Volunteering

Become a volunteer and help us to build a better India!

We need you!

Maher is looking for passionate people who are committed to serving the poor, neglected and mistreated people of our society. Over a period of months or years, you will stay in residence with us and work directly with the people we serve.

You will learn firsthand what is the situation of the people in India, and what are the challenges that they face in trying to survive in this world. With your own hands you will help to heal them in body and in spirit. You will deepen your own capacity to give love and kindness to others, and you will learn just how infinite this capacity can be. Through this experience you will learn how you can best help to create a better India and a better world.

The women and children at Maher need good role models who can give them lots of love, interaction, discussion and play. You must be very outgoing and have a passion for working with women and children. You must work hard to treat all of the women and children equally without regard to religion, caste, color, creed, ability or gender. With your hard work and dedication these people will thrive, you will grow immeasurably as a person, and society will improve.

You can help us as

  • Nurse
  • Counselor
  • Computer and English Teacher
  • Social Worker
  • Office staff

Rules and Regulations

Locations

Thank you for your interest in visiting or volunteering at Maher. We welcome visitors and volunteers year-round. Some things to know when planning dates for your visit:

April and May are the hottest months in India. Maher has overhead fans, but no air conditioning.Many of the Maher homes are located in areas that experience severe water shortages in summer. Water conservation is essential.Most children are away visiting relatives during the summer holiday from mid-April to mid-June. Also many Staff members are on holiday, so visits and tours to the different centers are more difficult. Power outages are to be expected. While most last less than four hours, occasionally the electricity may be off for 8 hours or more.

Near Pune

Maher has the most homes and volunteer opportunities near Pune. General descriptions of the various projects appear below. Volunteer preferences are considered in placements; however, assignments also depend on Maher?s current needs and previous volunteer commitments. Hours are approximate.

Administrative Office

Tasks include writing and translating. Types of projects include but are not limited to: appeal letters and grant-writing, award nominations, letters and other forms of written correspondence, proposals, social media posts and website development and maintenance. Hours: 10 a.m. ? 6 p.m. Dress: Loose-fitting shirts and pants may be worn.

National Center

A hub for international social work students, tasks at the National Center include child and youth development activities, enrichment classes, play and interaction with the women and children, production unit assistance and training, and tutoring. Max. # of volunteers: 10. Hours: 8 a.m. ? 1 p.m., 4 p.m. ? 8 p.m. Approx. 12 kms. from Pune. Dress: Salwar Kameez (a traditional form of Indian dress consisting of a tunic, scarf and loose-fitting pants).
 

Karunalaya

Maher?s first home for men is located within walking distance of Vatsalydham. Here volunteers are encouraged to converse with many of the men, who speak English and enjoy sharing their life stories. Art projects are also a popular past-time for the residents of this home. Hours: Drop-in visits only. Approx. 18 kms. from Pune.

Vatsalydham

A compound offering a rich social work experience, on the grounds there are homes for mentally-traumatized and mentally-challenged women, ?grannies? over the age of 80, and elementary-school aged children. The property has an extensive garden and a large play area. Tasks at the Vatsalydham include ongoing interaction with the women and children, child development activities, dancing and exercise class, enrichment classes, games and craft classes for the women, gardening, play, and tutoring. Max. # of volunteers: 4. Hours: 7 a.m. ? noon, 2 p.m. ? 8 p.m. Approx. 18 kms. from Pune. Dress: Salwar Kameez

Pune Homes

Three Maher homes are located near Maher?s Administrative Office. Many of the children in these homes attend English medium schools. A number of young women live in one of the homes which is close to local colleges and universities. Volunteers engage in child and youth development and enrichment activities, play and interact with the children, tutor the children, and spend time with the young women. Hours: Drop-in visits only are possible at two of the homes. At the third home, hours: 8:00 a.m. ? 10 a.m., 1:00 p.m. ? 8:00 p.m. Dress: Loose-fitting tops and pants.
 

Village Homes

Apti: A Maher home located in the heart of the village, it was at Apti where Maher Self-Help Groups (SHGs) originated. Volunteers here are encouraged to play and have lots of interaction with the children, learn about Maher?s SHGs, provide tutoring and companionship. Hours: Approx. 28 kms. from Pune.

Bakhori

Located in a small village, volunteer tasks include accompanying the children to school and on outings, art and child development activities, games, physical therapy exercises with children who have special needs, tutoring. Depending on the talents, share dance and music with the children. Hours: 8 a.m. ? 1 p.m., 3 ? 8 p.m. Approx. 20 kms. from Pune.

Kendur

Three homes are located in Kendur. Two of the homes serve primarily elementary-school age children and one home serves older girls and college-age women. Volunteers engage in child and youth development, games and enrichment activities, listen to, play and interact with the children, tutor the children, and accompany them on outings. Help in the office with English writing. Hours: Drop-in visits only. Approx. 30 kms. from Pune.
 

Shirur

This Maher home shelters elementary school-aged boys. The home is located near the Pardi Wasti community, a migratory group whose traditional livelihood consisted of hunting, handling of meat, robbery and assassination. Outreach programs and self-help groups here focus on hygiene, education, health and sustainable livelihood. Volunteers play and interact with the children, assist with school work and engage in games and enrichment activities. Hours: Drop-in visits only. Approx. 75 kms. from Pune.

Thakarvasti

This home, located near a tribal village, is in a quiet, peaceful setting adjacent to a Maher pre-school. Volunteers engage in child and youth development activities, offer enrichment classes, play and interact with the children, and tutor the children. Hours: 8 a.m. ? 1 p.m., 3 p.m. ? 8 p.m. Approx. 35 kms. from Pune.

Jharkhand

Maher has three homes for children and youth in Jharkhand, one in Ranchi and two in Bijupada, a rural setting. Maher also supports eight social workers working in Jharkhand?s remote areas around Gomia. Volunteers play and interact with the children, engage in child and youth development activities, offer enrichment and tutoring. Hours: Visits are pre-arranged due to the distance from Pune. Approx. 1,550 kms. from Pune.
 

Kerala

Maher has two homes in Kerala; one for boys and one for girls. Volunteers play and interact with the children, engage in child and youth development activities, and provide homework assistance when needed. Village de-addiction programs and addiction prevention programs are a focus of Maher?s work because of the high rates of alcoholism. Visits are pre-arranged due to the distance from Pune. Max. # of volunteers: 2. Hours: 9 a.m. ? 1 p.m., 3 p.m. ? 8 p.m. Approx. 1,400 kms. from Pune. Dress: Salwar kameez. .

Miraj

This home is located in a slum near the railway station. There are two different projects in the same building; one for mentally disturbed women and one for children. Volunteers interact and play with children and mentally-traumatized and mentally-challenged women and provide enrichment activities and tutoring. Because of the distance, volunteer placements of a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks are requested. Max. # of volunteers: 2. Hours: 9 a.m. ? 1 p.m., 3 p.m. ? 8 p.m. Approx. 250 kms. from Pune. Dress: Salwar kameez.

Ratnagiri

Maher?s Ratnagiri complex consists of a home for girls, a home for aged women and a home for men. Volunteers engage in child and youth development activities, tutoring and enrichment classes, crafts with the women and men, play and interaction with all of the residents. Because of the distance, volunteer placements of a minimum of 4 to 6 weeks are requested. Max. # of volunteers: 2. Hours: 9 a.m. ? 1 p.m., 3 p.m. ? 8 p.m. Approx. 300 kms. from Pune. Dress: Salwar kameez.