What To Expect

Taken straight from the Shishya Volunteer Manual

*Girl volunteers need to wear Indian dress; salwar kurta, or kurta with long pants. Do not wear salwars as pants with a short top. Please do not wear tight fighting leggings, or tight shirts. Stick to Indian kurtas. Loose fitting T-shirts are acceptable for sports, work, etc. No tank tops or sphegetti straps. No swim suits. No shorts. Girls need to wear tshirts and long shorts when they swim. Three-quarter pants are acceptable in the summer (but not in the school). Girls are asked to stick to this dress code even in Dehra Dun, as you represent our institution. Please observe this dress code in your house and in others. No jeans in school, except on Sat. and worn with a kurta. Girls will be taken on a shopping spree to get a new wardrobe.

*Key Words:
Hello - na-mas-stay
Thank you – dhan-ya-vad
That’s enough - bus
Let’s go – chel – lo
Water – paa – nee
Food – khan – na
Bed – bis- ter
Mango – ah- mm
Banana – ka-la
Where –ka-ha hay?

*What Not to Say: Beef” or “meat” – those two words should never be used

*How to bathe? If your shower doesn’t work, fill up a bucket, stand in the centre of the room or in the shower area, use a bathroom mug and dump it over yourself! : )

*If you are leaving the campus please inform the campus director or administrator. If neither are available, talk to a house-parent.

* What to give to the boys: nothing without permission of Ken or Frieda or the houseparents Any material gift (or financial donation) is not to be given to staff without permission/ knowledge of Ken and Frieda

*Make sure that all taps in the house are turned off regardless of whether or not there is water coming out of them. The tube well is only “turned” on at specific times, so fill your drinking water at those times.

*There are two taps in your kitchen, one is drinking water, and one is not. Find out which is which! Don’t drink water from your roof top tank water; it is not clean.

*You may be able to buy milk from the dairy for you needs depending on how much the cows have provided! A record is kept and paid at the end of the month. Always strain and boil it before using it.

*When using the water heater in the bathroom, always unplug it when touching it, and never put any metal container into it to draw water. Use plastic. Always wear rubber slippers in the bathroom when the water heater is switched on. Indian electrics are not reliable and can be dangerous.

*We expect apartments to be kept neat and clean. Washing should be hung in proper places to dry (not on your front porch or in your front room). We want volunteers to be examples to the boys, who are also being taught to do the same.

*Girl’s apartments are off limits to all boys. The older boy’s house is off limits to single girl volunteers unless there is a permitted reason for being there, such as a program. Boy and girl volunteers are not allowed in each others’ rooms, but can meet in married couples apartments.

*Single girl volunteers: Friendship with older boys is limited to casual talking outside in visible places on Sundays or other free days. Permission to play games with the older boys on a Sunday or holidays must be taken from the house-parents.

*Volunteers are accountable to Ken and Frieda. If you are taking a weekend off, please let them know where /how/when you are going and returning. This is for your safety and hopefully, assistance.

*You can go shopping in Dehradun on your weekends off.

*You are always welcome to eat at the little boys house /or on occasion cooking your own meals. Boys’ kitchen is off limits for single girl volunteers. We encourage you to make your own breakfasts, but you are welcome to what the boys cook as well.

*Don’t eat from the street stalls. Food can carry a lot of nasty bacteria. Your stomach will inform you of what you need to eat in order to stay healthy.

*Snake Awareness: Caution! Use flashlights at night and walk on cut paths; stay away from long grass; especially during snake season (monsoon) and summer! Snakes are poisonous.

*Dogs in India can be rabid; don’t touch or feed them. Even campus pets, dogs and cats can be infected because of stray animals wandering in.

*Girls jogging in the area is not always safe and is not allowed without permission. Please ask permission before you do so from Frieda or Ken. Always go in two’s. Girls should not go outside the campus alone (even walking to Selakui).

*Volunteers will be asked to help plan and present morning assemblies 2x weekly for the school

*In India boys/girl relationships are not part of the village culture. Please don’t talk about the boyfriend or girlfriend you have left at home or talk about the way their physical appearances look.

*We also do not want to encourage the celebration of valentines day from a western perspective. Be careful about the slang you use and the cultural values you may be not realizing you're bringing in. We will tell you if we feel your actions or words are not appropriate.

*Play time for the boys is a great time for play, for sports, and for one-on-one relationships. It is a time to have loud, crazy fun that volunteers can join in on.

*Please leave the boys’ houses in the evenings as per rules. This is important. Remember, your actions impact! You will be idolized, so be a good role-model!

Time and boys schedule/Volunteer duties at that time
8:00 to 1:30 in summer/Shishya school students
8:30 to 2:00 in winter/ Shishya school students
1:30 to 3:00 in summer/ Lunch-homework time for younger boys
2:00 to 3:00 in winter/Lunch- homework time for younger boys
3:00 to 6:30 Boys work time/ Time for yourself
5:00 to 6:00-Boys play time
7:00 devotions/ Devotion with boys
7:30 dinner /Dinner
8:00 boys time with house-parents and time to finish studies or read quietly/ Leave boys house and return to apartments to rest.
9:00 boys bedtime

*Be ready for surprises, and yes, be patient, India is not in a rush to get things done! This is a community where everyone lives, eats, works and studies and grows together through the Holy Spirit of God, in Jesus Christ, whom we honor and love. You will see various buildings, some needing repair, dangerous looking electric wires, clothes needing mending, and many boys running around happily; sometimes barefoot. This is India. You will learn to love and appreciate the differences in culture.