swades ki khoj 2008
Investing in the youth for an inclusive India
Frequently Asked Questions
1.Is this a job? – No. It is not. It is an opportunity to spend a year discovering India and yourself. The stipend is only to help you support yourself during the year.
2. Will we get paid? - Yes. There will be a modest stipend of Rs 4,000 per month which would be adequate to cover the costs of food and other expenses.
3.Is all our travel covered, including travel for orientation and going back from the debriefing at the end of the programme? – No and Yes. The costs of getting to the orientation and returning to your residence after the year will have to be borne by the participants. The costs of during the year, to get to the host organisation, local travel and the cost to return to Chirag will be covered.
4.Will we stay in one organisation for 11 months? – Yes.
5.Where will we stay? – The host organisation will provide for simple accommodation. It is possible that this may need to be shared with others.
6.Will we have to cook our own food? – This depends on where you are located and the facilities that the host organisation provides. In the batch of 2007, a majority of the youth have cooked their own food.
7.Will we get time off to visit our families? – This depends on where your host organisation is located in relation to your place of residence. Each organisation has its own set of holidays and in addition to this only in special circumstances will you be permitted to take time off during the year. The emphasis is on providing and intense year of learning and discovery.
8.What happens after the programme is over? – Youth who wish to continue to work in the not-for-profit sector will be provided with information on their options. The programme does not take responsibility to place youth after the programme is over but shall attempt to facilitate it.
9.Will we get a certificate? – Yes. Chirag and the host organisation will issue a joint certificate.
10.Is the programme open only to Indian nationals? – Primarily. The programme was specifically designed for youth from within the country. However, if there are youth of Indian origin with a working knowledge of at least one Indian language then they could be considered.
11.Is Hindi essential? - No. It is not. However, it would be, if you wish to be placed in a state in North-India or if we are unable to match your interests with a host organisation in south or eastern India.
12.Can we be located with our friend in the same organisation? – Highly unlikely. However, another person from the cohort of 2008 could be placed in the same organisation.
13.Can we terminate the relationship during the year? – Only under very special circumstances with at least a month’s notice to the host organisation and to Chirag.
14.What will we need to carry? – Personal clothing and articles that you will require during the year. Based on the host organisation that you will be located with, we will give you, well in advance, an idea of the weather to expect and whether bedding will need to be carried as well.
15.Is there a process of mid term review. What happens if some issues crop up in between? – Within the first two months of your reaching the host organisation, someone from Chirag will visit you. If there are any issues at this juncture, you can discuss it with our colleagues from Chirag and they will help in sorting them out. Subsequently, you will be given numbers of contact persons in Chirag with whom you can remain in touch during the course of the year.
16.Will I need to submit a report in the end? Will I be evaluated? – No. You will not be evaluated. However, we would give you a framework to document your experiences and you will be expected to make a presentation at the end.
17.Will I get email/internet/phone access? – Most parts of rural India have cell-phone connectivity. You might need to get a local SIM card. This is usually easy to organise. Internet and email access can vary hugely depending on where you are going to be located and cannot be guaranteed.
18.Will I be able to interact/meet with people of my age group in the organisation? – Yes, the chances are that you will get to work with people of your age group in your host organisation.
The programme starts on July 1, 2008. Send in your applications by May 15, 2008.
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