available positions | previous volunteers
Help CST and learn about Tamil Nadu, India
Are you interested in volunteering for CST? Would you like to live with an Indian family and immerse yourself in the colorful culture of Southern India? CST offers the unique experience of living in a friendly rural neighborhood within a Southern Indian city. At the same time, you will be making a meaningful contribution to the community you are living in. CST could really use your help to carry on and expand their goals of community development and empowerment.
A rainbow over Salem, Tamil Nadu Papayas growing in George and Vimela's garden The neighborhood you will live in, Periyapudur, means "Fair Land." You will be awakened by the sounds of roosters crowing and women hand washing clothes. Surrounded by rice paddies and palm trees, you'll be able to relax in the family garden and pick fresh bananas and papayas. The bustling city of Salem is only a pleasant bike or autorickshaw ride away. Your project work will be educational and fulfilling as you learn to use the resources available and how to function within Indian society. You will be able to visit projects in Salem and Namakkal cities as well as the tribal villages in the surrounding rural areas. It is a great way for a college student or recent graduate to expand their philosophical, educational and vocational horizons. All these opportunities and more are open to you as a volunteer for CST.
Available Positions:
Title: Grant Proposal Writer Skills Needed: Writing in English, French, German, Spanish; computer competency - basic web management a plus Language Spoken: English, Tamil Date: Open Full Description: A volunteer is needed for fundraising, report making, grants proposal writing and documentation of project acheivements. Other responsibilities, depending upon the abilities of the volunteer, include web site updates and translation of existing proposals to French, German and Spanish. Contact:
Mr. G. (Gnanaprakasam) George, Director
george@cstsalem.org7-B, Omalur Main Road, Second Floor
Four Roads, Salem - 636 009
Tamil Nadu, India
Phone #:
Fax #:0984 - 3062596
0427 - 353217
Laura Wilson
xplaura@yahoo.comAge: 25
Country: USA
Education: B.A., New York University
Skills: web/print design, HTML programming, editing, photography
Period of Volunteership for CST: September 15, 2001 - November 15, 2001
Work Completed for CST: Designed this site, computer skill training, proposal editing and writing
"Living in southern India was an experience that changed my life. I was daily amazed by the beauty of the land and the people, as well as frustrated and saddened by the oppression and hardship. It was especially hard to experience what it is like to live as an Indian woman and to work under the resource contraints of the community. But through visiting CST's tribal projects my eyes and heart are opened to the way the rest of the world survives; and I hope also their eyes have been opened by me. My thanks go out to George, Vimela and Lili for taking me into their home and to John Klos and SixGirls in NY for making this website possible."
Karen Wertz
jiggamegga@yahoo.comAge: 23
Country: USA
Education: B.S., New York University
Skills: web/print design, HTML programming, editing, research
Period of Volunteership for CST: September 15, 2001 - November 15, 2001
Work Completed for CST: Designed this site, computer skill training, proposal editing and writing
"It's been an amazing experience for me to live fully integrated into a culture so vastly different from my own. The project work was a challenge that made me feel more a part of the community. Though this was difficult, at times, since there were aspects of American culture I missed. For the most part the people of Salem were friendly, though not always accepting of our differences.
"Thanks to my friends and family for their undying love and support during this war time for both India and the US. Thanks to George, Vimi and Lili for making this possible and generously taking us into their home."
Christelle Kapoen
a.c.kapoen@student.utwente.nlCountry: The Netherlands
Education: student at University of Twente, Enschede
Period of Volunteership for CST: July 1, 2001 - September 7, 2001
Work Completed for CST: design business plan and redesigned annual report, develop micro credit program, designed severeal fundraising proposals
"I had a great time in India. I loved my homestay family, loved the social work and all Indian experiences. Because I was living with an Indian family, I really experienced its life with all its (in)conveniences - compared to the western living standard. From conversations I had with George and Vimala, I learned a lot about the real Indian life, social and cultural system. The work was creative while learning a lot about social issues, such as womens rights. I was really free when I wanted to take a few days leave for travelling. The work itself gave me much more insight in how development projects are organized and what kind of impact on the community you can expect. My eye fell on the bureaucracy, bribery, and wasting of money by the government bodies and NGOs. Fortunately, CST is principled and conducts only honest activities and transactions. I am really impressed by their faithfulness. I would like to advise other students to attempt leaning a little bit of Tamil. I could not understand anything and it was not possible to communicate more than a few words with colleagues."
"Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." --Robert F. Kennedy