Vatsayla is an NGO established for the welfare of the street children and women of Jaipur, India. Vatsalya rescues homeless women and children into a campus style home away from the city, provides; education, mental and physical support systems, internships and practical vocational training. 100% Indian run and founded, Vatsalya was SalaamGarage’s first partner, in 2007.
12 day Itinerary- lead by Amanda Koster and Maggie Soladay
Days 1-5 (September 19-24): JAIPUR
Visits to Jaipur’s historic Pink City, City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the winds),
Walking through open air markets
backstreet visits of: artisans workshops, bangle makers, sari shops, famous Indian sweets (most tourists don’t see the back street workshops but this is where you get to see how things are made, and who is making them!)
Jetlag relieving yoga classes and appointments with Ayurvedic doctor ( an authentic doctor, only Indians visit this doctor. traditional ayurvedic massage with oil dripping and body constitution or ‘dosha’ consultation)
Dance class (dance traditional only to Rajasthan)
Media Projects, Days 3-6:
Vatsalya Introduction by Jaimala, Vatsalya’s Director and founder. Discuss projects
Split into groups to work on story projects:
multiple locations; Udayan home for children, Karuna outreach van in Jaipur slums, villages in region for micro-loan projects (see list of stories below)
Dinner with Jaimala and Hitesh (founders of Vatsalya: AMAZING people)
Udayan home for children-wrap up Vatsalya stories and visits.
Jaipur media wrap party on final eve in Jaipur
Days 7-8 (September 24-25): PUSHKAR and AJMER Ajmer – Dargah Kwaja Sahib, one of the most important Islamic shrines in the world with live (and very simple and traditional Kawali singers, singing at the temple) Pushkar- sacred Pushkar lake for Sunrise and Sunset Puja (prayers)
Shopping in Pushkar markets- most traditional, affordable and pleasant shopping in Rajasthan Hotel Inn Seventh Heaven or similar
Day 8-9 (September 26-27): JODHPUR (The Blue City or Sun City)
Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur Old City walking tour
Free Time
Hotel Haveli Inn Pal Jodhpur
Days 10-12 (September 28-30): UDAIPUR (City of Lakes)
Bicycle rides out and around the city
Cooking Class
Lake tour by boat
Hotel in Udaipur Krishna Niwas, Mahendra Prakash or similar
Day 13 (October 1): Departing Travel TBD by traveler. We recommend flying to Delhi for returns to the US, or continuing to other regions of India for further adventure and discovery. Flights Udaipur to Delhi.
Maximum: 12 people
cost: $3300
Discount $200 (trip total $3100) if deposit paid by 6/1/09
$500 deposit is due by 6/15/09 ($500 deposit is refundable up to: 7/1/09) total balance due: 8/1/09 cost includes: all housing, 2 meals a day, all transportation, translators, in-country guides, museum entries. does not include: air fare, spending money, visas, vaccinations, laundry, tips, 3rd meal, beverages (hard and soft), mandatory travel and health insurance.
discounts:
$200 refer-a-friend-discount
For payment through PayPal:
1. login to your PayPal Account
2. select: “Send Money”
3. enter: salaamgarage@gmail.com
4. amount: $500 (deposit) or $2800 (balance) select: “Services/Other”
Photographer Conrad Chavez Photo of Rajasthani Dance and Linda Steen, 2007 SalaamGarage tour participant
A Sadhu in Agra
Tourist Monk
Lake Palace Hotel Udaipur
Pushkar Lake
Bangles Jaipur Market
Jodhpur view from Merangarh Fort
Jodhpur, boy selling fruit
Udaipur, boys fetching water
PROJECTS: Participants will be able to choose from the following projects. All people and organizations mentioned in these projects are ready and willing to collaborate exclusively with SalaamGarage and you to help tell their story. They are looking forward to meeting you. Join us.
1. DURGA, The Self Help Group- Empowerment of rural women
Story of Sita and Gita- Young dynamic rural women, both sisters, married to two brothers. They are the members of the first active Self Help Group that Vatsalya created. Gita is the President of the group. It is named “Durga”. The SHG meets every month. They deposit their money, discusses their plans and problems. They have learned to make semiprecious jewelry and are enjoying the work and making good earnings from it. They are also motivators for other women of villages around. An outlet within Udayan sells their products. Delta is initiating a process of marketing and sale of these products in the US. The increased extra profit will result in creation of a health facility for these women where they would be able to get complete free medical care for their health problems.
