2018 CF WelcomePackage India

2018 CF WelcomePackage India

Welcome Package

Your ME to WE experience in India

Welcome

Preparing for your adventure Travel doctor .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Health reminders.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Insurance.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Money. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ME to WE Tr ip pol icies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Packing for India.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Your adventure Introducing our India country team.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 What to expect upon arr ival .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 India general informat ion.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Communicat ion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Accommodat ions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Food. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Volunteer ing.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Safety. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Next-steps checkl ist .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Contact us.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Table of contents

Namaste! Welcome to your ME to WE Trip to India! We can’t wait to host you and want to take this opportunity to ensure that you’re feeling confident and equipped with all the information you need to know before you travel. The next few pages will walk you through how to prepare for your travel experience and what to expect once you arrive. We recommend that you review all of the information in this package—please connect with your trip coordinator if you have any questions at all. We are here to support you, and we’re looking forward to getting started!

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Preparing for your trip

Travel doctor As you prepare for your ME to WE experience, we recommend that you visit a travel doctor. At ME to WE, we cannot provide advice on specific medications or vaccinations you may need for your trip. The advice given to you by a travel doctor will depend on your past medical history, and will ultimately be a your decision. We suggest going to visit a travel doctor two to six months before you depart on your trip. When you visit the travel doctor, you can let them know: ► ► You will be spending time in the Rajsamand district, approximately 2.5 hours from Udaipur. ► ► Please note that you will not be interacting with animals on your trip, but you may see animals in the communities you are working in.

Health reminders ► ► We provide filtered drinking water for all guests throughout the trip. If you wish to bring a personal water bottle, please feel free, otherwise you will be provided with one. ► ► The health questionnaire that accompanies your registration forms is completely confidential and will be used so that medical personnel may make informed decisions in the event of an emergency. ► ► Please inform us of all medical conditions and medications you are currently taking and bring an extra supply of medication for the trip.

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I nsurance It is mandatory that all guests are covered with emergency medical travel insurance. We also highly recommend that this insurance be extended to include trip cancellation and interruption, in the event of any unforeseen circumstances, as all payments made toward your trip are non-refundable. If you would like, ME to WE can provide you with an insurance quote through our preferred provider. Please speak with your trip coordinator for more information! Money The local currency in India is the Indian rupee. We suggest bringing about $200 USD in small bills to exchange at the airport. Your food, water and beverages, transportation, accommodations and activities are included in the cost of your trip, but you may wish to have extra spending money. This will go toward souvenirs, any meals or expenses during flights, an international phone plan or Internet access at hotels (if applicable) and gratuities if you wish to leave some. At Araveli, all gratuities are distributed equally among all staff. Tipping is not expected but appreciated—we recommend $5–$10 USD per day, per person. If you are booking a trip extension, you may require additional spending money.

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ME to WE po l i c i es There are a few policies that we ask travelers to commit to in order to ensure we are preserving the relationships we have with our communities and making this trip as impactful as possible. Photo policy This policy exists to preserve the positive relationships we have with our partner communities. We want to ensure that the photos we take are not exploitative, and that we are taking photos of solutions—not problems—to share with friends and family. We ask that photos are only taken of people with whom we have built a relationship, after obtaining their permission. We will never take photos of people we see while driving or walking by. We can assure you that there will be plenty of opportunities for you to take photos and highlight key moments on your trip. The trip facilitators will let the group know when it’s appropriate to take a photo. Gift-giving policy WE has worked for many years to create strong partnerships with the communities we work with. The WE Villages program works toward sustainable development and empowering people and communities to support themselves. This means that the work we do is in solidarity with our communities, not an act of charity. Because of this, we ask that

participants do not bring gifts from home to give local children or families. This includes anything and everything from a soccer ball to school supplies to the sunglasses on your face. Remember that you’re already contributing so much just by being in the community volunteering. A friendly wave, a smile or a hello in the local language is the most important gift you can give.

