  Jane Fairhurst
My volunteer experience started a year before I arrived in India and at the Mango House. I made a life changing decision, which was to get off the wheel of work and take 6 months out to travel. I had never done the travelling thing when I was younger and at the bright age of 38 I went through all the normal things – “Am I too old” “What about my career” anyway I then decided that I wanted to do some volunteer work for part of my trip. I searched many sites and researched lots of different charities. I then found Children Walking Tall! It sounded just what I wanted.
One year on I arrived in India ready to start my 3 months volunteer work at the Mango House. I am somewhat of a girl who needs a list and everything organised so I was very worried that I had nowhere to live and no idea where the Mango House was. Within 12 hours I had rented a house and sorted out transport to get me around. Everything was so easy and all the locals were so friendly and helpful. I knew immediately I was going to love India and I had not even arrived at the Mango House.
My first day – I was overwhelmed by the children. They were so happy, loving and full of fun. There was only one other volunteer at that time and she showed me the ropes. My immediate reaction was that I would never remember what the children’s names were or what needed to be done and in what order. The Mango House is run like a big family and is extremely relaxed. This was exactly what I had wanted. The full time staff are so involved with the children and their families and very soon I also felt I was a big part of this.
During my three months I was lucky enough to be part of local festivals, beach trips and visits to the park. The children made all of these experiences, ones that I will never ever forget. The motto of the Mango House is to give the children a childhood worth remembering. I know that is what the Mango House is achieving and I feel I was completely part of that.
Every day I arrived at the house it did not matter how hot it was I could not wait to see the children. I could not believe how attached I had become to them all. As a volunteer you have to just get stuck in. I found myself in the first few weeks taking on a role of nurse!!!!! I am not sure if it was because I gave out plasters too easily (the children live in such deprivation but they love a plaster). At first I was shocked at some of the things I was doing, but Robert was always at hand when I was unsure or just to give the extra bit of confidence you sometimes need. One of the boys had a sore, which had got infected and for 3 months we cleaned it and bandaged it. On my last day at the Mango House we had managed to get rid of the infection and it did not need to be bandaged or treated. That will stay with me for life as I think I made a difference!
After the Mango House was the second family I had met. That was my fellow volunteers and the full time staff. We all had a ball!!!! We had weekends away, trips to the market even a night at the Go Karting. I never thought that I would meet people who would become lifelong friends. The experience is one which you share and the bond is amazing.
It is so hard to put in words what my time has been like, but it does not matter how old you are or what walk of life you come from. The Mango House has space for everyone. The children are just the most amazing kids I have ever met and there smiles never seem to fade.
If you are looking at the site and thinking about volunteering JUST DO IT!!! In my experience there is nothing you will ever regret.
Jane (Hoping to be back for a visit very soon)
 Meiling Voon
I worked at the Mango House from June 2008 to April 2009 which was one of the best experiences of my two-year stay in Goa. Working with the kids was a great way to get up close with a community that took you in unconditionally into their lives, and at the same time, an opportunity ‘to give something back’ to the country where I lived. But more than all that, it was so much fun getting to know the kids which made the whole experience so rewarding and uplifting.
I had been living in Goa with my family, enjoying the sun, sea and sand and the hospitality of the Goan people, but the last few months volunteering at Children Walking Tall added a totally different dimension to my life there. Although a little daunting when I first arrived at Mango House, not having ever worked with children before, the warmth and trust of the children and their lack of inhibition quickly made me feel at home in their company and made it easy and fun to work with them.
The challenge is coming up with interesting, fun activities that will keep the kids engaged, so if you haven’t worked with children, you have to put on your ‘Blue Peter’ or ‘Play School’ hat on sometimes and come up with imaginative, creative ideas. But at the end of the day, you can always pile into the van and head for the beach, or put on some Bollywood songs and get them gyrating their hips, both of which are a blast.
I would highly recommend taking some time out of your ‘normal’ life and heading for The Mango House. I learned so much from the kids, most importantly, that you can’t take anything for granted. These amazing kids find joy in everything they do and make the most of what they have, which isn’t very much. I have wonderful memories of volunteering at the Mango House.
