ORISSA STATE VOLUNTEERS AND SOCIAL WORKERS ASSOCIATION (OSVSWA)

+91-9692830805
info@osvswa.org
Plot No. 502/1, Mallick Complex, Lane - 9 Jagamara

www.osvswa.org

Volunteering

The volunteering period lasts approximately 9 months (270 days).

The activities pursued by the volunteers are organized mainly around three tasks and responsibilities:

TASK1:Capacity building ,strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes, and resources of OSVSWA
TASK2:Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) for livelihood security and sustainable development.
TASK3:Empowering adolescent girls and women health, nutrition, and wellbeing of the poor tribal population in Odisha.

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Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN) India Hub

OSVSWA hosts the ADN India Hub and can accommodate Volunteers, Interns or Research Fellows who are members of the ADN. If you wish to volunteer at the ADN India Hub, please contact us.

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Local Volunteers

OSVSWA welcomes local volunteers to participate in existing projects or disaster relief work.Please check our social media for opportunities.

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OSVSWA hosts volunteers aged 18 to 35, hired through the European Solidarity Corps (ESC). The European Solidarity Corps is managed by the European Commission.It is implemented on the ground by a variety of bodies:

European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
National Agencies in each participating country
SALTOs
European Solidarity Corps resource centre.

Young people wishing to engage in such activities need to register in the European Solidarity Corps portal, under the Humanitarian Aid Volunteering section. The activities which promotion of gender equality, protection of women and children, protection of refugees and internally displaced persons, protection of undocumented migrants, mitigation of the effects of climate change, improvement of food security, etc.

Work

To set up a Humanitarian Aid project with the following rationales:

Bring more equity to the communities
Reduce the societal challenges that the communities face
Reinforce the vulnerable individuals
Bring the sense of solidarity to the communities that need aid
Sharing knowledge, skills, behaviours/attitudes between the volunteers and communities
Exchange of good practices and working at the EU level
Support green practices in the communities
Establish intercultural learning
Reinforce the participants with the 8 Key Competencies of Youthpass
Provide non-formal and informal learning environment for the participants as well as the target groups
Enhance the employability of the participants with fewer opportunities
Establish the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals within the communities
Supporting Organisations
Eğitim Programları veEvrenselveKültürelAktivitelerDerneği (EPEKA) Turkiye
Viatores Christi (VC) Ireland

Life

Food

OSVSWA will provide lunch consisting of local Odia cuisine such as rice, dal, salad, vegetables/ meat. Due to religious customs, the days of the week are divided into veg and non-veg days. At least two days of the week, only vegetarian meals will be served at lunch.Dinner is purchased by OSVSWA from a local approved restaurant and can be veg or non-veg depending on the volunteers preference.

Accommodation

Task – 1: Bhubaneswar, Odisha

For the Task-1 volunteers, they will stay at the volunteers house located near OSVSWA Head Office. The volunteers house is provided with basic facilities like a room with bed, study table and chair, wifi, washing machine, kitchen with utensils, and other facilities. OSVSWA will provide a lunch to the volunteers (local odia cuisine) and dinner will be cooked/bought in by themselves as per their choices. The volunteers house is nearby the office and hardly 3-4 minutes walk. Its well connected with the main road. Around the volunteers house there are several food joints, hotels and restaurants, grocery shops, medicine stores. The main city center is about 5 kms from the volunteers house. They might share the room with other volunteers during the weekend if required. Else, each volunteers will be provided with single room.

Task – 2: Karamanga, Konark in Odisha

For the Task-2 volunteers, they will stay at the volunteers house taken in Karamanga village of Konark. The volunteers house is provided with basic facilities like a room with bed, study table and chair, wifi access, washing machine, kitchen with utensils, and other facilities. The volunteers house is nearby the beach and Konark town (its a famous town where the UNESCO world heritage Sun temple is located). The govt hospital is only 1 km, town is 1.5 kms. Its only 80 kms from the Bhubaneswar (state capital city). Ithas good communication (regular private and govt bus availability ) with the state capital city.

Task – 3: Chadeyapalli village of Daspalla Block in Nayagarh District

For the Task-3 volunteers, they will work at Chadeyapalli and nearby villages (which is about 30 kms from Daspalla town). The government hospital is only 2 km, town is 1 km. Its only 120 kms from the Bhubaneswar (state capital city). It has good communication (regular private and govt bus) with the state capital city. Room sharing may be required.

