RUCHI
Rural Centre for Human Interests
Volunteer India program
S.T.V. projects – 2017 (Spring)
Correspondence:
RUCHI
Technology Complex
Village Bandh, P.O. Bhaguri, Via Patta
Distt. Solan. H.P. – 173233
INDIA
Contact info:
Landline:+91-8679078500
Mobile: +91-9459377111 (Mahip Dagar)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ruchi.org.in
About RUCHI
Rural Centre for Human Interests (RUCHI) is a community development organization with ever increasing
focus on youth development and intercultural learning through voluntary service. RUCHI got registered in
1983, under Indian Societies Registration Act as a non-political, non-profit making voluntary organization.
RUCHI was established keeping in mind the problems and restrictions that a remote community faces on
day to day basis. These could be due to poverty, lack of knowledge, poor infrastructure or at times difficult
terrain. As a result RUCHI has always implemented its project with people centered approach and gave
priority to community development. With 33 years in this field, RUCHI has accumulated extensive
knowledge in community development with project area ranging from semi-urban background to extremely
remote communities requiring two days of walk certain time of the year.
Over time RUCHI has also developed and successfully implemented many low cost technologies. We are
now acting as a resource organization for Indian Government and other NGO’s pursuing rural community
development work.
Our motto
Through Voluntary services, RUCHI aims to promote intercultural learning between individual, group and
community, leading to better understanding and tolerance towards each-others culture. We believe
achieving peace, harmony and working towards a world with fewer boundaries is a never ending process
which can be achieved by increasing youth mobility through voluntary camps globally.
Our Approach
For the past 33 years RUCHI has committed its efforts and resources towards rural development. All our
projects have a people centered approach and ongoing commitment with our projects and partners. Our
workcamp offer a unique opportunity to gain global perspective for volunteer and local youth increasing
their professional competencies. Voluntary service not only helps community projects but also provide a
much needed overview and technical support. With work camp we provide a unique learning experience for
volunteers.
Network and collaboration
RUCHI is affiliated with international and national voluntary service networks. Recently it got elected in
Executive Committee of Network of Voluntary Development in Asia (NVDA), It is also member of
Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service (CCIVS). RUCHI also partners with Alliance of
European Voluntary service Organization (ALLIANCE).
Our Program
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Short Term Workcamp, STW (13days)
Very Short Term Workcmps (VSTW) of 7 days
Long – Medium Term Volunteer, LMTV (1-12months)
Group Workcamp/Bilateral workcamps 10+ vols. (13days)
Areas of Interests
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Renovation/ maintenance.
Environment and conservation.
Non formal education.
Community development.
Construction.
Culture exposure.
Disability
General Information:
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All Short Term Camps (STC) last two weeks with fixed dates and led by a RUCHI Team Leader.
Every project has an extra fee to cover their living and working costs. Volunteers take care of their own
travel costs and bear all personal expenses during free time.
Volunteers have to be 18 years or older and be prepared to live under simple conditions.
No special skills are required; one has to be open minded and willing to adapt to challenging conditions.
Volunteers’ contribution is always recognized and appreciated but they will have to accept the fact that
they can not change the world in two weeks.
Volunteers must be willing to understand and respect local as well each other’s culture.
Volunteers must be prepared to live in harmony with others and work as a team.
Working hours will be 5-6 hours, 5 days a week.
Why the extra fee?
RUCHI with other NGO’s in India is not financially supported by government to host projects related to IVS.
Hence all projects are self funded with a participation fee. Given the remote location and various complexities we
have tried our best to make it as affordable as possible for volunteers. Being a non-profit organization we
emphasize on transparency, below is how we spend collected participation fee.
 Food, accommodation and logistics of volunteer during workcamp.
 Project setup costs. (material and logistics cost)
 Running the camp. (wages of professional like mason, carpenter, plumber etc and training local youth
supported by us.)
 Office running/admin expenses. (Internet, photocopy, stationary, electricity, phone, salaries, office
equipment, tools and rent etc.)
 Supporting small community project.
 International travel costs to global conferences and membership fee for networking.
RUCHI Short Term Work Camps-(Code: RC)
Spring 2017
Summary
Code
Name
Location
Dates 2016
Type
No. Vols.
Age 18+
RC-01/17
Women Power
Solan-RUCHI
30/01 – 11/02
SOC/COM.DEV
10
RC-02/17
Save the Earth
Solan-RUCHI
06/02 – 18/02
ENV
10
RC-03/17
Dharamshala
20/02 – 04/03
ART/CULT
10
Solan/RUCHI
09/03 – 15/03
FESTIVAL/CULT
10
RC-05/17
Tibetan & Indian
culture
Holi Mela –
Festival of Colors
Creative arts
13/03 – 25/03
ART/SOC
10
RC-06/17
Eco-Tourism
Chail
20/03 – 01/04
EDU/SOC
10
RC-07/17
Tibetan & Indian
culture
Dharamshala
10/04 – 22/04
ART/CULT
10
RC-04/17
RUCHI
Description of the Short Term Camps
RC-01/17
RUCHI (Solan) Women Power
SOC/EDU
10 Vols.
30.01.17 – 11.02.17
Location: Ruchi campus which is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka and 60 km from Chandigarh.
