!! CSOMA’S NEWS !!

The volunteer application period has been closed, this year we have received very considerate materials, which is a positive feedback for our application system. For the late-awakening people we are opening a waiting list you guys still have some chance to get free spaces in case of spontaneous or last-minute cancellations.

DEADLINE: 31 March 2019

Dear Visitors!

This year for the first time there is a considerable amount of participation fee for volunteering with the Csoma’s Room Foundation. Based on the experiences of the past ten years, introducing a notable amount of participation fee was considered as the only way to keep our volunteering program sustainable in the long run. Raising the fee was necessary partly due to the professionalisation of our foundation, which continues to work on a more professional level with service-oriented attitude in the future, and partly because we built in the previously self-financed services (just like the tracking in and out of Zangla) to the price of the volunteering program. Most of the international volunteering organizations work with similar amount of participation fee, which seems quintessential in order to guarantee the professional autonomy of the organization.

 

The application is open for volunteers in 2019 for the following activities:

 

EDUCATION

Homestay English Program: 3 volunteers for July-August

  • 8 weeks of field work from the beginning of July till the end of August 2019
  • a tailor-made language learning program, aiming at local adults
  • the classes are held at their homes, regularly, but with no fix schedule
  • This activity is mostly for teachers and volunteers with previous experience on this field. Having teaching experience in a different cultural background is an advantage, but not necessary.

 

RESEARCH

Field research: 2 volunteers for July-August

  • 8 weeks of field work from the beginning of July till the end of August 2019
  • the applying volunteers are welcome to join the ongoing social science research of the Foundation, but can work on their own research topic as well

 

CONSTRUCTION

16 volunteers for the whole season as follows:

  • 8 volunteers for July 2019 (4 weeks of field work)
  • 8 volunteers for August 2019 (4 weeks of field work)

The applying volunteers can join the construction works of the Foundation, which ranges from building a solar school to renovating local houses following the principles of solarization.

 

The Csoma’s Room Foundation is eligible as host organization for internships or other kind of applicable projects. For instance, volunteering could also be part of a Campus Mundi scholarship. (Please contact us, in case you are concerned!)

 

DURATION OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

  • Preparatory period (in Budapest + online): 2019. March 23 – June 1
  • Preparation days in India (in Leh, Ladakh): at the end of June/July 2019*
  • Trekking in together** (organized Himalayan trekking OR a self-organized bus ride): at the end of June/July 2019*
  • Field work: July/August 2019*
  • Trekking out together** (organized Himalayan trekking OR a self-organized bus ride): at the end of July/August 2019*

 

*depending on the field of activity (education/research or construction) you applied to volunteer at

* Instead of trekking in and out of the Zanskar valley together in groups, volunteers can choose reach and leave the valley by jeep rides.

 

COSTS

The participation fee of the program and the cost of travelling to Leh has to be paid by the volunteer. Before you apply please make sure you have the amount necessary to cover these costs!

 

FEE OF THE VOLUNTEERING PROGRAM

  • For volunteers applying for the education/research projects: 350.000 HUF / person (including: preparatory meetings and camp in Hungary during spring months + trekking in and out of Zangla + 8 weeks of field work in Zangla with accommodation and 2 meals/day)
  • For volunteers applying for the construction works: 195.000 HUF / person (including: preparatory meetings and camp in Hungary during spring months + trekking in and out of Zangla + 4 weeks of field work in Zangla with accommodation and 2 meals/day)

 

THE FEE INCLUDES

  • continuously providing information for the volunteers
  • preparation for the season: informal meetings + a preparation camp in Hungary during spring + preparation days in the Indus valley
  • Himalayan trekking into Zangla (6 days) and out of Zangla (5 days) in the Zanskar valley
  • all costs of trekking, including guides, tents, transportation of luggages, etc.
  • all necessary conditions for the field work
  • group sessions and continuous mentoring during the field work
  • accommodation and 2 meals/day at a local family in Zangla
  • participation at the local celebration, called “Zeng a Zangla”
  • Csoma’s Room Alumni membership
  • a unique T-shirt with the logo of Csoma’s Room Foundation
  • a bilingual (HUN-ENG) certificate about the volunteering activity you have done
  • a unique calendar for 2020 with pictures of the current season

 

The participation fee must be paid after the volunteers are informed about the acceptance of their application, but no later, than the date of their departure. (Meaning June 1., 2019 the latest!)

 

THE FEE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • flight tickets
  • travel insurance
  • vaccinations (if needed at all)
  • costs of public transportation, accommodation and catering in India, besides the duration of the field work in Zangla
  • meals during the trekking in and out of Zangla (however the accommodation, the mountain guides and the baggage carriers are included in the price as shown above)
  • costs of accommodation and catering during the preparation days in India (in the city of Leh)

 

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE BASED ON SOCIAL BACKGROUND

In the season of 2019 we have the opportunity to provide social background-based scholarships for 2 applicants, which means the reduction of the program fee by 50 %.

 

FEE OF APPLICATION

Application fee of 3.000 HUF/person must be paid parallel to filling out and sending the application form via GoogleForms, by 18., Feb. the latest. Details for transferring the fee of application:

  • Name: Csoma Szobája Alapítvány
  • Bank: OTP Bank
  • Account number: 11707062-20000143-00000000
  • Notice of transfer: name_volunteer_progam_application

 

Invoice of proving the payment of application fee could be sent to you by post (original) or via e-mail (scanned version). Please contact us if needed!

 

DEADLINES

Application for volunteering: 24. Jan. – Feb. 18. 2019.

Notification of the applicants (Vol.1.): Feb. 20. 2019.

Interviews: Feb. 23 – March 13. 2019.

Notification of the applicants (Vol.2.): March 15. 2019

 

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