 Rakhee Raval
I arrived in India in April this year after travelling to Australia and Hong Kong. After a month of exploring India I headed to Goa with my mum to work at Mango House.
We received such a warm welcome when we walked through to the dining area from all the kids and the volunteers, it was lunch time when we arrived. I knew in the first 2 minutes i was there that this was going to be an unforgettable amazing experience.
The kids were just so full of life, so happy and always smiling. They instantly grabbed my hand and led me to the play area outside so I could push them on the rope swings and jump with them on the trampoline.
The kids were on Summer holiday so in the mornings we would teach the younger ones the alphabet and numbers, the older kids would learn their times tables. After lunch we would have reading time, play cards or play outside. Once a week we de-lice the kids.
The staff at Mango House are so lovely and helpful. The whole environment there is just incredible. I was so sad to leave but I will definitely be making a return visit.
It was such a pleasure to get to know these amazing children. They have honestly changed my life, they are so resilient and strong, I learnt a lot from them. These kids will be in my heart & prayers forever.
  Casey Deng
On the very first day at Children Walking Tall, I dumped my backpack in the office, hopped onto the back of Rob’s motorbike, whilst squeezing him tightly, rode to one of the areas where the children live, and sat happily singing the ABC’s loudly, all the whilst my hand was a canvas for one of the girls who was gleefully in Mendhi mode.
As the days passed (quickly), you learnt the happiness of paint and glitter. You learnt the delight of hearing the letter B after the letter A, or the sweetness of a little hand pulling yours. You learnt which girl was shy (and made secret plans to make them talk more), learnt which girl was afraid of the water (and made sure to also scream loudly upon a big wave approaching). What I am saying is that throughout the 3 months, you are able to slowly ‘know’ each boy and girl individually, and that process is what will make your experience fantastic.
It is so often said, you get what you put in. The ingredient of a great time in Children Walking Tall is simple. To really care (and once meeting these children you will not be able to help yourself). The rest you will figure out along the way. Sometimes a person comes into your life and changes it. Sometimes it is reading a great book. Sitting back home in Australia, I have come to realize that Children Walking Tall is like one of those rare gems, and that you are eternally grateful to have stumbled upon.
Children Walking Tall is like a colouring book, in which you will need to decide what colours you want to fill it up with. Fill it with your favourite.
My advice to future volunteers is to think about what you know, what your own passions are, and share it with the kids. That is the best way to ensure both of you will have a good time. Children walking tall are a million things that words can barely describe (though I have tried), but above all things it is a happy and safe place for these children to develop and grow in. Thus there is a responsibility for all volunteers to also give as much as they can, because it really is a privilege to share in these kids’ lives.
If you want a cup that is overfilling with organic healthy juice type of experience, if you like to put your hands to yours wrists not to just gage that you are alive, but to actually feel like to be living, if you like games and can throw your head back in laughter, then Children Walking Tall will be perfect for you.
A big thank you to Rob and the ALL staff and their smiles, I bow down to all the hard work that you all put in, for staying with the children day in and day out.
 Kiren Sahota
I went to work with CWT back in April of this year, and can honestly say that it has been one of the best things I have ever done! After my medical degree I had some time to carry out an elective. I wasn’t too keen to do the same old hospital work so I decided to look into something a bit different. It sounds a bit corny but it was actually after watching Slumdog Millionaire that I thought about going to India to do some work. So thanks to Google I found quite a few charities which involved working with children from slums, and after surfing the pages of the CWT website I knew that Children Walking Tall was the place for me.
To be honest my first day is a bit of a blur, however the main thing I do remember is the energy and exuberance that exuded from Mango House. As I walked up to the gate I had children from the veranda and the tree house waving with their big gorgeous smiles and shouting their Hellos from where they were - Really a beautiful moment. After a quick whistle stop tour of Mango House and a quick intro to the rest of the amazing team the day’s activities began.
The kids were all on holiday while I was at CWT, which was great as I was able to get to know all of them really well! Even though there is kind of routine which is followed, nothing too militant, everyday is completely different and you will inevitably get home after the day feeling knackered…but in a very good way!
