Home Destinations India Street Children Volunteer Program Delhi – India

Street Children Volunteer Program Delhi – India

Be a part of Street Children Volunteer Program in Delhi, teach the children, play with them, take them on educational tours of the city, fundraise for their food, clothing, stationery and other basic essentials

India
country
1-18 Weeks
duration
from $550
price
17 years+
min age

You are placed at shelter homes for street children or non-formal education centers serving slum communities in Delhi. Day to day you assist local teachers and carers with informal education classes, play organized games, teach basic hygiene and greetings, and join occasional trips to a museum or zoo in the city. The program suits volunteers from age 17 with no prior experience needed, including students, families and gap-year travelers.

Placements run for 1–18 weeks, starting twice a month (sundays), with the next start on 20 Sep 2026. You stay in a hostel in South Delhi, in a dorm or private room, with breakfast and dinner provided six days a week; private-room upgrades cost extra. Prices start at $550, deposit included, and the program's day-to-day flexibility lets you combine direct childcare support with digital-literacy sessions and center-improvement discussions alongside local staff.

Highlights
  • Be a part of Street Children Volunteer Program in Delhi, teach the children, play with them, take them on educational tours of the city, fundraise for their food, clothing, stationery and other basic essentials 
  • Engage with the local/administrative staff and ideate on how to improve the center 
  • Promote Digital Literacy amongst children 
  • Stay in a local volunteer house and meets many other fellow volunteers 
  • Explore the capital city and other neighboring cities such as Jaipur, Agra, Varanasi and also Himalayan Towns 
  • Visit the number of heritage sites and ancient monuments such as the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, India Gate, Amber Fort amongst others 
Location
Delhi, India
Project type
Childcare
Duration
1–18 weeks
Start dates
Twice a month (Sundays) · Next start: 20 Sep 2026
Minimum age
Accommodation
Hostel
Meals
 Food (2 times a day from Mon – Sat)
Arrival
 Pick up from the airport
Working hours
Tuesday to Friday, 10:30am to 4pm
From
$550 deposit included
What you'll do

Your role on this program

  • Take informal education classes for the children
  • Play recreational and fun games with the children, introducing new activities
  • Help children build good habits such as cleanliness, hygiene and greetings
  • Join occasional trips with the children to a museum or zoo in Delhi
  • Support digital literacy sessions with the children
  • Engage with local and administrative staff on ideas to improve the center
  • Help fundraise for the children's food, clothing, stationery and other basic essentials
  • Assist in providing basic literacy support, recreation and general care alongside local staff

Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.

Role boundaries

Volunteers support local teachers and carers and are never left in sole charge of children; local staff supervise all activities and set the curriculum. This program does not place volunteers in orphanages, and duties may vary with the placement's needs. Volunteers do not make clinical, welfare or educational decisions for the children.

Volunteer work schedule

A typical day and week

Volunteers joining the Street Children Program in India are required to follow a basic routine on a daily basis. This covers everything from meals to volunteer work and back. It must be noted that every placement functions at a different pace and on separate timelines making the schedule slightly differ at times. A generic daily schedule for volunteers is as follows;

  • Sunday: Arrival in Delhi

  • Monday: Orientation + neighborhood familiarization tour.The orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering topic areas; such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestion over things to do in Delhi.Those who chose the Language and Orientation Week will carry on with the same for the entire, rest of the volunteers will begin their volunteer work from Tuesday.

  • Tue to Fri: Volunteer work

    • Breakfast – 9 am onwards

    • Working hours at the placement – 10:30 am (volunteers leave the accommodation by 09:30 am) to 04:00 pm

    • Lunch – anywhere between 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm (volunteers have to manage lunch on their own expense)

    • Dinner – 07:00 pm onwards

The same volunteer work schedule continues from the second week onwards 
Weekends: Free to explore the city (No meal is provided on Sunday, as volunteers are encouraged to try the local cuisines.)

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating on.

Timings are the placement's usual pattern; the local team confirms your hours at orientation, and they can change with school terms, clinic rotas, weather and the project's needs.

Requirements

Who can join and what you need

  • Minimum age 17; a parental consent form is required for participants under 18
  • No previous teaching or childcare experience needed
  • Open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new environment
  • Fit and healthy at the time of joining the program
  • Clean criminal background check report, issued within 12 months of the start date
  • Travel and medical insurance (your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges)
Why this project

The placement, its limits and your part in it

The program partners with shelter homes for street children and non-formal education centers serving slum communities in Delhi. These are run by local staff and administrators who plan the day-to-day activities and lessons; volunteers work alongside them rather than independently, and Volunteering Solutions does not place volunteers in orphanages.

You support local teachers and carers with informal classes, play, hygiene habits and occasional outings, but you are never left in sole charge of children, and a clean criminal background check is required before you start. Your contribution is additional support to the existing team for the weeks you are there; it does not replace trained staff or guarantee any particular outcome for the children.

Dates

Start dates

Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.

AvailableFilling fastFully booked
Costs

Program fees by duration

Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.

