Volunteering, Bollywood-Style: i-to-i Announces New Adventures in Mumbai!

PRLog (Press Release) - Dec 16, 2009 -
Mumbai may be India’s glitzy centre of film, fashion and finance, but the city also has a less glamorous side: the slums that are home to over half of its population, who usually don’t have access to safe drinking water or sewer systems.

That’s why volunteer travel specialists i-to-i are proud to announce that they’ve set up  partnerships with four fantastic, locally-run projects, enabling travellers not only to experience this amazing city, but also make a difference to underprivileged communities at the same time.

The first project, ‘Working with Destitute Children’ (http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-projects/work-destitute- ...), sees volunteers working at a children’s home for kids aged between 5 and 12, giving them the education and confidence they need to get on the right track in life. Or those brave volunteers ready for the challenge of rowdy toddlers can take part in the ‘Help Care for Disadvantaged Children’ (http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-projects/help-care-disad ...) project, looking after kids aged from 3 months to 3 years so their mums can go out to work or take part in training programmes. Training programmes that volunteers can also help with – helping hard-working mums improve their literacy skills and conversational English.

Alternatively, there are two community development projects to get involved with: Help Develop Underprivileged Communities and Help Raise Social and Environmental Awareness. The first (http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-projects/develop-underpr ...) sees volunteers helping out at Early Childhood Learning Centres all across the city, bringing education to those who might not otherwise receive it, as well as getting involved with community health programmes. Or, for volunteers who are green at heart, the Social and Environmental Awareness (http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-projects/help-raise-enviromental-awareness-in-india.html) project will see them helping out at workshops across the city, aiming to create a more environmentally conscious Mumbai.

It’s not all hard work though – volunteers also have plenty of time to rub shoulders with Bollywood starlets at Mumbai’s swanky bars and restaurants, delve into ancient bazaars, experience serene temples and explore some of the relics of colonialism. Oh, and watch a Bollywood film of course! There’s also a chance to relax on the gorgeous beaches in and around the city, or, if Mumbai’s frantic pace gets a little too much, take the overnight train to laid-back Goa for a weekend away.  

All volunteers stay in comfy guesthouses, complete with hot water, showers, western-style toilets and three tasty meals a day. As always, i-to-i volunteers also enjoy in-country orientation, airport pick-up, a 24-hour emergency helpline and dedicated support throughout their trip. The trips last from 4 to 12 weeks (apart from the Help Raise Social and Environmental Awareness project, which lasts from 8 to 12 weeks), and cost £895 (excl flights) for 4 weeks, and £140 for each extra week. The 8-week Help Raise Social and Environmental Awareness project costs £1,455, with each extra week costing £140.

Those interested in any of i-to-i’s new Mumbai trips should contact their friendly travel experts on 0800 093 1505 or visit http://www.i-to-i.com/india/. For media enquiries, contact Honor Baldry at honor.baldry@i-to-i.com.