Southern India September 2023 – This trip is full!

The cost of this trip for each volunteer is a tax deductible donation of $865.00 to Global First Responder.  Volunteers are also responsible for purchasing their international airfare.

About the trip: Join Global First Responder in Southern India to provide medical and dental care, education at nursing schools, health education, and clean water to remote villages in Southern India. During the trip, you will travel by plane, train, and automobile to reach villages that GFR has worked with on past trips where we will continue to provide sustainable improvements for clean water, using water purification systems built by locals and installed by the GFR team. The team will provide education for nursing students at a nursing school while conducting high quality patient care during the day. A highlight of the trip will be the overnight train ride to Hyderabad!

Sustainability: With your help, GFR provides health education to all patients.  GFR also takes pride in providing infrastructure in the places where we work.  In Southern India, we have an on-going project to provide water purification systems.  These systems are sourced locally with funds provided by GFR and are installed in a permanent structure on land donated by the village during the trip.  Your team will have the opportunity to see a water system in action and to see the start another water purification project!

Arrivals and Departures: Please arrive in Bangalore (Bangaluru, airport code BLR) on or before September 1, 2023 . The trip officially starts on September 2  (early morning) with travel to Puttaparthi, where you will base for the next few days.  September 3 is a prep day to get everything ready for a successful week. Clinics will be held from September 4 – September 8.  Clinics on September 4 – 6 will be in remote villages near Puttaparthi.  On September 6, you will overnight on a fabulous train ride from Puttaparthi to Hyderabad, where your team will now work closer to the city.  After your train arrives in Hyderabad, you will hold an afternoon clinic at a nursing home that you will find to be very rewarding.  You will have one more day of clinic on September 8 in this area.  Your team will also visit and provide education for a nursing school during the trip.  The trip will end in Hyderabad (airport code HYD) on September 9.  If you have a late flight on September 9, a city tour will complete your trip in the morning before you head for the airport or for additional sightseeing.  Please see the “After the trip” section for some ideas to extend your trip!

What’s Included: This trip includes lodging, transportation, snacks, water, breakfast and lunch from September 1 – September 8, and breakfast on September 9.  GFR will cover the funds for all supplies required for clinic and special projects.   There will be many welcome ceremonies as you arrive in the villages before clinic and a special ceremony at one of the completed water purification plants that GFR.  You will also see the start of additional water treatment projects.

What’s Not Included: Your international airfare, pre/post trip travel costs and expenses, and dinners are not included in the cost of your trip. Dinners on your own will give you the opportunity to go out in the evening with new and old friends while exploring the cities and villages you are working in.

Cost: The cost of this amazing trip is $865.00 per person plus airfare.  You are responsible for purchasing airfare that meets the required arrival and departure times.  We highly suggest arriving on September 1 to ensure you don’t miss connections or the departure of the team from Bangalore to Puttaparthi on the morning of September 2.  We always suggest giving yourself extra time for delayed or cancelled flights and that you purchase trip insurance from a reputable carrier.  This trip is tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.  You or your donors will receive a tax receipt upon making your donation.

How is your cost calculated?: At Global First Responder we strive to keep your costs low and our quality high.   We value your participation and willingness to volunteer your time and expertise. Everyone at Global First Responder is also a volunteer, donating their time to administrative tasks and paying their own way to participate in medical and construction missions around the world and here at home.  The fee you pay covers the actual cost of your expenses in country including lodging, transportation, meals, and translator fees and basic expenses.  At GFR, no one is paid a salary and everyone is a passionate volunteer, doing our part to help drive our mission of “One World, One Family”.

After the trip: India is. yours from Hyderabad!  Consider a beach vacation in Goa, seeing the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort in Agra (near Delhi), or even going on a tiger safari in Ranthambore!

Click here to apply for this trip: I WANT TO JOIN GFR IN SOUTHERN INDIA!

