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There’s no doubt, the disenfranchised people of India will be the most heartbreaking part of your trip. But, for a couple of reasons, it’s not always a good idea to give to people on the street – especially if there are children involved. Occasionally, parents still purposely maim their children to make them more effective beggars. Children are sometimes pressed into begging gangs, abused by touts. Besides that, one little donation and you will be mobbed for the rest of the day. I do make an effort to buy things from people on the streets, and my biggest exception to my rule is the destitute widowed women in Vrindavan. As far as I can see, there’s no one there to help them out. Here are some of the organizations I know about. Again- Big Disclaimer! – I have not vetted them to figure out their worthiness, so use your own judgment. Meher Baba Charitable Trust www.mbtrust.org My personal favorite because there are several muchly adored “Baba Lovers” in my family. They offer health and job skills outreach to the local community around their Meherbad center near Ahmednagar in Maharashtra. Jai Baba! Maitri Leprosy Center Bodhgaya, Bihar India http://www.maitri-bodhgaya.org The Maitri (Sanskrit for “Universal Love and Compassion”) Center offers medical help and drug therapy for people with leprosy and TB in the state of Bihar. Through the use of their mobile clinic, they treat about 850 people a month. They are affiliated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition. SEWA Self Employed Women’s Association SEWA Reception Center 46/48 Loughborough Rd. Opposite Victoria Garden Leicester, LE4 5LD Bhadra, Ahmedabad 380-001 England Gujarat TEL: 44 (116) 261—3-3 TEL: 91 (79) 550-6444 www.sewa-international.org.uk email: mail@sewa.org e-mail: info@sewainternational.com www.sewa.org SEWA is one of the largest and most successful women’s professional organizations in India. A combination labor movement, co-operative, and social security insurance scheme, SEWA offers small business loans, legal aid, child care, literacy classes, and health care. Save the Children www.savethechildren.org Established in the UK in 1919, this organization now helps local organizations in 120 countries support the needs of children. Sponsor a child or donate what you can. Guru Nanak Home for Handicapped Children http://www.gurunanakhome.org This organization, in Ranchi, offers surgery, prosthetic limbs, and rehabilitation to handicapped children. Tibetan Children’s Villages http://www.tcv.org.in Located in Dharamsala, this organization cares for and educates Tibetan children from India as well as those who have fled from Tibet. World wildlife federation www.wwfindia.org Join the Tiger Brigade or help stop poaching. Wildlife Protection Society of India http://www.wpsi-india.org Acts as a liaison with government authorities to enact stronger measures to stop poaching and habitat degradation. Blue Cross of India http://bluecrossofindia.org/ www.globalgiving.org/microprojects/help-feed-200-abandoned-cats Unwanted animals in India lead a tough life. Blue cross takes them all in, from livestock to birds. People for Cattle in India www.google.com/#q=people+for+cattle+in+india If you like PETA, perhaps these are your people. They act as watchdogs to be sure no animal is abused – from cattle to monkeys. Earthwatch Institute 3 Clock Tower Place, Ste 100 Box 75 Maynard, MA 01754 TEL: (800) 776-0188 (978) 461-0081 e-mail: info@earthwatch.org www.earthwatch.org Earthwatch offers travellers the opportunity to assist research associates and scientists in field projects designed to promote conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage. They currently have three projects operating in India: Wolves of India, Indian Textile Artisans, and Maternal and Child Care. There are two projects in Nepal: River Tourism and The Snow Leopard of Nepal. Global Volunteers 375 E. Little Canada Road St. Paul, MN 55117-1627 (800) 487-1074 or (651) 407-6100 www.globalvolunteers.org Global Volunteers supports the Dazzling Stone Orphanage, about ½ hour outside of Chennai (Madras). They are in the process of building a new facility for their 500 students, and need volunteers and donations to help complete this building. Volunteers pay a fee (tax deductible) which is used to purchase building materials and can sign up for 2 or 3 weeks of helping out. |