Support teachers and provide help to disadvantaged children and orphans in Kochi

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Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Travel to the lush and tropical southern region of Kerala and provide support to local teachers and work with orphans and disadvantaged children.

You will be based at a school for children from low income families and a neighboring orphanage for girls. Because the school admits as many students as it can, classrooms are very crowded and students don’t receive the personal attention they deserve. Your assistance will help keep students in school and greatly aid the overwhelmed teachers as well as making a huge difference in these kids’ lives.

Life on the Program

You will spend your weekdays assisting local teachers in the classroom and leading a variety of educational activities. Every day you’ll be transported from your house to the school, where you’ll play games, lead sport and art lessons with a focus on English language skills. In the evenings you’ll be expected to prepare lesson plans and activities for the following day in order to deliver an effective class.

Your weekends are free when you’ll get to enjoy and explore the beautiful port city of Kochi, your base town, and the surrounding Kerala area. You can take in Kochi’s exotic spice markets, experience a traditional Kathakali dance performance or enjoy fresh seafood.

You will live in a comfortable home in the center of town with other GVI volunteers with shared rooms and access to electricity, running water, and flush toilets. Lunch and dinner are prepared for you, and meals can include rice and fresh vegetables cooked in the local style.

Program Details

Although English is taught in the school, students rarely practice their language skills outside the classroom. You will work primarily with enthusiastic and inquisitive kids from kindergarten to grade six, eager to learn more from you as their teacher.

Students at the school come from disadvantaged backgrounds and our goal is to build the children’s confidence in their English abilities and keep them motivated to stay in school.

In addition to helping teachers in class, you’ll teach small groups outside normal school hours. These tutoring sessions at the school or orphanage will provide weaker students with the help they need in spoken English, computer skills, and other topics.

Volunteer Testimonials

My first day at the Auxilium School was a day to remember. I have never felt so overwhelmed by questions, gleaming eyes, smiles, handshakes and some of the most welcoming staff and children I have...

Chesa Green, USA

My first day at the Auxilium School was a day to remember. I have never felt so overwhelmed by questions, gleaming eyes, smiles, handshakes and some of the most welcoming staff and children I have ever met. Standing at the front of the class with 50 pairs of eager eyes waiting to hear your words is one of the most terrifying and most wonderful sensations I have ever experienced. And although you may be overwhelmed by all the new faces you feel instantly that you are at home.

Alexandra Jolly, United Kingdom

The free time so far has given us little snapshots into life in Fort Cochin. From the small colourful cafes where I tried musumbi juice (delicious) to drinking coconut water out of a coconut next to the chinese fishing nets, everything I’ve done has just made me want to explore as much as I can as soon as I can! Last night we had big plans to watch a Bollywood movie so John and Rodhi surprised us with a projector up on the roof with candles, fairy lights, rugs and cushions. It was so relaxing and the film was brilliant..until the power cut. Welcome to India!