If this is your first time applying in our new application system, please create a login and password.  You may use this login and password for all future trips you apply for (and we hope to see you on LOTS of GFR trips!!)

ITINERARY

The dates of this trip are EXCLUSIVE OF TRAVEL!  You will need to arrive in Bangalore, India (airport code BLR) no later than early morning on September 2.  We highly recommend that you plan to arrive on September 1 in case of missed connections. The trip officially starts on the morning of September 2 – costs on September 1 are “on your own”.  The trip officially ends late afternoon on September 9 with arrival at the airport.  Please do not book flights earlier than 4pm to ensure you do not have a missed connection and can enjoy the sightseeing planned for the morning of September 9.  If you need to leave early, we will help you with the arrangements to catch your flight.  Thank you.

September 2, 2023 (Saturday): Travel from Bangalore to Puttaparthi.  The team will depart for Puttaparthi by bus from the international arrivals terminal at the airport at 8AM.  You will do some wonderful sightseeing along the way.  Breakfast and lunch is included.  You will get settled in your hotel and have dinner on your own.  You will be staying 2 nights here  

September 3, 2023 (Sunday):  Bonthapalli. Today is a preparation day for the team.  You will help organize supplies, the pharmacy, and get to know your teammates! Breakfast and lunch is included, dinner is on your own.

September 4, 2023 (Monday): Kothakota.  Kothakota is a very remote village in great need of medical care. Be ready to work!

Tonight you will have the rare opportunity to sleep in the village of KOTHAKOTA.  Mattresses will be provided for you along with towels, bedding and pillows.  Air coolers will run on a generator for your comfort and to ensure you are ready for a big clinic day tomorrow in a very remote location.  You will find this to be a spectacular night!  We strongly recommend packing a small overnight bag with what you will need for the night and the next day.  All other bags will be secured at the hotel in Puttaparthi.  Showers will be by bucket – enjoy the solitude, cool water, and the beautiful night or morning air.  If you have never done this before, you will now!

September 5, 2023 (Tuesday): Thanda. You will travel directly to this village for a full day of clinic.  After clinic, you will have a cultural celebration with traditional dressing, lamps, and folk songs.  The team will have the option to dress up with the villagers and participate in the celebrations – and we hope. you do!!   There will be fire crackers, a Stick Dance in your honor, and amazing food for dinner.  GFR will provide breakfast and lunch. 

September 6, 2023 (Wednesday):  Mylasamudram.   GFR has an established history here and also placed a large, permanent water purification system for the village.  You will have a full day of clinic and will also tour the water purification system.  Your team will have the honor of dedicating this water purification to the memory and impact of Bruce Beckett, GFR’s Chief Council and a friend to all.  After clinic you will return to Puttaparthi to shower and get ready for the next special event!

Tonight you will take the overnight train from Puttaparthi to Hyderabad.  The train is very comfortable with solo sleeping compartments.  You will be amazed watching the attendants turn the train from awake to sleeping in about 15 minutes!  The rails will lull you to sleep!  We highly recommend a small overnight bag inside the train and your large bag in the baggage compartment.  Your arrival time is 5:30 AM and you will transfer directly to the hotel to freshen up before getting a late start for clinic.

September 7, 2023 (Thursday):  Hyderabad.  After freshening up and exploring your new dogs, your team will hold a half day clinic at the PP Reddy Old Age Home, about 30 minutes away.   Breakfast and lunch is included with dinner on your own.  The team will stay in Hitech City. 

September 8, 2023 (Friday): Lambadi. Today is your last day of clinic!  You will travel about 1 hour to provide medical care here.  This evening we have planned a dinner at a beautiful palace built by Nijam Kings.  Breakfast and lunch is provided; dinner is on your own but the arrangements have been made for you.

September 9, 2023 (Saturday): Departure Day.  Prior to heading to the airport, you will take the morning to tour Golkonda Fort and take a city tour of Hyderabad.   Take some time to say goodbye and we thank you for your time, skill, effort, and sense of humor!