INDIA – STREET ANIMALS PROJECT

ASHA FOUNDATION

The Asha Foundation is situated in Ahmedabad, India and was started by Harmesh, a trainee lawyer 3 years ago because he loves animals.

It is the only organization that works with and cares for the animals on the streets and if there was ever a project that needs volunteers to help them it is this one.  The foundation has a vet ambulance, a qualified vet and some handlers who work literally 24 hours a day to help the cats, dogs, birds, camels, monkeys, and any other animals.  They do this for free and will never turn away an animal that needs help.  They have just built a hospital where they can perform operations and they have also completed the kennels where the animals can recover.

The foundation has also signed a sterilization contract with the Government which means that the cats and dogs are sterilized and then put back into their environment.  The foundation is also establishing a monkey sanctuary which deals with the cruelty and injuries to the local and wild monkeys.  Many camels work in the streets and they are treated by the foundation and every year many birds are injured during the kite-flying season.

The foundation has several aims as well as treating the animals including education in schools and colleges, medical camps in villages and outlying areas and the legal fight for the rights of the animals.  65% of the money comes from public donations and the other 35% is self-funding by the trustees.

Some of the pictures you will see are heart-rending but from this you will know that your contribution to the street animals and the foundation is without a doubt invaluable and your money used strictly for the purposes of helping the animals.  Dave Bell from Bush Direct spent a week in India traveling with the vet ambulance and said that it was one of the most moving and inspirational experiences of his life.

Work at the Foundation will include the following:

Volunteers will receive training in how to catch and handle the animals which require treatment, stitching and cleaning wounds and administering drugs, powders and liquids such as anti-mange solution, feeding the animals and caring for those in the kennels.  Those in training with animals for a career can also assist in the sterilization, inoculations and operations and any other daily work which will need doing.

Volunteers must be prepared to see the animals sometimes in quite a poor state and the opportunity is there to become involved in as much hands on work as you want.  The personal rewards and gratification that one gains in doing this amazing work is obviously priceless.

Volunteers will do a full day’s work with the foundation and may be required to do shifts depending on the call outs and animals in the kennels.  Each volunteer has a day off in the week where they can go on trips to see Gandhi's Ashram, arts and crafts museums, 'Shaking minarets', Step Wells and Temples and Mosques arranged at a small cost by the foundation.
 

A two day trip to see the tigers and Asian lions can also be arranged.
 

Living Conditions

Volunteers will be accommodated in a comfortable flat in the town which is comfortable with a bedroom, shower and toilet and cooking facilities.  Volunteers can arrange their own breakfast in the flat and will mostly eat on the road with the vet and handlers – they eat the local Indian food in good restaurants and there is even a MacDonald’s plus other fast food restaurants.

There is a local internet café and laundry can be done for a small fee.

How to Get There

Volunteers can fly to Ahmedabad airport and will be collected by the staff from the foundation and transferred to the flat where they will stay.  Flights go from Heathrow via Mumbai to Ahmedabad.  At the end of the stay the staff will transfer you again to the airport for your flight out.

Course Dates

There are no set dates but please be aware that India can be very hot during the summer months!  Volunteers can stay for 2, 3 or 4 weeks and if longer stays are required this can also be arranged.

Volunteer Contributions

2 weeks: £460
3 weeks: £600
4 weeks: £740

What is Included: Accommodation and food, transfer from the airport to the Foundation, a t-shirt, donation to the Foundation.

What is Not Included: Flights, travel/medical insurance, rabies vaccination (essential), any other vaccinations.  Additional money will be needed for luxury items such as chocolate or alcohol, cold drinks and trips on days off.

INDIA PROJECT PICS CLICK HERE