Travel To India
The purpose of our immersion travel opportunity is to give you the chance to meet and connect with women and girls on the ground, dive into our programs, understand the issues of trafficking and gender abuse, and to immerse into the rich and eclectic cultures.
Our intimate group setting delivers an authentic lived-experience, balancing each trip with a mix of culture, history, exploring, relaxation and most importantly, the support of local NGOs, businesses and female artisans.
Jan. 26th - Feb. 1st, 2025 - REGISTRATION OPEN
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – arrivals and welcome dinner
Day 2 – presentation on trafficking and gender abuse, visit the Seva Center at Her Future Learning Center, make a piece of jewelry with female metalsmiths, explore fair-trade markets
Day 3 – visit Shelter Home, shop female artisan products, volunteer-led workshops with women and girls
Day 4 – visit Red Light Resource Centers, volunteer-led workshops with children
Day 5 – visit slum community Middle School, volunteer-led workshops
Day 6 – morning walking tour, Confluences of Cultures, afternoon visit to Street Child Project, volunteer-led workshops, final group dinner and closing circle
Day 7 – departures
Trip Details
To join our trips we ask that all participants raise a minimum of $5,000 by joining our team of fundraisers under our parent campaign on NetworkForGood. The goal is that we raise awareness around the global issue of human trafficking & gender abuse within our own communities.
Trip includes:
- western-style hotel accomodation and transportation
- breakfast, lunch and filtered water (first and final dinner)
- 4 full days of a deep dive into modern day trafficking and site visits
- visit Mother Theresa’s Tomb & Confluences of Cultures walking tour
- market visits for shopping fair-trade artisan goods
- airport transfers to hotel upon arrivals
- all taxes, tips and service charges included
- $3500 tax-exempt donation to Her Future Coalition
Trip does not include:
- International airfare
- Visa
- Ubers or departure transport to airport
- Alcohol or wine (welcome to purchase yourself!)
- Dinners outside of welcome and final
Additional information:
- Trip is co-led by Tiffany Cruikshank (founder of Yoga Medicine), Amanda Cunningham (Seva Director) & Sarah Symons (founder of Her Future Coalition)
- Many guests choose to stay in India longer to explore other parts and/or plan to visit the Taj Mahal
- We offer a Zoom meeting before trips for attendees to meet each other, this helps with travel anxiety!
- We try our best to link solo attendees up at layover airports so you have a travel buddy arriving to Kolkata
- We know trips like this can be scary and exciting. Please feel free to reach out and we’re happy to chat through logistics. Once registered, you’ll have a good flow of emails regarding all aspects of the trip and expectations. A 12-page preparation guide is sent a few weeks before the trip, as well.
Payment and Travel Details
- Full payment is due 90-days before travel dates.
- All attendees must have travel health insurance and submit proof 30 days before arrival to India.
- All attendees must have a valid Visa to enter India and submit this documentation 30 days prior to travel.
- All attendees must pay for and coordinate their own travel (airfare only).
- Donations cannot be transferred to a future trip.
- All payments and donations are nonrefundable.
Meet Your Trip Facilitators
Tiffany Cruikshank
Founder
Teacher, student, author, and educator, Tiffany’s passion lies in helping people feel their best with a combination of research-based approaches, traditional practices, and experience. She is passionate about empowering women with tools and resources that lead to healthier, happier lives.
Amanda Cunningham
Seva Director
Amanda first crossed paths with Yoga Medicine® in 2014 completing her 500-hour yoga teacher training. She was on our inaugural trip to India and in 2016 she coordinated the launch of Yoga Medicine® Seva Foundation. Amanda is an integral part of growing our philanthropic community and eager to guide others on and off the mat.
Meet Our Operating Partner
Her Future Coalition, founded by Sarah Symons, is a U.S. 501c3 nonprofit that operates on the ground in India, Nepal and Africa. Since 2005, Her Future has been working to ensure that survivors of trafficking and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence, and girls at high risk, have what they need to remain free, safe and independent. Their goal is to provide long term, intensive programs which address root causes and systemic injustice.
One of Seva’s favorite vocational programs is Her Future’s Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design. Traditionally, metalsmithing was a male-only profession. Survivors are breaking gender barriers, earning livable wages and uplifting their families and communities through this vocational education and rehabilitation program.
FAQs
Yes, of course! Any fundraisers who raise $5K or more are invited on our next trip.
Absolutely! We do ask that all participants are a minimum of 14 years old due to the potentially graphic conversation and information presented on this trip.
Your $5000 must be paid in full 90-days prior to our next travel dates.
Please contact Amanda, the Seva Director, at seva@yogamedicine.com.
While we want our participants to raise awareness in their communities by fundraising, we do open a handful of spots each trip for those who would like to simply write a check to join. Contact our Seva Director if this interests you.
HEAR FROM PAST PARTICIPANTS
Mariya
My time in Kolkata with Seva is one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I appreciated the actual scale of work that Seva is doing to take care of the girls and the field staff. It was heartening to sit and share tea with them, hear their stories, and see their smiles when they showed us their handiwork. This empowered fundraisers like me to come back to home and raise more funds!
Katia
The greatest impact of my trip to Kolkata wasn’t what I expected it to be. I was focusing on the heartbreaking stories behind the project, but what I found was love and empowerment. The most important thing that I came away with after the trip is the visceral realisation that we can all make a difference and it isn’t as hard as one might think. It is only through empowering others and giving them opportunities that true sustainable change can be achieved.
Amanda
When I heard about the Yoga Medicine® Seva Foundation project and decided to take part, I thought that I would go there to help the women and children. However, in truth they have helped me. Their smiles, laughter and beaming sense of pride was contagious; and reminded me that the future is in our hands and does not need to be dictated by sadness from the past. Every woman or child I met taught me that wherever we live in the world and whatever trauma we have faced in our lives, we are able to grow and move on from it with love and support from the people who surround us.