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Packing for India One of the best ways to have a successful trip to India is to plan ahead and start thinking about what you will be packing. Be sure to consider the weight of the items that you are planning to bring, as you will have to meet both your international luggage restrictions as well as domestic flight restrictions. The domestic flight you’ll take on this trip has a luggage weight restriction of 33 pounds. For your carry-on bag, we recommend a small backpack—this will double as a day pack. Your carry- on should contain everything you would need for one to two days, in case your luggage gets to India after you. For your checked luggage, we recommend a soft-side suitcase such as a duffel bag or hiking backpack. We have included a clothing list on the following page as a guide to use at your discretion. Please note that Average temperatures in India In the winter season (October to March) During the winter season, average temperatures range from 5°C-33°C / 41°F-91°F. Apart from some light rain in October and November, this time of year is quite dry. Groups may experience clear skies with plenty of sunshine during the day, along with cooler evenings. Please remember to bring enough warm clothing and come prepared for hot temperatures.

there are cultural expectations around clothing that may be different from home. Rural Rajasthan is very traditional—women routinely cover their faces with their sarees, out of modesty, and wear full-length skirts. Out of respect for these traditions, we ask that guests dress modestly while on their trip—with shorts to at least the knee, short- or long-sleeved shirts that cover the shoulders, crew-neck style shirts instead of V-neck, and loose, lightweight clothing. To keep yourself as comfortable as possible in warm weather, we advise packing clothing made of synthetic, quick-dry material and avoiding cotton fabrics. The clothing you wear on the build site is likely to get quite dirty, so please consider this while deciding how much and which clothing to pack. We offer laundry services at Araveli if you would like to wash any items during the trip—there will be time to have your laundry done twice while on your trip.

In the summer season (April and May) April and May are the hottest months in India with the temperature ranging between 23°C and 40°C / 73°F and 104°F. Please ensure you are prepared for the hot weather. In the monsoon season (June to September) In the monsoon season, temperatures range between 20°C and 37°C / 68°F and 98°F. Please expect and be prepared for periods of heavy rain and humid air.

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Suggested items to pack: Work/gardening gloves for build site (we do provide gloves on-site, but you may prefer to use your own) Insect repellent and anti-itch ointment Nut-free travel snacks Electrolyte powder (to add to filtered water, if desired) A pashmina/light scarf Active-leisure wear (to use for optional morning yoga, jogging or other optional exercise) Camera and charger (no adapter required) Carry-on bag Passport and travel documents Prescription medications Essential toiletries (no liquids/gels over 100ml due to airline restrictions) A change of clothes Spending money ($200 USD) Personal items (e.g., camera, book, magazine, journal) Reusable water bottle No need to pack

Checked baggage Strongly recommended items to pack: An outfit for travel A comfortable and casual outfit for your day in Udaipur A few pairs of sturdy pants for the build site A few pairs of capri pants or knee-length shorts A few comfortable evening outfits (i.e., jeans and a sweater) Comfortable pajamas Comfortable shoes—we suggest a pair of sneakers or hiking boots that can get wet and dirty on the build site, as well as a pair of sandals Toiletries bag: toothbrush, toothpaste, personal hygiene items, hand sanitizer, etc. (we provide shampoo, conditioner and soap at Araveli) Sun hat and sunscreen Additional items needed in summer (April–September): A few comfortable, warm evening outfits (i.e., lightweight pants and long-sleeved shirt) Quick-dry, short-sleeve shirts and a few lightweight long-sleeve shirts Lightweight, high-quality waterproof rain jacket with a hood Additional items needed in winter (October–March): Layers for the cooler nights (i.e., fleece jacket, long pants, zip-up sweater) A few comfortable, warm evening outfits (i.e., jeans and a sweater) A mix of short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts for cooler mornings and warmer afternoons

Towels, facecloths Bedsheets, pillows Hair dryer (we provide this for you!)

Shampoo, soap, conditioner Jewelry or valuable items Laptop

Tank tops, short shorts, low-cut tops or other clothing that may be culturally inappropriate

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Passport and visa requirements Your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from your scheduled date of departure from India and contain a minimum of two blank pages. For all Canadian and American passport holders, a tourist visa is required for entry into India and must be obtained online before your departure. Please note that you may only apply four to 30 days before your arrival date in India — instructions below: 3 – The application must be completed in one session, so please have all documents ready. You will need a recent passport-style, front-facing photo of yourself on a white background in .jpeg format (please ensure you review the size specifications prior to starting your application). You will also need a scan of the photo page of your passport and your flight itinerary. The cost of the visa is $60 USD and must be paid online via credit card. You will also need the below information: Place in India proposed to be visited: Udaipur, Delhi Purpose of visit: Tourism Expected date of journey: Date you’re departing your home country Port of arrival: Please enter the city through which you are entering India for the first time. Expected port of departure from India: Please enter the last city in India that you will be traveling through and departing by plane. 1 – Visit the Indian e-visa site here . 2 – Select “e-visa application.”