Bandh village is small located in interior mountainous area and the volunteers will have a unique opportunity to
live with nature in a peaceful environment. RUCHI campus is one km. from the village.
Work: This projects aims to empower women by helping
them to gain confidence, recognize and demand their
rights and most importantly start being an earning
member of family. The volunteer is expected to better
understand the role a typical women has in our society.
They will also be attending meetings of Self-help Groups
(SHGs) and interact with women to better understand
their plight assist them to be economically independent.
Additional activities will include learning of various
developmental issues and solutions.
They will visit
various humanitarian projects and interact with the
villagers.
Requirements: Interest in gender related work and
issues with a sharing and learning ability, High motivation.
Accommodation: Volunteers will live in the RUCHI campus. All basic amenities will be available with library
facilities. Asian squat type toilet and English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. A cook will be
there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals and self-management is
required. Sleeping bags are also necessary.
Leisure time: Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be
visited. Nearby Kasauli town is another hill station as a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an
opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains.
International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms);
Nearest railway station: Kalka (30 kms)
RC-02/17
Solan
Save the Earth
Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh and Shimla (70 kms)
Participation Fee: Euro 200
ENV
10 Vols.
06.02.17 – 18.02.17
Location: Ruchi campus which is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka and 60 km from Chandigarh.
Bandh village is small located in interior mountainous area and the volunteers will have a unique opportunity to
live with nature in a peaceful environment. RUCHI campus is one km. from the village.
Work: Volunteers will do actual plantation of trees on waste land
near Ruchi campus. Work would be preparing holes, clear weeds
and plant trees to rejuvenate forests. Besides tree plantation,
volunteers will educate people how the trees are linked to life and
survival of human beings. Tree nursery may also be developed for
future plantation. Volunteer will get orientation before starting
project. Additional activities will include learning of various
developmental issues and solutions.
They will visit various
humanitarian projects and interact with the villagers.
Requirements: Interest in environment and climate change and
learning ability, High motivation.
Accommodation: Volunteers will live in the RUCHI campus. All
basic amenities will be available with library facilities. Asian squat
type toilet and English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will
be served. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals
and self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary.
Leisure time: Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be
visited. Nearby Kasauli town is another hill station as a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an
opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains.
International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms);
Nearest railway station: Kalka (30 kms)
Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh and Shimla (70 kms)
Participation Fee: Euro 200
RC-04/17
Solan/RUCHI
Holi-Festival of Colors
7 Vols.
09.03.17 – 15.03.17
Location: The project site is Ruchi campus located near Bandh village (1 km) in Solan district. It is 30 km from
Kalka and 60 km from Chandigarh. The village is small with 35 families.
Work: One of the major festivals of India, Holi is celebrated with enthusiasm and gaiety on the full moon day in
the month of Phalgun which is the month of March as per the Gregorian calendar. Holi is also called the Spring
Festival - as it marks the arrival of spring the season of hope and joy. Entire country wears a festive look when it
is time for Holi celebration. This year, main Holi festival (playing with colours) falls on 13th March 2016. This is
only a week long camp.
Market places get abuzz with activity as frenzied shoppers start making preparations for the festival. Heaps of
various hues of colors can be seen on the roadside days before the festival. Womenfolk cook loads of sweet
dishes for the family and also for the relatives.
A Hindu festival, Holi has various legends associated with
it. The foremost is the legend of demon King
Hiranyakashyap who demanded everybody in his
kingdom to worship him but his pious son, Prahlad
became a devotee of Lord Vishnu. Hiranyakashyap
wanted his son to be killed. He asked his sister Holika to
enter a blazing fire with Prahlad in her lap as Holika had a
boon which made her immune to fire. Story goes that
Prahlad was saved by lord himself for his extreme
devotion and evil minded Holika was burnt to ashes, for
her boon worked only when she entered the fire alone.
Since that time, people light a bonfire at important
crossroads, called Holika on the eve of Holi festival and
celebrate the victory of good over evil.
After a fun-filled and exciting day, the evenings the spent in sobriety when people meet friends and relatives and
exchange sweets and festive greetings. It is said the spirit of Holi encourages the feeling of brotherhood in
society and even the enemies turn friend on this day. People of all communities and even religions participate in
this joyous and colourful festival.
Along with festival celebrations, volunteers will have time to spend 3 days on the community development
projects for their personal development.
Accommodation: Volunteers will live under simple conditions and share accommodation with other volunteers.
English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. Sleeping bags are also necessary.
International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms);
Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh (65 kms)
Nearest railway station: Kalka (30 kms)
Participation Fee: Euro 130.
RC-05/17
Solan/RUCHI
Creative Arts/Dev.
ART/DEV.
10 Vols.
13.03.17 – 25.03.17
Location: Ruchi campus is located near Bandh village. It is 30 km from Kalka and 60 km from Chandigarh. Bandh
village is small located in interior mountainous area and the volunteers will have a unique opportunity to live
with nature in a peaceful environment. RUCHI campus is one km. from the village.
