1 / 4
updated  

Volunteer in a non-profit and contribute to social change in the rural Kumaon Himalayas in Uttarakhand, India

  • Favourited 124 times
  • Last activity: 25 Apr 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are one of the oldest Community based organisations working in the rural Kumaon region in the hill district of Almora, Uttarakhand. Our focus is on promoting organic agriculture, water harvesting, providing technological innovation to mountain farmers, skill building them to create value added food products and support them with marketing.

    We have small business units that are run by local community members. Our village bakery makes products such as buns, muffins, cookies etc. for local consumers. We have a women- run organic products manufacturing facility that makes certified organic food products such as Pickles, Jams, Pastes, Concentrates, Flours etc. Our community women team members also run a seed bank that stores and promotes traditional open pollinated mountain seed varieties.

    We are currently working on a rural homestay project whereby we are renovating an old traditional mountain house. The structure is located in the Pine forests and is a pretty site to observe Himalayan wildlife. Further, a walk up to the nearby villages and mountain tops give you a wide view of the Kumaon and Garhwal Himalayan mountain range!

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Workawayers can get an opportunity to volunteer in the community based initiatives at the grassroot level in the Himalayas. They will get to experience the customs and practices of the Kumaon mountain region, lifestyle, food, rituals and the simplicity of the Himalayan villages. Travellers with an experience of social work and community development will have a great opportunity to experience and understand community development with the Himalayan communities. If you have a skill which you think will be of great help to us, do let us know!

    This will be a great opportunity for digital nomads to not only work but also contributing in social development and change through skill building of people.

  • Help

    Help

    Since we are a community based organisation, the help we will be requiring but not limited to:

    1. Volunteering at our organic farm and teaching us new skills on Organic Agriculture, Permaculture, previously completed Eco- sustainable projects and technologies.
    2. Support us in documenting and digitising our projects in the Himalayan villages through quality photo stories/ short films.
    3. Helping women community members in organic food products facility, bakery and Poultry unit.
    4. Helping in renovating the old traditional house.
    5. Participate in implementing our community based interventions such as plantation drives, trainings etc.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Hindi: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    Our community staff members look forward to learn new languages particularly English. Do share with us your songs, stories and art form!

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We provide clean and hygienic dormitories along with simple yet nutritious home cooked traditional meals. We use locally procured ingredients such as Himalayan condiments and spices to take care of your food palate.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Our campus is surrounded with mountains, a river and Pine forests with a plethora of Himalayan flora and wildlife. During Spring, the forests bloom with Rhododendron and Mehal flowers and winters are perfect for bright sunshine. There are plenty of natural jungle hikes surrounding the campus. You can further explore the nearby hill stations of Almora and Ranikhet and discover the Kumaoni and British cultural and architectural heritage of the region.

    You also get to experience the slowness of the Himalayas, the absolute beauty of the environment, people and a space with the comforts of living.

    We are located in the hill regions of Uttarakhand so it takes time for travellers to reach out to us. The most suitable form of travel is through govt. transport buses that operate daily from major cities like Delhi and Dehradun.
    • Delhi- Chaukhutia: 14 hours
    • Hrishikesh- Chaukhutia- 12 hours

    Kindly discuss about the travel with us in advance so that we can convey about the travel routes and bus timings.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    Yes. We have a good internet connectivity that helps with our work. People working remotely can come and work from our campus as well.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    We have a secured parking space inside our campus.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Yes! That will be wonderful. We are frequently visited by local dogs and cats. Our organic farm also has cows , chickens and ducks

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

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

Host ref number: 636864741242

Feedback (1)

Photos

Feedback


Help out at our wakeboarding park and be part of the family in Arambol, India
Looking for some extra hands on our organic farm and food forest near Papanasam, Tirunelveli, India