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Kottakarai, Auroville, Tamil Nadu 605111, India
Tel: +91 413 262 3806 Email: [email protected]
www.aurovillebamboocentre.org
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Process and Activity concerning Volunteer and Interns
Introduction
The process of volunteering at Auroville is based on established principles that apply to the whole
community. At the heart of this is “SEVA” and “SADHANA” or, simply expressed in English, “Service”
and “Learning” but there are wider meanings for both terms that are available to all with a little
research especially involving the teachings of “The Mother” and Sri Aurobindo. Please consider
this as part of the Auroville experience.
Before Arrival
All applicants to the Bamboo Centre and Auroville in general need to understand that
engagements with us are based purely on a volunteer basis. There is no provision for payments
whatsoever. All volunteers are required to cover their own costs; for accommodation, food
transport, etc. We reserve the right to make special provision under certain circumstances but this
is at the sole discretion of the Bamboo Centre and is a rare occurrence.
Conditions of Application and Responsibilities
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All volunteers/interns must abide by the general conditions of Auroville and Indian law.
Intern and Volunteer assignments are for agreed terms and on mutually acceptable
conditions. These may be adjusted depending on circumstances.
This is a two-way commitment between the volunteer and Auroville Bamboo Centre but
the relationship can be terminated. In this instant the volunteer is responsible for
ensuring that they make alternate arrangements and that this is advised to the relevant
Auroville authority.
The Bamboo Centre requests all volunteers & interns to apply in writing and in advance. The
Auroville Bamboo Centre processes short-term visitors, who stay less than two months. Longer-term
volunteers & interns are processed along with SAVI and perhaps the Auroville Town Hall services.
People coming for terms over two months are requested to communicate with SAVI – the
Auroville Volunteer Support Group. They provide a range of services and deal with certain types
of registration process. Please go online at www.auroville.org/education/avis/avis.htm
Foreigners must ensure that they have all travel documents and visas correctly processed. We
advise that international visitors have their own travel and medical insurance. Indian Nationals
have no such requirements.
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Accomomodation
We advise that all arrivals ensure that they have arranged suitable accommodation at least for
the initial phase of their stay. The Bamboo Centre has limited basic on-site bamboo cottages for
volunteer accommodation. Please send an inquiry for accommodation if you wish to stay at
Bamboo Centre, as we will have to confirm availability.
Our rates for accommodation at Bamboo Centre:
1 day – 3 months:
• Single hut: 300 Rs. per day / 9000 Rs. per month
• Double hut: 500 Rs. per day / 15000 Rs. per month
3 months upwards:
• Single hut 7500 Rs per month
• Double hut 14000 Rs per month
These rates do not include the mandatory Auroville Guest Contribution (< 2 months
volunteering/interning), or Auroville Volunteer Contribution (>2 months volunteering /interning).
Cooking and gas
Occasional cooking is included in our accommodation prices.
If you cook on a regular base we ask you to contribute 300 Rs per month to our gas bill. If you
cook 3 times a day, or if you stay for a long time and wish to have your own gas bottle we will
provide you with a separate gas bottle which costs 1148 Rs.
Internet / WiFi
Wireless Internet access is included in accommodation prices.
More accommodation options are available at www.aurovilleguesthouses.org
Two very popular guest facilities among volunteers and interns are Mitra Youth Hostel and
International House.
Food at Bamboo Centre
You will have to provide your own food!
You may sign up for our warm lunch (South Indian style) which is provided at the cost of 80 Rs /
Day (480 Rs./week). Lunch is served between 12.30pm and 1.30pm, Monday through Saturday; no
lunch on Sunday. Tea is served free of charge twice a day at 10am and 3pm for all staff,
volunteers/interns and workshop attendees.
There are many more restaurants and kitchens available in Auroville. We strongly advise you to
visit many of them to get a picture of the different cuisines in Auroville.
More information on Auroville
Please contact www.aurovilleguestservice.org for many more information that may be helpful to
you.
You may find it valuable to visit www.auroville.org for more information on the background and
principles of the community. Through the website it is possible to search for things like maps of the
Auroville Community, transport, accommodation and activities available. There is a weekly
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publication on events and activities Auroville News and Notes that may be accessed online and
downloaded.
Upon Arrival
All international guests are required to complete Govt. Of India documents, specifically the “CForm”. This is the responsibility of the guesthouse, if you are staying at the Bamboo Centre this will
be processed on-site. Indian Nationals have no such requirement.