Travel Information

Air

The Biju Pattanaik Airport (Bhubaneswar, Airport Code – BBI) has both international and domestic terminals. Currently, there are direct flights to Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok, operated by INDIGO. Other airlines such as Vistara and Air India provide connecting flights to Europe, America, and other destinations via New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Kolkata. If booking international and domestic flights separately, domestic flights have a free check-in baggage allowance of 15kg. Often, better airfare is available if you book international flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, or Kolkata first, then book domestic flights separately.

Train

Indian Railways has extensive coverage across the country. Bhubaneswar Railway Station (BBS) is well connected with major metro cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kolkata, as well as smaller 2- and 3-tier cities. The railway station is conveniently located in the heart of the city, making access to the city and surrounding areas easy.

Bus

Bhubaneswar is well connected by inter- and intra-state bus routes. There are direct bus services to Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and other cities. Field offices and project areas are easily accessible by bus, making travel within the region convenient.

Other Information

Preparing for Your Arrival

You will be living in Bhubaneswar, a city of around 1,500,000 people, where most things are readily available. The team at OSVSWA will assist you in finding anything you may need. When packing clothes, please respect the cultural traditions of India. Volunteers are required to cover their shoulders at all times and wear knee-length leggings, trousers, or skirts.

Recommended to Bring

Unlocked smartphone, camera, power bank, and adapter
Reliable diarrhoea tablets and rehydration powder
Mosquito repellent (Mosquito nets are provided by OSVSWA)
Headlamp/torch (frequent short power cuts)
Personal First Aid Kit
Sunscreen
For ladies: tampons or menstrual cup
Water bottle (office and guesthouse are equipped with filtering systems)
Raincoat and adapted shoes for monsoon season
Many of these items are available locally either in stores or online sites in Bhubaneswar

Preparing for the Weather

March to May (Summer): Extremely hot, between 40-50°C. Rooms have fans; some have air conditioners. Light cotton or linen clothing is advised.

June to October (Monsoon): Hot and humid with rain almost every day. Bring a sturdy raincoat or buy an umbrella locally. Temperatures are 30–35°C.

November to February (Winter): Warm but calm, above 20°C. Nights may be cooler, generally not below 15°C. In the western part of Odisha, it may reach 5°C.

Culture, Society and Traditions

Bhubaneswar is the capital of Odisha and one of the oldest cities in India, dating back to the 2nd century B.C. Originally named Tribhubaneswar, meaning Lord Shiva, it has been known by names such as Toshali, Nagar Kalinga, Ekamra Kanan, and Mandira Malini Nagar. The city, often called the "City of Temples," is an important religious and economic center in Eastern India. Its history is evidenced by numerous Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist temples dating back to Ashokan times and the 7th–11th centuries. In 1947, Bhubaneswar officially became the capital of Odisha.

Tourism in Bhubaneswar

Tourism is an integral part of Odisha. Bhubaneswar has many places to visit, such as the Old Town, Lingaraj Temple, Bindu Sarovar, Khandagiri and Udaygiri, Dhauli Giri, Nandankanan Zoo, Mukteshwar Temple, and Odisha State Museum. Each site has unique history and cultural significance. Bhubaneswar is generally peaceful and one of the greenest cities. The best visiting season is from October to March.

Culture of Bhubaneswar (Temple City)

Bhubaneswar, known as the Temple City of India, has over a thousand temples. Notable temples include: Aisanyesvara Shiva Temple, Akhadachandi Temple, Ananta Vasudeva Temple, Astasambhu Temple, Bharati Matha, Bhringesvara Shiva Temple, Brahma Temple, Bindusagar, Brahmeswara Temple, Lingaraja Temple, Madneswar Shiva Temple, Mangalesvara Shiva Temple, Mukteshwara Temple, Nagesvara Temple, Pabaneswara Temple, Rajarani Temple, Vaital Deula, and Yameshwar Temple. Many other temples and shrines also exist, making it ideal for religious tourism.

Food in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar offers a wide variety of food, with seafood as a specialty. Rice and fish curry is a staple. Lobsters and crabs are abundant, making it a seafood paradise. Street foods like Gupchup, Cuttack Chat, and Bara Ghugni are popular. Traditional recipes like Dahi Pakhala are enjoyed during summer. Vegetarian delights include Kora Khai and Pitha. Sweet treats are integral to the local diet and widely available.

