The newest cohort of GPM-JDC Entwine international volunteers arrived
in Mumbai and are already enthusiastically working in the slums. After a
week of orientation, in which they received targeted teacher-training,
took classes in conversational Hindi and Indian culture, experienced a
Hindu Ashram, visited Dharavi (the largest slum in India) and toured
Mumbai, the group of six young Jewish adults were invigorated and ready
to start their work. They have begun volunteering with classes of
children ages 5-14 studying in the
REAP classes in the Kalwa slum.
The group, the
11th cohort
of GPM international volunteers, includes young adults from all
different backgrounds – five Americans and one Australian, a violinist, a
Teach for America graduate, a social worker, a real estate specialist,
and more – who share joy and zeal in participating in the GPM volunteer
program.
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| The 11th GPM cohort of volunteers arrives in Mumbai |
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| Elana Winchester, a member of the newest cohort of GPM volunteers, teaches "time" to the children in the Mumbai slums |
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| GPM volunteers working with women's empowerment groups in the Mumbai slums, preparing hot lunches for the children in the REAP school |
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| Leila Sandler, a new GPM volunteer, working on literacy with the children |
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| GPM volunteer Adam Davis teaching numbers to the children in the slums |
The international volunteer program, which is eight weeks long, also includes enrichment programs such as trips to the Konkan coast, collaborative work with Indian Jewish interns, and opportunities to volunteer with the Jewish community. During the program, the group will be working with young Indian Jews to clean up the Bnei Israel cemetery, volunteering in a children’s hospital, visiting the JDC old-age home Bayiti for Indian Jews, studying issues of Jewish social justice with the world-renowned
Takum organization, and participating in dynamic Jewish peoplehood workshops called the “Chai-time Talks” (see clip of previous Chai-time Talks
HERE.)
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