs via crowd-sourced reviews submitted by visitors as well as periodic check-ins (physical or digital) with Omprakash admins.  Although we hate doing so, it is not uncommon for us to terminate a partnership if the Partner is not meeting expectations.

The entire vetting process is guided by the Omprakash Partner Expectations, a living document which works to acknowledge the local expertise of different community-driven organizations while still establishing some baseline expectations for all Omprakash Partners.

Partner organizations can use the Omprakash platform to create fundraising campaigns and transparently document expenditures to build trust and dialogue with their donors.  Partners can receive donations via credit card, check, Paypal, wire transfer, or bitcoin.  Partners are required to maintain detailed and accurate records of past expenditures, and can request a balance transfer at any time provided that their financial records are up to date.  Omprakash charges zero processing fees for the first $10,000 raised by a Partner.  After a Partner crosses the $10,000 threshold, Omprakash charges a flat 2% fee on all donations to that Partner.  More info here.

EdGE students can create their own crowdfunding campaigns to support Partners of their choice or to subsidize the costs of their EdGE tuition and their international travel and living expenses.  If an EdGE student is conducting a ‘Partner’ campaign, the Partner receives 100% of donated funds, less any transaction fees or the 2% fee from Omprakash, if applicable (see above).  If an EdGE student is conducting a ‘Personal’ campaign, 5% of each donation will go to a Partner of the student’s choice, 2% will go to Omprakash, and the remaining 93% will go to the EdGE student.  When requesting a balance transfer, students are required to submit a budget statement explaining how funds will be used.  Funds cannot be used in any way that is inconsistent with the Omprakash charitable mission of facilitating mutually beneficial, mutually educational relationships between individuals and organizations around the world.  More info here.

Partners and EdGE students can strengthen their campaigns by adding up to ten ‘team members.’  Team members help promote the campaign, and donors can indicate which team member they are supporting.

All donations made to Omprakash crowdfunding campaigns are tax-deductible for US-based donors.  

Not necessarily.  Although we respect and understand that many students and parents feel more comfortable with the 'group trip' model, we feel compelled to emphasize that traveling with a large group of other foreigners can present significant barriers to learning and impact. Working with an Omprakash Partner presents students with an opportunity for true immersion within a locally-led grassroots social impact organization, and allows students to push beyond their comfort zones while still providing them with ongoing mentorship and support from their EdGE Mentor as well as their local host Partner.

Omprakash Partners are competitively-selected, locally-led, well-established organizations that know well how to care for their visitors. There is no substitute for their local knowledge and expertise. In the event of an emergency, it is these local Partners -- not any foreign chaperone -- who will be best-prepared to respond appropriately. In addition, the EdGE pre-departure training and mentorship ensures that students have discussed emergency procedures with their host Partners, and that their mindset is serious, professional, responsible, and prepared to make a positive impact.  

As a final layer of risk management, the Omprakash admin team is available to offer additional support and logistical coordination in the event of an emergency. Learn more about our emergency procedures.

While some of our EdGE programs are customized for private audiences (e.g. students at a particular university), our public EdGE program is intended to be accessible as possible. Omprakash does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability in its admission policies. A qualified participant is one who meets the Omprakash eligibility requirements outlined below.

Eligibility Requirements

Omprakash EdGE strives to facilitate transformative international experiences for its participants. In order to meet Omprakash EdGE’s eligibility requirements:

• Participants must be mature problem-solvers who are able to make decisions independently and adapt to new experiences.
• Students must independently choose to join our program. Mandates or coercion from third parties — parents, schools, courts, etc. — are not allowed.
• No international experience is required, but participants should be prepared to be in unfamiliar situations where they may or may not speak the local language or fully grasp cultural norms.
• Participants must have the ability to communicate concerns, questions and ideas to their host Partner and their EdGE mentor in order to better understand their environment.
• The final acceptance of any participant is subject to Omprakash’s receipt and review of all necessary forms and the host Partner’s acceptance of the participant’s application. Omprakash reserves the right to deny admission to anyone that Omprakash, in its sole discretion, believes is unable to meet the physical, mental, social or safety demands of the program.
• Students requiring regular mental health therapy during their program participation are generally not allowed, although we are willing to consider exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
• Participants must be capable of working in a group setting, following directions and taking responsibility for themselves.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from instructors or others (except possibly in emergency situations). Be sure to leave medications in original containers, and check with local embassies to make sure your medications are not illegal in your host country. Do not titrate yourself from any medications taken regularly. Pack enough medication to last your entire trip including some extra in case you are delayed. Ask your host organization the location of the nearest pharmacy in case you need to purchase additional medication.
• Omprakash EdGE does not specialize in integrating people with disabilities. Omprakash Partners are not necessarily trained in working with people with disabilities and therefore cannot always appropriately and effectively advocate for persons with disabilities. If Omprakash reasonably determines that a disability could lead to an inappropriate level of danger to the participant or others, based upon a particular activity, then that person may be ineligible for that particular position but would not be excluded from consideration for other opportunities offered by Omprakash. Note that many Partners do specialize in working with people with disabilities, and they outline their capacities to host people with disabilities on their public Omprakash profiles.
• Please note that, due to the remoteness of some Omprakash Partners and possible limitations to internet / phone connectivity, we cannot guarantee that participants will be able to contact friends or family with any reliable frequency. Participants should be prepared for the possibility of extended periods of time without communication with their support networks back home. (Note: before committing to a particular Partner organization, participants will be able to learn about connectivity in that location. In many cases, it will be reasonable to expect frequent connectivity via email, Whatsapp, phone, and/or other methods, but this is not a guarantee.)
• Gap year participants must demonstrate basic first-aid certification. Classes can be arranged through any credible agency such as the Red Cross (http://www.redcross.org/take-a-class) or through The American Health Care Academy (http://cpraedcourse.com).

Referral Policy

• Please note the Omprakash does not pay commissions for any referral of students into any of our programs. This is to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure that we only admit students who meet our eligibility requirements and seem to be a good fit for our programs.

Omprakash EdGE is not an appropriate choice for individuals dealing with behavioral, motivational or rehabilitation issues. We will deny admission to anyone we believe to be unable to meet the physical, mental, social or risk management demands of our field positions.

Omprakash EdGE will expel any participants who exhibits behavior that, in our sole discretion, is unsafe or disrupts or distracts from the educational mission of their course. Harassment, use of illegal substances (by USA’s and your host country’s laws), sexual relationships both internal and external to the program, theft or misuse of property, low motivation and disregarding instructions are examples of behavior that will lead to expulsion. If a participant is expelled there will be no refund. Please note that riding Motorcycles, ATVs, and quads, is not allowed.

In the event of an issue, the follow steps will be taken:

• Step 1: Written warning from Omprakash
• Step 2: Conference between the EdGE participant and their Mentor
• Step 3: Expulsion*

*note that Omprakash reserves the right to move directly to Step 3 at its own discretion.