Sow, Grow, and Thrive: Volunteer with Us on a Coconut Farm and Finish an Earthship Home, Marchanahalli, Karnataka, India

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  Description

  Namaste friends! My name is Shashi and I am currently located at a serene coconut farm in the peaceful village of Marchanahalli, near Maddur district, Karnataka, South India. I am reaching out to you to share the incredible experience of this place and invite you to join me as a volunteer.
  
  Marchanahalli is a small village blessed with friendly farmers who surround us. The beauty of this village lies in its breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, which can be witnessed from our base camp. The property boasts around 110 coconut trees and is filled with the melodious tunes of various birds throughout the day. Additionally, we are fortunate to have peacocks gracing us with their presence. The climate here is pleasant, with temperatures reaching around 33⁰C at noon and cooling down during the nights and early mornings.
  
  I have embarked on a project to build an earth-bag mud house, and I have already made significant progress since February 10th. Alongside my two friends, Nils and Juli, we have constructed the base camp, a cozy fireplace, a compost washroom, and laid the foundation for the house in just 25 days. While Nils and Juli are continuing their adventures abroad, I am here alone and excited to welcome more volunteers who are willing to lend a hand in plastering, roofing, painting, interior designing, and farming. We also focus on improving the soil on the farm, planting more trees, and ensuring the farm remains operational.
  
  For accommodation, volunteers have the option to camp on the farm if they have their own tents or stay at the base camp we have built, free of charge. Alternatively, there is a rental room available in the village, which we sometimes use for storage or for those who prefer a roof over their heads. Sleeping under the open sky is highly recommended during the summer, as the night sky here is truly mesmerizing.
  
  As for meals, I take pleasure in cooking delicious vegetarian food daily, with a focus on healthy, gluten-free, vegan, and oil-free options. Basic meals like breakfast/brunch and dinner will be provided, and I kindly request volunteers to contribute towards the grocery costs. If you prefer to dine out occasionally, there are restaurants located just 5 kilometers away. Our kitchen is fully equipped and we have a reliable supply of electricity and water, which is located approximately 20 meters from the base camp.
  
  Living in this tranquil environment offers a down-to-earth and relaxing experience, allowing you to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The physically demanding tasks have already been completed, and now we are focusing on the enjoyable and creative process of plastering.
  
  If you would like to learn more or have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 9900178096. I am also happy to connect you with our previous volunteers, who can share their firsthand experiences.
  
  Essential languages for communication here are Kannada, Hindi, or English.
  
  I look forward to welcoming you to this wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, contribute to our project, and create lasting memories.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Benefits of Cultural Exchange and Experiential Learning
  Travellers participating in a cultural exchange at my coconut farm in Marchanahalli, Karnataka, South India, can expect to benefit in several ways and have the opportunity to learn various valuable skills. Here are some of the potential benefits and learning opportunities:
  Cultural Immersion
  
  Local Traditions and Customs: Travellers can immerse themselves in the local village lifeatyle, food, and building style in villages, gaining a deeper understanding of the way of life in rural India.
  Language Skills: They have the chance to learn or improve their language skills, especially in Kannada and Hindi, by interacting with locals and engaging in day-to-day conversations.
  
  Sustainable Living and Farming
  
  Sustainable Practices: Participants can learn about sustainable living practices, such as building with natural materials, composting, and organic farming, which they can apply in their own lives.
  Farming Techniques: They can gain hands-on experience in farming, including nurturing coconut trres, how and when to harvest them and planting trees, improving soil quality, and understanding the principles of organic agriculture. We have 90+ coconut trees we need to improve their condition and make them harvest to their potential.
  
  Creativity and Construction
  
  Earth-Bag Mud House Construction: Volunteers can see and learn how we built our earthbag farm house. We already raised the walls. You can ask questions and find out how we did it.
  Plastering and Roofing: Participants have the opportunity to learn the art of clay plastering, support with simple roofing, and interior designing with mud, contributing to the creation of a sustainable living space.
  
  Culinary Exploration
  
  Cooking and Nutrition: Travellers can explore vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and oil-free cooking, learning about nutritious meal preparation and gaining insight into local karnataka culinary traditions.
  
  Personal Growth and Connection
  
  Nature Connection and Artistic Expression: Participants can connect with nature, relax, listen to variety of birds chirping and engage in creative activities such as flow art practice(juggling, dapostar, staff, & mace), music around a bonfire, going to temples around, natural wells for a refreshing dip, and outdoor games like badminton, fostering a sense of community and personal well-being.
  
  Interpersonal Skills
  
  Community Living: Volunteers will learn to live in a small, remote village, experiencing the simplicity of farm life, collective cooking, and the joy of sharing love and food with others.
  
  This cultural exchange opportunity offers travellers a chance to broaden their horizons, gain practical skills, and create meaningful connections while contributing to a sustainable project in a beautiful rural setting.