Transport in Bhubaneswar

As the capital of Odisha, Bhubaneswar is a prime hub and connecting route to all other locations of the state. The OSRTC or Odisha State Road Transport Corporation head office is located here. From state government buses to private operator run buses, all can be found here. Bhubaneswar connects to Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and other neighboring states. The city is well connected with NH-5. The city is renowned for its well-formed wide roads that run smooth. Auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are present throughout the city for local transport. Other than buses and cars, this place is connected with railways and airports. The East coast railway has its headquarters based here. There are five railway stations located in this city; they are Mancheswar, Vani Vihar, Patia Halt, Bhubaneswar station and Lingaraj Temple road. The Biju Patnaik Airport is located 3 kilometers away from the city. The airport is now upgraded to an international airport connecting Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Festivals in Bhubaneswar

Odisha is famous for Rath Yatra festivals, and being a part of Odisha, Bhubaneswar is no different. A very famous festival celebrated here is the Ashokastami. In this festival, the deities of the Lingaraja Temple are taken to the Mausima temple in a highly decorated temple car procession. The deities are then kept there for four days. This festival is celebrated in the month of March and April. Another important festival that is worth mentioning is more like a fair. Adivasi Mela is a fair that displays different adivasi (indigenous communities) handicrafts products for sale. The tribal inhabitants of the state get their fair share of chance to display their hard work and talent. The city also hosts other festivals, which are equally famous and visited by thousands of locals as well as tourists. People are supportive here for foreigners. So, you can take their help anytime you need.

Tobacco/alcohol free zone, working with social distance, other safety precautions: OSVSWA offices/ workplaces are Tobacco Free Zone. Volunteers and all staff are advised to strictly follow social distancing and maintain sanitation to avoid spread of any infectious diseases.
Working Hours: Office timings of OSVSWA is from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday excluding holidays for staffs including 45 minutes lunch break. (For international volunteers, working days are from Monday to Friday – 5 days).
Code of conduct: OSVSWA has its code of conduct for the volunteers and staffs. Everyone has to sign the code of conduct and abide to it.
Maintain discipline: Staffs and volunteers are advised to maintain discipline during working hours like no noise, no loud conversation over phone, minimal use of mobile (only important ones), take out shoes at the entrance and use in house slippers (available for all).
Respect to seniors/ Organizational Hierarchy: Staffs and volunteers are strictly advised to give respect to senior staffs, visitors, advisors, and board of directors of OSVSWA etc.
Cultural celebrations: We celebrate birth days of staffs and volunteers in office by lighting candle, cutting cake and sharing foods. We also celebrate the color festival (Holi) and Diwali in office. Volunteers are advised to take part in it.
Data Protection: It is strictly advised to staffs and volunteers to maintain data protection and confidentiality in office.

Volunteer

In the year 2023/24, OSVSWA hosted 11 volunteers through the European Solidarity Corps and the Avoidable Deaths Network from seven countries: France, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Scotland, and Japan.

European Solidarity Corps (ESC) Humanitarian Aid for the Needs of Development (HAND) 2023/24

Mr. Lucas Magrans

Nationality: French

Bio: Lucas Magrans is dedicating his time as a European Solidarity Corps Humanitarian Aid Volunteer in the NGO Orissa State Volunteers and Social Workers Association (OSVSWA) to support rural communities. His responsibilities as a Project Manager of SAFER project (Securing Agriculture for Environmental Risks) include coordinating in the office but equally on the field the planning and implementation of actions needed for the project’s success. Lucas has a Sport Management Bachelor degree.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk, Action for Youth, Menstrual Health, Snakebite Deaths

Projects: SAFER Odisha

Period: August 2023 – May 2024 (9 months)

Ms. Mariana Morillo Martín

Nationality: Spanish

Bio: Mariana graduated in Social Education and a Master in International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. She has extensive experience in social and environmental organizations and worked with children and adolescents on menstrual health management and climate change. She planted ‘Mangroves for Resilience’ and assisted with the launch of the ADN Case Station for Avoidable Snakebite Deaths (CaSA).

Areas of Work: Environmental Risk, Action for Youth, Menstrual Health, Snakebite Deaths
Projects:
Period: September 2023 – February 2024

Mr. Eduardo Cardoso

Nationality: Portuguese

Bio: Eduardo co-leads the ‘SAFER ODISHA – Securing Agriculture from Environmental Risks’. He holds a Bachelor in Political Science and a Master in International Economics and European Studies. His thesis explored the impact of climate change on developing countries.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk
Projects: SAFER Odisha
Period: September 2023 – June 2024
Testimonial: I’ve had the chance to develop my professional experience in climate change adaptation, enriching my personal journey and contributing to resilient rural communities.

