Image and Content Courtesy: Central Himalayan Rural Action Group 
Central Himalayan Rural Action Group (CHIRAG) is a non-profit grass roots development organisation registered under Societies Act (1860). CHIRAG is dedicated to empowerment of rural communities through their integrated development and has been working in the Indian Central Himalayas since 1986.
CHIRAG & the Ford Foundation offers an opportunity to work with a rural development agency in India for a year in the following areas: 1. Primary education 2. Primary healthcare 3. Rural livelihoods 4. Environmental regeneration Eligibility:
Anyone between the ages of 21 and 28, with a graduate degree or a diploma (after 12th standard) and 2 years of work experience. Individuals who are likely to have examinations between July 2009 and June 2010 are not eligible. Leave will not be granted to take examinations during the year.
Process of Applying:
An application form needs to be filled. The form is available at www.chirag.org or can be requested for by writing to youth@chirag.org or info@chirag.org or Click Here to download the form. The filled in application form including a one-page statement of purpose have to be received by CHIRAG by the 15th of May 2009.
The participants will be provided with a modest stipend to cover their costs of food and to meet other basic necessities. A monthly stipend of Rs 4000 per month will be paid to the participants. The travel costs will be taken care by CHIRAG and the host organisations during the course.
Process of Selection:
CHIRAG will select a maximum of 30 youth from the applications. By the 10th of June, all candidates , those accepted as well those who cannot be accepted this year , will receive intimation by email or post.
The information pertaining to selected candidates , based on their thematic preference, academic background, work experience and statement of purpose , will be matched with the interests and requirements of host organisations. Information about the organisation that will host each youth will be intimated to them by the 20th of June.
CHIRAG is organizing a 2 week foundation course which will be held at CHIRAG, in Nainital District of Uttarakhand, in early July for the selected youth. The foundation course seeks to provide an orientation about life in rural India. The course will commence with an exploration of issues and tools to understand and analyse life in villages. The course will include sessions on primary education, community health care, the relationship between natural resources, humans and livestock, agriculture, community forestry, animal husbandry, off-farm rural livelihoods, water, the not-for-profit sector, governance and Panchayati Raj. The course will be interspersed with visits to villages , including night-stays in homes. Participants selected will then join their host organisations and will be located there for the next 11 months.
The programme starts on July 1, 2009. Send in your applications by May 15, 2009. For more information: http://chirag.org/swades_more.html