Possible Story angle: Visit Sita and Gita and their Families- a day in the life or a personal narrative of Sita and/or Gita. Meet the people they inspire and help. Meet their families, see their craft. Pick one angle.
2. Stories of Children at UDAYAN-
There are 54 Children living at Udayan, here are 3 children’s bios:
a. Aakash- How he was brought to us at the age of 14 months, almost dead with third stage of TB. Recovered after 180 injections, two blood transfusions and intensive care of Udayan staff. Now he is
hale and hearty five year old, most active and naughty.
b. Suraj- He ran away from his home in a village near Achrol after his mother was murdered or committed suicide (he does not know the true story). His father resorted to heavy drinking after that and Suraj was afraid of him and so he ran away. He was barely 4 at that time. Vatsalya found him roaming in woods near Udayan and took him in. he often talks about becoming a policeman so that he can then arrest his uncle who killed his mother. He is nine now and is adjusting well.
c. Shahina- Daughter of a CSW who is one of the brightest star of Udayan…(need to protect he identity)
4. Stories of Staff and Volunteers at UDAYAN-
There are 54 Children living at Udayan. cared for by 12-15 staff and visiting volunteers. The home is in the country, 40 kilometers from the city of Jaipur.
Possible Story Angles: “a day in the life” as experienced by a traveler volunteer, or a staff member. Include anecdotes, success stories, and Ah-Ha moments. Volunteers, staff, and children will be chosen by the traveler. They will share and show how working at Udayan has impacted their lives.
5. Life of a Truck Driver in India, HIV+/-
Vatsalya’s outreach program to educate truck drivers in India about HIV/AIDS care and prevention.
Possible Story Angles: A day with a truck driver who Vatsalya’s outreach workers have worked with.
India 2009: Itinerary + Projects
India/September 2009: Vatsalya
For links to completed stories created by the India 2009 team go to the Participants Work page..
September 2009 Rajasthan India
September 18-October 1, 2009
Vatsayla is an NGO established for the welfare of the street children and women of Jaipur, India. Vatsalya rescues homeless women and children into a campus style home away from the city, provides; education, mental and physical support systems, internships and practical vocational training. 100% Indian run and founded, Vatsalya was SalaamGarage’s first partner, in 2007.
read an article written by Jaimala, founder of Vatsalya here (click)
10% of profits go to participating NGO.
click to see more photos of Vatsalya from our 07 trip!
click here to see project ideas
12 day Itinerary- lead by Amanda Koster and Maggie Soladay
Days 1-5 (September 19-24): JAIPUR
Visits to Jaipur’s historic Pink City, City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the winds),
Walking through open air markets
backstreet visits of: artisans workshops, bangle makers, sari shops, famous Indian sweets (most tourists don’t see the back street workshops but this is where you get to see how things are made, and who is making them!)
Jetlag relieving yoga classes and appointments with Ayurvedic doctor ( an authentic doctor, only Indians visit this doctor. traditional ayurvedic massage with oil dripping and body constitution or ‘dosha’ consultation)
Dance class (dance traditional only to Rajasthan)
Media Projects, Days 3-6:
Vatsalya Introduction by Jaimala, Vatsalya’s Director and founder. Discuss projects
Split into groups to work on story projects:
multiple locations; Udayan home for children, Karuna outreach van in Jaipur slums, villages in region for micro-loan projects (see list of stories below)
Dinner with Jaimala and Hitesh (founders of Vatsalya: AMAZING people)
Udayan home for children-wrap up Vatsalya stories and visits.
