MC Family

Volunteers

Volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata

by Verity Worthington Volunteer

• If you are arriving in Kolkata by plane, take a pre-paid taxi from the airport – the desk is located on the right before the exit. This will not cost more than 200Rupees, but drivers will try and ask for more, so be prepared!
  -     Many volunteers find accommodation on Sudder Street, which has a host of backpacker type dormitories. Sudder Street is a 20 minute walk from Motherhouse. Closer accommodation can be found at Monica House on A.J.C Bose Rd, opposite Shishu Bhavan, and at Bely Guest House – right next door to Motherhouse, above the WEB internet café. There is no need to book rooms in advance. Dorm beds cost around 100-150rupees a night.
• It is advisable to get your shots [Typhoid, Hep A and B, Tetanus] and bring with you any prescription medication you are taking. Personally, I did not take antimalarials, but these are available in Kolkata [as is most medication] much cheaper than in the west.
• You do not have to write to the sisters or call before you arrive. However, you do need to register as a volunteer before you can start working in the centres. To do this, bring your passport to Shishu Bhavan, located at 78 A.J.C Bose Road, at 3pm sharp, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Alternatively, the Sister in charge of volunteers issues day passes at breakfast in Motherhouse, [54a A.J.C Bose Road] after mass in the mornings.

Mass is at 6am every day at Motherhouse, followed by a breakfast of bananas, bread and chai. You don’t have to attend mass to get breakfast, but you’re most welcome. At 7.30 we say a prayer, and disperse for work. Volunteers are also welcome to Adoration, which is at 6.30pm every evening except on Thursdays and Sundays when it’s at 6pm.

• Be aware that many of the beggars working in the vicinity of Motherhouse are professional. It is difficult at first to understand the many levels of poverty in Kolkata, but it is not encouraged to give money to people in the street.
• There are many places to eat around Sudder Street, with Blue Sky Café being a favourite haunt amongst volunteers. On AJC Bose Road, Delhi-Dabar serves cheap rice and dahl at lunchtime, and fantasti  khati rolls [a Kolkata speciality] in the evenings. Hotel Circular, on the other side of A.J.C Bose Road, offers a range of cuisine, but be prepared for slow service! Alternatively, if you have cooking facilities, there are many bazaars which sell fresh fruit and vegetables, and there is a supermarket chain called MORE, located at New Market, and Elliot Road.
• For treats, Flury’s on Park Street offers wonderful cakes and afternoon tea. Kolkata also has a KFC on Middleton Row, and a pizzeria called Fire and Ice on Camac Street. Be kind to yourself, volunteering can be hard work. If you’re in need of a break, you could also head to the Forum on Elgin Road, where there is an INOX cinema showing western and Indian films.
• Do be careful of the water; make sure you drink bottled water, and check the seal first.
• Be prepared to wash your clothes in a bucket! One thing I’ve learnt over the years is to wash my clothes every day, otherwise it is really hard work! You can buy detergent  [brands like Ariel] at many street stalls. Soak them first, and then get scrubbing!
• You can receive mail at Motherhouse, kept in a box in the breakfast room. Letters should be addressed c/o Sister in charge of volunteers, Missionaries of Charity, Motherhouse, 54a A.J.C Bose Road, Kolkata 700016, West Bengal, INDIA.

If you’re working in Kalighat, Prem Dan or Daya Dan, you will needto get a bus to work. It is advisable to keep a ready supply of coins, as the conductors don’t like giving change. It costs 4 rupees from Motherhouse to Kalighat.

• Thursdays are volunteers day off. There is no breakfast on Thursdays, but there are often volunteer activities arranged such as visits to Titagargh, the leprosy centre run by the MC brothers.
• Take a deep breath, a journal to write in, and be prepared for a life changing experience!

Tips for volunteering in Kolkata

“Hearts to love and hands to serve!” (Mother Teresa)

Many people have found volunteering to be the experience of a lifetime. Volunteers are welcome to help the sisters in their service to the poorest of the poor for a week, a month, or longer. The qualifications required for volunteering:

You are not required to call or write to the sisters ahead of time to go to Kolkata to volunteer. Simply “show up” for Orientation and Registration:

Please bring your passport as you are required to show it to the Volunteers’ Coordinator at the Orientation

Note:  Volunteers’ Coordinators are not available on Sundays and Thursdays.
Thursday is a day of prayer for the Sisters

There is also no orientation and registration on the following days:

• The Monday after Easter
• August 22
• September 6
• December 26

Volunteers share in the works of love at the Homes for: the dying destitutes, children, and physically and mentally challenged children.
Details will be given at the Orientation.

For those who wish to join the sisters for Mass and Holy Hour at Motherhouse (54, A.J.C. Bose Road, Kolkata – 700016) or to see the Museum, the schedule is as follows:

• Holy Mass at 6 a.m. followed by breakfast
• Holy Hour at 6.30 p.m.; Thursday and Sunday at 6 p.m
• Holy Mass and Blessing (with Mother Teresa’s Relic) at Mother Teresa’s Tomb on Fridays at 4.30 p.m
• Viewing of the Museum and Mother Teresa’s Room: 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 3 p.m. to 5.30 p.m

Visiting Hours for our Homes: 9 a.m. – 12 noon and 3 p.m. – 5.30 p.m.

Volunteers must arrange for their own accommodations. Some of the nearest and cheapest places of accommodation are:

Hotel Circular, 177, A.J.C. Bose Road
‍Monica House, St. James’s Church, A.J.C. Bose Road
‍YMCA, 25, Chowringhee Road,
‍Hotel Maria, Center Point, Modern Lodge, Salvation Army Hostel, Sudder Street
‍Baptist Mission, near Baptist Church A. J. C. Bose Road

Contact Information

Many people have found volunteering to be the experience of a lifetime. Volunteers are welcome to help the sisters in their service to the poorest of the poor for a week, a month, or longer. For those wishing to volunteer in Calcutta, please write directly to Sister in-charge of volunteers, who is presently in charge of the volunteers at our Motherhouse:

Missionaries of Charity
Sister in-charge of volunteers
54/A A.J.C. BOSE ROAD
CALCUTTA 700016
INDIA
Or call: Tel : 91-33-2249-7115 or 91-33-2217-2277

Volunteering elsewhwere

For those wishing to volunteer elsewhere. Please contact directly the regional house for the Country , where you plan to go NO E-MAIL AVAILABLE . View list of regional house of the Missionaries of Charity with the respective country in each Region: Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, The Americas