Compiled by Sifti Dhillon.
Ladakh is majestic, remote and on many bucket lists for its pristine beauty. For centuries, the locals lived in this cold mountain desert in the Trans-Himalayas without contact with the rest of India. Tourism gave people access to roads, education and a booming local economy, but also tempered with traditional cultural and environmental practices. So when you travel to Ladakh next, try to give a little something back to this magnificently beautiful region, and who knows, you might just come back with stories you never imagined you'd hear.
We've made your research easier, with this compilation of organizations and the volunteering opportunities they offer. Please get in touch with them directly through their websites, and if you have more to add from your own personal experiences, leave us a comment so we can keep this list updated.
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1. SECMOL (The Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh)
 |
| Photo by Justine Simon. |
Where: Phey, 18 km
from Leh.
What can you do: Teaching, special skills (like photography), conversational English, sports coaching (ice skating, figure skating, hockey)
Minimum
commitment: 3 weeks
 |
| Photo by Jonathan Choe. |
Where: In rural, isolated communities of Ladakh
What can you do: Teacher training, English lessons, environmental projects, cultural exchange, classroom construction
Minimum
commitment: 2 weeks for environmental projects;
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3. 17000FT
 |
| Photo by Editor Gol Monitor. |
Where:
Remote villages in Ladakh
What can you do: Build libraries and classrooms, teach, conduct workshops
Minimum
commitment: 1 week
4. LEDEG (Ladakh Ecological Development Group)
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| Photo by Jonathan Choe. |
Where: All over Ladakh
What can you do: Skills training, waste management, livelihood initiatives, english lessons, basic computer skills, documentation of cultural practices
Minimum
commitment: 4 weeks
5.
DRUK WHITE LOTUS SCHOOL
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| Photo by Druk Lotus White School. |
Where:
Shey (30 min from Leh) and Khachey
What can you do: Teacher training, infrastructure building
Minimum
commitment: Flexible
6.
DUTCH FOUNDATION FOR LADAKHI NUNS
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| Photo by Shivya Nath. |
Where: Thiksey
What can you do: Help the nuns manage the guesthouse, teach
Minimum
commitment: 1 month
|
| Photo by McKay Savage. |
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8. SNOW LEOPARD CONSERVANCY
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| Photo by Tambako The Jaguar. |
Where: Villages across Ladakh
What can you do: Community-based projects, photography and videography, population estimation program, predator studies, documentation
Minimum commitment: Flexible
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Tell us about your experiences of volunteer travelling in Ladakh.
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Excellent! I must make a note of it. I just wanted to know if you have to pay to volunteer or they provide accommodation in exchange of voluntary jobs.
ReplyDeleteGreat! This is a very nice informative article.
ReplyDelete