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 I
am happy to extend an open invitation to any volunteers who would like to come
and work with us. We ask that they stay at least 2 months and can stay forever if they would like to. We welcome anyone with a genuine love for children with
or without particular skills. There is always a way to use every pair of hands
to help more here. Our Headquarters is located in a rural village and we
accommodate most volunteers here where we live as a community with our tribal
staff and 55 children.
Please contact me and let me know what further information you require from me.
I will also be posting our brochure to you. I am an American woman trained as a
Doctor. I have been living and serving in India for the last 29 years. I was the
founder of this program and look forward to being able to extend our services to
an even greater village population in the coming years through the helping hands
of volunteers.
In
Your Service,
Love Dwabha
Dr. Prabhavati
Dwabha
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Read
some Personal Accounts below |
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Ramana's Garden is a lost dream that lifts the
heart and cleanses the soul with beautiful faces, soaring Himalayas, and
blooming gardens always at your side. it is a blessing to be able to
contribute to and be involved in such a special and significant project.
The blessed children are wonderful beyond
any measure and the help I gave could never compare to all the joy I was able to
share with them. They have smiles that touch your heart and eyes that
glitter like the stars, and all they want is to share this with you and the
world, which awakened in me countless dreams and passions that I had repressed
from the constant judgments of society.
I have never been to a place so close to heaven as Ramana's Garden. It is
a sanctuary in ways that only experience can truly relate. The food is so
absolutely delicious and healthy that you don't feel like ever leaving the
kitchen. The days are full of fun projects like working in the organic
gardens, building playgrounds and offering creative projects for the kids at the
orphanage as well as all the village schools spread amongst the sprouting
Himalayas. Of course, you can't forget the wonderful trips to the holy
Ganga! Nothing's more fun that splashing in the water, swinging giggling kids
through the air, and building (not to mention smashing) sand castles galore ...
except maybe Satsang. The energy of this uplifting hour is truly amazing,
singing wonderful songs and mantras to ringing bells, beating drums and tapping
tambourines...it isn't exactly the choir but at least you don't have to be timid
about singing along!
Chris (19), participant of Leap Now Group
from the U.S.A.
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 I,
along with my wife and son, spent two months volunteering at Ramana's
Garden helping out as best we could. Over the two months we split
our time between Ramana Seva Samiti in Tapovan, Rishikesh and Ambiya
Mountain Retreat preparing it for forthcoming guests. It was an
amazing experience where each day brought new challenges. I enjoyed
both places for different reasons. The rustic nature of the mountain
retreat made it a pleasant and peaceful escape, especially from
the heat of the monsoon months in Rishikesh. Ramana's Garden was
special for the children, the joy they exude and the welcome we
were afforded. It was a memorable experience and I hope to return
sometime in the near future to donate more of my time.
Nathan Cook
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 I have spent the last 4 months
living at
Ramana's Garden, sharing my life with the children 24 hours a day, 7
days a week. The people are amazing and I have gained much more
than I can ever give back to these wonderful children and staff.
My main responsibility is teaching and managing our primary school, but
I also participate in after school tuition, creative afternoon
activities, cooking, Satsang, trips to the Ganga, picnics, gardening in
the mountains and too many more activities to name. Life is never
boring here and aside from spending time with the kids my favorite
aspect of volunteering at Ramana's Garden is the feeling of being
needed. For the first time I have felt like my skills are not just
useful, but necessary. It has affirmed many things I have
questioned in my life and I have a newfound respect for my
profession and for anyone who offers up their time in service to
others. I have made lifelong friends among the other volunteers,
and I now have family of 55 children whose love and generosity I will
take with me wherever I go. Living at Ramana's Garden has changed
me for the better and for that I thank Dr. Prabhavati. This
special place heals not only orphaned and destitute children but also
the volunteers. I have seen recalcitrant and insecure youths from
other countries arrive, spend one week helping with the children and
leave with huge smiles, hugs, tears and a brighter perspective on
their future. Ramana's is a place for those who are willing
to give all of themselves and no less; I wouldn't trade my time spent here for anything.
Phoebe Jackson (25), from Canada
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 In
2003 I spent 6 months as a volunteer at Ramana's Garden, both at Ramana
Seva Samiti in Tapovan and at the Ambiya Mountain Retreat. My prime
responsibility was one of looking after the kids; organising tuition
classes and activities, helping with basic medical and health care as
well as providing the friendship, love and support that every child
needs. I can honestly say that the experience was easily the most
rewarding thing I have ever done. Although, in some regards, you may
have to give up certain things to become a volunteer, what you get back
in return far outweighs any personal sacrifices made. The beauty of the
gift of giving is that it is a gift that flows both ways.
Owen Sarll
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It would
be a mistake to believe that you can understand what it is to volunteer
at Ramana's Garden through reading these testimonials, because even I, a
volunteer, can not fully understand everything that has happened these
four months I have been here. What I do understand, is in this
garden, I've seen children and volunteers alike setting their roots deep
into this life, with their hearts like branches; strong and always
reaching towards the light of the world. There are the seeds of
love that have been planted deep inside all of us here, that will
blossom beautifully in the days and years to come. The most
beautiful parts of being a volunteer are the parts har
I came to offer my services as a
nurse, stayed on as a tutor, seamstress, playmate, play director and set
designer, art teacher, hug dispenser, and more. As I leave this
place, I know that I am saying good-bye to family.
Laura Caldwell (24), U.S.A.
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 Ramana's Garden is striking for the
friendliness of the children and staff. The kids really
appreciate contact with adults and anything that is done for them. They
are eager to learn. There is a tremendous caring supportive family
atmosphere. It is an extremely well organized operation. There are
challenges for volunteers but the payback in personal development is
terrific. Creature comforts are met with good food and accommodation. On
top of this, the surroundings are attractive and interesting.
Dave Sarll
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