Camvol was established in November 2006, and is a UK registered charity. Camvol organises volunteer placements with environment and development related organisations in India. Students usually volunteer during the University summer vacation, between July and September each year, for a period of six to eight weeks. The main aim is to provide mutually beneficial placements for UK students with development and environmental NGOs in India. The placements will serve the social needs of the host organisations in India as well as the work experience, cultural exchange and career development needs of Cambridge University students. One of the important objectives is to promote an appreciation for living, working and communicating in a different culture; an awareness of the very different levels of socio-economic well-being in parts of the developing world; an appreciation for the role (and limitations) of development work; confidence building; inter-personal skills; problem solving skills. In addition it is hoped that the volunteering opportunities make students sensitive to the overall issues of development, and that they may be able to make a difference to peoples' lives, as well as contribute to the on-going work of the host organisations.