Being a medic I was involved with the day to day activities such as the arts and crafts, playing on the trampoline (great fun!), reading time, but was also involved with some of the medical problems that arose. These ranged from the normal scrapes and playground injuries to scabies, infected wounds, and on several occasions having to take kids to the dentist and hospital. One of the things I really loved doing was going down to the two slums in the mornings and patching up some of the other kids who didn’t come up to Mango House. Once the floor mat was unrolled and the medical supplies were out, children and parents all huddled around awaiting medical care. Just being able to do something so small such as cleaning and dressing a wound and seeing the difference it made to these children was so rewarding. Furthermore, the honour I felt when these kids would invite me into their modest shacks and show me where they slept and introduced me to their parents is something I can’t really describe.
If you are thinking about working for Children Walking Tall then congratulations, you are thinking about embarking on something that will be an experience that you will never forget. CWT is a charity that actually achieves and does everything it says it strives to do. It is hard work and in the heat it can become difficult, but it is nothing that an ice cold Limca won’t sort out. The children, their energy and the enthusiasm of everyone else at Mango House will make you want to do the best you can for the charity. My experiences at CWT have really changed me and my perspective on the job I do. The privilege of working with the children, Rob and the rest of the team is something that I am grateful that I have had. The kids will melt your hearts and teach you things that a textbook or any other life experience won’t. You will return home with a bond to them, fondly recalling your memories of them and how they have touched your life. I have been home for three months now and I often find myself thinking about the children and my time in India. I am looking forward to when I can return to Mango House, to rekindle my friendships and see how the children have progressed. Rob and the rest of the team…thank you so much for allowing me to work with you and for all you do for these wonderful children. You are truly inspirational people and are doing a fantastic job!
Kiren
 Ben
After finishing university my next plan was to travel and volunteer, without paying some middle man to put more fuel in his Merc or get a new suit. After some trawling on the internet Mango House appeared on the horizon, nice one I thought. So before I knew it I was on the way to India, the charity and cause being the main attraction after previously having no real desire to visit the country.
I
arrived in early April in Goa, after 15 days across the country from Delhi, it was hot! I was tired, a bit grumpy and feeling sick and probably sun burnt. However seeing some small curious faces, big smiles and hearing loud hello’s and after a warm welcome from Rob and his team, my anticipation and determination to start work really sank in.
Next morning was (as I hoped it would be) straight down the slums to help with slum school. I didn’t have a clue and slightly dazed I seemed to keep just wondering hands out the slum box of childish delights. But this first contact with the kids directly was what I needed to get an idea how I could help, under stand how important the work of cwt is to their general well being.
In the week I started at Mango House I was the newest of nine volunteers. This I found tough as there were plenty of people covering all of the jobs that needed to be done and the kids were constantly supervised by experienced volunteers, so for the first week I was a little lost. As time continued to pass and volunteers left and arrived (although mainly left) I felt really in the middle of something very special. The work I was doing inside the house with the kids outside in the garden and down in the slums took on a new relevance for me.
I was lucky enough to be a the Mango house during the children’s summer holiday so all the kids would be at the house from 8am to 5pm and it gave a great opportunity to spend lots of time with the kids no matter what other jobs had to be done. This time was also filled with trips to the beach with both kids from the slums who don’t go to mango house and the kids that do. The noise of singing the latest gossip about volunteers or staff on the way to the beach would be replaced by the sound of children and volunteers sleeping on the way back, not knowing who tired who out.
I was fortunate enough to get to Mayem boating lake (only just! keeping up with Ali on the moped and not choking on the dust was a personal highlight) the Navel air museum and a children’s playpark in Panjim combined amazing Chev/Bel Puri. Stunning food, happy days. As it became cloudy and the first drops of rain of the monsoon arrived in June, several volunteers left and with Rob having a well earned rest in the UK it was a different scene to what I had known from those first weeks at mango house. Dust replaced by muddy puddles and drips of rain down your face was at first a nice change from the heat however the conditions of the slums and where particular families lived greatly detereated. It was during this time I was lucky enough to visit the local schools handing out donations such as pencils, shoes and clothes to other children in extreme poverty in mapuca.
