Teaching and community volunteering in Kerala
Flight and Visa costs are not included. This trip has an all female team and female staff in the volunteer house.
DBS check required.
Description of Teaching and community volunteering in Kerala
Join our Community Development Program in Kerala and make a lasting impact through teaching and women’s empowerment initiatives in one of India’s most beautiful regions. Based in the peaceful coastal town of Fort Kochi, this program allows you to work closely with local communities, helping children and women gain valuable skills that foster confidence, education, and independence.
You don’t need any prior teaching experience — just enthusiasm and a willingness to help. Our supportive local team will guide you throughout your placement, ensuring you feel confident and inspired in your role. This program is perfect for those seeking meaningful, hands-on volunteering combined with the chance to explore Kerala’s tropical beauty and warm culture.
As a volunteer, you’ll be involved in one of two core areas:
Teaching Children: Support local schools by helping children aged 5–12 with basic English, creative arts, and confidence-building classroom activities. You’ll work alongside local teachers to create fun, interactive learning experiences that make education engaging and accessible.
Women’s Empowerment: Help women from underprivileged backgrounds build essential skills through spoken English lessons, computer training, and personal development workshops. These sessions boost confidence and open up new opportunities for education and employment.
Our projects are designed to encourage cultural exchange and community connection. You’ll gain insight into the local way of life, build meaningful relationships, and play a small but significant role in helping others achieve their goals.
Volunteers are encouraged to come with an open mind and flexible attitude, as activities may vary based on the community’s needs. Our bilingual project coordinators will always be there to provide guidance, translation, and support, while giving you the freedom to bring your own creativity and ideas to each session.
In your free time, explore the many wonders of Kerala — from houseboat cruises through the backwaters and tea plantations in Munnar to Ayurvedic massages and sunset walks along Fort Kochi Beach.
We make all arrangements for a smooth, hassle-free experience, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals, and local support. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a comprehensive orientation and cultural introduction before beginning your volunteer placement.
All our teaching volunteers are required to complete a compulsory DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) or equivalent criminal record check before joining the program. This ensures the safety and wellbeing of the children and communities we work with.
Price information
Flight and Visa costs are not included. This trip has an all female team and female staff in the volunteer house.
DBS check required.
Check dates
2027: 9 Jan, 23 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 6 Mar, 20 Mar, 3 Apr, 17 Apr, 1 May, 15 May, 29 May, 12 Jun, 26 Jun, 10 Jul, 24 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 16 Oct, 30 Oct, 13 Nov, 27 Nov, 11 Dec, 25 Dec
2028: 8 Jan, 22 Jan, 5 Feb, 19 Feb, 4 Mar, 18 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 29 Apr
Travel guides
Holiday information
Responsible Travel
Planet
We are addressing our local environment by working with local communities, local charities, local government bodies, local schools, or indigenous tribes. Our tours are carefully selected – we only partner with local tour operators that are either committed to responsible tourism themselves, are eco-friendly, or have ethical policies. Of course we have to use transport and where possible our local guides encourage walking or biking and travelling on public transport- buses, railways or took tuks. This can minimize our demand for special tourist vehicles and fuel whilst giving you plenty of opportunity to meet and interact with local people/communities.Our operations are also eco-friendly as we introduce policy of minimising and properly disposing of waste created, by conserving energy and water, and by ensuring that endangered wildlife and environmentally compromised areas are treated with respect.
On our heath,construction and women’s empowerment programs we focus on environmental development projects such as recycling, gardening and planting trees.
Our independent travel options and small group sizes help us to tread lightly and to use more environmentally sound forms of transport, minimizing impact, and ideally enriching the environment.
We will offer traveller’s tips on how to conserve water, reduce waste, and otherwise minimize the environmental impact of their trip. We hope that our travellers will be able to take some of the conservation tips they learn home with them.
Wherever possible, our employees use recycled paper and recycle waste created in the office, as well as attempting to minimise waste created and be a “paperless” office. We also work to minimise energy and water consumption in our offices, and we encourage our partners to follow similar waste management and energy philosophies.
People
This unique and rewarding project brings many benefits to the community we work in. Your interaction with locals in the community who want to learn and develop skills through fun and creative activities will help them grow their talent and develop self-confidence. Volunteers are required as we need assistance with running sessions.We alos support our community by employing local staff - they are the cultural ambassadors, know multiple dialects of the sub-continent and can easily facilitate local interaction and thus guide our travellers in general best practices (e.g. how to avoid encouraging a “begging” mentality, how to be sensitive in photographing local people, etc.) as well as specific tips on how to avoid running afoul of local customs. More importantly they will earn an income through employment.
We also want to ensure that skill projects are following the guidelines of responsible travel. This includes :
Having Qualified teaching applicants taking classes only. Non qualified applicants can assist our staff only.
We do not work with vulnerable individuals at all or at places like shelters or care homes.
Having emphasis or encouraging long term applicants of 4 weeks minimum
Making DBS checks compulsory
Minimum of a days training on arrival
Having a child protection code
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