Volunteer with a project focussed on sustainability and creative ventures at our home in the Himalayas, Kangra, India

Details

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  Description

  Join us in the beautiful Kangra Valley to help our ongoing efforts in empowering local children and contributing to village upliftment. We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support our community initiatives and explore sustainable living in the heart of the Dhauladhar mountain range, located in the mighty Himalayas!
  
  Hello!
  My name is Varun, and I'm a traveler with a deep love for the Himalayas. After 15 years in the corporate world, I decided to follow my passion for exploring different cultures and the beauty of nature. I've also been a Workaway volunteer, traveling to many countries, and I loved the experience.
  
  I recently bought a house in the Kangra Valley, a peaceful place surrounded by nature and full of potential for creative projects and meaningful work.
  
  About the house
  Our house sits on a 900-square-yard plot, with the building itself taking up about 300 square yards. It has four rooms, a hall, and a traditional mud kitchen with bamboo roofing. The house is a mix of mud and concrete structures. While the mud kitchen stays cool and comfortable, the concrete parts of the house can get too hot in summer and too cold in winter.
  
  I don’t want to solve this issue with air conditioning or other artificial methods. Instead, I want to explore natural and eco-friendly solutions. In the past, houses were built with materials like mud and wood, and they provided better insulation. I would love to invite people with ideas and skills to help me make this house more sustainable and inspire the local community.
  
  How our plans 'failed'
  My main focus when buying this house in 2024 was to create a place where people could learn about sustainability and harmonious coexistence with nature and each other. My initial goal was to renovate the house using natural materials and traditional building methods, hoping to inspire others to use sustainable construction.
  
  However, finding people with the right natural building expertise for this project proved challenging. While the house renovation is still a long-term goal, our immediate focus has shifted.
  
  My parents' vision and the local children
  My parents, who have worked in various parts of India, have now settled in this small village after their retirement. They are dedicated to the growth of children, women, youth, and the overall improvement of the village and region. The local community has warmly welcomed them. My father, supported by my mother, organizes evening activities where children come after school to learn life skills and good deeds. They also receive support from local non-governmental organizations.
  
  What can you do?
  I wholeheartedly welcome people from all backgrounds to come and contribute in any way they can to these ongoing community initiatives.
  
  Ultimately, I still want this place to become a center where people from around the world can come together, share ideas, and work on solutions for common problems like climate change. By reviving traditional building methods and using sustainable materials, we can create something meaningful that respects nature and helps preserve old crafts. I've met local artisans and masons who used to work with eco-friendly materials, but these techniques are slowly disappearing. Together, we can give them new life and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You’ll experience the life of a Himachal village, learn about sustainable living, and explore local traditions and festivals.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  UPDATE - JULY 2025
  Our primary focus is on the initiatives my parents have started for the village children and community upliftment.
  
  But you can also contribute to other tasks mentioned below.
  1. Construction and Renovation: Working with natural materials like mud and bamboo to renovate the house.
  2. Gardening and Landscaping: Designing sustainable gardens and improving outdoor spaces.
  3. General Maintenance: Cleaning, painting, and small repairs.
  4. Creative Projects: Decorating and creating interior designs using recycled or locally available materials.
  5. Cooking and Housekeeping: Helping in the kitchen and keeping shared spaces clean.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Hindi: Fluent
  German: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  * Accommodation: You’ll have a simple and comfortable room, or you can choose to camp in the backyard. We also have outdoor toilets and bathrooms.
  
  * Food: Meals will be prepared together using local ingredients, giving everyone a chance to share and learn new recipes.
  
  Rules -
  * We are a smoking and drug-free zone. Please respect it.
  * Respect the local culture. Wear modest clothing to align with the community’s values. (Avoid wearing tank tops, tight or see-through clothing, shorts above the knee, or low-cut tops)
  * Keep the noise levels low. Instead of loud music, enjoy the sounds of nature around you
  
  Important Note for Winter -
  In winter, the rooms become colder, as typical rural houses in these areas often lack insulation. We don’t have a centralised heating system to keep the house warm from the inside. Most people in this area wear layers of warm clothing to stay comfortable. Please come prepared with sufficient warm clothing and bedding, if needed.

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  What else ...

  In your free time, you can visit some beautiful places nearby, like:
  
  1. Dharamshala and McLeodganj: Explore Tibetan culture and the residence of the Dalai Lama.
  2. Palampur: Known for its tea gardens and natural beauty.
  3. Bir-Billing: Famous for paragliding.
  4. Local temples: Discover ancient temples rich in history and culture.
  
  
  We ask volunteers to:
  * Be respectful of the house, the local community, and its traditions.
  * Share copies of their ID for safety reasons.
  
  If you have experience in working with children, community development, or sustainable living or ideas in interior design, sustainable construction, or creative projects, that’s a big plus! Otherwise, a positive attitude and willingness to help are all we need.

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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

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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