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

Details

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  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!

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  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
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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

  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.

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  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.

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  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!
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  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.

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  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.

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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

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

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a secured parking space inside our campus.

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  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

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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

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