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Dear Friend,
Hi There!

Welcome to a little help for planning your trip to India and to Vijayawada City, the home of SKCV. First of all there are a myriad myths regarding the filth, poverty, water and horrible diseases from which you will die in India. Please do not be bewildered by these. They are all mostly rubbish. India IS, however, a very different place with different food, water, weather and customs…. but then, so is Spain .... !

If you are sensible you will not regret coming to India, we promise!

Volunteer Work
There are two options for volunteer work:

• The first one is to be placed in the Non-Formal School (The Vidya Vihar - or Home of Love) of the children's village at Bhavanipuram, the edge of Vijayawada. The setting is beautiful with palm trees and green fields on the bank of the mighty River Krishna. The Village has a 35-cow dairy farm and most of the vegetables are grown by the boys. A Management Committee made up of older students manages the entire school. The teaching staff is warm and loving. The main medium of instruction is Bi-lingual, English and local language, Telugu. Volunteers usually feel happier working in the school because other projects are mostly Telugu speaking. In the school most of the kids and staff speak English. Volunteers are encouraged to work on a curriculum topic or booklet during their stay so that they leave behind something meaningful when they return home.

• The second option is to work at the girls centre, which is in Vijayawada. It is the only residential care centre for girls in the whole of Andhra Pradesh. Recently the girls moved to a new building, where 60 girls found shelter, education and care. There is a non-formal school at the girls centre where they teach subjects including Telugu, English, math, arts, crafts, storytelling and tailoring. You can assist in the lessons and help with the daily care of the girls. Receiving love and affection means a lot to them!

Climate
Between October and February is an ideal time to come to India. It is warm, but not oppressive. March and April heat up and May, June and July are scorching (up to 49C) then the monsoon comes and lasts to October. It will still be very humid during this time but the temperature drops.

Please note that we cannot accept volunteers during the April to October months.

 Time difference
4 ½ hours ahead GMT, 5 ½ hours ahead BST.

• Vijayawada City
  Vijayawada is a big, busy, industrial city known as the gateway between North and South India. The town is known as a temple city meaning it iwas originally built around the major SRI KANAKA DURGA temple that is a must see. It is home to almost a million people. Not many Westerners get this far, so you will often be the centre of attention. Don't worry, you will soon become a sister or brother to the people of Vijayawada and they will help you in any way they can. People will stare, but usually they are just curious and often simply want to know where you have come from.

• Visas
  If you wish to stay for a long or short period you must apply to your local Indian High Commission (for the UK, Birmingham is best) who will issue an ENTRY VISA (for more than six months) or TOURIST VISA. (London will not issue an ENTRY VISA easily)

•  Do not say that you are going to do any kind of work while you are in India, including working with children at SKCV. Your desire is only to be visiting for a few days. You are just a tourist.

• You cannot extend any TOURIST VISA in India for any reason. You have to go to your country of origin and re-apply (very expensive!) This is a very strict rule. However, if you do not intend to extend your visit, then just get a Tourist Visa.

• If you plan to spend many months in India then apply for an ENTRY VISA which will need a letter from SKCV (India). In this case you SHOULD mention working with the children.

• Health
  SKCV certainly takes care of its volunteers and has its own small hospital. Generally your health should not be a problem if you are careful. Bottled water is a "must" until you are acclimatized. However, at SKCV centres there is 100% electronically purified water available on tap. You must drink pints of water! People debate over whether to take malaria tablets here due to resistant strains of mosquitoes (the side effects are terrible .. worse than malaria itself) however, follow your doctor’s advice. Bear in mind that volunteers have come with suitcases full of remedies which, they found unnecessary. Local doctors advise that the best thing to do is allow your body to get used to what it needs to cope with this climate. Most medicines are obtained here cheaply. There is a medical shop at the volunteer flat gate.

Toiletries : soap, sanitary towels and other items are available from local stores (name brands). Sterile syringe packs are sold here over the counter. Western shampoos, soap, toothpaste, plasters and mosquito repellent etc. are all available. However, you may wish to bring conditioner with you as it is hard to find. India also has the highly respected Ayurvedic (natural medicine) toiletries and medicines which, are well worth a try.

