March 25, 2008

Indians for Collective Action
is pleased to invite you to the

Join unique ICA Youth Program with a partnership with InSPIRE (www.SummerInIndia.org) starting summer 2008.  

ICA sponsored youth program is unique youth engagement program that brings youth age 18 to 24 and those who are interested in learning more about India’s different volunteer programs in the area of humanity. The end goal of this program is to eventually discover their roots and learn more about development in the context of India.  ICA initially plans to focus in the areas such as eGovernments, health, school and community development, child development and woman empowerment.  These programs will typically be 5-7 weeks based on capacity & arrangement with host organization.  Our first program will be in conjunction with InSPIRE based on their predetermined application process with an exception to allow any youth (not just south Asian origin) as long as they meet InSPIRE’s self-development goals. 

InSPIRE, India Summer Program Inspiring Reflective Exploration, is a 5-week summer program in India for youth. InSPIRE’s mission is to inspire young South Asian-Americans (but not just limited) to connect to their culture and realize their potential for making a difference in this world.  Youth volunteer will be working with different NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) all over North India. Last year, the InSPIRE group built a home for a family in the slums in Ahmedabad, built a compost toilet for an organization in the Himalayas, and created a PowerPoint presentation for the issues facing villagers in Mehdiganj. What makes InSPIRE unique is that it focuses on the self-development of EACH participant and will help me develop qualities such as personal responsibility, compassion, global consciousness and initiative-taking.

In order to join our first program, ICA youth must be willing to meet a group on a first day in India.   In addition, youth would be responsible to collect full or partial financial assistance in order to participate in InSPIRE. The total fees for $1400 would be tax deductible for potential donors of volunteer. The fees includes all costs associated with food, lodging, activities and travel, but does not include airfare to India.  ICA will make certain exception on case by case basis, if potential youth do not collect entire $1400. In certain cases ICA will make exception for air fare tax donations if donations are above $1400 plus air fare cost of individual.

You may also contact ICA Youth coordinator Unmesh Sheth, by calling (510) 226-8535 (Home) regarding ICA’s tax deductibility rules.  For application process detail please contact co-founder of InSPIRE, Raj Kanani, by calling 510-862-8118.

Annaul Event 200 InSPIRE,theIndia Summer ProgramInspiring ReflectiveExploration aims at educating and engaging young generation of USA, mainly with South Asian roots, in community development and exposing them to Indian culture. With initial focus in health, environment, education, community development, women empowerment and e-Governance, InSPIRE is working with ICA to help young volunteers engage in social service work in India, and to build their own capacity to find creative and innovative ideas in fulfilling their life’s mission.  Receiving the award on behalf of InSPIRE will beMr. Raj Kanani and Ms. Asha Patel.