“Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” - Mahatma Ghandi

Join us and build in Rajasthan located in the northwest of India. It is mainly arid and its western border is adjacent to Pakistan. It contains the vast Desert of Thar and one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world - Aravalis - and the Rajput heritage which is apparent in the forts, temples and palaces established by the Rajput Kings like Bappa Rawal, Rana Kumbha, Rana Sanga and Rana Pratap.

No building experience is necessary—just an open mind, a willingness to learn and adapt and most importantly a sense of humor. A taste for the spectacular Rajasthani folk music would be delightful! We are seeking diverse, dynamic people who are eager to immerse themselves in the daily rhythm of northern India, on this adventure of a lifetime!

About India
The Republic of India is home to one of the oldest civilizations in the world and is a land as diverse as it is vast. Its population (more than 1.2 billion as of 2008) is expected to exceed China's, making it the world's most populous country.

India is located in southern Asia, with 7,000 kilometers of coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. It shares political borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China, Nepal and Pakistan.

India gained its independence from Great Britain in 1947 and is the world's largest democracy. Since independence, India's history has been turbulent. Now in a period of liberalization, India faces the challenge of modernizing while trying to preserve its ancient culture. With an annual per capita income of US$1000, most Indian families are unable to afford a decent home.

About Habitat for Humanity India
HFH India was formed in 1983 and has built more than 17,000 houses that are approximately 350 square feet, with at least two rooms and a latrine. House designs vary, depending on materials available in the area and the specific needs of the local community.

Habitat’s IndiaBUILDS campaign aims to house 250,000 people over five years, mobilizing 1 million volunteers in the process and raising capital toward that goal. Currently, HFH India operates through resource centers in Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi, as well as satellite centers in the south, east and west. New partnerships with corporate supporters and non-governmental organizations extend Habitat’s presence to north India.

HFH India also has an active disaster response program. Reconstruction efforts after the December 2004 tsunami built on earlier initiatives in Gujarat, where Habitat provided homes following an earthquake in 2001 and in Cuttack, Orissa, where communities were rebuilt in the aftermath of a super cyclone. For more information, please visit the Habitat for Humanity India’s website.

Types of construction for volunteers
Volunteer may work on new construction of complete homes and with disaster-response programs. Habitat house designs and materials vary with climate and locale. Typically, house designs range in size from 240 to 360 square feet and are comprised of a living room, veranda, kitchen and toilet.

Standard itinerary
(15 day itinerary)
Day 1 (Typically Saturday): Depart for India.
Day 2 (Sunday) Travel day.
Day 3 (Monday): Arrive in Delhi; welcome and orientation with local staff member; free time; dinner; overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 4 (Tuesday): Breakfast at  hotel; travel to Rajasthan; rest and relax.
Days 5-7 (Wednesday-Friday): Work days; breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with lunch on site; free time after work to clean up; dinner and time for team activities.
Days 8-9 (Saturday-Sunday): Free days: activity in local community; local site seeing.
Days 10-13 (Monday-Thursday): Breakfast served before traveling to work site; work from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with lunch on-site; free time after work to clean up; dinner at house; time for team activities. Thursday: farewell ceremony with families.
Day 14 (Friday): Travel back to Delhi and overnight stay.
Day 15 (Saturday): Departure day.

Accommodations
Team members should expect to stay at a hotel or a retreat center, depending on location. Rooms will be at least double-occupancy in a hotel and will usually have a private bath. Some teams may stay in a shared space with a shared bath.

Breakfast is usually provided at the hotel or the retreat center, and lunch is usually provided by the affiliate and taken on the work site. Dinner is taken at various restaurants or provided by the hotel or retreat center.

Program cost
US$1,905
(For more details about what is included in this cost, visit Global Village program cost.)

Increase your impact: Take the GV Challenge
Habitat for Humanity is accelerating its work to end poverty housing, and we need Global Village teams to help. Set a goal and fundraise to make your impact last longer than the days you’re in the field. Your support builds more homes, creates resource centers, educates families, and advances our projects to build sustainable communities. We’ll even provide tools to make fundraising easy. Take the GV Challenge – join us in sharing our story and building a better world.

Team leaders
We (Mitssy Rovira and Diana Rodriguez) are thrilled to team up to co-lead our next Global Village build! After extraordinary experiences leading teams in Ecuador, Paraguay, Poland and Egypt we are eager to continue to contribute to Habitat’s mission while making new friends around the world. 

Mitssy: I’m an Organizational Psychologist and have worked for Habitat for Humanity International since 2002. I have lead teams and built with Habitat in Ecuador, Poland and Egypt. My other travels include more than 17 countries throughout North, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East. I enjoy reading, photography and professional dancing. 

Diana: I’m a Communications professional and I’m currently working for Habitat for Humanity International in the Latin America and the Caribbean Area Office. I’ve worked with Habitat for almost eight years and lead a team to Paraguay, where I fell in love with the country. I’m Colombian, Peruvian and Costa Rican. I’ve traveled to most countries in Latin America and recently achieved my dream to visit Africa. I love the beach, the sun, taking pictures, dancing, drawing and learning from other cultures.  

For us, building with the Global Village program has yielded some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of our lives. Though things may not always progress according to plan, we often unfold in ways that make the trip even more meaningful and the experience more fulfilling. If you are tired of witnessing inequality and want to “be the change you want to see in the world,” contact us at rajasthangv2013@gmail.com.