Our Volunteers

The role of the volunteers within our organization is to act as support person and as execution agent to the activities and initiatives that already exist in the community or our NGO. They will have to bring their own motivation and plans in order to fill in the frame of these actions with meaningful, efficient content. The EVS activity of each volunteer is constructed as follows: they will have to allocate 60-70% of their time and activity, to work on this main activity, which they choose in the selection phase. 20-30% of the time, their task will be to do common activities with the other volunteers, activities which are done around the yearly community traditions, events, happenings and holidays of the community. 10% of their time will be spent to create and do visibility materials and promotion activities for the NGO and especially for their own EVS activity

Our organisation’s objectives with EVS/ Youth Exchange? ” Our organization is a youth centered, youth volunteers led nonprofit making organization working in coastal Orissa, India. Established by a group of women youth volunteers and social workers in 1993, our organisation (Jeevan Rekha Parishad (JRP) otherwise known as Life Line Council) is committed to undertake youth and cultural exchange programme between EU countries and India. Our organisation with the technical support of many other European and Asian Organisations has established Euro Asia Youth Network for sustainable youth and cultural exchange programme, Jobshadowing to document good practices on racism, human rights violation,peace,discrimination, zenophobia and sustainable education and development.. We adopt the nonformal method as one of our strategic intervention for our youth programmes.We strongly belief in the philosophy of EVS, youth exchange etc and also we have interested youth volunteers with our organisation to live in EU countries under EVS and other volunteers exchange programme and also ERASMUS+ programme.

When does each project start?

Some of our projects are ongoing and some of them require volunteers to get them off the ground. We are very flexible, and work in response to need and depending on our human resources. Volunteers may come and help us at any stage of a project. You should contact our volunteer coordinator and ask about the specific project which you are interested in. We will be happy to give you more details.

Usually we ask for a minimum stay of 3 months. However, this depends on the needs of the project and the skills of the volunteer. You should contact us about specific projects you are interested in.

There is no maximum length of stay. You can work with us as long as you want. However , we recommend that volunteers take a break every 6 months because resting is a very important part of any work and volunteering in Odisha, India.

Rules and Regulations of JRP- India

The key word is respecting each other with dignity – respect for mentor/ Coordinator, JRP staff, Indian volunteers, local culture and people.

Volunteers must

Participate in the planning and implementation of projects run by JRP and its Network members.

• sign in daily attendance sheet if they are in the office
• prepare a monthly report and final report (using a predetermined format) when they finished their work and submit it to Director – or Secretary – JRP
• Attend all language classese and other trainings and programmes conducted by JRP.
• co-operate with Indian volunteers, JRP members and staff in all activities and projects and use them a point of reference, informing them of progress
• Visit Tourist places on holidays in consultation with JRP management/ Mentor.
• NOTuse drugs. It is strictly prohibited and illegal
• Smoking in private places is also restricted.
• use the support and assistance offered by JRPduring problem or crisis
• Use the available, resources of JRP and partner organizations. If they can increase the resources through fundraising it will be welcomed
• Be responsible for their work and relations with related stakeholders
• Take part in different seminar, conferences being organized by JRPand its partners.
• Take European language classes/ spoken English classes once or twice a week for youth volunteers of India. As JRP proposes to start language school for youth from February, 2010.
• Assist JRP in proposal writing and fund mobilization activities in India and from Europe.
• Visit project area along with JRPstaff as and when required.
• Providing a monthly performance report to Hosting organization with pictures, video is mandatory.
• The volunteers has to inform the hosting organization in writing for taking leave and going on holidays
• The Volunteer has to take domestic license from Police department if she/he has to stay more than 3 months.
• The volunteers have to assist JRP in its documentation, record keeping, proposal writing etc .

• India l is a developing country – therefore facilities are not to European standards
• Volunteers are coming to India for helping the community, learn about a different culture and share their own. They are here as volunteers and guests of JRP not as tourists.
• Sometimes, our state faces communal riots. Therefore when volunteers wish to travel they are asked to inform their activity wise mentor or host organization
• Indian and Orissan culture and tradition ought to be respected. Volunteers are asked to be open to and be motivated to learn about a new culture, tradition and language. They will be asked to observe or participate in the festivals
• Using of drugs is strictly prohibited and illegal.
• It is discouraged to wear short skirt and open dresses in the rural area. It is better to wear Indian style Dresses in Orissa.
• In India, people often have misconceptions that foreigners have money and they must be aware of this when meeting new people . So, one should know the actual cost of things . We will provide you the price list of different items.
• Sex is a taboo in Orissa. Premarital or extramarital Sex is not accepted in the society. So, the volunteer has to consider this before making any friendship with Indian youth.
• Going to disco is permitted. But kissing and Embracing each other in the disco may bring trouble. If one is going to Disco, S/he has to come back home before 10 pm. Travelling alone in the late night is not good and may give trouble.
• It is better to visit different places with one JRPstaff or volunteer for safety and security
• Generally, people of Orissa take food like fish, chicken; crabs, Lobsters and mutton .They don’t prefer beef, though beef is available in the hotel. Cooking beef in a Hindu family is prohibited.
• In Orissa, the volunteers can learn the famous Odashi dance, music etc.One of our volunteers can teach them the same.

