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As you probably already know by visiting this page, I will be spending the month of July volunteering in Goa, India. My projects with local NGOs with be focused on women's and children's issues. My activities may include literacy and skills training, teaching English, infant care education, and health camp check-ups. 

The mission is coordinated by a non profit organization called United Planet - http://www.unitedplanet.org/, and on the India side I will be working with another NGO called IDEX (International Development Exchange) - http://www.idex.org/india.html. 

Here are a few excerpts from the IDEX website that explain my motivations for choosing India:

 "

Between a third and a half of India’s population are estimated to survive on so little food each day that they are chronically starved. The diets of the poor, rather than improving as the government claims, have become even more inadequate in the past 30 years. Nearly 90% of the country’s children are chronically malnourished, a record rivaled only by Bangladesh. In addition to high levels of hunger and malnutrition, two-thirds of India’s 900 million lowest income households live below the poverty line, and an estimated 48% of adults in India are illiterate.

Over the last two years there has been tremendous political and economic upheaval at a national and local level in India. India has been opening its doors to the free market with the consequent effect of creating a new middle class, empowering the wealthy and putting at risk the resources available to the poor. These shifts have increased the suffering of the poor, who rely on services which the government is currently unable to provide such as primary education, health care and the public distribution system.

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 Just a little bit about myself: I am 25 years old and hold a B.A. in International Studies from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. I lived in France for two and half years, and have an appetite for travel. I have been very involved in the international community of Charlotte through UNCC,  and volunteering at the International House and the Charlotte International Cabinet. 

Please remember that any monetary contribution you make is tax deductible and goes directly towards my transportation, food, and accommodations. Most importantly, it allows me to offer my time and efforts in India. If you have any questions, you may contact me at

(TEL) 980-219-0530

(EMAIL) clare.pickett@gmail.com

I want to thank you again for taking the time to look at this page. If you have given a donation, I truly appreciate it. And of course, if you know anyone else who would be interested in donating, be sure to send them the link!

On my return I will provide a link to my flickr account, where you will be able to view my photos from the trip.

Merci mille fois!

Clare Pickett