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Crafts with Tibetan women

Immerse yourself in Tibetan culture by supporting a handicraft project using recycled materials.

Crafts with Tibetan women

from 585€ por persona
Open from April to June and from October to December. The rest of the year it is closed due to the weather.
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India
Sport and arts
Environment
Women

Did you know that India has never signed the Refugee Convention? This affects the more than 85,000 Tibetans who, since 1959, have found a second home in India. Without refugee status, they are excluded from the labour market and from the rights of Indian citizens. Tibetans are treated as foreigners in this peninsular country. Not only is their access to work very limited, but they cannot even access some of the public universities.

This project is located in McLeod Ganj in northern India. Called ''Little Tibet'', the town is the administrative capital of Tibetan refugees who were forced to flee their country in the face of Chinese occupation. The initiative, founded in 2004, works on two levels: on the one hand, it promotes Tibetan culture and works to maintain the integrity of the refugee community. On the other hand, after the pandemic, it has reinvented itself and now runs a handicraft workshop and a small shop where it sells pieces made from recycled pieces of cloth. 

You will be staying in a hostel in McLeod Ganj and Living in the city that is also home to the Dalai Lama, it is quite possible that you will coincide with one of the talks he gives at McLeod Ganj.

This project works towards achieving the following Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 1 End poverty
SDG 2 Zero Hunger
SDG 3 Health and well-being
SDG 4 Quality education
SDG 5 Gender equality
SDG 10 Reducing inequalities
SDG 13 Climate action
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  • Project Location
    McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, India
  • Volunteer hours
    Monday to Saturday, 3-4h per day between 10:00-18:00
  • Volunteer activities
    Support in the Fair Trade shop of the project, participate in activities of the project of handicrafts with recycled materials, creation of audiovisual content. This project can be combined with the training project for Tibetan adults and children.
  • Minimal collaboration
    2 weeks
  • Incluido
    Tumaini accompaniment
    Hot water
    Accommodation
    Local Coordinator
    Training course
    Airport pick-up
    Volunteer liability insurance
    WIFI
  • No incluido
    Tourist activities
    Lunch
    Dinner
    Kitchen
    Breakfast
    Travel insurance
    Flight

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Volunteer Program

1
Voluntary activities
  • Participate in craft projects with recycled materials. It is a circular economy project. It is especially interesting for people with notions of product development.
  • Support the project's Fair Trade shop where handicrafts are sold.
  • Creation of audiovisual content (photos, videos and texts) on the project.
  • This project can be combined with the training project for Tibetan adults and children in the same locality.
2
Profiles required
It is not necessary to have a specific profile to participate in this solidarity trip. The only requirements are:
  • Level of English (intermediate level equivalent to B1, no diploma required).
  • Be of legal age.
  • Be open-minded, tolerant, supportive and willing to learn. Flexibility is essential, as tasks may change depending on the needs of the NGO, similarly the ability to work in a team since volunteering is done in coordination with other people.
The project is particularly suitable for:
  • People who want to work with recycled materials, crafts, clothing, etc.
  • People interested in Buddhism or the Tibetan cause
  • Craftspeople or people with training in product development, people interested in art and sustainability, textile manufacturing, etc.
3
A day in the project

 

Project Location

Project

The project is located in McLeod Ganj, a suburb of the city of Dharamsala, in northern India. As the first point of arrival for Tibetans fleeing their country after it was occupied by China, the city became the world center for Tibetan refugees. It is often called ''little Lhasa'', after the Tibetan capital. McLeod is also the home of the Dalai Lama, whose residence, called Tsug La Khang, includes a monastery, several temples and a museum dedicated to the Tibetan people. The city is 2,000 meters high and is surrounded by mountains and close to the Himalayas. It is a starting point for different nature excursions, making it perfect for mountain lovers.

Climate

The climate of McLeod Ganj is divided into three seasons:
  • Winter: from October to February. In this season the temperature during the day can rise up to 9ºC, but at night it drops to 0ºC or even less. The city experiences snowfall and, despite the cold, the environment becomes very beautiful. March is an intermediate month between the cold and hot season.
  • Summer: from April to June. Daytime temperatures are usually between 22ºC and 30ºC. It is the perfect season for mountain excursions.
  • Rainy season: from July to September. The temperatures are pleasant, between 18ºC and 22ºC and thanks to the rains nature revives and the environment becomes beautiful. It usually rains a lot; however, you can take short excursions around the city.

The cost varies according to the duration of your solidarity trip. The costs are approximate as they depend on the exchange rate at the time of payment.
  • 2 weeks: 550€.
  • 3 weeks: €670
  • 4 weeks: 780€.
* The costs that appear are per person.

What is included?

From Tumaini::
  • Search for the solidarity trip that best fits your profile and interests to provide an enriching beneficial experience for both travellers and NGOs.
  • A guide of the project with useful up-to-date information on the status and needs of the project.
  • Support during the preparation of your trip: visas, vaccinations, tips for buying your flight, advice on what to visit, essentials to carry in your backpack, practical information (money exchange, transport, timetables, culture, etc.).
  • Tumaini coordinator available by email or phone whenever you need to solve all your doubts. Sometimes, if possible, face-to-face meetings are also held.
  • Online course on solidarity travel and responsible tourism, mandatory for volunteers to get the most out of their experience.
  • Contact, if possible and on request, with volunteers who have already been in the project.
  • Contact, if possible and on request, with people who are going to travel on similar dates to chat before the solidarity trip, resolve doubts or organize it together.
  • Basic Tumaini Tibetan-English dictionary.
  • Accident and liability insurance specialized in volunteering.
  • Follow-up during the solidarity trip.
  • Letter of reference or certificate of solidarity travel/volunteering on request.
  • CO2 compensation by planting a tree and monitoring it for three years on the island of Borneo in Indonesia.
On the part of the project:
  • Accommodation in single or double bedroom with private bathroom and view.
  • Internal road transport from Dharamsala airport to the accommodation.
  • Local Coordinator.
What is not included?

  • International ticket
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Visa
  • Extras such as personal excursions, shopping, etc.

Your trip will contribute to the growth of the project. The total cost of your solidarity trip is divided into two parts:
  • A contribution to Tumaini for the efforts and assistance of the volunteers.
  • A contribution to the project for board and lodging.
Your stay generates a direct benefit for the NGO, with your solidarity trip, you are directly contributing to making the project self-sustainable.

Services

  • Single or double room
  • Private western bathroom with hot water 
  • Airport pick-up
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