MC Family

Volunteers

“What I can do, you cannot. What you can do, I cannot. But together we can do something beautiful for God.” (Mother Teresa)

History

Mother Teresa’s humble service to the poor drew many, especially the young, to share in her works of love. Like her, they were desirous to give their “hands to serve and hearts to love”.  From the very beginning of the Missionaries of Charity thousands of volunteers contributed their time and talents to helping Mother Teresa’s mission among the poorest of the poor. The volunteers come from different walks of life (from students to retired professionals), from different countries across the globe and a different period of time (literally from a few hours to possibly a few years) and serve the poorest of the poor in different parts of the world. Their service alongside the sisters is invaluable not only for the poor they served but also for their own growth and enrichment. The volunteers join the sisters in the work and in prayer, as much as their schedule permits them

Recommendations

Tips for Volunteering in Kolkata

• Nirmal Hriday (Immaculate Heart), Kalighat: the first home of the Missionaries of Charity welcomes seriously sick and dying men and women
• Daya Dan (Gift of Compassion), home for mild to profoundly developmentally challenged children up to the age of 18.
• Shanti Dan (Gift of Peace), home solely for women with mild to serious developmental challenges
• Prem Dan (Gift of Love), home for destitute men and women who have various sicknesses and disabilities.
• The Sisters are involved in many street apostolates with the poorest of the poor in the city. You may be asked on occasion to assist in helping at one of their apostolates on a need basis. However, the four homes mentioned above are the main sites at which volunteers serve.
• Visiting Hours for our Homes: 9 a.m. – 11.30 am and 3 p.m. – 5.30 p.m. Closed on Thursdays which is a rest day for volunteers.

Volunteer timings:

• Mass begins at 6 a.m., followed by a simple breakfast for volunteers whose hostels are far away.
• The sister responsible for volunteers will meet the volunteers after the breakfast, give any directions for the day, issue day passes and check that new volunteers are looked after and managing the first difficult days. The volunteers who have more experience are very supportive and new volunteers will be guided by other volunteers and the sisters.
• The work begins at 8 am in the homes and finishes at 12 noon. All volunteers must leave the homes at that time. Nirmal Hriday (Kalighat) accepts volunteers also in the afternoon from 3 p.m. until 5.30 p.m.

If you’re working in Kalighat, Prem Dan or Daya Dan, you will needto get a bus to work. It is advisable to keep a ready supply of coins, as the conductors don’t like giving change. It costs 4 rupees from Motherhouse to Kalighat.

Prayer Timings:

• Volunteers are welcome to attend Holy Mass at 6 am and evening Adoration in Motherhouse sisters’ common Chapel on Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 5 pm to 6 pm, Sunday and Saturday from 4.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. On some days the timing varies, but volunteers will be informed of the time on those particular days.
• Volunteers are welcome to view Mother Teresa’s Room and the Museum on Mother Teresa’s life, message and spirit. Additionally, they can pray silently at Mother’s tomb during the visiting hours. Mother Teresa’s words, “The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service and the fruit of service is peace,” would be the guiding light to all volunteers. Sharing in the spirituality of St. Teresa of Calcutta during volunteering helps to make their experience a time of spiritual growth and grace.
• Volunteers are encouraged to participate in the weekly sharing, the monthly recollection days and the daily prayer.
• Weekly Holy Mass and Blessing (with Mother Teresa’s Relic) at Mother Teresa’s Tomb is held on Fridays at 4.30 p.m.

Accommodation for volunteers:

There are numerous guesthouses, cheap hotels and mid-range hotels available close by for volunteers to choose from. The most convenient hostels and the ones closest to Motherhouse are:

You are not required to call or write to the sisters ahead of time to go to Kolkata to volunteer. Simply “show up” for Orientation and Registration:

• Damien House (conducted by The Sacred Heart Fathers and Brothers). There are 10 self-contained rooms, a chapel, kitchen, washing machine, television and sitting room area.
• Baptist Missionary Society (BMS). This hostel has dormitories, double and single rooms (attached bathroom). It can accommodate big numbers of volunteers but is necessary to book well in advance as BMS accepts guests from its own mission stations throughout India and is often fully booked.
• Numerous other hostels in Sudder Street area: Salvation Army Hostel, Hotel Galaxy are popular choices.

Suggestions and guidelines:

(by Jim, volunteer)

• It has been my experience that volunteering in Kolkata at the homes of the Missionaries of Charity is a special experience and a privilege. I have witnessed that volunteers who fully immerse themselves in the experience, both the work and the spiritual opportunities provided, gain the maximum benefit. You will find the Sisters to be welcoming, accepting and inspiring, so we volunteers are encouraged to always respect the place as visitors in their homes.
• As volunteers, while we are in Motherhouse, at morning breakfast and other times of spiritual activities we must always be aware that it is a sacred place of a Saint, where people come for silent prayer and to participate in Masses at the tomb of Saint Teresa of Calcutta. It is also the house of Sisters’ Generalate and the Novitiate of the MC Congregation.  We are expected to maintain the place as ‘quiet zone’ and respect it as a convent of Religious Sisters.
• Each Home and the apostolic centres have their rules based on civil regulations. Let us be aware that the Homes are not Hospitals! They are Homes for giving love and tender care for homeless and abandoned persons by society. Volunteers’ responsible behaviour, adherence to homes’ policies, respecting local culture and dress codes, adapting to each situation, will enhance your own experience. It will also make a real, positive difference. Our support, cooperation and prayers help the Sisters to serve the poor better.

Contact Information

Many people have found volunteering to be the experience of a lifetime. Volunteers are welcome to help the sisters in their service to the poorest of the poor for a week, a month, or longer. For those wishing to volunteer in Calcutta, please write directly to Sister in-charge of volunteers:

Missionaries of Charity
Sister in-charge of Volunteers
54/A A.J.C. Bose Road
Calcutta 700016
India
Tel : +91-33-2249-7115 or +91-86-9700-7115

Volunteering elsewhwere

For those wishing to volunteer elsewhere, please contact the regional house for the country where you plan to volunteer (Sorry, no e-mail available). View the list of regional houses of the Missionaries of Charity with the respective country in each Region: Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, The Americas