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India – Lepchas - Africa and Asia Venture

India – Lepchas

Volunteer Teaching in Northern India.

The Lepchas are a very special people, who live in the remote foothills of the Himalayas in northern India.  You will be helping them to preserve their unique and ancient culture.

Where?

The original inhabitants of this area - in the foothills to the south of Bhutan (India Map) - the Lepchas, a tribe who are cultured but simple people, have been pushed to the margins by successive waves of immigrants. These people, full of grace, humanity, humour and a zest for life, are incredibly easy to make real friendships with.   Apart from some ginger and spice that they grow in tiny terraced fields in valleys of spectacular beauty, they farm just enough for their food needs. Here Buddhism and Christianity exist alongside a much older worship (of nature).  They certainly have much to teach the world about how to live in harmony with its surroundings, and you will have the chance to learn all about them whilst Gap Year teaching with the Lepchas.

Outline Experience

Lepcha Teaching Dates & Costs  

What and Why?

In Lepcha culture spirits go to the snowy peaks of Kanchenjunga (8600m). Lepchas have their own music, dances, herbal medicine and language (said to be the oldest spoken script in the world). Wanting to preserve their identity, they have built tiny cultural centres, or ‘night schools’, in each village where children are taught Lepcha traditions. If you are looking for a truly unique cultural experience then volunteering with the Lepcha tribe may be for you.

Gap Year Teaching

Whilst volunteering in India you will teach children and some young adults English in the morning and evening. School facilities are pitifully basic, but the confidence that you give the Lepcha children has meant that they do very much better at local state or Christian schools, where you will also teach for 2 – 3 hours each day. 

Gap Year Living

You and your partner will live in one of the better off Lepcha houses in the village as a paying guest (we give you the money) during your Gap Year teaching project. You have your own space, sometimes your own cottage, and ‘facilities’. Your hosts will cook for you (and grow what they cook!) and look after you as a good friend and honoured guest.

Gap Year Safari and Travel

After your Gap Year teaching placement comes to an end and you have said goodbye to your family and village, you will have an eight day safari in Sikkim. Six days of trekking to the snows or sightseeing followed by reuniting as a group before leaving to travel around India, for three weeks, with all its myriad sights and sounds.

And Afterwards...

If you're like 99% of those who have been before you, you'll agree that it will have been the best four months of your life so far. You'll find leaving difficult...and returning easy!  We say that "Once an AV, always an AV!" What this means is that you will be joining an exclusive club that will be there for you to help out if you ever get into difficulties and will always be pleased to see you again in India. As an AV, we hope your relationship with us will continue long after your initial time in India.

Lepcha Teaching Itinerary l Lepcha Teaching Dates and Costs l Lepcha Teaching Facts

Useful Stuff to know about volunteering in India.

INDIA - LEPCHA VILLAGES PHOTO GALLERY

If you need some help and want to talk about your plans to volunteer, please Make an enquiry