Uttarakhand, is often referred to as the Devbhumi (literally “Land of the Gods”) due to the many Hindu temples and pilgrimage centres found throughout the state. Uttarakhand is known for its natural beauty of the Himalayas. With 65% of the total area of the state recorded as forest area it is home to rare species of plants and animals.

If you want to go for one of the several glacier treks, catch a panoramic view of the snow-clad Himalayas, visit ancient temples, be a part of local fairs and festivals, take a dip in the world famous lakes and waterfalls, watch star cluster sky at night, indulge in adventure camps, and while doing all this if you also wish to get firsthand experience of what it is like to live in this beautiful place, you can either volunteer or stay in one of the homestays and give back to the society in your own little way. We can help you – by getting you an opportunity to live in one of the villages of Uttarakhand, where you can volunteer for anyone of the following programs.

Education
Although almost every village in the mountains has a school the quality of education offered gives little chance for improved livelihood opportunities. The student drop-out rates are high as a result of poor standards of teaching also, there are not enough opportunities for co-curricular activities or vocational training. Education is a pivotal part of our integrated development work. You can volunteer to teach in the schools or if you have any particular skill ( art & craft, music, theater) that can contribute towards the holistic development of the little ones you are more than welcome to be a part of this change.

Health
The health program focuses mainly on rural Uttarakhand’s women and children. Women and girls are more malnourished than the male population in these parts. Maternal deaths and child mortality rates are rather alarming. Against this backdrop, we provide community-based health-care and access to some of the country’s highly-trained medical professionals, through our hospital and also through mobile medical camps. We welcome doctors (general physicians and specialists), community health managers, nurses, physiotherapists and anybody who would like to volunteer and help.

Livelihood
There is a close connection between sustainable livelihoods and conservation of the environment. This connection is even more fragile in the Himalayas, where the balance can be easily disturbed by irresponsible human interventions. We believe that a sustainable livelihood security is a precondition for a stable community in the long term. Securing sustainable livelihoods in resource-poor and forest areas is also the surest protection for the environment. In these isolated settlements there is a need for local craft expertise. Local craftsmen are skilled in the areas of carpentry, blacksmithing, masonry, bamboo craft, wool carpet weaving, dry flower craft, Rangoli Alpana (folk painting). The program enables farmers and local artisans to access farm and non-farm related technologies, identify suitable banks, develop links with trading agencies to improve marketing of their products, keep abreast of new policies, and learn from educational tours.

Organic Farming
We promote organic farming and permaculture by using local sustainable crop seeds with organic compost and manure. There is lots to do and learn through the year.
During the monsoon, volunteers can help the women plant rice in the paddy-fields (June-July), which although hard work, is extremely enjoyable. During harvest (September-October) visitors are shown how to cut the various crops using only a knife. The quiet farming months are December, January and February when path maintenance and tree planting takes place if the ground is soft enough. Wheat and rice grains are pounded with a mortar and pestle to make flour for the chapattis eaten at most meals. In the organic garden: onions, chillis, garlic, mustard, greens, beans, radish, peas, spinach, cabbage and many more vegetables are planted. Another prominent crop in the area is tea. The opportunity to visit a working tea plantation is often interests most of the visitors

All areas need dedicated, professional individuals like you to bring about change. No challenge is greater than one to change things positively for others, to better lives and to know that you made the difference.