Project Description

1. State the purpose and objectives of this Ministry or Project:
   
   Snehalaya is a social service program which provides residential care and rehabilitation for children at risk in the city of Guwahati. It aims to provide a safe and loving home environment for abandoned, runaway, and orphan children to live in, and offers numerous programs and activities which address the childrens' physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual needs.
   
   
2. Briefly describe the background and present situation of this ministry:
   
   The Snehalaya program began operating on Jan.1st,2001, when Fr.Lukose began staying in a small shed in an area called Dhirenpara, with 8 children who were found in the Guwahati Railway station, homeless and with no place to go. Snehalaya has greatly expanded its program since then and now provides care for about 180 children. It consists of 4 homes for street children and one health clinic for the destitute.
   
   
3. Total number of people involved in this ministry/project now:
   
   346.
   
   This number includes:
   

   # of SLMs:	1	Other US or foreign lay missioners:	0
   Children:	180	Youth:	7
   Adults:	20	Administrative:	4
   Teachers:	9	Local laity:	12
   Local religious:	13

4. What other programs, activities or possible projects are involved in this ministry:
   
   Snehalaya runs a non-formal school for children who are unable to attend the local public schools, and also has a vocational training center where many of the older boys learn useful skills, such as scooter and motor bike repairing, driving, candlemaking, tailoring, etc
   
   
5. Give a brief description of the area in which the lay missioner would be working. Include information such as: rural or urban, income level of area, primary needs of the people in the area, etc.)
   
   Guwahati is definitely an urban location! Its a huge city located in the Assam region of NE India. There are numerous different ethnic tribes living in the area. There is also a significant # of people who are from neighboring countries, living in Guwahati . The city's population includes many poor people, but also those from middle and upper classes. The main language spoken is Assamese.
   
   
6. Are there any special problems or conditions in the area or project which might restrict some applicants: political, health, personnel, etc. Please describe.
   
   At times the political situation in Guwahati can be very tense. There are different militant groups who are active in the area. In particular, the United Liberation Front of Asom (UFLA)seems to cause quite a bit of unrest for the local people.
   
   

Job Description

1. List and describe the major duties to be performed in this ministry or job. Please also include an estimation on the number of hours per day/week you spend on each duty.
   
   Duties will depend on the individual skills of the SLM. Major responsibilities of course include child care, tutoring, assistance with homework, etc. In addition, activities presently include teaching English, arts and crafts, doing moral story telling, group counseling, and massage and physical therapy with some of the children.
   
   Its difficult to estimate the exact time spent on each activity b/c activities vary each day/week. In general the schedule is quite rigorous. Working hours usually begin from about 6:30am and end at 9:30pm with the children, 7 days a week.
   
   
2. What is the missioner's position with regard to other personnel in the ministry or project?
   
   

   Administering or supervising others:	none
   Member of a team:	in 3 out of the 4 childrens' homes
   Working alone:	in 1 (sometimes 2) of the childrens' homes
   Under supervision of:	Fr.Lukose
   Other:

Necessary Qualifications

1. Please indicate below the qualifications or skills considered necessary for performing well in this ministry - i.e. language, special skills, technical training, physical strength, etc.
   
   Knowing Hindi and/or Assamese would be incredibly helpful!
   Teaching skills, creativity, knowledge of childrens' activities/games, etc.
   
   
2. What particular areas of academic preparation or educational certification would be helpful for this work:
   
   a background in counseling, child psychology, youth ministry, etc would be beneficial
   
   
3. Describe the experience that would be helpful for this position:
   
   some prior cross cultural experience would be helpful for this position
   
   
4. Briefly describe the personal and professional qualities most needed in this ministry:
   
   Fr.Lukose has stated that he likes to have volunteers who will take the initiative in starting their own work/activities with the children. Having an open heart and an open mind, flexibility, creativity, and patience, would also be very helpful.
   
   

Any other comments relevant to performing this ministry?

Fr.Lukose/Snehalaya is not able to provide funds for any of the materials, supplies, teaching tools, etc. that the SLM may need for his/her work. It would be helpful to have another source of funding for these items.

Mission Site Living Conditions...

1. Do the SLMs live with the religious members of the community?
   
   Yes
   
   
2. If "No", where do the SLMs live?
   
   N/A
   
   
3. Do the volunteers have their own room or do they share?
   
   Private
   
   
4. Do the volunteers have their own bathroom or do they share?
   
   Private
   
   
5. Is there the opportunity for daily mass/Eucharist?
   
   Yes
   
   
6. What you do for laundry:
   
   I wash my clothes by hand in a bucket
   
   
7. What are the local medical facilities like (where would you go for an infection, broken bone, etc.)?
   
   There are plenty of hospitals and clinics nearby
   
   
8. What does your local diet primarily consist of?
   
   rice, roti, vegetables, chick peas, (chicken and fish are served once a week for non-vegetarians)
   
   
9. Is there an ATM relatively close where you have access to money?
   
   Yes
   
   If "No", what is the preferred method of receiving money?
   
   N/A
   
   
10. What is your involvement with the religious community?
    
    In the Jyoti Snehalaya home where I live, there are 2 nuns as part of the staff and one other local lay person. We work together to take care of the children. I attend daily Mass and spend time with some of the sisters in neighboring communities whenever possible.
    
    
11. What is your involvement with the greater community (local festivals, invited over for meals, dance groups, etc.)?
    
    We sometimes take the children to local festivals, especially during the holidays (both Christian and Hindu holidays). Six of the girls in the Jyoti Snehalaya home perform dances regularly for different occasions. I am also taking an Assamese dance class with the children once a week.
    
    
12. What other things do you feel others should know about "Life at your site"?
    
    At present there are 28 children living in Jyoti Snehalaya, mostly girls, but a few small boys as well. The children range in age from about 4 to 15.