With the children back at school the structure of the day was different with the youngest of the children arriving at the mango house in the morning, and elder in time for dinner in the afternoon. With the minor licence problems leaving the mango house quite, days were spent split between mango house and the slums, spending mornings organising meals for the children to take in plastic bags then later plastic tubs. Lessons and homework help continued in the slums for several hours before fruit time and squeezing in a quick kick about. These final weeks spending several hours in the slums on a daily basis gave me the greatest insight I could have asked for into the real conditions the children live in and how particularly bad they can be especially during the monsoon. While at mango house in clean clothes and after a shower you can be fooled into thinking that these kids are from solid back grounds, their politeness and happiness doesn’t tell their true stories.
It was a privilege to have the time and opportunity to work with these kids who are living in circumstances that are unacceptable in western culture yet all too common in many parts of the world. What mango house provides is a key service to the children of a community that would usually be ignored. The fun, safety and love that mango house offer the children makes an inconceivable amount of difference to the children’s life. To have been a small part in that was a great pleasure and something that is totally unforgettable. I have all the intentions to return to mango house in future as the bonds and fondness’s that grows for the children is not something that you leave in India.
 Lucy Hunt
Working for children walking tall has been a life changing experience. As a newly qualified doctor I came to Mango House for my medical elective. I chose the charity as I decided to have sometime outside of the hospital environment that I will spend the rest of my career in. I would certainly recommend the charity to other health professionals who want a mix of healthcare work and time spent looking after and playing with children!
We visited the slums on a regular basis armed with a first aid kit. We would set up a mini –clinic with a floor mat and soon we would be surrounded by lots of children shouting ‘hello!’ and pointing at cuts and bruises. We would spend a few hours dealing with wounds and identifying sick children who needed hospital care. I was amazed by how the heat and living conditions could change simple things like insect bites into huge infected unrecognisable wounds!
In terms of general volunteering, children walking tall is an excellent experience for anyone who wants to have a sense of changing lives for the better and also having a great time. Working at the charity is both physically and mentally demanding and volunteers need to be prepared for hard work.
I was so sad to say goodbye to everyone at Mango House and can’t wait to visit again- hopefully armed with more knowledge of tropical medicine so I can be of more help!
 Lisa and Beya
Why volunteer for CWT?
If you have passion and commitment for helping others especially kids, if you want to try and make a difference , however small it may feel, if you want a life changing experience in a great environment and you want to bring your kids along then CWT could be the place for you..
Beya and I, (Beya is my 6 year old daughter, she was 5 when we arrived and had the chance to celebrate her 6 Birthday at CWT) arrived at CWT after a really long journey, and were taken straight away to the slums, after all there's nothing like getting thrown in at the deep end. My initial impression and that of Beya's was of how cute and friendly all the kids were, even if there living conditions are less then desirable. They were all really curious to see a chubby little white girl in there village, lucky for her the novelty soon wore of and Beya was accepted like any other child.
My experience was more than likely a little different from other volunteers as not only did I want to do my best for CWT, but I also had to keep an eye on Beya . I'll be honest at first it was quite hard to juggle the two, after all it was a huge social change for anyone to come and work at CWT let alone a small child. I'd travelled in India before with Beya, but this is something very different. I was lucky though, there were some great staff and volunteers who were more then willing to hang out with Beya and let her be treated like the rest of the kids. We both bonded really well with the kids, she's made friends for life and learnt a great deal about different ways of life she even had a crush on Sunil.
My time with CWT has changed my outlook on many things and allowed me to develop in ways that I never new were possible. I think being a mother and seeing other peoples kids living without sanitation, not being able to go to school, being forced to work etc really gives you a kick that so many of us need. It's a shame that more people don't volunteer.
These kids will melt your hearts, they did mine. It was great hanging out with them, teaching them and being taught by them. So many things happened whilst I was there, but some of the highlights are these, Ganesh learning to read new words, giving all of the younger kids work books and them seeing them as a gift and not a punishment, (school time can some times be hard, they get bored so invent some cool stuff) managing to get all of the boys involved in the same game and them loving it. These boys love football, so when it's free time they generally want to play football, the list goes on. Birthdays are great at the end of the month; all the kids are great dancers.
Working in slum school and seeing the dedication of some of the kids and the results. The most amazing thing though was getting to work every morning with Beya on the back on the bike and being greeted by a massive group of kids. Hearing their laughs and seeing their smiles is like nothing else on earth. As you can imagine I cried like a baby when I left, because I felt a large piece of me there.
