Volunteer with Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala
Lha offers you the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills with the Tibetan refugee, local Indian, and Himalayan communities whilst gaining hands-on experience working with a non-profit, community social work organization.
As a volunteer with Lha you will be immersed in the fascinating culture of the people you are serving, develop friendships, learn about issues currently facing the Tibetan refugee community and create positive change in someone else’s life.
At Lha we aim to connect volunteers with opportunities for valuable experiences. We offer relevant services and comprehensive courses and programs, working within the wider network of other non-profit and governmental organizations in the local area.
Lha’s office is located in central McLeod Ganj, Upper Dharamsala – a town nestled in the ridges and foothills of the Himalayas in Northern India. Mcleod Ganj has become a hub of Tibetan life due to an influx of refugees settling here after fleeing the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959. Dharamsala also became the new home to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. There are over 8,000 resident Tibetans in Dharamsala, which is the home of numerous Tibetan organizations, monasteries, nunneries and schools. Lha has been established for over ten years and in that time has worked within a wider network of local member organizations, providing a vital and welcoming resource centre to the community. If necessary, we are happy to redirect your enquiry to other local organizations where your skills will be of most benefit.
Lha is staffed by 9 full time Tibetan employees and assisted by the valuable contribution of volunteers from around the world. Wider social services, courses and vocational training on offer at Lha are designed with the understanding and insight required to acknowledge and respond to the challenges faced by the Tibetan refugee community and to also provide long term assistance in rehabilitation and transition into the Indian community. With the assistance of volunteers, there is an ever-increasing variety of services on offer to the Tibetan refugee and local communities including daily English language conversation classes, graded language classes (English, Chinese, Tibetan, French, and Spanish) and computer training. (See more volunteering Opportunities) Lha also maintains partnerships with many international volunteer organizations. At Lha we have been fortunate to have increasing numbers of volunteers each year! Between 2003– 2011 we have had a total of 4,327 volunteers from 41 different countries. During winter, each day we have an average of 15-25 volunteers and in summer an average of 25-50 volunteers per day.
At Lha we welcome drop-in volunteers and also those wanting to plan ahead and receive supported services before arrival in India, upon arrival and during their stay in Dharamsala (See Pre-arranged Volunteers).
What length of time do you want to volunteer with Lha?
1-4 weeks
If you have one month or less available in which to volunteer and you are not in need of any of our supportive services on offer, we encourage you to drop in to our centre and see where your skills can be of most benefit (See Drop In Volunteers) Note: There are no fees associated with this option.
One month +
If you are able to contribute your skills for one to three months we encourage you to fill out an application and register your interest and background. This will ensure we can match your skills to a suitable position. (See Apply Now)
If you would like to do some preliminary planning, receive assistance with travel arrangements and take advantage of our cultural orientation program, please see ‘Pre-Arranged Volunteers.’ ( See more Reception and Orientation)
Whether you are skilled or unskilled or have only one day or six months available rest assured there is always a way that you can participate. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering & if your particular skill area is not listed here we will always try to provide avenues in which you can use your expertise to benefit others.
Familiarize yourself with the website by taking a look at the courses and programs on offer. We also invite you to read the Volunteer Responsibilities to ensure you have realistic expectations and understand how to get the most out of your volunteering experience.
Lha also offers a cultural immersion program where you will be paired with a Tibetan refugee with whom you will assist with language skills and they in turn will offer you valuable insights into the community. (see Cultural Immersion)
Homestay with a Tibetan Family
Lha arranges homestays of one month with Tibetan refugee families. By sharing meals and day to day life with a Tibetan family, your cultural experience will be intensified. If you are interested in the Tibetan language, you will be able to practice your language skills in the home. This homestay program can give you unforgettable insights into ritual, family and life “behind closed doors” in the Tibetan refugee community – and hopefully help you make friends for life. (See more Homestay and apply)
* Note – all profits received for services go directly into the social service programs supported by Lha. A wonderful opportunity is waiting for you, so come and join our friendly team of staff and volunteers at Lha! See Related Information: Advice for Volunteers, Guide for Volunteers, About Dharamshala
At Lha we welcome you to drop in to the office to talk with us about how you can be involved.
Rewarding volunteer opportunities in community social work and vocational training with the Tibetan refugee community are available for people who have not registered prior to their arrival in Dharamsala.
Options for drop-in volunteers include:
Language Classes Assistance and English conversation classes
A daily one hour class which aims to improve Lha students’ English conversation and speaking skills in an informal environment. Here, the volunteers have an opportunity to share stories and ideas, learn about individuals from the Tibetan refugee community and their culture, often making new friends – all whilst providing a valuable service!
