Centre for Tribal and Rural Development

CTRD is an Indian non-governmental, non-profit organization founded in 1988 by R.S. Ranganathen. The campus is located in the middle of the jungle in the west of the Nilgiri Hills, about 50 km from Ooty. The aim of the organization is to improve the disadvantaged situation of Adivasis and the impoverished rural inhabitants of the Gudalur block through health, education and agricultural programs. Volunteers can get involved in this.

Possible tasks include teaching preschool children, mostly English, designing the website, helping with project planning, making applications, etc., translating into German, working in the infirmary, gardening and field work. In addition, students may conduct field research in the surrounding tribal settlements. Volunteers are housed on campus in double or shared rooms. The cost of room and board is about 100 euros per month. This includes three hot (mostly vegetarian) meals per day.