Village to Village
Door to Door
Change Across Borders was pioneered in 1998 by a group of young Sikh men and women from North America who would meet regularly at retreats to learn about their heritage, introspect and share in each others Sangat. Their desire to gain a more in-depth exposure into their cultural and spiritual roots and engage in meaningful community workbrought them to Punjab.
That year, 11 participants from North America & Europe who were inspired by this vision, engaged with a rural community by living, learning and working in the Village of Tallewal, Punjab. They laid the roots for FATEH along with the CABS program.
Begining in the fall of 2005, our program offers you an opportunity to travel to Punjab, the heartland of the Sikhs, and learn about the region’s culture, history and worldview by applying your skills as a community volunteer in one of our community development initiatives. You will also have an opportunity to learn more about yourself, develop and hone a diverse set of skills, and build lasting relationships with other like minded individuals from around the globe with whom, we hope, you will continue to work on community related initiatives long after you have departed from CABS.
Some of the skills you can develop while participating in the CABS program:
Hardskills
Effective communication
Presentation & Group Facilitation
Project Management
Practical Research & Analysis
Report Writing
Proficiency in a Second language
Softskills
Sensitivity to cultural diversity
Ability to be more reflective
Experience of teamwork
Learning to do more with less
Understaning of different historical perspectives & value systems
A typical week in CABS will be divided between your volunteer work in the field and personal development opportunities in the city. Two Saturdays out of the month will be devoted to group activities. The remaining Saturdays and all Sundays will be personal time unless there is a scheduled field trip. Your overall stay with the program will depend upon the duration of your project which will last a minimum of six months and a maximum of one year.
During your CABS experience, you will be placed in the field to play a key role as a volunteer through one of our Community Development Initiatives. Our current CABS initiatives are focused on building educational capacity, gender & development, health or enterprise development through our local partner NGOs and affiliates. Where you are placed will depend primarily on your personal skill sets and interest.
Prior to engaging in your field work, you will be adequately trained. You may have to put together a project plan before initiating your work, and while in the field you will be required to provide subsequent reports related to your community development work. Your living, travel, and environmental conditions will vary depending on the nature of your project.
You will have the opportunity to utilize your personal time to engage in a creative pursuit or challenge yourself physically and explore your personal potential through a selection of extra curicular courses. Some examples are listed below.
GURMAT SANGEET Understand & learn to render Raags & Shabads in the original styles from the 17th to the early 20th century. Choose from, basic vocal training & Tanpura, as well as, instruments including Dilrubah and Tabla.
GURMAT Become aquainted with the Guru Granth Sahib and its wisdom while reflecting upon passages from Gurbani in light of your life experiences. Pottery of Punjab - Learn to throw, pull & fire clay vessels using techniques traditionally associated with Punjab.
GATKA AKHARA Challenge yourself physically and learn to handle weapons traditionally associated with the Warrior-saints of Punjab. Horseback Riding - Learn to mount a “Janbhai”, ( For the old Sikhs, a life long brother), gallop and canter over plains and foothills, while taking in the scenic view, reminiscent of the old Punjab.
PROGRESSIVE AGRICULTURE - Roll up your sleeves, and get ready to toil with the soil, and gain exposure to the life blood of the Punjab, while working on an organic farm and learning about progressive ways to produce food.
PUNJABI FOLK ART Learn some of the rich craft traditions from rural Punjab that decorated the homes of our forefathers. These indigenous art forms, which are slowly disappearing, include basket weaving, textile design as well as sewing and stitching.
FOLK MUSIC, DANCE & THEATER Let yourself loose and get aquainted with traditional Punjabi folk dance and theater by learning traditional dance steps and bolian or learning how to play the dhol.
BOTANY & WILDLIFE OF PUNJAB Trek through the varying landscape of Punjab and learn about its diverse plant and wildlife. Witness the adverse impact of chemical intensive agriculture.
Click HERE to learn about This Year's CABS Volunteer Projects
You will be exposed to the following themes while interacting with local university students in weekly discourse sessions. Be prepared to share your insights and knowledge through these lively peer learning sessions. You will also have the opportunity to attend formal lectures and workshops on many of the following themes:
World Religions Islam, Zorastrianism, Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism
Sikh Classic Literature 18th & 19th Century Sources
Material Culture of Punjab Architecture, Weapons, Coins, Art, Sacred Music
Sikh Sampardavan Akali Nihangs, Udasis, Nirmalay, Nam Dharis
Politics & International Relations Understanding ourselves in a global context
Community Development Issues Economics, Gender, Environment, Health
While in the city you will be located in Chandigarh or Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar with a host family or institution:
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You will be provided comfortable accommodations conducive for your work. There will be separate living quarters for men & women
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You will have easy access to Reliable medical assistance & telecommunications
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Healthy, hygienic Punjabi meals will be prepared by your host or pre-arranged |
During your time in the field:
Depending on the nature of your volunteer work, prepare yourself to live in a village setting with fewer creature comforts than in the City.
If living away from our Chandigarh headquarters, you will be placed with a dependable host family or institution, where your safety and health will be of primary importance.
We are looking for potential CABS participants who have completed at least two years of post high school education or have five years of post high school work experience, and possess the following characteristics:
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An interest in the history, culture and the people of Punjab
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An interest in hands on community work & working with others
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Team players & willing to live with one or more room mates
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Desire to explore and develop ideas through research & writing
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Adaptability to different environments and experiences
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A sense of adventure
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Self motivated |
In order to benefit local communities, participants will raise funds for their particular projects prior to their arrival. Participants will be supported in their fund raising efforts by our North American & UK based team.
Deadline for Application July 30, 2005
CABS 05-06 will begin in October 2005
