EXPLORE INDIA & WOMENS HEALTH EMPOWERMENT PROJECT

VOLUNTEER WITH PURPOSE

Our Vision:

The vision of FSGR is to promote sustainable empowerment of communities in need and to build up infrastructures for a better future of deprived sections of rural communities

At FSGR we design our programs so we have equal time exploring around the beautiful old city of Udaipur and surrounds PLUS getting to see and experience real village life while work on assisting on the programs we are currently running.

We are currently working with the girls and women in the villages to improve womens health including menstrual cycle education, menstrual hygiene education, access to menstrual hygiene products, access to treatment for menstrual issues.

On our programs we are also assessing the village Anganwadi’s (day care centres) to see how we can assist and fundraise for further resources to help make the children’s lives better and healthier.

WHO IS THIS FOR?

We welcome all health practitioners and students in the field.

Naturopaths, Nutritionists, Dieticians, Chiropractors, Nurses, Midwives, Herbalists, Public Health... if you are qualified or a student - you are welcome to join us.

Previous groups we have had all of the above - practitioners who work in private practice, public health, supplement companies, students of all experience and we have found everyone can contribute and learn equal amounts.

WHAT IS INCLUDED?

• Guest house accomodation for 7 nights

• Airport pickup and drop off

• All meals included

• FSGR T-shirt & stationary

• Visits to village Anganwadi (day care centre)

• Visits to village for women’s health program work

• Cooking for the children of the Anganwadi

• Menstrual Health in India lecture with expert

• Visit Naturopathic Hospital

• Nutritional deficiency signs lecture

• Hindi lesson

• Udaipur Old City & Spice market visit

• City palace & museum visit

• Bahu Bali Hills visit and walk

• Monsoon palace visit

• Cultural dance show

• Henna

• Indian cooking class

• Temple sight seeing around Udaipur

The perfect balance between village work & experiencing the real India!

Menstrual Health

• It is difficult to understand that many girls and women in India still have never seen or heard of a menstrual pad in their life. Menstrual health is a taboo topic in India where education is very lacking. Even if a woman wants to use a pad she may not have access to affordable pads or is too shy to buy one.

• The impact of having a period in India is huge which can cause illness, missing school or work and lack of self confidence.

  Our aims are to:

• Raise awareness around this taboo topic in India - the more that it gets spoken about, the more it will be normalised rather than it holding the stigma of seeming impure

• Provide educational workshops for girls and women around menstrual hygiene to prevent spreading of infections and illness

• Education around the use & disposal of pads and menstrual hygiene products

• Donations of reusable menstrual pads to the village women Empowerment.

The repercussions of menstrual health issues:

The lack of education, awareness, support and access to menstrual hygiene products mean many issues arise such as:

• Bacterial vaginosis (60% of women in rural Rajasthan experience)

• Thrush

• Heavy bleeds

• Uterine prolapse

• Anaemia (51% of girls and women in rural Rajasthan)

These health issues then mean girls and women often cannot go to school or work.

Periods often end a schooling education for girls in India due to lack of awareness, support and menstrual hygiene products.

EXPERIENCE THE REAL INDIA

India can be a very diverse and different place to travel. We have found experiencing the real India with the group & having support, local guides is invaluable.

When we are at the guest house we have an in house chef who cooks the most delicious vegetarian food. While out in the old city or visiting temples we will choose amazing restaurants with beautiful views where you can order non-vegetarian food if you’d like.

We visit many temples and beautiful lakes around Udaipur AKA City of the Lakes. You will learn about the culture of India and how Ayurveda, Naturopathy and health are tied into the culture on a day to day basis. We will also have the privilege to visit the Naturopathic Hospital in Udaipur which is always a highlight

OUR GUEST HOUSE

Our guesthouse is located 45 mins from Udaipur airport in the valley of Aravalli hills. It is a gated community owned by a few families. They have cows and grow some vegetables that we use in our cooking.
The guest house is close to a lovely Goddess Amba temple that we can walk to each morning for sunrise and meditation (optional!). We have a rooftop that we can see the stars at night as we are out of the city.
There are multiple bedrooms - some queen beds which will be shared and single beds which we will work out sleeping arrangements when you arrive. Each room has it’s own ensuite to be shared with either 2 or 3 people.

THE FSGR CREW

Jignesh (Jiggy) and Bablu are the owners of the FSGR NGO (non-government organisation). They were both born in India and can speak fluent Hindi and English. Jiggy and Bablu have both done a lot of work in many other NGO’s over the years and have a very strong passion for the village work and community support. They will both be with us the entire time of the program to organise us, teach us, support us, translate for us - we are a whole team and work together really well.
Other support crew we have: drivers, in house chefs, housekeepers and local tour guides.

DATES & PRICING

GROUP 1: 7th - 14th April 2025

GROUP 2: 8th - 15th Dec 2025

Total price for the program is $1200AUD

Deposit of $200 to confirm your spot and remainder of fees to be paid when you get to India in cash - more details and support on this once you’re signed up.

Not included in the price of program: flights, travel insurance, visa, travel insurance, spending money, drinks at restaurants when we are out in old city.

FEES & FUNDRAISING

JOIN OUR ONLINE INFORMATION SESSION

TUES 7TH JAN 2025 6pm AEST

We will be holding an online information session on zoom so you can meet Ellen, your Volunteer coordinator for the program who will be your main contact. She will be there to pick you up from the airport & be with you the entire trip.

At the information session you can learn more about the NGO, more about our programs we are running and ask any questions you may have about the program or India in general!

Once you’re ready to confirm your spot:

• We will send through a volunteer details form to complete

• Send through your deposit

• Connect with our travel agent who knows our programs and can help you with flights and any extra travels or trips you’d like to do while you’re over there

You will then be added to our FB group where we can all communicate together, you will be sent a packing checklist as well as further info regarding visas.

Complete the below form to sign up for the information session & we will send you the zoom link to join!