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  Help

  The help that is required here is to assist with a variety of tasks including roofing(support professionals hired), clay plastering, gardening, watering plants, completing the mud house interiors and expanding the base camp, where we are camping . Additionally, volunteers are encouraged to contribute to the aesthetic improvement of the farm. The primary focus is to foster a communal living environment where ideas are shared, things are grown, and the overall aesthetics of the farm are enhanced.
  
  Specific Tasks
  
  Roofing and Plastering: Assistance is needed in the clay and lime plastering of the earth-bag mud house. We are planning to take professional support for roof. Volunteers can help as professionals suggest. We have ladders and stools to work with height. Its hardly 10feet and we should be doing fine with our expert guidance.
  Gardening and Plant Care: Volunteers will be involved in tending to the coconut trees and ensuring the well-being of the trees.
  Completing the Mud House: Work on the completion of the mud house interiors and flooring with clay and cob is an integral part of the project.
  Cooking and Community Meals: Openness to cooking vegetarian community meals is encouraged. Donations of rice, dal, ragi, and/or wheat flour are appreciated, and volunteers have the option to skip paying for groceries.
  Expanding Base Camp and Flooring: Help is needed in expanding the base camp and improving the flooring.
  
  Expectations
  
  HelpHours: Volunteers are expected to contribute a minimum of 4 hours of help per day.
  Schedule: It can be scheduled in the morning and evening, allowing for rest during the hot noon hours.
  
  The overarching goal is to live on the farm, care for it, and complete the mud house. This communal living experience provides an opportunity for volunteers to engage in meaningful work, contribute to the farm's development, and be part of a collective effort to create a sustainable and harmonious living space.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Hindi: Fluent
  Kannada: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I would love to learn german, russian or spanish and also teach indian languages
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  Accommodation

  At our farm in Marchanahalli, Karnataka, South India, volunteers have the option to camp using their own tents or stay at the base camp(outdoor setup) with a mosquito net.
  
  Additionally, there is a shared room available approximately 1km away from the farm, however, it is rarely used. Since the beginning, we have been living and sleeping at the farm itself.
  
  Camp Your Own Tents
  Volunteers are welcome to set up their own tents at the farm. We provide space, mats and blankets.
  
  Base Camp Stay
  
  The base camp provides comfortable accommodation with a mosquito net. The net can hold 2 people and its occupied. If required a mosquito net for more, we can arrange it based on requirement. Its free to stay at the base camp.
  Room stay
  While a room is available about 1km away (with mats to sleep) we encourage volunteers to consider the immersive experience of sleeping at the farm itself, enjoying the tranquil setting and the captivating night sky. Staying at our room in the village is free as well.
  
  Embracing a simple and minimalistic lifestyle during your stay will enhance your connection with nature and the farm environment, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty and serenity of the surroundings.

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  What else ...

  Leisure Activities and Local Amenities
  While staying at our farm in Marchanahalli, Karnataka, South India, volunteers are encouraged to immerse themselves in the simple and serene village life and make the most of their free time. Here are some activities and amenities available in the local area:
  Village Life Experience
  
  Embrace Simple Living: We encourage volunteers to try and live a simple life, similar to the local farmers around us, as part of the immersive experience.
  Relaxation and Meditation: Free time can be spent relaxing, meditating, or reading amidst the peaceful surroundings of the village.
  Art & small projects: encourage participants to create art on paper or in solid form and proactively involve in creating things in the farm
  Pursue your hobbies: free time.can be spent to do what you like to do
  
  Local Activities
  
  Exploration: Volunteers can take leisurely walks in the fields, visit the nearby temple, and participate in local traditions such as "harikathe."
  Swimming: Enjoy a refreshing swim in the wells within the village.
  
  Recreational Pursuits
  
  Engaging Hobbies: Volunteers are free to engage in activities such as learning flow arts, practicing yoga, and playing board games (feel free to bring your own, but we also have two sets of cards available).
  
  Transportation and Connectivity
  
  Local Transport: Rickshaws are readily available to take volunteers to the nearby town, which is well-connected with bus routes.
  Essential Errands: For grocery shopping and other essentials, volunteers can utilize a borrowed bike, with the village's house, wells, and small shops conveniently located within walking distance.
  
  During their time off, volunteers can enjoy the tranquility of the village, engage in cultural experiences, and explore the natural beauty of the surrounding areas. It's important to note that while engaging in recreational activities, we emphasize the importance of respecting local customs, refraining from any violent or disruptive behavior, and being considerate towards other farmers and animals in the vicinity.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We do not have wifi but our network is allowing me to work at the farm. From the room in the village you get very good network for using mobile hotspot for work. I am working remotely as well as a event manager and I'm able to manage my work

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There's a while lot of place for people to camp or park vehicles. They are welcome to get their own vehicles

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  Can possibly accept pets

  You are completely responsive for your pet and if you think you can handle them, we are pet friendly

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week