Join our community, experience village life and help as a facilitator for children in Kyari, India

Details

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  Description

  Namaste Volunteers,
  
  I’m Shekhar, born and brought up in the small village of Kyari in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Our home is surrounded by lush sal forests, a flowing river, and the mighty Himalayas on the horizon. Here we’ve built a place shaped by mud cottages, slow rhythms, and the belief that tourism can heal rather than harm.
  
  Our story began in 2010, when my brother and I decided to create something different from the usual city-owned resorts crowding Corbett. We wanted a space rooted in the community, giving local youth a chance to work meaningfully while protecting the culture and ecology of our village. Today, more than a decade later, nearly a third of our village is connected to the camp, directly or indirectly.
  
  Life at the camp is simple, soulful, and connected to the land. Volunteers join us not only in daily tasks but also in sharing stories around a bonfire, wandering forest trails, helping with village events, or sipping quiet chai under the trees. Every day here is a small act of learning and unlearning — about nature, people, and ourselves.
  
  Our aim is to seed a form of travel that is responsible, creative, and regenerative — where visitors don’t just pass through but become part of the ongoing story of conservation and community.

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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

  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

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
  
  Kyari is a farming village where families tend mango orchards, paddy fields, and grow a rainbow of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Life here follows the rhythm of the land — planting, harvesting, festivals, and sharing meals from what we grow.
  
  Being at the edge of Corbett Tiger Reserve means wildlife is part of daily life: deer grazing in the fields, elephants wandering the riverbed, wild boar rustling through the forest, and an orchestra of birds at dawn. For nature lovers, this is not just a visit — it’s a chance to live in an active forest ecosystem.
  
  As locals, we love opening our doors and lives to volunteers. You’ll not only experience the village “from inside out” but also share in the small, meaningful moments: helping in fields, joining a community gathering, learning a folk recipe, or sitting by the fire as stories are exchanged.

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  Help

  Help Required
  
  We host outdoor learning and conservation programs for school children, families, and groups. These usually run for 2–5 days and blend nature walks, river explorations, cycling, forest hikes, team-building games, birdwatching, and village tours. Sometimes we also organize tree-spotting trails or small community service projects.
  
  Volunteers are invited to join our in-house guides as co-facilitators — helping keep the energy flowing, supporting participants, and sharing in the fun. You won’t be expected to lead activities alone, but rather to be part of the team that makes these experiences meaningful.
  
  There’s also space to bring in your own creativity — whether that’s storytelling, art, photography, music, or simply sharing your skills with kids and guests. Every program is a chance to learn together and to create moments that stay with people long after they leave the forest.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Hindi: Fluent

  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
  
  Volunteers usually stay with us at the camp, in a private room close to the forest. On days when the camp is full with guests, we arrange a cozy homestay in the village instead — a chance to experience village life more closely.
  
  In either case, all meals are shared at the camp, where we cook together, eat together, and wind down as a community.

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  What else ...

  Additional benefits
  
  When the day’s work is done, life here slows down beautifully. Volunteers often spend evenings swinging in a hammock, watching the sun drop behind the forest, or sitting on a river rock listening to its flow. Our small library has books on nature and wildlife for those who love to read, and the kitchen is always open if you’d like to learn or share recipes.
  
  For the adventurous, safaris into Corbett Tiger Reserve can be arranged, and nearby hill stations like Nainital, Ranikhet, and Almora make for perfect weekend getaways. Treks in the Himalayan foothills or lending a hand at the village school are also possible ways to immerse deeper in the community.
  
  Public transport here is limited but available, and the rhythm of slow travel often becomes part of the experience.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have plenty of parking space at our property.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

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