What to expect before the volunteer placement
Placement
Fellows receive their placements after formalizing their commitment to the fellowship. Once the fellowship has been accepted, AJWS will provide detailed information about the town and organization where the volunteer will live and serve.
Placements are determined by matching individual NGOs' needs with fellows' skills and interests. Fellows are given the opportunity to select their top choices from a list of potential placement options, but AJWS staff will make the final decision regarding placement. Most placements are in capital cities or smaller regional cities, but we occasionally place fellows in rural areas. Some volunteers will live near other fellows, and others will be located in more remote places.
Learn more about AJWS's partner NGOs.
Fundraising
AJWS believes that fundraising is an integral skill to gain as a social changemaker and an excellent way for fellows to engage others in their work. Fellows are expected to raise a minimum of $1,800 to support AJWS. AJWS provides fundraising trainings and tips to participants, and staff members are available to assist with creative fundraising strategies.
In-country Orientation
Prior to the ten months of service, fellows attend a month-long orientation in India. Volunteers live communally at a local ashram and participate in the following:
- An introduction to AJWS and the work of our partner NGOs overseas
- Cross-cultural training and country-specific sessions
- A safety and security overview
- Jewish text study relating to international development using the World Partners Fellowship curriculum, Live the Questions, a service-learning curriculum for the World Partners Fellowship in India.
- Time to get to know the other fellows, partner NGO staff and AJWS staff
- Language classes to enhance existing language skills or provide initial exposure to new languages
