Be the Change

We are currently in the process of building an online forum that will connect enthusiastic volunteers with those most in need, be it organizations or individuals. Please check back soon for an update.

In the interim, you may contact any of the organizations listed below directly to offer your services as a volunteer.

Bornfree Art School International

The Bornfree School (http://www.bornfreeart.org) is a movement for the liberation of toiling children through the arts. The BASI teaches plastic and vsual arts through knowledge sharing by voluntary artists for street, working and bonded labour children. This leads to the production of a culture of liberation through the alliance of liberated working children and professionals artists, thinkers cultural activists.

The BASI is organized and run by the Bornfree Rainbow Warriors liberated working children, school and college students. We beleive that no child is free until all children are free. In this we include all peoples especially Children and Youth to own the movement and become stake holders in the act of liberation. The BRW movement is now being launched in the Bangalore city and rural spreading to all over Karnataka. January 30, 2008 the BRW will undertake a cycle expedition from Bangalore to Lahore, "One Ore One Heart", BLOOH a distance of 3663 kms., through 11 cities of India to raise the issue of Child labour, Right to education War and peace between India and pakistan, Environment.

We invite you to enrol as a Bornfree Rainbow Warrior
Contact bornfreeart@gmail.com

ActionAid

ActionAid (http://www.actionaid.org) an international anti-poverty agency, is working in over 40 countries, taking sides with poor people to end poverty and injustice together. They partner with communities of the urban poor, the urban homeless and children including street children, child labourers and other children in distress, like abandoned children, child victims of abuse and prostitution, children of sex workers, people living with HIV and AIDS, persons with disability, as well as the larger communities of the urban slums. In India today we are working with more than 300 civil society organisations and over five million poor and excluded people in 24 states and two union territories. In Karnataka we partner with almost 50 organisations across the state.

ActionAid's focus is on the rights of India’s most marginalised communities: Dalit and indigenous people, rural and urban poor, women, children and minorities. These groups face an acute lack of access to and control over resources, services, and institutions. They attempt to involve students from the middle and upper classes working regularly with street children, child labourers and the urban poor, people with disability, persons living with HIV and AIDS. They are eager to relate to youth from any background. However, young people with experiences in Social Sciences, teaching, art, political analysis, computer related professions, designing, media, journalism etc. can add value by using their skills as tools for social change.

BOSCO

Located in Bangalore, BOSCO (http://www.boscoban.org) has worked with street children for the past 27 years. BOSCO maintains seven city centres, each offering children a secure base away from the hustle of the streets. The centers provide an atmosphere conducive to the children’s growth as an individual, presenting them with a place to stay, education, indoor and outdoor play areas, television, bathing areas, beds, first aid and most importantly, the presence of caring adults with whom they can interact freely.

BOSCO's aim is to instill boys with a sense of optimism for their future by providing education, skills training and a safe environment to realize their potentials. Volunteers are needed who can spare time to tutor school and college going kids, train them in music, art, theatre, etc. Volunteers who have computer skills are also required to develop software for our use, counsellors and any one with a passion to make their life better. Join our programmes called BOSCO fun days, date a child, Corporate Fun days etc.

Janaagraha

Janaagraha (http://www.janaagraha.org) is a not-for-profit institution started in December 2001 by two founders - Ramesh and Swati Ramanathan. From a movement to include people's participation in public governance it has now evolved into a robust institution for Citizenship and Democracy. It now has an eminent governing board and an active Working Council that makes operational decisions for the organisation. Of the thirteen programmes in Janaagraha four have advisory groups with members that are highly accomplished working professionals. Besides our staff of fourteen, we are supported by the energy of at least 200 volunteers at any given point in time.

Janaagraha has seen close to 6000 volunteers give time over the last six years. The organization provides unique opportunities for volunteers to enhance their skills while contributing to their city and society. Bringing together people from diverse backgrounds and skills and exposing them to issues of governance, citizenship and democracy provides a memorable experience that is sometimes life changing.

Akanksha

The Akanksha Foundation (http://www.akanksha.org) is a non-profit organization with a mission to impact the lives of less privileged children, enabling them to maximise their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the field of education, addressing non formal education through the Akanksha centre and also formal education by initiating school reform.

Over the past 15 years, the organization has expanded from 15 children in one centre to over 2,400 children in 53 centres in Mumbai and Pune, with an additional 2000 children in 10 schools. A commitment is made to support each child by giving him or her a strong educational foundation, a good time, self esteem and values, and to help them plan how they can earn a steady livelihood as a step towards improving their standard of living.

iVolunteer

iVolunteer (www.ivolunteer.org.in) is an initiative of MITRA Technology Foundation, a not-for-profit organization committed towards promoting and facilitating volunteering in India. iVolunteer connects potential volunteers to volunteering opportunities available with NGOs.

Through their four offices across India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai) iVolunteer networks with NGOs on a wide range of issues like HIV/AIDS, Education, Environment, Street children, the aged, visually impaired, etc. iVolunteer offers individuals the chance to contribute back to society by utilizing their skills and donating their time. They deals with volunteers from all walks of life be they students, housewives, working professionals, or senior citizens. Their USP is that they let people volunteer for a cause they feel strongly for and let them decide the time commitment they would like to make. iVolunteer does not charge any Indian volunteer or organization for its services.