If you’re not interested in getting “down and dirty” and really stuck in then it's best if you stay at home or go to another charity. These kids deserve your time and commitment 100%, anything less and you’re not only letting yourself down but most importantly the kids. They already have to deal with situations that we can only dream about, they don't need time wasters being around them in there safe haven.
It's only since I left that I could truly appreciate what Rob and the other members of staff have achieved. I take my hat of to Ali as he is one of the most dedicated men I have ever met in my life. It's not easy doing what they do day in day out. Rob you know I'll be back. We miss you all.
 Ester Denesova
What an experience!
I worked with CWT for 3 months and loved every minute of it!
When I first arrived at the Mango House, I was positive, I would never learn the names of all the children. I started to remember their names by the clothes they wore. When I was satisfied, remembering most of them, they've got a new set of clothes and I was lost again :-) The children are so loving, generous, kind who in spite of poverty, poor health and lack of education have the biggest smiles on their faces, children who are grateful for what they've got and eager to learn new things. The most amazing feeling of satisfaction was when the children learn and you watch them develop. I was on the top of the world, when I taught maths and boys, who could not do even small numbers at the beginning were able to do pluses and minuses and were so eager to learn more ...
My favourite time at the charity was lunch time, not only because Saroja is the best cook, but to see the little one's coming for more and more food, with plates bigger then themselves and knowing it's probably all they will get to eat that day...it was great feeling to know, that the charity provides nutritious food and they go home with full bellies.
Every evening I'd go home on the bus (which was an experience on it's own:) and be smiling to myself at the fantastic day I'd had.
It's not only the children who made my stay so memorable, but also the fellow volunteers & wonderful friends I have made and I can't fail to mention the staff – Ali who works incredibly hard and for me is the richest man in Goa, riches in his heart, Savita, without her, I would be still on the toilet, trying to tighten my sari, Saroja, who is not only the best cook, but also the warmest, most loving person ....., Trupti, who kindly remind me every day, that my face is in bad condition after partying too much and who loves my “art” :), Heena, Namita, Jasmine all bringing smiles to the children faces .... and of course the biggest thank you goes to Robert, for the great work I am so happy I could be a part of.
 Claire Murray
Walking into the bright blue 'Mango House' for the first time and hearing the purity and happiness in the children's giggles was enough to tell me i was in the right place. I was welcomed with open arms by the staff and volunteers and treated like an old friend by the children. Never in my life had i been in such a non-judgmental authentically real place filled with so much love. Before going to Children Walking Tall i was constantly thinking 'what can i offer these children and the charity?' But to my surprise it was the children who taught me! They taught about resilience, faith, and gratitude. They taught me that happiness is free, all you need is to love and to be loved. Working with children was very tiring as they have incredible energy but you soon learn to adapt and it is well worth the intial tiredness! Being a nurse, i was able to help to deal with many of the children's health ailments. Initially i felt out of my depth as i had no prior experience with paediatric nursing or tropical medicine. However within one week i felt confident with many of the more complex dermatological/general illnesses presented to me. I spent three months at the centre, and i think it is really importnat to stay for a minimum of three months as it provides continuity to the children and also gives you as a volunteer a chance to adapt and embrace the fabulous indian culture.
One of the proudest days of my life was seeing the children running into the house after their first day back at school, all dressed in their uniforms. It is the simple things out of the whole experience that made it all so incredibly life changing. It was these beautiful children who taught me about love and gave me hope for a better way. I would reccommend this challenging yet highly rewarding experience to everyone.
Claire
 Paul Thorn
'I spent three months at the Mango House a year ago (2008), and have just been lucky enough to go back for another month. It was wonderful to see all the children again. A few have moved on (or sadly been sent to go out to work by their families), but most of the gang are still there, and there were many new kids to get to know. I didn't really know how much they would remember me (a year is a long time to young kids after all), and was really pleased when they all ran up to say hello and give me a hug as I arrived.
It was school holiday time and the kids were very exited, and took it was a lot of effort keeping them entertained. We had trips to the beach and the playground, as well as all sorts of fun and games. I thoroughly enjoyed my time back with Children Walking Tall.