• Stay and Accommodation
  There are hotels, (around 7 pounds a night) guest houses and lodgings, of all kinds to suit your budget. Normally volunteers like to stay with SKCV Trustee and former Mayor, Dr.Shankar and his wife. They have a nice flat where you can cook for yourself or choose to eat out cheaply. The apartment is huge and can hold up to six volunteers. It has three bedrooms, a lovely balcony where you can sit under the mango tree, a large TV room and the maid will be there to do your washing and cleaning for a very small amount of money. The apartment is situated on a quiet street, the gate is always locked at night and Rufus, the large dog, will protect you at any time! The cost is Rs.150 a night.

• Facilities
  Email, Fax and Internet are now available all over India. E-mail is also available any time for volunteers at SKCV, but please offer to pay. Remember SKCV is a charity. There are many internet and fax centres near the volunteer flat. The cost is about Rs.10-30. International faxes can also be sent from the SKCV office (around! £1.50 a min). The line is dedicated to FAX at the office.

Banks
The Exchange rate fluctuates around £1=65r (rupees). The Canara bank near SKCV Office, changes just about anything and will even open an account for you to have money wired direct. VISA is the most widely accepted card but there are hundreds of "holes in the wall" now in the city centre that accept most international cards.

Post Office
Mastan, receptionist and one of the future group members, will be happy to post your letters. You can also give the SKCV Santosh Bhavan address to your friends and family at home and he will be pleased to give any letter that arrives for you!

SKCV Children's Trust
A K Rao Santosh Bhavan
Opp. Press club, Gandhinagar
Vijayawada 520 003
Krishna District, AP, India

There is post office near the SKCV office in town and one near the Krishna Residency Hotel, Governorpet.
The post office has STD and FAX service. You can also have goods packed to send home.

Public phones can easily be identified by their mustard yellow facades. They boast computerised billing, so you can watch the cost mount up, (Rs.60 for a min. to UK). It is the same rate  24 hours a day for International calls. Some periods are cheaper for National calls within India. Do not expect your calls to be private. It seems to be a form of public entertainment for those waiting to use the phone.

• 
  What to bring
  Bring very little. Clothes are washed in a jiffy (by someone else for a ridiculously small fee) and you will regret the extra weight if you decide to travel around. The SKCV tailoring workshop can run you up clothes quickly with local materials. Anything you do bring should be loose and made of cotton. A smartish outfit for semi-formal occasions would be useful but could be purchased locally. A sunhat with a generous brim may be a good idea.

• Etiquette – Women
  India is a magnificent melting pot of religion, culture and customs. You will really enjoy the experience. However, bear in mind that this is a conservative country and you will draw unwanted attention and offend or insult of you do not follow the rules. ("When in Rome…")

Women are demure all over India and particularly in this area. They do not wear shorts, short skirts, T-shirts or see-through material. They cover their upper arms and do not even show ankles. They also expect other women to do the same. As you will be working alongside respected and respectable Indians at SKCV and will also meet them in the community, it would be greatly respected if you bear this fact in mind. Volunteer women have found Punjabi suits comfortable and cool, (available very cheaply as soon as you arrive). The staff, trustees and even the older children prefer the ladies wear this type of dress. Dressing simply in lightweight clothes that cover most of the body is the order of the day. Long skirts are acceptable, cool and comfortable. Loose thin trousers are also practical. Sandals are most comfortable and are available everywhere cheaply and proper undergarments are a MUST AT ALL TIMES. You will be encouraged by the children to swim in the river at the village. Women usually bathe fully dressed and cannot swim with the men or boys.

• NOTE: We have had some serious problems in the past with female and male volunteers unwittingly under the impression that our SKCV older children are the same as Western older children of the same age. This has led to severe managerial problems, and even extreme embarrassment of both the involved volunteers and boys and girls. India is VERY different and there is no comparison between the relationships shared in the West, and anything in India. Any intimate friendship or sexual deviation or relationship on the part of an India boy or girl who is not married is not condoned by Indian Society and such occurrences will be dealt with by the boy or girl and/or volunteer being asked to leave SKCV immediately. As such, volunteers are held responsible for their actions and any volunteer inviting or allowing boys or girls or young men or women into the volunteer quarters at ANY time (whether SKCV inmates or not) will be subject to immediate termination of volunteer services. This is a strong statement, but as we are a public charitable trust, we have to conform to the rules and normal behavior of the country we live in. We know you will understand.
  
