Today was the first day of orientation. I really want to give the Indian project credit here, as it was far and away superior to the orientation in South Africa. The host organisation is called "Volunteering Activity." This organisation is 12 years old and has worked with over 4000 volunteers. In the past they accepted volunteers from several different referring agencies. However, they now work exclusively with IVHQ. (I can see the benefit to this, as in South Africa there were several people who had paid dramatically higher rates through other agencies.) We were also quietly told that the host organisation is paid the same regardless, so those higher fees are going to the referring agencies, not the projects.
The lead coordinator here is Ananta and he's been with the project from the start. He seems competent, friendly and very approachable. He says he will be visiting each program twice a week and strikes me as very caring and involved. He has made sure that we have his number as well as the two other staff members here in Delhi and we've been encouraged to call anytime, 24 hours a day, if we need anything or have questions.
There are 15 of us starting this week. 10 are staying here in Delhi and 5 of us are heading up to Dharamsala in a weeks time. While there are more people staying in Delhi, apparently it's the Dharamsala program's that fill up this time of year due to the heat.
Today was all about basic information about India and our placements. We also signed general release and code of conduct forms and got our first Hindu language lesson. Thus far I can say hello (namaste), yes (ha), no (nahi) and thanks (sukhriya). Pretty fancy, eh? :)
This afternoon we got a chance to visit a local clothing store / beauty parlour that is run by the mother of the lovely woman who runs our guest house. While I do want a few outfits made, I didn't find anything I really cared for, so I'll keep looking. I also considered a "special beauty package" that consisted of a manicure and pedicure, massage and facial for ₹1000 (about $17). I was tempted, but reluctant to trust manicure and pedicure tools I wasn't completely sure had been sanitised or creams that I didn't know. This probably makes me too paranoid, but I've heard too many stories of infections and nasty reactions... Anyway, now I'm back at the house enjoying the fans. Later this evening I hope to venture back to the market close by just to see what I can see.
I've also learned that I'm too late to book flights to Dharamsala for any sort of reasonable price. (Note to future volunteers: book early!) When I learned it would be nearly $500 to fly round trip, vs. a $20 bus ride... (Plus they're luxury busses with air conditioning and wifi - rather than the rickety ones complete with chickens that I had in my head... Lol). It's an over night trip and I know I'll sleep through most of it anyway.