Reference in India: Kalpana Mehta – Accounts Advisor of India Program Address: 18 J, Ambavgarh, Behind Hotel Kalika Palace, Udaipur – 313001, Rajasthan, India. PIN – 313001 Phone number: 91 8003099733 Reference in home country: Your emergency contact at home. After you submit your application, it will take 72 hours to receive an accepted/rejected email from the Indian government. When you receive your acceptance letter, print it out and send a scanned copy to your trip coordinator. You must also bring a printed copy of the acceptance PDF/email with you to the airport when leaving for your trip. Failure to bring this printed version will result in the airline denying your boarding. If you are traveling with a passport other than Canadian or American, your visa requirements may be different—we recommend looking into this or consulting with your trip coordinator for more information. If you have Pakistani heritage or have recently visited Pakistan, you will not be able to apply for the visa online, but will instead need to complete a more comprehensive application. If this is the case, we strongly recommend that you connect with your trip coordinator about this as soon as possible so that they can advise you on the best next steps.

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Welcome to India

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Introducing our India country team ME to WE has some of the most incredible team members working hard in India to make all the arrangements for your life-changing experience. While they work mostly behind the scenes, you may see them pop in during your trip, so make sure to introduce yourself! You will also be accompanied by two full-time facilitators, who will be confirmed closer to your date of departure. Your facilitators will be there 24/7 to guide you through each moment of your trip experience, and make sure that you are having a fun, safe and meaningful journey.

Lloyd Hanoman South Asia Projects Director, WE

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What to expect upon arrival

Although your final destination is Udaipur, your international flight will first land in Delhi. You will go through customs at Delhi airport and then proceed toward baggage claim to find your luggage. Once you have claimed your luggage and are ready to go, you should exit to the outdoor arrivals area, where a member of our team will be waiting to greet you. You will be transported to your airport hotel for the night. The next morning, a ME to WE representative will pick you up from your hotel, transfer you to the airport and help you check-in for your afternoon flight to Udaipur. Upon arriving in Udaipur airport, you will proceed to the baggage claim. Once you are ready to go you should exit to the outdoor arrival area where you will be met by your facilitator. The drive to Araveli is approximately two hours from the airport so, if necessary, please make sure to use the bathroom in the arrivals area before you head to the vehicles. Our staff member will accompany you to the hotel and assist you in getting checked in. If you encounter problems en route, for example, missing a flight connection, you should contact our 24-hour emergency phone at 1.416.526.8450.

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Country information overview Bound by China and the Himalayan Mountains to the north, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea to the south, and situated between Pakistan and Myanmar, India is one of the oldest civilizations and home to 1.2 billion people. India’s most celebrated figure, Mahatma Gandhi, led his country to independence from British rule in 1947. Famous for his humanitarianism and being leader of the India National Congress in 1921, Gandhi was later assassinated in 1948. Today, India remains the largest democracy in the world. Every major world religion is represented in India, with Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism all originating in India. Eighty percent of Indians are Hindu and although Hindi and English are the country’s official languages, the government recognizes 17 other languages as well as 1,652 dialects being spoken throughout the country. Despite impressive gains in economic investment and output, India still faces significant issues such as overpopulation, environmental degradation, extensive poverty, and ethnic and religious strife. Approximately 44 percent of children under five are underweight in India, which, given its impact on health, education and productivity, remains a major obstacle to human development and economic growth in the country, especially among the most marginalized populations.

India facts: ► ► India is the second-most populated country in the world. ► ► 69% of India’s population lives in rural areas. ► ► India’s average life expectancy is 66 years. ► ► The literacy rate in India is 63%, which means almost 444 million people are illiterate. ► ► 12% of children aged five to 14 are engaged in child labor. ► ► While 90% of those in rural areas have access to improved water sources, only 40% have access to improved sanitation facilities. ► ► India is on IST (India Standard Time) and is 10.5 or 11.5 hours ahead of Toronto (Eastern Standard Time), depending on the time of year (India does not have Daylight Saving Time).

