Here we have got a list of Frequently Asked Questions for Both Indian & Foreign Volunteers.
UGM, stands for United Gospel Mission, a registered body with the government of India as a Non-Profit (Public Trust Act), having both its Administration & Registered Office in New Delhi. It is also Registered u/s 12A & 80G (5)(vi) of Income Tax Act 1961.
We now function as a facilitating body for a network of over 120 little-known Native Non-Profits and Self Help Groups spread into seven poor states of North India.
We are engaged in various community transformation projects such as; Vocational Training, Social Enterprises, Community Health, Food Water, and Sanitation
United Gospel Mission manages its operations and functions from the New Delhi-based Administration and Registered Office. We are located in ‘Rajpur Khurd ’ in Southwest Delhi.
Yes, if your travel plan & purpose of your visit is finalised from our end, We will guide you to serve & work at various project locations accordingly.
Normally, you will have our Partners assisting you in receiving and dropping at Bus Stations and Railway Stations, provided they are within their reach. However, we do have fields remotely located, where you might need transportation.
Therefore a planned pre-budgeted itinerary would help you better understand your in country point to point travel expenditure, that needs to be borne by you.
New Delhi, being the capital of India, is easy to get to us. We are close to India Gandhi International Airport. Find us on Google Maps for other directions.
Accommodation: As per your need & budget we can organise a place for you to stay in Delhi, most international flights come into Delhi around midnight, or that is the time you get out of the airport after customs, etc. Hence you will want to head straight to your room.
There are a variety of places and prices, the YMCA costs around Rs 3,000/- and has a comfortable setup. Budget hotels are available near the New Delhi Railway Station & Airport, which cost around Rs 2000/- to 2500/- per night.
Food: Food is comparatively cheap in India, but you must be careful where and what you eat. Delhi is known more for its delicious traditional foods; at the same time, plenty of takeaway shops like KFC, McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Subway… etc. are available. On the mission, fields eat simple vegetarian meals and carry your bottled water.
If our Mission Worker/Volunteer does not see you at the airport, you may need to change some money there. You may not get a reasonable rate, but your need is met, so I think this is best for now. Later, you can withdraw money from any ATM with a Master or Visa Card (Credit or Savings). If you have Travelers’ Cheques or Dollars, these can also be changed at selected locations in Delhi.
Unfortunately, if you fall sick, we have access to good doctors and hospitals in Delhi. Also, our Partners will do everything to find one if you are on a field distance from Delhi. As a diet during these days, drink only bottled water and eat only fruits that you can peel. Eventually, medical aid can be arranged for quick & effective relief.
Modest western clothing is acceptable, i.e. Jeans and T-Shirt or blouses. For the female low cut ARE NOT acceptable, the same with tank tops, sleeveless tops and skirts. Shorts on males are reasonably acceptable (but not recommended), long pants are better. Sandals, shoes, joggers, thongs/flip flops are the best for footwear.
For a female, a shalwar kurta (Indian outfit) is very comfortable and quite cheap to buy or get made while here (Rs 1400/- 2000/- depending on your choice of quality). Men can buy shirt or pant for around Rs 700/- 900/-
Some options exist for your passion, skill, talent, and ability to serve in mission fields. You can have opportunities like teaching or serving in orphanages, self-help groups, and community learning centers, tailoring centers, vocational training centers, regional training workshops, leadership seminars, etc.
Summer (March to May): North India gets heating up around March, By April; many places would experience daily maximum temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit). During summers electricity supply is also not constant, so it is not encouraging for people to visit us as Volunteers in the middle of summer (April – June) unless, until they are confident to handle it
Monsoon (June to September): Mansoon comes in and makes it’s way up to India’s west coast in early June. By mid-July, most of the country is covered in rain. This gradually starts clearing by September. It’s difficult to travel through most of India during monsoon time as the rains often flood out roads, disrupting transport services.
Winter (October to February): Winter is by far the most popular season for people to come out to spend time with us -Christmas being the peak of that time. In the winter temperatures generally stay a good 5-10 degrees above freezing, and in the middle of the day, it gets nice and warm.
Yes, you can bring Gifts in Kind, like clothes, dress materials, hygienic supplies, toys & stationeries for kids, Laptops, Digital cameras, and various other things as you think to bless the beneficiaries of our Projects/ Initiatives. However, it would be best if you informed us about these items before your arrival.
If you have decided to visit us on a short mission trip, please keep in mind that every Volunteer on a short mission trip should observe our Volunteer Guidelines besides filling out the Volunteering Application Form.
