DEVI established a volunteer placement programme in Dharamshala in 1997 in consultation with local Indian and Tibetan NGOS, schools, and other agencies. Our intention was to serve as a bridge connecting the energy and skills of altruistically-minded international visitors with the people and projects that could most benefit from the support of these volunteers, while also providing a cultural orientation for the volunteers so that they might gain a deeper understanding of how to conduct themselves in the most appropriate and beneficial ways. The programme quickly became so popular that our small volunteer staff was overwhelmed.
Since then, Dharamshala has exploded into an international 'scene' with a bewildering array of activities. It is no longer possible for us to keep track of all the possible volunteer opportunities, but we continue to do what we've done all along, which is to offer the humble service of doing our best to help prospective volunteers find the best match for their interests, skills and time commitments, and to make meaningful connections with the good people of Dharamshala.
Most formal volunteer positions require at least a six-month or one-year commitment. If you're in Dharamshala for a shorter period, it is always possible to serve as an English tutor or computer teacher or to help with the environmental programmes of the Tibetan Welfare Office. Those shorter-term positions can't be organized in advance; you simply show up and get started. But if you can commit to volunteer in Dharamshala for six months or more and have specialized skills to offer (e.g. computers, nursing, teaching, etc.), we may be able to help you find a formal volunteer position.
If you're interested in volunteering, please read through all the information in our list of frequently asked questions and then complete our volunteer enquiry form (follow the link at the bottom of the FAQ). START HERE »