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Help with some eco projects and experience local village life in Kerala, India

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    I live between our old (backwater) home (where I work & workaway) and my parents home about 10 kms away. I am occasionally joined by my mother to oversee farm happenings, and by my brother who has special needs and loves board games and the harmonica. This house has great potential, it was once an Airbnb but now lies without a definite goal except to sustain food production- you may come and leave your mark.

    We are currently focused on manual watering- from the river using buckets. This is a physically intensive job. We are also keen to have somebody who can cook for themselves if not for two-three people.

    Some ideas we are dabbling with: Zero-till farming, natural buildings, upcycling from the local salvage
    Some ideas I am dabbling with: SOLAR PUNK, Kalari, Meditations (Vipassana/Zazen), Platforms to connect me/India to the world (Etsy, education), Tao Te Ching,
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    Other potential jobs:

    At parent's home: Complete Family tree (meals will be provided)

    At backwater home: Utilizing PAINT to art ( tribal stick figures)

    BUILDING an outside fire place- for cooking.

    Using reclaimed Aluminum FENCING to fix broken walls

    Some basic BAMBOO projects are planned-

    Optional
    Making VOLUNTEERING trips to a wonderful endeavor - we can join them at 5 AM for meal prep, resident bathing etc. They are a home for people with mental challenges that have no where else to go. The trust also serves a 1000 meals everyday for the bystanders/caretakers of patients at hospitals.

    Making VOLUNTEERING trips to the hard-to-reach hamlets in Kerala to raise awareness about free educational resources among other things
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    See what fits your interest and duration of stay here or we may brainstorm other ideas.

    We will stock up the kitchen with the local farm-store produce.

    I will keep things interesting for you by showing you very local spots and trails
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    If time permits- we will make a trip to hidden backwater spot where the freshest & sweetest coconut sap juices flow abundantly. It is the best Toddy in all of Kerala- let no previous experience discourage you.

    I am currently going with the flow, waiting for the breeze to take me weightless to next plans, but if the breeze blows you my way - that will be our project for now.

    Being riverside, we have kayaks to ride the water roads. No surprise here that water roads are way more fun than tar roads. Also water roads during sunrise and sunset is magic. Interested individuals could help with clearing the waterways near our home among other things.

    More about me:
    My keen interests are story-telling educating (making science fun and interesting), devising sustainable and independent ways of living, contributing towards solving social issues like waste management, flora/fauna preservation, historical and cultural contexts, exploring art

    I think of myself as a flaneur, grateful to be basking in the magic that surrounds us.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Charity Work
    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Elderly Companionship
    Teaching
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    Hospitality/Tourism
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You can get an immersive look into the village life. I am drawn to the old ways, including the history of this land, which I love to share. Trips to the local toddy shop, eateries and view points is my routine- you may join when keen.

  • Help

    Help

    As far as farming goes, we follow zero-till farming or Zero-effort farming (:)), which is not really zero-effort but close enough. We try to let things grow as they want to, with minimal intervention, creating a vibrant eco-system. We do try to create a little space around our harvest plants like turmeric, black pepper, passion fruit etc

    Building mud, bamboo, clay structures, incorporating sustainable waste - management and energy systems like biogas systems etc are all part of the plans for the future. I am also keen to try many traditional recipes for farming, mosquito repellents etc.

    Being riverside, we have kayaks to ride the water roads. No surprise here that water roads are way more fun than tar roads. Also water roads during sunrise and sunset is magic. Interested individuals could help with clearing the waterways near our home among other things.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Hindi: Fluent
    Malayalam: Fluent
    Arabic: Beginner
    Spanish: 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.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We have a 3 bedroom house (with attached bathrooms): A room for myself, a room for workawayers and a room for my parents and family who drop by occasionally. There is also a separate space in the back, with an old kitchen, sleeping space and eastern toilet- which we hope to revitalize soon enough.

    As far as eateries close by, we do have a generational breakfast place by the house- open from 6 AM to 9:30- 10:00 AM.

    There is also lunch served by Kudumbshree (women's collective) about 500 meters away. It has been especially good lately, they start serving at noon upto 2 PM- sometimes 2:30- 3PM. Also they are open Monday through Friday (some Saturdays).

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Kumarakom backwaters are very close to us, so is Kottayam town. There are buses every 15 minutes There is a lot of history and scenery in the area that I can direct you to. Thazthanagady Juma Masjid, CMS College, Thirunakkara Temple, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary among many others. Also our place is equidistant from Thekkedy, Varkala, Allappey etc (about 2-3 hours from all these places). You can reach Allappey by ferry boat (costs about Rs 20/ ticket) and get a nice 2-3 hour boat ride through the lake.

  • 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

    We do have a good internet connection

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We can take in pets. There is plenty of verandah space and field in the front which would work well.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 947896564323

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Photos

The image depicts a serene room with a tree mural on the wall, featuring a bench, chair, and table, evoking a sense of calm and tranquility.
The image depicts three men working on a project, surrounded by various materials and tools, with a focus on crafting wooden frames.
The image depicts a man holding a microphone, standing in front of a grey wall, with short dark hair and a grey shirt, likely engaged in a presentation or speech.
The image depicts a serene tropical scene, featuring a house with a covered porch, lush greenery, and vibrant flowers, set against a bright and overcast sky.

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