Mr. Rodolphe Spoorenberg

Nationality: French & Swiss

Bio: Rodolphe has a Bachelor in International Relations and experience as a seasonal agricultural worker. He worked in schools on climate change, volunteered at the Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN) India Hub, and participated in the collaborative projects ‘Mangroves for Resilience’ and ‘SAFER Odisha’.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk, Action for Youth
Projects: [hyperlinks]

Ms. Carlota MasóGiralt

Nationality: Spanish (Catalonian)

Bio: Carlota has a Master in Humanities and was a PhD Candidate in Archaeology. She worked on humanitarian projects in Bolivia and India, focusing on environmental awareness, menstrual hygiene, and empowerment of children, youth, and women. At OSVSWA, she contributed in graphic design and participated in ‘Mangroves for Resilience’ and ‘SAFER Odisha’.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk, Action for Youth, Menstrual Health, Snakebite Deaths
Projects: SAFER Odisha
Testimonial: Volunteering for 9 months in Bhubaneswar helped me grow in all aspects of life and enjoy the projects with youth and women in rural communities.

Ms. Mariasofia Toraldo

Nationality: Italian

Bio: Mariasofia collaborates with the SAFER ODISHA Project to reduce environmental risks and fight climate change in agriculture. She has a Master in Local Development and professional experience in international cooperation projects in Latin America.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk
Projects: SAFER Odisha

Ms. Seoyoung Park

Nationality: German

Bio: Seoyoung aspires to study medicine and volunteered in medical humanitarian projects in Uganda. She contributed to the Avoidable Deaths Network (ADN) India Hub and at OSVSWA is engaged in environmental awareness, menstrual hygiene, and empowerment of children, youth, and women.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk, Action for Youth, Menstrual Health
Projects: SAFER Odisha

Mr. Yunes Abou El Wafa

Nationality: German

Yunes Abou El Wafa co-leads ‘SAFER ODISHA – Securing Agriculture from Environmental Risks’, managing project implementation in three blocks of western Odisha. He has previous experience in civil protection and disaster risk reduction, focusing on water security, and holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Rescue Engineering from the University of Applied Sciences Cologne.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk
Projects: SAFER Odisha
Period: October 2023 – July 2024 (9 months)

Mr. Filippo Arienta

Nationality: Italian

Filippo Arienta serves with the European Solidarity Corps for Humanitarian Aid in India through OSVSWA. With a master’s degree in Environmental Science from the University of Milan-Bicocca, he participates in association activities tackling climate change, its effects on livelihoods, and promoting a fruitful coexistence between humans and nature.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk, Action for Youth, Snakebite Deaths
Projects: SAFER Odisha

Ms. Marina Yagi

Nationality: Japanese

Marina Yagi, ADN Japan Manager, assisted in the facilitation of the three-day global campaign event International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD) India 2024 and three outreach workshops in Ganjam district to reduce Avoidable Snakebite Deaths with ADN Founding President and Convenor, Dr. Ray-Bennett. She holds a degree from the Faculty of Foreign Language at Kansai University.

Areas of Work: Snakebite Deaths
Projects: Case Station for Avoidable Snakebite Deaths (CaSA)
Period: March 2024 (2 weeks)

Ms. Lauren MacLeod

Nationality: Scottish

Lauren MacLeod was the Activity Coordinator at the ADN India Hub. She conducted the project ‘Awareness Raising Outreach Workshops on Avoidable Snakebite Deaths for Higher Secondary Schools in Ganjam’ as a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Environmental Futures, University of Leicester, and organised the three-day global campaign event International Awareness Day for Avoidable Deaths (IAD4AD) India 2024. She holds an MSc in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management from the University of Leicester.

Areas of Work: Agriculture, Environmental Risk, Action for Youth, Menstrual Health, Snakebite Deaths
Projects: Case Station for Avoidable Snakebite Deaths (CaSA)
Period: September 2023 – April 2024 (8 months)
Testimony: I gained hands-on field experience working to reduce snakebite deaths amongst high-risk groups in Ganjam. I also learned how to plant mangroves which was a great experience.

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