Through our Nepali partner, Binod Rai, Youthlinc was able to send a Global Community Leadership team to India in summer 2023 in partnership with Utah State University. This gave us the opportunity to evaluate some communities in India as an option for the Service Year. Jessica Roueche, Director of Youthlinc’s Global Community Leadership program, was able to do an in-depth site visit at Chisang to prepare for a Service Year team working there in 2024. Jessica was able to evaluate project potential, safety, accommodation, meals, excursions, and entering into a sustainable & mutually beneficial partnership with the local communities. The program will collaborate with Insight Himalaya and Waves For Water India with Binod Rai and Panu Lucksom as the primary in-country coordinators.
Leadership Development
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9-month leadership development program with integrated local service component
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Youthlinc’s mission is to transform volunteers into lifetime humanitarians, which takes time and effort- we are not a “pay-and-go” program
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Twenty five years of proven curriculum and data show that our program truly changes and improves our volunteers & communities abroad
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Connect and build friendships with your team for 9 months prior to travel
Projects
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Work with Waves For Water India, an organization dedicated to providing portable water filter systems across rural villages in India
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Projects relate to community health, business & vocational skills, ecological improvements, construction, cultural exchange, and education
What's Included?
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We are a Utah-based program. Round-trip international airfare is included from Salt Lake City. Minors will never be asked to fly alone to another city to meet their team for the first time.
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All meals, accommodation, transportation, & clean water
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Excursion to Taj Mahal and trekking near Bhutan border
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Travel insurance, medical professional travels with team, 1:3 ratio of adult:students
Requirements
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80 Hours of Local Service
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Monthly Team Meeting Attendance
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Engaged in Project Planning
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Engaged in Project Fundraising
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Uphold the Youthlinc Code of Conduct
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Passport (valid for 6 months after trip)
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India Tourism Visa
Read about our 2024 projects
Meet Our In-Country Coordinator
Panu Lucksom- Waves for Water India
I have been a Senior Trekking Leader and Safari and Fishing Camp Manager for Insight Himalaya Treks, Nepal, for almost 30 years. Since 2016, I am the Country Director for Waters for Water. Additionally, I work part-time as an Audio Engineer (Mix & Master) and have previously worked as a Video Post Production Engineer for Hyssop Audio Visual Studios, Kalimpong.
I love to travel and meet people from different backgrounds. India, with its diverse ethnicity and culture, has always fascinated me. No matter where I’ve been—from India to Bangladesh to Indonesia—despite the differences in culture, ethnicity, and geography, the challenges people face are often similar. Seeing the smiles and receiving the blessings from those we have helped is my motivation and constantly drives me forward, deepening my love for what I do.
Through our In-Country Coordinator from Nepal, Panu and Waves for Water India were introduced to Youthlinc in 2022. Since then, they have been a key element to making Service Year and Global Community Leadership a possibility. Panu and Waves for Water partner with Youthlinc to support the community and create opportunities for participants to understand the local culture, develop learning strategies, and explore how the partnership can be mutually beneficial.
Waves for Water Mision: Access to clean water for anyone who needs it.
Meet the Team Leaders
Team Leader (TL)
Nicole Carter (She/Her)
I am excited to work with my team to create a amazing experience in our local community and in India. I am organized, hard-working, and love adventure.
Outside of Youthlinc I love to read, travel, scuba dive, go to the theatre and spend time with my family.
Email: Nicole.c@youthlinc.org
Assistant Team Leader (ATL)
Izzy Larson (She/Her)
I have been to Cambodia and Peru twice, with Youthlinc and I'm excited to be returning again to travel to India as an ATL. I am so excited go get to know our team, and to work together to grow and create a strong team bond, and to watch myself and our team grow together and as individuals.
Email: Izzy.l@youthlinc.org
Basic Itinerary
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Depart SLC
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Travel Day
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Arrive in Delhi
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Opening Ceremonies in Chisang
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Projects and Cultural Exchange
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Projects and Cultural Exchange
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Projects and Cultural Exchange
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Projects and Cultural Exchange
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Projects and Cultural Exchange
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Closing Ceremonies
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Transfer from Silguri to Delhi
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Taj Mahal
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Agra Fort
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Depart Delhi and Arrive back to SLC