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Communication and Internet

Once you arrive in Udaipur, there will be limited access to phones and the Internet for the duration of the trip. There is no Internet at Araveli, and there is very little cell signal in the areas we work in. If you opt to sign up for an international phone plan with your wireless service provider, expect limited access. Our staff at Araveli have access to phones all times to be used in the event of an emergency and will be in daily communication with our India in-country team. In the event that you need to urgently connect with home, this can be facilitated through our staff’s phones. In the event of an emergency at home, please ensure family and friends know to contact ME to WE’s Risk Management Emergency Phone at 1.416.526.8450

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Accommodations: Araveli Cottages and Tented Camp

From creature comforts like hot showers, delicious meals and beautiful, comfortable accommodations, to expert local guides and friendly staff, we take care of every detail—letting you focus on being present and connected. We are happy to host you in cottages and luxury tents nestled into the Aravalli mountain landscape. Araveli offers: ► ► En-suite washrooms with showers, flush toilets, and hot and cold running water ► ► 24-hour electricity with Western-style outlets ► ► Biodegradable soap, shampoo and conditioner ► ► Bedding and towels ► ► Filtered drinking water

► ► Laundry services ► ► Bug nets on beds

► ► Buffet-style meals prepared fresh daily by expert chefs using local ingredients, including Western favorites and Indian specialties (dietary needs can be accommodated)

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Lunch ► ► Fresh Green Salad ► ► Vegetable tehri ► ► Plain rice ► ► Yellow dahl tadka ► ► Naan ► ► Sauteed vegetables ► ► Mustard chicken ► ► Potato wedges ► ► Iced mint tea ► ► Chocolate mousse ► ► Fresh fruit Dinner ► ► Tomato basil soup ► ► Salad

Food In India, all your meals will be served buffet-style, with a mix of familiar foods from home and more local dishes for you to try. Below is a sample menu of the types of foods you might find on your plate: Breakfast ► ► Hash browns ► ► Grilled tomato ► ► Cheese platter ► ► Cereal ► ► Assorted fresh fruits ► ► Yogurt ► ► Indian breakfast choice: dosa with sambhar ► ► Fresh juice ► ► Masala tea & coffee

► ► Butter chicken ► ► Rajma masala ► ► Mint rice ► ► Potato mushroom ragout ► ► Apple pie

Most dietary needs can be accommodated by our chefs at Araveli, with prior notice. If you have any dietary concerns or preferences, please be sure to let your trip coordinator know as soon as possible.

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Kumbhalgarh Fort

49

Barind

32

Udawad

Araveli

Kamoda

Verdara

49

Kalthana

32

36B

Bagad

48

Udaipur

Antri

49

36B

Lai

36B

49

48

49

48

2km

2km

Volunteering You will find out the name of the community you will be volunteering in approximately one month before your trip. Communities are allocated based on need and the progress made by previous groups. You can learn more about the Indian communities that WE Villages works with here .

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Safety: Our #1 priority ME to WE has been facilitating trips overseas since 2002, with an incredible track record for safety in the countries to which we travel. We take serious measures and precautions to ensure your safety from the moment you begin planning your trip to the moment you arrive home. ► ► ME to WE Trips abide by the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs travel advisories and monitors these updates prior to and during travel. ► ► Copies of all passports, medical and travel insurance, and emergency contact information are collected well in advance of the trip. ► ► Our extensive facilitator training program includes emergency evacuation protocols, standard operating procedures, and crisis prevention and risk management. All facilitators are trained in first aid. ► ► Emergency communication is available 24 hours a day between our Country Team and our Toronto office. In India, our safety measures include: Pre-trip

During trip ► ► All accommodations have 24-hour security systems and participants are given an orientation to know where to find resources. ► ► All transportation is run by our trusted transportation providers and all travel within India occurs under the guidance of our team. ME to WE Trips do not utilize any public transportation in India. ► ► ME to WE Trips travel with a local ME to WE staff member fluent in the local language and familiar with all locations of ME to WE programming. ► ► Purified water is available at all times and all food is prepared by cooks who are trained in proper food preparation. ► ► During all building activities, participants are given thorough instructions on the use of equipment and wear protective gear at all times. ► ► Local hospitals with Western medical standards are available and prepared to handle any minor or major medical situations.

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Next-steps checklist Confirm your insurance coverage Fill out your online application Send in a copy of your passport Sign your trip waivers

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Contact us!

You can contact our team anytime by calling, emailing, or contacting your trip coordinator directly.

416.640.3865

c o o r d i n a t i o n @w e . o r g

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