Shake Hands India Volunteer Program

I have always wanted to travel to India and volunteer so when I finally decided to do it I spent a lot of time researching organisation after organisation to find the right fit. I was looking for a good variety of program/volunteer work choices, good and safe location and good value for money. Sankalp (Shake Hands India Volunteer) ticked all these boxes and seemed too good to be true. I sent many emails to Sankalp prior to booking and arriving and they always replied back within hours and answered all my questions. I decided to participate in the Work and Travel program option. On weekdays I work on the Street Kids program, teaching english and maths to children who live on the street and are the poorest of the poor here in Jaipur. They are the most adorable kids you'll ever meet. They are so clever and so eager to learn. The organisation provide all transport to and from work. On weekends I travel with a group of people from the volunteer house. I visited Agra and the Taj Mahal, Pushkar, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranthambore, went on a Tiger Safari and best of all went on a Camel Safari in the Desert where we slept under the stars on the sand dunes. Incredible. We are transported by lovely drivers in private air conditioned cars and mini buses and stay in beautiful hotels. I am here at a busy time with the house having twenty volunteers at the moment. The house is beautiful and very big, it's always clean and cool with western style toilets, hot water and internet at cheap prices and is situated in a nice and safe neighbourhood close to supermarkets and a short rickshaw ride to the city center. I was here for Holi festival and the Jaipur elephant festival which were so much fun. Punni, the cook and house mum as we refer to her, cooks the volunteers delicious lunches and dinners everyday which isn't spicy at all which is good for those like me who can't handle it (but their is always chilli available for those who do). Amita and Pranay, the couple who run the organisation, are lovely and always willing to answer your questions and help with your problems. On the rare occasion that we have a problem they fix it straight away. They make sure that we are happy and safe without being over bearing and controlling which is nice. We have curfew at 10pm but this is purely for your safety and I think reasonable. They have good hearts and genuinely care about their volunteers, children and the success of the programs. They look after Puuni, even giving her $200 and a gift out of the kindess of their heart when she went to her sisters wedding. Like all indian people, they are quiet and keep to themselves at first but once you get their trust they are very welcoming and friendly people. If you are approachable and open minded they will be the same. As long as you have an open mind and don't expect everything to be like at home you'll love India. I have volunteered in many parts of the world with many different organisations and this is by far the best i've experienced for overall value for money, programs and location. I have given it a high score but I think it is deserved, the small issues that are present are already being addressed by the organisation. I cannot recommend this organisation and program more highly, I will recommend it to all my friends and hope to return one day. You will not regret coming here.