This is a program that gives emphasis for your growth through Service, and for your “being” rather than your “doing”- a ministry of presence, considering your service as an entry point to the larger socio-cultural and economic realities with ample educational opportunities to search the meaning of life in the context of Christian Faith and to grow in knowledge of the developmental perspectives rooted in the struggles of people for a fuller humanity.

The program Objective

This program’s objective is to help you develop a sound Biblical and faith basis, which may provide you with a critical perspective on neo-liberal economic policies and American life and culture.

Program Requirements/Expectation from the volunteer

A volunteer should have a faith commitment, but be open to rediscovering the meaning of faith and living it out in the larger socio-political context realizing that this journey is more than a yearlong commitment, but a gateway into a lifelong understanding of faith praxis

Consider the program knowing the challenges involved:

• Understand that, as you are coming to a place where the history of Christianity predates that of yours, A.D. 52, and where much religious diversity is present, conversion is not the intention
  
• Have a faith commitment, but be open to rediscovering the meaning of faith and living it out in the larger socio-political context
  
• Realizing that this journey is more than a year-long commitment, but a gateway into a lifelong understanding of faith praxis
  
• Be willing to be satisfied with exposure to unjust social and economic structures, rather than being involved in direct charitable activities that lead to immediate and visible results
  
• Do not show off your affluence, but share in the richness of our poverty and participate in our life
  
• Be ready to change your concepts of what makes for a happy life
  
• Open your mind to the realities of poverty and exploitative structures that perpetuate it at macro and micro level
  
• Live amongst families and communities as anyone else in the community, with the same privileges and the same restrictions
  
• Eat new, different, and sometimes very spicy food
  
• Bear the heat and humidity that is present all year long, but is especially difficult in the summer months of March, April, and May
  
• Know that teaching conversational English is an important aspect of the work at each of the sites
  
• To have a better understanding of India, please go through the books listed in “Suggested Readings.” The books are available new at Amazon.com or used at Half.com.