There are other registrations for all volunteers required at either SAVI or the Town Hall depending
on the duration of stay. There are many advantages for longer term volunteers /interns to register
with SAVI as you will be invited to certain events. Please check with them and register with
Financial Services on the ground floor of the Town Hall. This is important as most transactions within
Auroville are done through Financial Service accounts and most places in Auroville do not accept
cash payments. As a volunteer/intern you may apply for an Auroville Guest Card / Aurocard to be
included in the Auroville economy.
Depending on the term of stay there may be other formalities that will be advised.
At commencement of your term at the Bamboo Centre we will do an introduction as follows:
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Specific conditions for the volunteer term will be mutually discussed and understood.
We will provide support and mentoring, evidence of engagement etc.
If feasible you may join one of our scheduled workshops at reduced rates at any time
during your term as volunteer/intern.
Generally there will be weekly meeting collectively with volunteers or individually as
needed with specific appointment for individuals.
General Conditions
Overall Auroville has a series of recommendations concerning behaviour in the community.
Please familiarise yourself with these especially those concerning things like smoking, alcohol and
drug use.
The Bamboo Centre does conform to the general policy of the community and the Indian law
and so we ask all volunteers/interns to behave accordingly with care and discretion.
There are few dress conditions that apply in Auroville except in respect to visits to Matrimandir and
we again ask visitors to understand and conform in this case. Information is available at the Visitors
Centre where all first-time visitors are required to book their fist visit to Matrimandir. We ask that
guests check on suitable dress if they are visiting other areas, temples or govt. offices.
In broad terms Auroville is very safe but it is not entirely free of incidents. The biggest problem for
most concerns road-safety. Poor road conditions, especially in monsoon, and the lack of
experience by visitors with two-wheeled transport inevitably can lead to minor accidents. We ask
all to take special care and to check on emergency phone numbers and the locations for
medical attention. Please see emergency numbers below and confirm them upon arrival.
There are many activities available in of which some are either free of charge or request voluntary
donation. There are also many other areas where fees are payable. Please never assume that
activities are free of charge and check on the conditions. Similarly not all locations support the
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use of Accounts, Credit Cards or even the Auroville Visitors Card. We ask that you check on these
facilities and do not make assumptions.
People and Culture
We have discussed certain policies and customs earlier in this document. For some, India can take
time to come to terms with and understand. This applies just as much to Auroville. We ask visitors to
take the time to explore both the community of Auroville and that of the villages surrounding it as
both contribute to the experience. Please take the opportunities offered by SAVI.
Auroville Bamboo Centre has a sister organisation call Mohanam Cultural Centre in the village of
Sanjeevinagar where our volunteers can spend time to learn about the local village culture.
Summary
The Auroville Bamboo Centre invites you to collaborate with us in the ongoing exploration and
research of the possibilities Bamboo has to offer on a local, national and global scale. This covers
the practical elements of working with bamboo, the cultural elements of working and residing in a
multi-cultural community and the spiritual elements defined by The Mother and Sri Aurobindo.
Emergency numbers & other important contact information
These are some important numbers as of 01/12/14. They may change, so please confirm them
upon arrival, they are published in the News & Notes weekly bulletin.
Auroville Ambulance: 9442224680
Auroville Security: Please call Ramesh.V at 9443090107/9443362691
Free allopathic medical treatment by Dr. Amarnath in Arati One. Tel.: (0413) 262 24 92;
email: [email protected]
Integral Health: Classical homeopathy, hypnotherapy, midwifery, counselling, Shiatsu, energy
work / [email protected] - (0413) 2623669 / Mon-Sat 9 am - 5 pm, preferably on
appointment.
Kailash Clinic, Kailash: Call (0413) 2622803 for an appointment during morning hours from 8.30am
to 12.30pm
Puncture service, service area: next to gas bottle service, opposite road service; Monday to
Saturday 9am to 4 30pm; phone (0413) 2622741, cell 9442891235.
Savi: facilitates voluntary services and internships in Units & activities of Auroville; clarifying your
needs of long term volunteers, helping with visa, and following-up these external resources to
make their stay mutually beneficial. Opening hours in Unity Pavilion for visits, waiver forms signing
and welcome Monday to Friday 10 12am. Phone (0413) 262 2121 – email: [email protected]
Women's Helpline - For women needing assistance after an incident of violence on Auroville
roads. Please call (0413) 262 2425 (mornings) or [email protected]