Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located in eastern India on the east bank of the River Hooghly. The city has a population of almost 5 million, with an extended metropolitan population of over 14 million, making it the third-largest urban agglomeration and the fourth-largest city in India.

There is a one month minimum set for the program. The program starts on the first of the month so you will need to arrive in Kolkata before this date. You will be placed where you are most needed at the time. You will have the opportunity to look at the available options during the training program and make a final decision in consultation with our partner organization. Due to the nature of the situation, projects will start and end at different times so there can be no specific guidelines as to what project you will work in until you arrive. An orientation and training will take place upon arrival and you will be placed according to the current needs and requirements, with consideration of your skills and background.

The types of programs you could be involved with include:
* Teaching
* Working with disabled children and adults
* Taking care of the elderly
* Women's development projects
* Caring for the sick
* Office work

Please visit the GVN site for more information about the program.

1-May-2008: Bronwen Mander - Making friends in India

It has been a fantastic month. Here in this hot and humid Kolkata climate, afternoon naps are common, and really necessary. But I’ve not had much time for them. Here is a very long-winded story that you may or may not have the time to read. Over the last month or so, I have spent much more time with new Indian friends and I feel positively enriched by the experience. They have all been so warm ...

• Bronwen Mander - Making friends in India
• Stefan Bernhauer - Abreise
• Kelsy Yeargain - Yes?
• Philip Jellen - Hospital Stay and Sikkim
• Grace Kim - comparing standards of living
• Elan Keehn - queen of the hill towns
• Kyle Dressander - Planes, Trains & ah.. Camels?
• Helen Thomas - Twas the night before India...
• Denis Brouzes - Last Entry
• Pip Cooper - Better late than never