VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Do you have a desire to volunteer? Interested in helping with the work Prime Trust is doing? Or do you want to test your knowledge and do your internship at an Indian NGO? Our commitment to empower the rural and urban poor in and around Pondicherry, India would not be possible without volunteers' and interns significant contributions. We warmly welcome you to support us in our efforts.

Why Volunteer or do your Internship at Prime Trust?

Prime Trust is a small and growing organization which offers volunteers and interns the unique ability to have a truly significant role in organizational and program development
The variety of activities Prime Trust has available for volunteers cater to students as well as professionals. They also incorporate a good mix of fieldwork and office tasks.
Living at Prime Trust lets volunteers from around the world not only work together, but spend time exploring Pondicherry as a group.
Pondicherry is a beautiful and interesting beach town. It has a distinct French flavor while still allowing volunteers to experience Southern India.
Prime Trust offers an affordable volunteer opportunity.

Prime Trust works with local and international volunteers and interns and always welcomes continued support. Whether you have six months or just a few hours a week, Prime Trust has a wide range of project opportunities. We have placements for university interns and professionals, but also for those who would like the opportunity to gain some hands-on experience in grass-root non-profit work.

One basic requirement for a volunteer and intern is that he or she speaks and writes English. We recommend a minimum stay of two or three months, so you can experience Indian culture and gain relevant work experience to the fullest. We generally ask a minimum of a one to two months commitment, although we are happy to negotiate if your circumstances do not allow this length of time. Besides that, we look for people interested in development who are comfortable working independently, show good initiative, are open-minded and willing to work in a new and often challenging culture.

Living accommodations are available above the office. Prime Trust offers four rooms that vary in size which are all very neat and clean. Two rooms have their own bathroom attached. When we have many volunteers and interns we will ask you to share a room. The prices vary from Rs. 280/simple single to Rs. 470/en suite twin per night.

Prime Trust is a non-profit organization, so it requires a guidance and contribution fee to cover the services involved in your stay such as project oversight and execution, translation completed by the salaried staff, supporting office supplies and transportation costs of volunteers and staff members. For the first month you will pay Rs. 5500; the 2nd and 3rd month the fee is Rs. 4500/month; the 4th month onwards the fee is Rs. 3500/month. In addition, Prime Trust asks for a registration fee of Rs. 1500 upon arrival. These fees apply on both volunteers and interns. Two months of living and gaining hands-on experience at Prime Trust only costs Rs. 28.580 (about 460 Euro or $630 USD)!

We advise volunteers and interns to stay a minimum of 3-4 months, so you can really contribute to our work. It often takes a while to get to know the Indian culture, to adjust to it and to learn our programs. Only after learning about these important affairs, you will be able to make a sustainable contribution to our programs.

In order to avoid last minute cancellations, we ask you to pay a deposit of Rs 3.000 (50 Euro or $70) in advance. This amount is non-refundable.

Core Activities for Volunteers and Interns

The following are areas that volunteers can assist Prime Trust in. Please see the ‘Core Activities’ secton for details about each program.

Awareness Campaigns

Arrange awareness meetings and speak on the chosen topic with help from staff
Write proposals to expand the programs
Look for partner organizations to conduct the program with

Remedial School

Tutor or oversee children's independent class work
Teach elementary spoken English
Help arrange and teach a Children’s Parliament program

Working at the Remedial School is not a fulltime job, since the Remedial School is only open from 6-8 pm daily. This makes it easy to combine this activity with other activities.

SHGs and Microfinance

Only available for interns with specific assignments (the specific topic/tasks will be decided on in cooperation with the university and student).

Administration tasks such as account system maintenance and improvements
Identiftying opportunities to receive funding fot microfinance
Identifying opportunities to receive funding for income generation programs and vocational trainings for the SHGs

Most of your time will be spent on the latter two activities. This program asks for a lot of initiative and independence from our volunteers and interns, but you will be able to help us in the biggest way you can. How great would it be if you could find a donor organization that will support our programs and will fund microfinance given out by Prime Trust itself?

Additional Volunteer and Intern Opportunities

Volunteers and interns are welcome to use their skills and initiative on the following tasks:

Fundraising/Proposal Writing
In order to generate funds to support our current activities and help initiate new projects, Prime Trust welcomes volunteers with an interest or background in proposal writing to contact donor organizations and compose grant proposals.

Web Design/Hosting
Volunteers with a background in IT are encouraged to help Prime Trust continually update and improve its website, as well as help manage the organization’s online file-storage program.

Marketing and Communication
Volunteers with experience in marketing, writing, or photography can use their creativity to develop promotional materials (press releases, newsletters, etc.) and help publicize Prime Trust’s work on both local and international levels. Help expanding a Child Sponsorship program would also be greatly appreciated.

Accounting
Volunteers with a background in accounting are welcome to help Prime Trust streamline cash flows, improve the account system for the SHGs, register charitable donations and help write the annual report, among other tasks.

Apply NOW

Are you interested in working as a volunteer or intern for Prime Trust or would you like to receive further information on one or more of the positions offered? Don’t hesitate to contact us! The contact information for Prime Trust is:

10, 9th CROSS EAST, RAINBOW NAGAR,
PUDUCHERRY – 605 011
E-Mail: admin@primetrust.org
Web: www.primetrust.org
TEL: 91- 413 - 2214652
Mobile: 94432 87622

When you would like to apply for a position, please send your CV together with a cover letter detailing your motivation for volunteering. Please don’t forget to state the period of time that you are interested in coming here.

We are looking forward to working with you!

Prime Trust Office

Are you curious about your future home as a volunteer? View our simple movie displaying the office and the living facilities right now.