Tutoring
Provide one-on-one tutoring with Lha students who have requested further assistance and practice with their English, French, Chinese and Spanish studies.
Special interest days and events
Come along and take part in special events throughout the year such as the World Environment Day clean-up and Health Day with other volunteers from around the world and members of the McleodGanj community.
“On demand” opportunities
With your particular skills and interests, as a drop in volunteer you may be asked to assist in areas of demand at the time of your stay, such as in writing grant applications, computer web site development and graphic design, or to be an assistant or substitute teacher in a language or computer classes.
We will always attempt to accommodate your particular requirements, availability and match your skills with areas where you will be of most benefit. Please be advised though, we cannot guarantee placement in areas other than those listed above as priority is given to pre-arranged volunteers (See Pre-Arranged Volunteers if interested in services or Apply Now).
We are also happy to redirect you to other local NGO’s in the Dharamsala area where you can best contribute.
We look forward to meeting you and have you contribute to the Tibetan refugee community in McleodGanj.
How to find us
The Lha office is located on Temple Road in Mcleod Ganj – just across from the State Bank of India.
Hours of Operation
Our reception is open from 9am-5pm, Monday – Friday.
Lha offers different volunteer options within The Tibetan community. We welcome drop-in volunteers with no previous communication or planning, and also options for those wanting to plan ahead and receive supported services before arrival in India, upon arrival and during their stay in Dharamsala. A wide array of meaningful volunteer opportunities are available for both skilled and unskilled individuals. Most volunteers work directly with Lha, while others are placed throughout the community with other NGOs.
For those of you that would like to do some preliminary planning, here are a few options offered by Lha, and the costs of those services. * note – all profits received for services go directly into the social service programs supported by Lha.
1) Reception only – This option is for those of you that would like to have your travel taken care of once you arrive in Delhi, airport pick up, arrange accommodation and one night in Delhi Tibetan Colony, transport by bus or train to Dharamsala Mcleod Ganj. The fee is $150.US.
2) Orientation Only – This option is for those of you making your way to Dharamsala on your own. The fee is $110.US and includes, upon arrival, a tour of the town ( accommodation options, safe restaurants, laundry service, temples and other sites of interest…) cultural awareness preparedness and volunteer placement services . Our volunteer coordinator will meet you upon arrival help you find accommodation then accompany you to the Lha volunteer coordination office.
3) Reception and Orientation – This option is for those of you that would like to have your travel taken care of once you arrive in Delhi. The fee is $250. This will include airport pick up and one night hotel stay and bus transport to Dharamsala. Our volunteer coordinator will be on-call for your questions while in Delhi and will be waiting to greet you for orientation once you arrive in Dharamsala (see more Reception and Orientation)
4) Cultural Immersion: This is for those of you that want to get the very most out of your experience! This fee is $345. The same Orientation and Reception applies with these added opportunities. For your first week in Dharamsala you will be paired with a Mutual Learning Partner – a Tibetan refugee undertaking English language classes. Each morning your Tibetan partner will meet you from 9AM to Noon. During this time together we hope that you assist them with their English language and conversation studies – at the same time you will learn about the community, about the life of a young Tibetan Refugee and hopefully create a long lasting friendship. (See more Culture Immersion)
5) Tibetan Homestay: Lha arranges homestay of one month with Tibetan refugee families. By sharing meals and day to day life with a Tibetan family, your cultural experience will be intensified and if you are interested in the Tibetan language – you will be able to practice your language skills in the home. This homestay program can give you unforgettable insights into ritual, family and life “behind closed doors” in the Tibetan refugee community – and hopefully help you make friends for life. (See more Homestay)
Our Reception and Orientation services are designed to provide all the necessary assistance needed for safely arriving here in Mcleod Ganj and being prepared with the cultural awareness and sensitivity for interacting in this unique culture. If you have not already visited Mcleod Ganj or had personal experience within a Tibetan community, we highly recommend signing up for at least the Orientation service to be properly prepared for volunteering here. If you do not wish to opt for either of these services, we will still try to assist you in locating a volunteer opportunity, but we will be unable to guarantee its availability or reserve the placement.
If you are interested in choosing one of our services, but are financially unable to afford them, please let us know. We provide potential volunteers with fundraising suggestions and other ways to raise financial support from friends and family. In special circumstances, we also offer full or partial financial assistance; please contact us for more information. (See apply for Volunteer)
Thank you again for your interest in volunteering for the Tibetan community, please let us know how we can assist you in your volunteer efforts.