DurationTotal price
1 week$550
2 weeks$664
3 weeks$844
4 weeks$1,019
5 weeks$1,217
6 weeks$1,415
7 weeks$1,613
8 weeks$1,812
Each additional week+$199 / week

Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.

✓ What you're paying for

  •  24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
  •  Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
  •  Pick up from the airport
  •  Orientation 
  •  Food (2 times a day from Mon – Sat)
  •  Accommodation 
  •  Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

Not included

  • Airfare
  • Return Trip to Airport (Can be arranged at extra cost)
  • Local Transportation
  • Visa Fees
  • Vaccinations
Living

Accommodation & meals

Airport Transfer

Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, volunteers will be greeted by a member of the local coordinating team in Delhi. Scheduled pickup services are available between 8am and 8pm on the program start date. Participants who are already in the country or arriving early can also be picked up from a predetermined meeting point. If you arrive outside scheduled pickup hours, we can arrange for pickup at extra charges.

Accommodations

Participants in Delhi are provided accommodation at a conveniently located hostel in South Delhi. Located at just a five-minute walk from a Metro station in South Delhi, the hostel offers easy access to iconic landmarks like the Lotus Temple and Khan market. 

The hostel has spacious dormitories and private rooms that are perfect for a cozy stay. Whether you’re lounging in our cozy common area or enjoying a hearty meal at our in-house cafe, every aspect of your stay is designed for comfort and convenience. Additionally, the hostel has an open outdoor area, which is ideal for connecting with fellow travelers.

All rooms in the hostel are air conditioned. While bedding is provided, you should bring your own towels and toiletries.

Upgrades to private single or double rooms are available at extra charges.

Orientation

A comprehensive half-day orientation session will be conducted by our staff on the day following your arrival. The orientation covers essential topics such as culture, greetings, locations, transportation, and other details outlined in your trip itinerary.

Meals

Renowned worldwide for its diverse flavors, Indian cuisine takes center stage during your volunteering experience. Indian vegetarian meals will be provided at the hostel itself.

Free Time Activities

During their free time, volunteers are encouraged to explore local markets, heritage monuments and dine at different restaurants in Delhi to savor the rich variety of Indian cuisines. Delhi has a lot to offer and there are plenty of things to do and see in the bustling capital city.

Arrival & local support

Getting there and who looks after you in India

  1. Airport pickup

    You arrive on a Sunday and are met at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) by a member of the local coordinating team. Scheduled pickup runs 8am to 8pm on the start date; outside these hours pickup can be arranged for an extra charge.

  2. First night

    Your first night is at the hostel in South Delhi, where you settle into a dorm or private room before orientation begins the next day.

  3. Orientation

    On Monday the local coordinator runs a half-day orientation covering safety, culture, language, food and things to do in Delhi, along with a neighborhood familiarization tour.

  4. First project day

    Volunteer work begins Tuesday: breakfast is at 9am, you leave the hostel by 9:30am, and work at the placement runs from 10:30am to 4pm.

  5. Ongoing support

    Local coordinating teams provide day-to-day support in Delhi, along with a 24-hour emergency contact for the length of your stay.

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Good to know

Frequently asked questions

What will I actually do on this program?

You take informal education classes, play games, teach basic hygiene and greetings, and support occasional trips to a museum or zoo, working alongside local teachers and carers at a shelter home or non-formal education center in Delhi.

Do I need experience or qualifications to join?

No previous teaching or childcare experience is needed; you just need an open mind and a flexible attitude, and you must be at least 17 years old.

What are the working hours and days?

Volunteer work runs Tuesday to Friday, 10:30am to 4pm, with weekends free to explore the city; the schedule can vary slightly by placement.

How long can I volunteer and when do programs start?

Placements run for 1–18 weeks and start twice a month (sundays); the next start date is 20 Sep 2026.

What does the price include?

Prices start at $550, deposit included, covering airport pickup, orientation, accommodation, breakfast and dinner Monday to Saturday, and 24-hour support; the $249 deposit counts toward your total and is refunded if no place can be offered.

What is not included in the price?

Airfare, your return trip to the airport, local transportation, visa fees and vaccinations are not included, though a return airport transfer can be arranged at extra cost.

Where will I stay and what will I eat?

You stay in a hostel in South Delhi, in a dorm or private room with air conditioning, a five-minute walk from a metro station; breakfast and dinner are provided at the hostel Monday to Saturday, and Sunday is left free for you to try local restaurants.

Will someone meet me at the airport?

Yes, a member of the local coordinating team meets you at Indira Gandhi International Airport on your arrival Sunday, with scheduled pickup between 8am and 8pm.

What support is available if something goes wrong?

The local coordinating team provides day-to-day assistance in Delhi and a 24-hour emergency contact for the duration of your placement.

Do I need a visa, vaccinations or a background check?

Visa fees and vaccinations are not included and are your responsibility; a clean criminal background check issued within 12 months of your start date is required for this childcare placement, and general pre-departure guidance is sent before you travel.

Am I ever alone in charge of children?

No, you always work alongside and under the supervision of local teachers and carers and are never left in sole charge of children.

Is this program suitable for families or under-18s?

Yes, it is family-friendly and open to participants aged 17 and above, with a parental consent form required for anyone under 18.

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