Volunteering may be one of the most rewarding experiences you ever have.
However, working with an NGO in India can be very challenging. Adjusting to the pace and the occasional ambiguity of work in Mumbai requires significant patience and adaptability. Being proactive about finding solutions to roadblocks and being communicative your experience are key in making your volunteership a defining and meaningful life experience.
Think over your objectives and agenda for wanting to volunteer, and what you hope to get out of the experience before you decide to take the leap to come to India and volunteer for a significant period of time.
Meet Anna: she is a current Atma Volunteer.
Anna Hankimaa, an HR professional from Finland is finding herself both challenged and satisfied through helping Atma Partner Masoom develop their HR management & processes.
“A challenge in the beginning is to try to understand the organisation’s culture and their way of working, thinking and collaborating. I’ve worked in many organizations in the corporate and education sector, including consultancy which I think has provided me tools to do this. However, this is my very first time working in India, in the NGO sector and as a volunteer in organisations like Atma and Masoom. These factors have provided a great and enjoyable opportunity to learn.”
Read more about Anna’s work with Atma and Masoom here.
“Atma has been consistent and supportive, providing a space for me to share my HR expertise with an Atma Partner who requires it.”
It’s also important to understand the personal financial costs of volunteering in Mumbai. Mumbai is an expensive city. You can live cheaply, but the experience of most foreign volunteers is that they have spent much more money then expected.
Please see the Atma Volunteer Sample budget for more information.
Have further questions? Check out the Volunteer FAQ.