The place is much the same, except for the amazing new treehouse and play area that has sprung up since I left. Otherwise the good work continues with staff and volunteers working hard and having fun. I miss the kids so much now I'm back in the UK again, but I'm so glad I went back, and hope to help again in the future.
Paul
 Lindsay McGinn
I came to volunteer at Mango House (MH) after a month long yoga course in Arambol. The contrast between the quiet, serene, introspective environment of the yoga retreat to the exuberant, hyper activity of the MH was shocking at first. But I quickly fell in love with the kids and into the daily routine, which makes MH work. Because there were so many volunteers at MH while I was there, we developed a rotation and worked in teams of two on a schedule of shifts. This meant that two or three times a week we would arrive early to teach slum school and a few times a week we’d have a morning off and then stay till the end of the day to clean the bathrooms and distribute fruit in the slums.
My experience at MH was a very positive one. My boyfriend Matt and I have travelled a lot in the last few years and our trip to India ranks as our best to date. India can be a frustrating place to travel in. But spending three months in one place really allows you to get to know it better, get used to the buses and the crowds, the noise and the people. Staying on the beach in Anjuna allowed us to enjoy a slow pace of life, that we are still missing, months after returning home!
Mostly it was our time at MH that made our trip so memorable. In a purely selfish way it is a wonderful feeling to be busy each day working and helping the children. It makes you appreciate your time off that much more when you come home tired but happy at the end of the day. The first Kingfisher of the evening tastes that much better.
I can’t say enough about the children at MH. They are sweet, happy, playful, smart, talented and sometimes a little naughty. They are eager to learn and play and quick to smile and laugh. Tears and harsh words are infrequent occurrences at MH. The kids are so tough and often quite stoic in the face of nasty cuts, bruises and infections. It’s quite inspirational. Knowing where these kids come from, and how difficult life in the slum must be, watching these kids triumph in the face of adversity is extraordinary and makes all our problems seem trivial in comparison.
I couldn’t recommend this experience more. I hope you enjoy your time at MH as much as I did.
Lindsay
 Jennifer Buchan
I visited The Mango House in December while on holiday and fell in love with it and decided I wanted to come back as a volunteer. There was a cancellation and a vacancy for Jan-March 09 so as soon as i returned to the UK i applied for my CRB. I already had a visa for the country which was due to expire in May so everything was all a little last minute and at the time a little unrealistic! Fear not... I got my CRB, booked my tickets and arrived back to Goa on the 2nd February. The first morning I felt ill with worry - i'd never worked with Children before and started to panic about what was ahead of me. When I arrived at the Mango House I was greeted by one of the Children who ran to the gate and took my hand and bounced up to the house with this amazing smile and full of energy and suddenly I felt at ease. There were only 4 volunteers when I arrived and was relieved to discover they were all new to this as well and we were going to be together for the full 3 months.
Things were manic and I realised you just had to get stuck in and go with the flow. By the end of my first week I felt like part of a huge family, the staff and the children really were amazing. The first couple of weeks were very emotional; I went to the slums some mornings when the children were being collected and was shocked to see their living conditions. But what surprised me was how happy the children were; the Mango House provides an escape for them and allows them to be children!
The reason I volunteered was because I thought I could perhaps make a difference to a child’s life. I can't really put into words what I have experienced, I have been challenged physically, mentally & emotionally over the 3 months and I have come back and realised that the children have had more of an impact on my life than I have on theirs!!
I’ve seen a huge improvement in some of the children and identified that there are some who need more help and support than others. Some of the small children couldn't even hold a piece of chalk and by the end of my trip most of them could write their name... the feeling and buzz that came from this was amazing! The children need structure and routine and I think as a volunteer you need to go in there knowing that you have "something" you can teach the children whether it be something as simple as riding a bike, doing a headstand or baking a cake!
The children are very independent and unique individuals and you almost need to adapt to their way of life, their living conditions are a million miles away from the conditions we live in and although this is very hard to accept when you first arrive you need to almost switch off from what you know. So when you’re asked to help with showers and the children use a bucket and jug with cold water to wash themselves, or you serve lunch and they eat with their right hand and use their left hand to clean after the toilet..... Don’t try turning on the shower head with hot water or giving them a spoon to eat their lunch or provide them with toilet roll......they won't know what to do! This is their way of life and what they know so we shouldn't try to educate them to do differently!