working hours – 6 hours each day, with possibility to do less or more according with the needs of volunteer and work, in those cases volunteers will have the right to recuperate hours days off – the weekend

holidays – all holidays that Indian calendar foresee and 2 vacation days per month of volunteering, volunteer can take them each month or accumulate and take more days in a specific period

Food – volunteer will have money to buy their own food, he/she will also have the kitchen in the flat to cook. Gas Connection is provided but resupply of gas takes one/two days in India.The volunteer has to eat outside during the period. accommodation – when the volunteer arrives he/she will stay in the rented residence in the city centre, near the office, preferable with other youths so as to encourage language acquisition

local transport – for all planned activities in which the volunteer need to use public means JRP will pay for the transportation. Local buses and Auto are available in the city near the office for transport.For visiting project area at Chilika/ Nayagarh etc, the volunteer has to travel by bus.

Rules for Living in the Rented Flat of JRP..

• The volunteers have to stay in the flat on bed sharing basis.
• The Kitchen is meant for all volunteers staying in the flat. So use of Kitchen by the volunteers has to planed jointly..
• Maintaining cleanness is the sole responsibility of the volunteers staying in the flat.
• No strangers are allowed to the flat as per the rules of the society/ cultural norm. The volunteers can meet the strangers in lobby /reception counter of the flat. Only relatives of volunteers or volunteers permitted by JRPcan stay in the flat.
• High sound music and dancing in the flat is also prohibited as there are other families living in the flat. Also, it is beyond the culture of India.
• The hosting organisation, the owner of the flat will check the condition flat and furniture on regular interval. If the furniture will be damaged by a volunteers or the group of volunteers, the cost of the same has to be paid by the volunteer/s.
• The hosting organisation will only provide bed, mattress, pillow, bed sheet etc in the flat. Other materials have to be purchased/ arranged by the respective volunteer.
• Internet connection is given in the office only. However, the internet connection can be provided in the flat on request of volunteer.
• There is aqua guard installed in the flat for safe drinking water.

Visitors’ Code of Conduct

Please respect the following visitor’s code of conduct during your stay in the village:

• There is no alcohol or pork allowed in Muslim villages, please respect this important village Protocol
• Please take off your shoes before entering a house, temple or building.
• Women should dress modestly so as to cover knees, chest and shoulders. Please avoid low cut tops and low hung jeans. We recommend T-shirts and board shorts over your bikini when at a beach near the villages.
• Please do not show strong affection in public
• Please ask before taking photos of people
• We advise not to feed the monkeys or wild animals

The sacred environs of Lord Jagannath temple, the eroticism of Konark’s Sun temple, the wondrous caves of Jainism, the mystical monasteries of Buddhism, the paintings of folklore and the weaver’s magic; all stand as meek evidences of an eloquent past and continuing golden present of Odisha.The state has a rich cultural heritage. The capital city of Bhubaneshwar is known for the exquisite temples that dot its landscape. The classical dance form Odishi also originated in Odisha. . Contemporary Odisha has a proud cultural heritage that arose as a result of the intermingling of three great religious traditions – Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. The culture of the Adivasis is an integral part of modern Oriya heritage. Oriya is the mother tongue of the people of Odisha, however, English is also widely used for official purpose.

This land of fascinating beauty also boasts of colourful festivals round the year. The world-famous ‘car festival’ (rath yatra) is celebrated every year in the Hindu month of Ashadha (mid-June to mid-July) in Puri. Odisha is also the land of unique handicrafts and other excellent artefacts.

Ancient Odisha (Orissa) was a confluence of racial streams that kept on invading the state leaving their own imprints thus affecting the life style a lot. Historians believe that Aryans entered Odisha (Orissa) from the northeast, subjugated the primitive people living there and imposed on them their language and culture. But on reflection we conclude that the people then living in the land were not perhaps all of the primitive type, nor were they subjugated culturally. What might have happened probably was a racial and cultural amalgamation.

In spite of being rural, people of Odisha (Orissa), have still retained India’s earliest civilization in its pristine form by keeping their traditional values still alive. Not only in their secluded hamlets, but also in the countless thousands of villages in the country side one can catch a glimpse of the dwindling horizon of humanity, through the innocent and benign outlook of tile villagers. A sensitive person who happens to be a prisoner of the modern society with its stress and strain will not, while in a typical Oriya village, fail to mark the relationship of its common people with God, nature and their fellow men.

Contact: For more information or any other questions please contact our Director- Dr. M R Mishra, manu2orissa@yahoo.com You can also visit our website : www.jrpsai.org