Nicole Cunningham, January 2007

I was very blessed to experience four amazing weeks with the people of Sri Mayapur. I instantly fell in love with India and felt at home in the environment and hospitality of Bishnu, Pradyut, Amitava and the rest of the SMVS team. I worked in the SMVS homoeopathic clinics and with the help of Dr Debnath's translation managed to effectively treat an average of 100 patients per day. Not only exploring the different variety of pathology and illness but also providing cheap, lasting solutions made for days of endless fulfillment and challenges. These life changing experiences lead me to work with the SMVS staff during my stay to develop my own three phase project proposal to develop a sustainable system of health care in Mayapur that will be implemented over the next three years. Bishnu was so encouraging and supportive in helping me develop my project. Throughout my time in Mayapur I was able to experience and research first hand the needs and deficiencies that are village wide in relation to healthcare. My first hand observation, previous mission project experience and the invaluable input from Bishnu has enabled me to leave Mayapur with an ongoing plan to continue to support and create change to the people I became so attached to and found so valuable during my short stay. This is so exciting as it not only continues my connection with the incredible and dedicated people involved in SMVS but also enables me to feel empowered and as if I can still contribute even once I have returned to my life in australia.

Mayapur has an energy and an infectious quality that leaves an imprint on your heart for ever. The indian's hospitality, generosity and wonderful white smiles make for the most incredible stay in Mayapur. Everyday is full of adventure as well as highs and lows and even after three weeks I still found it amazing that I was waking up in India. This very quickly changed from surreal to normal as I enjoyed the sweet smell of incense and the sounds of drumming from the mridanga and chanting from the ISKCON campus.

Whether you are committed to supporting SMVS long term or just wanting to volunteer in the short term the team at SMVS will move heaven and earth to make you feel settled, supported and part of the family and culture of India. With their wonderful enthusiasm and committment to the village people of Mayapur the work of SMVS will leave you inspired and enthused to create an impact in your own individual way throughout your stay in Mayapur.

Your days in Mayapur will be filled with dramatic adventures, once in a life time experiences and leave you with wonderful friendships. A teary goodbye is a guarantee, but you will leave Mayapur with a humility and humbleness that you didn't have previously and a new found compassion towards people of all dimensions. I would encourage anyone and everyone to take the plunge to throw yourself into the beauty, colour and unknown of incredible India. It will change you forever..."

Maria Carter
India Program Director

Dear Village Volunteers community,

Village Volunteers was recently introduced to Sri Mayapur Vikas Sangha (SMVS), a non-profit organization in India, and we were immediately impressed with their progressive approach to sustainable development. SMVS implements holistic programs focusing on sustainable development, poverty reduction, public health, general and vocational education, and women's empowerment.

They currently serve 34 villages in Mayapur, West Bengal. After one month of communications, I was on a plane to West Bengal, India. Upon arrival in India, I had no idea what to expect of the region or the SMVS organization. My anxieties disappeared, however, as soon as I arrived in the beautiful and peaceful area of Mayapur and met the friendly faces of Bishnu Karmakar (Project Officer), Pradyut Banerjee (Program Assistant), and Jayanta Kumar Saha (Director of Operation).

As a Village Volunteers representative, I met with the SMVS directors, toured 10 rural villages, the SMVS primary school, non-formal education center, health center, homeopathic clinics, and observed other projects started by SMVS. My goal was to set the foundation for Village Volunteers' new partnership with SMVS and the villages they support. Each day I visited several villages where community meetings were arranged by Bishnu Karmakar and Pradyut Banerjee. At the meetings I would introduce myself and inform the women of the mission, philosophy, and programs of Village Volunteers. The women would then stand and share their concerns and their hopes for the future. Common obstacles to economic development expressed were labor exploitation, inadequate schools and skill training facilities, poor healthcare, and lack of access to low-interest loans. Despite the cycle of poverty, I found these women to be extremely inspired and eager to learn new skills, start development projects, and act as agents of social change.

Volunteers would be sincerely welcomed and well taken care of. Volunteers will also have the unique option to stay either on the secure and comfortable ISKON campus (where the SMVS office is located), a short distance from the villages, or directly in the villages. Currently, volunteers have the opportunity to work in the areas of micro-enterprise development, formal and non-formal education, allopathic and homeopathic medicine, public health, and vocational and business training. Additionally, SMVS is an innovative and intelligent organization open to new project ideas and planning.

We are so excited to add India as a Village Volunteers partner organization. I have no doubt that future volunteers will be captivated by Mayapur's beauty, Sri Mayapur Vikas Sangha's dedication and brilliant staff, and the villager's enthusiasm. Please continue to check back as we update the website with detailed information on the new India Program.

Dhanyavad (Thank You),

Maria Carter
India Program Director