Rapport De Stage

Introduction

Within the frame of my business studies at Bordeaux's INSEEC business college, I had to have two internships, the first one in a company and the second one in a humanitarian organization. I already had an experience working as a trainee in a French company, that is why I decided to focus on the second option, the humanitarian world.

I decided to go to India this summer because I had never been there and I wanted to learn about a new culture and discover a very different country.

When I began my researches for a NGO I found many organizations but it was very expensive and I didn’t understand why I had to pay while volunteering to help people. I understood then that it was not NGOs but private organizations.

It was not beneficial for me because if I got involved in humanitarian work, being close to the population and being active in the field were a priority.

Therefore I chose to apply for “Jeunesse et Reconstruction” a French organization which connects Europeans students and some India’s NGOs. Eventually, my volunteering went to FSL India (Field Services and Inter-cultural Learning).

I had the choice between different programs but my goals were to be in the heart of the local population.

My project was named “Tent School” and my assignment was to go and teach English in poor neighborhoods to the children who could not go to school because they either begged in the street or had to care for their brothers and sisters.

The goal was to teach Basic English, so that if they went to school later they would already have notions of writing and speaking.

It was fascinating but very tough because we were facing extreme poverty. My travelling journey was a very meaningful experience.

In the following report, I have put the emphasis on the life-changing aspects of my journey to India rather that on the technical description of the professional experience.

In the first part I will explain FSL organization in intern and in extern. Then I will talk about the differences between India and France -because the culture is very different- and finally I will tell about these meaningful experiences.

Part one

1. Field Services and Inter-cultural Learning (FSL) presentation

FSL India is a non-profit, Non Governmental Organization (NGO), it is a charitable, social and independent organization.

These three adjectives are very important because they don't have any government subsidy, unlike private organizations.

The main objective of FSL is to promote Global Understanding and Inter-cultural learning. With their several different programs, they want to increase the solidarity, the togetherness and to encourage World Peace through Youth Mobility.

FSL India was established in India with the support of numerous international partners organizations, but it can be a support structure for other social organizations.

The head office is located in Bangalore and runs several base camps all across India.

When you speak about FSL it is important to say that it is open to committed members from any social background, an openness which does not mirror the rigidity of social classes in India.

Since 2000, FSL India has set up different kinds of programs where volunteers can work towards improving social, health, hygiene, education, and environmental conditions in a community.

With these kinds of actions, FSL hopes to encourage global transformation, progress and growth through youth exchange programs.

FSL India works in cooperation with the Archaeological Survey of India, Ministry of Women and Child Welfare, Ministry of Health, Education, Forest and Wildlife Departments.

As an organization, it promotes various types of volunteering programs, which focus on the following areas of different interests: Environmental conservation, Medical and Health Care, Urban Development, Education, Women and Childcare Development, Society and Culture.

FSL has recently started to cooperate with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) projects sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea, titled “Happy Move Global Youth Volunteer” and “Model Village”.

But the most important projects are self-funded “home-based” implements: Sea Turtle Conservation, Environmental Education, Eco Tourism, Eco Clubs and Tent Schools for Migrant communities.

The ideology of FSL is that the Experience to live and work with people from different backgrounds should create understanding and respect among all of us.

They strive to make a difference by encouraging young people on the value of service through volunteer projects for the local community. They organize social projects to encourage local people to make some effort, principally on the environmental side.

During the last years, FSL has grown to become the largest volunteer hosting organization in the country. Annually, FSL India mobilizes around 1,800 volunteers from all over the world with the support of its International Partners and local NGOs.

FLS have 3 programs with different last:

➢ Short term Work Camp

Each year, FSL organizes 70 camps all over India with volunteers across the globe whose come together for 2-3 weeks.

During the work camp, volunteers choose projects with a community therefore they can learn about the local culture.

Projects involve teaching children, environmental awareness, eco-tourism, yoga, meditation, dance, heritage conservation, Tibetan culture, healthcare, and hygiene.

These work camps across India are an opportunity for these young volunteers to interact with the local community and volunteers from around the world to widen their open-mindedness.

➢ Mid and Long term (2-12 months)

When volunteers choose this program in the shorter or longer term, the project is predominantly with children. In theses case, FSL India collaborates with local NGOs to promote non-formal education among the poor and needy.

The NGO believes that the experience of living and working with people from different cultural backgrounds creates understanding, respect and contribute for tolerant world.

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