Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
9 Feb 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
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Details
Description
Hello!
My name is Varun, and I’m a traveller 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 have also been a Workaway volunteer, travelling to many countries, and I loved the experience.
I recently bought a house in the Kangra Valley, nestled at the foot of the Dhauladhar mountains in Himachal Pradesh. It’s a peaceful place surrounded by nature and full of potential for creative projects and meaningful work.
About the house
The 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 has 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 during summer days and 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 to do the same.
Our Vision
I want this place to become a centre where people from around the world can come together, share ideas, and work on solutions to 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 those techniques are slowly disappearing. Together, we can give them a new life and inspire others to adopt sustainable practices.
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
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You’ll experience the life of a Himachal village, learn about sustainable living, and explore local traditions and festivals.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
UPDATE - DEC 2024
Currently, only my parents are living at the house. They recently managed to collect clay bricks from an old house that was being demolished. We need help stacking these bricks and covering them to protect them from rain. Additionally, we plan to create a pile of the leftover mud.
If you have creative ideas for using these bricks and mud, we would love to hear them! Your input could help us make the best use of these materials in an eco-friendly and meaningful way
You don’t need to be an expert. If you’re eager to learn, share your ideas, and contribute meaningfully, you’re welcome to join us!
We need help with the following tasks:
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.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Hindi: Fluent
German: BeginnerThis 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.
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 get colder, as typical rural houses in these areas do not offer 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 enough warm clothes and bedding if needed.
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 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.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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