  Etiquette – Men
  We are sorry but men have no problems with how to dress, but the same type of cool, loose clothing is strongly suggested. No need for boots, socks, jeans or anoraks in South India.
  Be prepared to take off your shoes when you enter a house or temple. Flip-flops are best and very cheap here. A firm handshake will gain friendship. Diplomacy and listening to the other person always works wonders. Much can be learned from elders in India.

Note: The same rules as above regarding relationships is equally applicable to our male volunteers. 

• Food
  Note: SKCV in India is a totally vegetarian organisation which promotes vegetarianism. Meat and fish are not part of our diet.

As most of the children are ‘veggies’ before they come to us we find it better for their health to continue this. We also believe that one who eats meat loses his/her sense of mercy and cannot work well with the children. Either way it really is best to abandon meat while you are in India. Most disease comes from eating contaminated meat. There is no such thing as a butcher’s shop and the meat stall on the roadside will quickly confirm your resolution to go ‘veggie’. Be prepared to eat with your your right hand!

For more information, go to: www.ivu.org

Food Shopping
‘Modern Foods’ Supermarket and Nilgiris can provide you with a variety of goods, bread, rice, pasta, tomato puree, custard, sweets, Cadbury’s Drinking Chocolate (yep!), Kellogg's Cornflakes, butter, sweet corn, processed, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, baked beans, biscuits, packet soups, toiletries and washing powder…. You can often get bread, biscuits and butter at a ‘Fancy Store’, stocking, it seems, whatever takes their fancy!

Fresh milk is not bought at a supermarket but they have pasteurised packets. Fresh milk from the roadside – blue and yellow crates (only at 5.00am). Ask for dairy outlets as well. Milk is sold in 500ml packs for Rs.6-7. Normal milk packet with blue writing, semi-skimmed with orange. Boil the milk even if it says pasteurised.

You can buy all kinds of vegetables and fruits at the market and street stalls. Vegetables include potatoes, aubergines, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots etc. Fruits include pineapple, mangoes, papaya, sweet grapefruit (its juice makes a marvellous drink), bananas, grapes, pomegranates etc.

Be prepared to barter. Ask someone you trust what you should pay, halve the amount the vendor asks and with a smile, start with that. Walking away also reduces a price fast.

Where to eat out
When at the children's village you can either eat in the dining room with the boys, (which is the spicy option). Or try the international cuisine in Manihara, his wife and their adopted son's  house. Orders can be taken for Mexican, Spanish, traditional Italian or any other flavour. Previous volunteers serious suggest creamed potatoes.

There are many good places to eat. Krishna Residency has a good restaurant and fast food stall. The Hotel Illapuram (pronounced eyelapooram) has a vegetarian restaurant that is recommended and not expensive. Hotel Quality Inn (DV Manor) is a top hotel and it has all kind of food, but it is bit expensive. Hotel Minerva has a great veggie restuarant.

Breakfast is easily found outside the gates of the volunteer apartment. The stall will provide fresh dosa, puri or idly. For snacks there is a good fast food joint under the Alankar cinema in the city centre and another, Anoos, near Dr.Shankar's. Modern Café and Lodgings on Besant Road does nice masala dosa (savoury pancake), sweet lassi (yoghurt drink) and is a perfect place for an evening meal. Try Kulfi ice cream .. it’s made from buffalo milk and is an acquired taste but we love them! There is another ice cream parlor on Bunder Road worth a visit! At Adhikar Hotel there is a fast food joint and Hot breads which is the BEST place in town. Vegetarian burgers,  ice cream and pizzas are sold at Baker’s Inn. Then there is always CRAZY RESTAURANT in Gandhinagar.

Eating habits in India is the custom to eat with the fingers by all. Wash your hands before and after eating. The left hand is considered very dirty and is never put near the mouth. Indians will, however, take pity on you and give you a spoon, (sometimes).

Getting around
You can travel by taxi, bus, auto-rickshaw and cycle. To get to the centres you can get an auto-rickshaw. Prices are Rs. 15 to go to the night shelter, but it's also a comfortable walk, Rs.20 to the girls centre and Rs.30 to the children's village. Every morning at 9:30 am you can catch the SKCV bus leaving the night shelter for the village.

