Presently volunteer placements are available in the following areas :

1. Wildlife and environment conservation :

   India is known for its amazing environmental diversity. Yet, throughout the country growing populations are overstraining the natural resources. Problems such as loss of bio-diversity, deforestation, desertification, over-grazing, and air and water pollution are significant. Environmental conservation projects address these issues directly through community education and collaboration as well as hands-on conservation work such as tree planting and research.
   
   The Sloth Bear Foundation is committed to preserve the natural environment from future degradation. Wildlife and environment conservation includes assisting the SBF staff in mapping the bear and wildlife habitats which are by and large fragmented , using GPS method and conducting a census of the bears and other animals in that area and working in areas like tree planting, botanical nursery, laying roads, making water holes, water shed projects , boundary fencing and general protection against poachers and wood cutters and promoting awareness among people about conservation of environment and wildlife. The foundation will take part in the active patrolling of the bear habitats. The patrols are comprised of forest guards , the foundation staff and volunteers and represents a community wide effort to keep out illegal wood cutters and poachers. Protection given to Daroji bear sanctuary has helped in the regeneration of many fruiting trees and the availability of food for the animals has increased considerably.
   
   

2. Teaching in schools :

   English language skills have become crucial to success in virtually any profession, because it has become the International language. Volunteers can teach in the private and government schools. Though English would be the most required subject, maths and science can also be taught. Knowing the local language may not be necessary to teach as most of the children in India understand a little of English. Volunteers are asked to teach simple English conversation and to develop their own projects to help students learn English and other subjects. Teaching may also be in the form of field trips, games and other organized events.
   
   

3. Work at the Poor boys’ and girls’ home and day care centers for children :
   

   Volunteers may work in the poor boys’ and girls’ home ( boarding home for the poor village children ) where they can assist the warden in the day to day administration, teaching English and other subjects, helping the children in their home work and teaching them music and singing. The volunteers can also assist the warden in the maintenance work of the building like painting, repair work, etc. They can also work in the day care centers by teaching pre school children.
   
   

   

4. Work at the AIDS/HIV rehabilitation centers :

   In India there is a serious stigma attached to those with AIDS/HIV. Many people are uneducated and are unable to understand the causes of AIDS and how it is transmitted. People who are infected are normally excluded from the society. Many NGOs in India are now working on this problem and the volunteers can assist the AIDS/HIV rehabilitation center authorities in counseling, helping the doctors and nurses in the treatment, helping in awareness programs, etc.
   
   

5. Work at the Polio homes :

   Polio is another problem which used to paralyze about 350,000 children a year , a third of them in India. Although many organizations like Rotary International have tried to mitigate this problem, the disease continues to take more and more Indian children every year. The reasons are poverty, poor sanitation and dense population which is a fertile ground for infection.
   
   Work at the Polio home involves helping the children in their day to day work, assisting the management in treating the children and in manufacturing calipers which are used by these children, teaching English and other subjects, teaching them songs and music , playing with them and basically keeping them happy. Work also involves assisting the management in their secretarial work , accounts ,etc.
   
   

6. Work at the Old age homes :

   Thanks to factors like rising longevity, the disappearance of the extended family pattern of living, and children moving away as Non Resident Indians, there is a rising demand for old age homes. Volunteers can work in old age homes by assisting the management in taking care of the inmates.
   
   

   

7. Health care :

   India is a large, densely populated country with majority of citizens living below the poverty level and without access to the basic necessities of life. People die every day because many villages do not have doctors or basic health care facilities such as the hospitals. Health care professionals of various specialties, particularly those with public health backgrounds, are needed at villages and other places.
   
   

8. Work on community development in the villages :
   The villages surrounding the bear and the wildlife habitats are dependent on the sanctuary and the forests for firewood and cattle grazing. The SBF hopes to reduce this burden by helping the villagers acquire solar cookers and solar-based lighting and pumping equipments.
   
   Volunteers can work in this field and also the general community needs like addressing the drinking water problems, education, health care, sanitation, agriculture, etc.
   
   
9. Work at the SBF office :

   The work at the SBF office involves generally fund raising, marketing the tour and expedition packages on the internet, etc. Volunteers with a sound knowledge of computers and experience in internet marketing can join us.
   
   

10. Agriculture :

    Agriculture is the back bone of Indian economy. 70 % of the people in India are directly or indirectly involved in agriculture. Volunteers can work in these farms assisting the farmers and also try to understand their lifestyle.
    
    

11. Social welfare and community outreach :

    There are a number of community outreach initiatives designed to help underprivileged children, families, the elderly, and the disabled in Indian cities and villages. Volunteers can make a difference in the lives of these families by helping them in after school programs, adult education, computer training for teenagers and street children, and other valuable programs.