The Best Places to Volunteer in New Delhi

Katha started off as a humble magazine for children living in the margins of society. With dedicated efforts, the award-winning organisation has grown to include several innovative projects all committed to bringing quality education to those in need. Over the years, Katha has helped underprivileged children graduate and find employment in top firms. The Katha School of Entrepreneurship has also produced many enterprising individuals. By choosing to volunteer here, you can help improve the future of many others.

Salaam Balak Trust is an organisation that supports children living and working on the streets of Delhi and Mumbai. The non-profit body was created with the proceeds of the 1988 Mira Nair-directed film Salaam Bombay!, which explored the harsh lives of street children trying to make ends meet in Mumbai. From improving their health and hygiene to offering educational opportunities and even setting up residential centres, Salaam Balak Trust works to provide holistic support to these children forced into difficult lives.

India has a rich tradition of folk arts and handicrafts, but often, the skilled artisans who mostly live in rural areas tend to get the raw end of the deal. Happy Hands Foundation is committed to empowering these artisans, who not only deserve more wages but also respect for their craftsmanship. The organisation also encourages women and young people to become self-dependent and contribute to the community through arts and crafts.

If you care about the preservation of the environment, you can volunteer at Greenpeace India’s Delhi office. Working at a global NGO can be a good learning experience as well. Some of the organisation’s work here includes conservation of Indian forests, promotion of renewable energy, sustainable agriculture and providing clean air and water for everyone. It also supports the planning and execution of any personal campaigns through the GreenpeaceX project.

The positive effect of music on learning and the cognitive processes has been scientifically established. Working on this premise, Music Basti has helped many underprivileged children living in institutionalised child-care organisations to improve their learning abilities through unconventional music education programmes. If you love music and want to help make a difference through your passion, volunteering at Music Basti can be truly rewarding.

Umeed is a rehabilitation centre providing residence to those animals for whom finding homes can be hard since they are old, paralysed or suffer from some chronic diseases. The organisation also takes care of abused and neglected animals and helps facilitate their adoption processes. Umeed believes that all animals are equal, and if you agree, join in their cause to make lives better for these lovely furry friends.

Calling themselves a “moving entertainment circus”, Picture Wala travels across the country to provide entertainment in the form of creative arts to children living in the streets and slum areas. They conduct workshops on art, cinema, theatre, dance, sports, photography, self-defence and more for economically disadvantaged children. Help make the lives of these young ones more fun and meaningful and volunteer with Picture Wala.