Getting away
There is a good bus service in Vijayawada although it may be crowded. Women sit at the front, men at the rear. The conductor is the man struggling through the crush screeching for your tickets. Many buses leave for all parts of India daily and the service is efficient. They range from boneshakers to nice semi-sleeper Air Conditioned tourist buses. Prices are cheap and booking is computerised.
Vijayawada has the largest train station in South India which is situated a short distance from the night shelter. Trains leave daily for all major cities, simply ask us to organise your ticket or there is an underground booking hall which is computerised. From here you can book travel anywhere in the country and also travel starting from other destinations.

There is an information counter staffed by friendly staff opposite the entrance where you can have queries answered and can obtain reservation slips you write on it the details of the ticket you require and then queue at the relevant counter. Women can queue jump; there’s a special window for them and freedom fighters! You can only book tickets 30 days ahead. It’s well worth doing this early – remember the train is the most popular form of travel for 9 million people here. Get your seat before they all do. Long distance hauls (30 hrs or more) are best done in Air conditioned coaches.

The SKCV staff and boys will gladly tell you what to see and where it is. Some of the older boys make good guides.

Shopping!!!
The best place to shop is One Town, the oldest part of the city. A centre of tiny streets crammed with rickshaw's, auto's, animals, children, beggars, street sellers and dozens of shoppers next to small shops overflowing with goods. It is possible to find anything ranging from spices, silver, ropes, sari's, fruit, vegetables, games, paint and bangles. Be careful not to get lost in the retail jungle! Bhakti {Founder} will be happy to take you out.

Things to see
Kanakadurga Temple can be seen on the hill, very old and beautiful, when travelling to the village. Ignore pushy priests in the small temples who say they want to bless you but really want you to bless them with your money.

Queen Victoria Memorial Museum is on Bunder Road.

A trip to an Indian cinema is a must, if only to observe the phenomenon as the film draws to a close. Go to see a Hindi or Telugu movie- some of the boys or girls will translate for you. Two cinemas show up-to-date English films and tickets for air-conditioned seats are around Rs.25.(believe it or not!)

Gandhi Hill is in the middle of the city between 1 Town and 2 Town and offers a museum and views for miles.

Rajiv Gandhi Park is the main green area of the city. There is a water fountain synchronized with modern music and a small zoo which is not well stocked but the lizard in the end cage is a ‘must see’.  Its ancestor would climb to the top of a castle with a rope put around his neck to help invading men scale the walls

There are other parks including Ragaviah Park near Besant Road dotted along the canals.

The children and your guide book will tell you all about places of interest.

Buy here (almost everything)
If you are staying a while a mosquito ‘zapper’ which you plug in to the electricity supply will ensure a bite-free night. Nets prevent the air from the fan reaching you.

Clothes, both for your stay and for use at home. Anything can be tailored here. If you have a picture of it they can make it! So make sure you have family measurements before you leave home. The silks and cottons are lovely. Indians do not buy off the rack. Everything is tailor made.

Bookshops
Ashok Bookshop is quite a way out near Benz Circle but is well worth a visit if you want a good book. If you haven’t read ‘Freedom at midnight’, written by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, make it the next you read.  Higginbottoms, the largest book chain in South India sells a wide range of good books. Cassettes and CDs are half the price here than in the West.

Annoyances
The queue does not exist in India and your frustrations will be ignored. Always be polite and prepared to wait.
Driving in India is an art (of madness) much akin to the dodgem cars. The bigger vehicle has right of way. Two or three policemen have to man traffic lights because no one follows the lights or the that matter any semblance of the Highway Code. But the SKCV founder and the boys drive all day without a problem, its actually fun to drive in India once you know that the rule is there are no rules.

Last points:
Being friendly and courteous moves mountains here. The Indians are very friendly, kind people. SKCV will help all the way with anything you need to be done. Just remember that India is VERY different from the West. 
"When in Rome ...  Do as the Romans Do".

All in all don’t worry about a thing. Visiting India is a great and rewarding experience for every one. Visiting SKCV is even more so, life is very different but highly interesting and amusing. Look for the man riding his rickety bicycle on the bumpy roads .... with 50 trays of eggs towering above the back rack!!!

WE AT SKCV ARE HERE TO HELP YOU EVERY INCH OF THE WAY.

Contact us at:   volunteers@skcv.com