Jaipur media wrap party on final eve in Jaipur
Hotel Pearl Palace Jaipur
Or Arya Niwas Jaipur or similar
Days 7-8 (September 24-25): PUSHKAR and AJMER
Ajmer – Dargah Kwaja Sahib, one of the most important Islamic shrines in the world with live (and very simple and traditional Kawali singers, singing at the temple)
Pushkar- sacred Pushkar lake for Sunrise and Sunset Puja (prayers)
Shopping in Pushkar markets- most traditional, affordable and pleasant shopping in Rajasthan
Hotel Inn Seventh Heaven or similar
Day 8-9 (September 26-27): JODHPUR (The Blue City or Sun City)
Mehrangarh Fort
Jodhpur Old City walking tour
Free Time
Hotel Haveli Inn Pal Jodhpur
Days 10-12 (September 28-30): UDAIPUR (City of Lakes)
Bicycle rides out and around the city
Cooking Class
Lake tour by boat
Hotel in Udaipur Krishna Niwas, Mahendra Prakash or similar
Day 13 (October 1): Departing Travel TBD by traveler. We recommend flying to Delhi for returns to the US, or continuing to other regions of India for further adventure and discovery. Flights Udaipur to Delhi.
Maximum: 12 people
cost: $3300
Discount $200 (trip total $3100) if deposit paid by 6/1/09
$500 deposit is due by 6/15/09 ($500 deposit is refundable up to: 7/1/09)
total balance due: 8/1/09
cost includes: all housing, 2 meals a day, all transportation, translators, in-country guides, museum entries.
does not include: air fare, spending money, visas, vaccinations, laundry, tips, 3rd meal, beverages (hard and soft), mandatory travel and health insurance.
discounts:
$200 refer-a-friend-discount
For payment through PayPal:
1. login to your PayPal Account
2. select: “Send Money”
3. enter: salaamgarage@gmail.com
4. amount: $500 (deposit) or $2800 (balance) select: “Services/Other”
More Info or Questions? email us
PROJECTS:
Participants will be able to choose from the following projects. All people and organizations mentioned in these projects are ready and willing to collaborate exclusively with SalaamGarage and you to help tell their story. They are looking forward to meeting you. Join us.
1. DURGA, The Self Help Group- Empowerment of rural women
Story of Sita and Gita- Young dynamic rural women, both sisters, married to two brothers. They are the members of the first active Self Help Group that Vatsalya created. Gita is the President of the group. It is named “Durga”. The SHG meets every month. They deposit their money, discusses their plans and problems. They have learned to make semiprecious jewelry and are enjoying the work and making good earnings from it. They are also motivators for other women of villages around. An outlet within Udayan sells their products. Delta is initiating a process of marketing and sale of these products in the US. The increased extra profit will result in creation of a health facility for these women where they would be able to get complete free medical care for their health problems.
Possible Story angle: Visit Sita and Gita and their Families- a day in the life or a personal narrative of Sita and/or Gita. Meet the people they inspire and help. Meet their families, see their craft. Pick one angle.
2. Stories of Children at UDAYAN-
There are 54 Children living at Udayan, here are 3 children’s bios:
a. Aakash- How he was brought to us at the age of 14 months, almost dead with third stage of TB. Recovered after 180 injections, two blood transfusions and intensive care of Udayan staff. Now he is
hale and hearty five year old, most active and naughty.
b. Suraj- He ran away from his home in a village near Achrol after his mother was murdered or committed suicide (he does not know the true story). His father resorted to heavy drinking after that and Suraj was afraid of him and so he ran away. He was barely 4 at that time. Vatsalya found him roaming in woods near Udayan and took him in. he often talks about becoming a policeman so that he can then arrest his uncle who killed his mother. He is nine now and is adjusting well.
c. Shahina- Daughter of a CSW who is one of the brightest star of Udayan…(need to protect he identity)
4. Stories of Staff and Volunteers at UDAYAN-
There are 54 Children living at Udayan. cared for by 12-15 staff and visiting volunteers. The home is in the country, 40 kilometers from the city of Jaipur.
Possible Story Angles: “a day in the life” as experienced by a traveler volunteer, or a staff member. Include anecdotes, success stories, and Ah-Ha moments. Volunteers, staff, and children will be chosen by the traveler. They will share and show how working at Udayan has impacted their lives.
5. Life of a Truck Driver in India, HIV+/-
Vatsalya’s outreach program to educate truck drivers in India about HIV/AIDS care and prevention.
Possible Story Angles: A day with a truck driver who Vatsalya’s outreach workers have worked with.
A case study with a HIV+ trucker