Children Walking Tall has been one of the best experiences of my life and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to do this. The hardest part for me was leaving!
 Aman Sahota
Working at Children Walking Tall has been one of the most enjoyable and enlightening experiences of my life to date. I never imagined how unbelievably brilliant the children and the staff would be during my time there. From my very first day the kids were so loving and responsive and the staff instantly made me one of the team – really getting me involved with all the activities of the day!
My key activity throughout my time at Mango House was teaching the children Bollywood Dance! I have never seen such enthusiasm and sheer talent! They were absolutely amazing! Not only however, did it give me the chance to teach them something which they really enjoyed getting involved in, but I also very quickly was engaging with the children, who are by the way extremely willing to put effort into everything! I was able to do classes for the boys and girls and even the little ones really wanted to get involved! In the end we decided to work towards a dance show which was to be put on on my last day. It was fantastic working towards something with the children, who were really grateful for the opportunity to be taught something which they really enjoyed. The show was so fulfilling! The other volunteers and I did the kids make-up and nails before the show, which the girls loved! Whilst the kids who had been working really hard learning all the moves for the show finally were able to put their hardwork to the stage, the remaining children and volunteers watched and were really amazed by how talented the dancers really were!
However, dance was not the only activity I was involved in. All the volunteers also ensured they spent time in the day reading with the children, alongside supervising them outside in their fantastic play area, which has all been constructed by previous volunteers! The trampoline is a major feature too, which the kids love especially if you go on with them.
If you are looking for a holiday in the sun this may not be the place for you, but if you are looking for a rewarding experience where you can be active and where your work is always being appreciated and rewarded by smiles all around you, this is most definitely the place to be. This truly has been the richest experience of my life, and I can hand on my heart say I never thought that I would be able to feel such a sense of reward by just helping great kids get a better future!
All the best!
 Monica
I volunteered in September 2008 for 3 months. Rob asked me to share my experience for the website, its hard to put it in to words as you truly will never experience something so amazing and rewarding!
I was really nervous about going and was having second thoughts but I am so glad I did it and would recommend it to everyone! The children are lovely and make you feel so welcome as did the staff and other volunteers. All the volunteers that were there at the same time got on well so there was never really a time when you were left on your own wondering what to do on the weekends or evenings, one place I would recommend going to visit is Palolim Beach for a weekend!
I would recommend going to visit the slums where the children live as soon as you start at the Mango house as it really does put things into perspective.
Everyday was different and were always kept busy with the children; painting, drawing, dressing up, teaching, make up which the boys and girls wanted to learn and best of all the dancing…oh and the long chats with the children that keep you amused and make you smile! Other jobs involve supervising them with their showers, serving the food, medical bits and the one I don’t miss…cleaning the bathroom! I was also lucky enough to be involved in starting up a small slum school which a few of the volunteers would take teaching aids and games for the children who didn’t attend the mango house.
It really was the best thing I have ever done and I was so sad to leave! Especially after receiving phone calls from the children when I got back!! I really miss them and can’t wait to go back and visit them!!
 Catherine
Children Walking Tall was such a rewarding
experience. I will miss the beautiful children that made an impact
on my life without them even knowing. The children came from
disadvantaged backgrounds of Goa but arrived each day at Mango House
with a smile on their face, which was contagious.
Volunteering is a job that requires patience and commitment but is thoroughly enjoyable and fun.
Each child needs to be taught self sufficiency, especially important in many parts of India. Travelling India as a single woman can be pretty tough but can at both times humble you whilst liberating the mind.
By showing the children the importance of education and encouraging them to participate and give them inspiration, every volunteer will have something to contribute, whether it’s building a tree house, playing games or teaching them the ABC in their own communities.
Each child matters in many ways. Some require more hugs, more love, the importance of sharing etc. but when the team of volunteers and permanent staff work closely together, the children not only have a better childhood full of great memories but also the volunteers walk away knowing they contributed in some way and enriched not only the children’s lives but their own too.
 More Volunteers Experiences From 2008...
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