Work: Volunteers will work in or around Ruchi campus.
Work would involve drawing creative skills out of
volunteers in the form of arts work/painting on wall.
This should communicate development message leading
environmentally sustainable development. Subject
would be related to peace and love, Global warming,
inter-cultural earning, good message through painting
on wall for youth and public. Volunteer will get
orientation before starting project. Additional activities
will include learning of various developmental issues and
solutions. They will visit various humanitarian projects
and interact with the villagers.
Requirements: Interest in Art and learning ability, high
motivation and creative skills.
Accommodation: Volunteers will live in the RUCHI campus. All basic amenities will be available with library
facilities. Asian squat type toilet and English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. A cook will be
there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals and self-management is
required. Sleeping bags are also necessary.
Leisure time: Self organized city tours and excursions. Old Sikh and Hindu temples in the near vicinity can be
visited. Nearby Kasauli town is another hill station as a tourist attraction. A visit to Shimla will offer an
opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains.
International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms);
Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh and Shimla (70 kms)
Nearest railway station: Kalka (30 kms)
RC-03/17
RC-07/17
Dharamshala
Dharamshala
Tibetan Culture
Tibetan Culture
Participation Fee: Euro 200
Art/Culture 10 Vols.
Art/Culture 10 Vols.
20.02.17 – 04.03.17
10.04.17 – 22.04.17
Location: Dharamshala, is a small but internationally well known town in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It
is 70 km north of Pathankot city and 15kms from Kangra town. Dharamshala offers a number of treks to tourists
and a good majestic view of great Dhauladhar range of mountains. Dharamshala is a district head quarter for
Kangra district and also happens to be the Secretariat of Tibetan spiritual leader, The Dalai Lama. Dharamshala
offers tourists culture of Tibet and a different experience.
Like any other hilly area, the houses in the area are scattered.
The economy of the Tibetans is on tourism whereas that of
local villagers is purely dependent on agriculture.
Project
will be held in sub-urban area of Mcleodganj.
Work: This camp will provide an exposure to local as well as
Tibetan culture. The volunteers will study the history of Tibet
and how the Tibetans fled Tibet to live in exile at this place.
Inter-cultural learning will broaden horizons of volunteers on
issues concerning environment and livelihood. Volunteers
will also work on facelift of local school, create learning
opportunities for children and teach children.
Accommodation: Volunteers will live in a Guest House under simple conditions and share accommodation with
other volunteers. English WC will be available. Vegetarian food will be served. Occasionally, non-veg meals may
be served. A cook will be there but volunteers are expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals
and self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also necessary.
Leisure time: The volunteers will have opportunity to visit the seat of spiritual leader, the Dalia Lama and other
historical Hindu temples. Opportunities will be there for short and long treks in the mountains. After the camp
volunteers, if they like, may visit Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.
International Terminal: New Delhi (320 Kms);
Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh (65 kms)
Nearest railway station: Kalka (30 kms) from Bandh village and Pathankot (60 kms) from Dharamshala.
Participation Fee: Euro 220. The is a Touristic place.
RC-06/17
Shimla-Chail
Env/Edu/Eco tourism
10 Vols.
20.03.17 – 01.04.17
Location: Chail is a little sleepy town located an hours drive from State capital “Shimla”. The transformation of
this little village community began in late 18th century when Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala decided to
create a new summer capital which would be better than “Shimla”: all this for bruised ego.
Nestling in shelter of virgin forest and untrodden hills, Maharaja Bhupinder Singh developed the highest cricket
field in the world in Chail. Well kept and maintained, more than the excitement of game, the pitch offers
picturesque view of the surrounding, with tall forest all around it. The proud ruler made sure that Chail had
everything that Shimla doesn’t.
Work: The volunteers will get exposure to local history and
culture. Working closely with local community volunteers will
be involved in activities related to eco tourism, national park
maintenance, floriculture etc. In addition volunteers will also
work on facelift of local school, create learning opportunities
for children and teach children.
Accommodation: Volunteers will live in guest house/home
stay with simple conditions and share accommodation with
other volunteers. All meals will be cooked and served in
guest house. A cook will be there but volunteers are
expected to help him and occasionally cook their own meals.
Self-management is required. Sleeping bags are also
necessary for volunteers looking or interested in trekking.
Leisure time: Self organized city tours and excursions. A variety of treks are available in close proximity. A visit to
Shimla will offer an opportunity to see high Himalayan Mountains. Chail Palace and world’s highest cricket
stadium can also be visited.
International Terminal: New Delhi (360 Kms);
Domestic Terminal: Chandigarh (90km) and Shimla (70 kms)
Nearest railway station: Kandaghat on small gauge (26 kms)
Participation Fee: Euro 220
RUCHI is a not for profit organisation committed to community development since 1983 in the mountainous
areas of Himachal Pradesh - a northern Indian state. RUCHI works in areas of sustainable development,
environment, health care, gender and cross cultural solutions through IVS projects.