A lowdown on volunteer tourism

Do vacations have to be about relaxing and spending time at luxurious places all the time? At least I don't think so. For me every travel opportunity is about learning something new. One holiday season that is universally same is probably the Christmas break. It is the time when everyone travels out to some place. It couldn't be a family vacation because my hubby being with the airlines, could not manage leave. So it was just me and my 6 year old.

I thought why not, try out volunteer travel.  In other words it is  a type of travel where you work towards some cause and get to travel at the same time.  Mostly catering to the gap year students, volunteer travel is a cheap and effective way of exploring a country. Many places pay a small sum for your work, while many others just provide food and shelter. More than exploring a place and contributing to a cause, it offers great experience for bonding with lots of people and serves as a learning experience. This concept is quite popular outside India and is gradually picking up roots here too. Many international organisations provide help in finding projects that one might be interested in.

So what do you do on a volunteer holiday? You could teach, work at a farm, working with underprivileged children or orphans, promote a sport, afforestation, organic farming or help in spiritual training, the opportunities are numerous. This link provides a wide range of possible opportunities in India.  

From the entire list I chose some closest to Bangalore. Many places require you to write in many months in advance and book your slot. Auroville in Pondicherry, offers lot of volunteering opportunities and one such place was Sadhana Forest. Here, volunteers are welcome all through the year without no restriction on the maximum number of volunteers. I filled up an form on their website and immediately they responded back saying that they welcome volunteering families. They were also kind enough to reserve a private hut for us on prior intimation. Sadhana is involved in reforestation of 70acres severely eroded land near Moratandi village. It aims to recreate the Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest.

Accommodation for volunteers is in exchange for a 25 hour work week with additional community shifts which consists of cooking meals and cleaning after meals. Volunteers mainly plant, mulch, and water trees during the season, work on water conservation in the forest and around the community, work in their little vegan-organic vegetable garden, maintain the community area, and spend time with the community kids. Volunteers are free in the afternoons and evenings, which could be used to explore Auroville and the nearby Pondicherry. Weekends could be reserved for a little further off places like Thiruvannamalai or Mahabalipuram.

This was my attempt to provide a peek into community living, the importance of green cover on earth and the ways to build it up to my son.

Khamir : A cultural and art resource

Kachchh is no doubt a colorful place and it carries rich historical presence too. Development and preservation of the art and craft is a huge effort and Khamir short form (Kutch Heritage,Arts, Music Information and Resource) is a organisation that is involved in doing so. 

Khamir is situated at a peaceful locale on the outskirts of Bhuj near Kukma and is also pretty close to the Bhuj-Bacchau highway.In addition to its work in preserving and promoting the craft and heritage of Kachcch, also offers its guesthouses for tourists. So while you stay at Khamir, you can also witness many artisans at work, see exhibitions and workshops being held there and also shop at their craft shop which houses handicrafts from the entire area. This might in fact save you a trip to many villages to see the work actually being done. That's a different experience altogether when you can interact with the artisans themselves.

Taking utmost care to craft out his creations

We could understand the entire process of Ajrakh block printing, saw a potter at work, an artisan  weaving baskets and mats out of recycled plastic sheets and the  bell metal studio while here at Khamir.

There was also a wonderful exhibition that was going on, Kachchh Ji Chaap. It was held to uncover the traditions of block print and batik through stories and textiles crafted by artisan communities of Kachchh. Some old and interesting pieces were on display and one could also bid for it. 

Block printed cloth being dried out. Only natural colors are used

Building blocks of Ajrakh

The entire campus of Khamir is built in a delightful architectural style which is appealing and eco-friendly. Accommodation consists of both, rooms as well as dormitories for larger groups. Unlike a resort, you cannot expect many facilities here, however the  rooms are clean and basic. Our room had a small courtyard too.

The Khamir Campus

Antique fashioned doors and the courtyard give a rustic touch to the room!

You can have all your meals here in Khamir. They have a wonderful Nepali cook Manish. Prior intimation is of course required for dinner. And you would get breakfast only after Manish reaches the campus. (All staff stay at Bhuj, except for a watchman) and he cooks dinner for you before he leaves the campus. You can also request him to cook anything of your choice, as long as it is vegetarian.  A small tuck shop caters to your tea,coffee and snacks during the day. Staff here are extremely friendly and is like a family.

As the location is pretty much off the main road, the campus does get lonely after all the staff leave and there is none but a watchman. Getting a cup of coffee or tea becomes difficult in the morning. Also without a vehicle you remain pretty much stranded here. They have a tie up with a local auto guy who can ferry you around.  All in all, the stay at Khamir is a lovely break from the monotony of pool faced crowded hotels and resorts. We welcomed the year 2014 while there at Khamir away from all the bustle and din of cities.

Next time when at Bhuj, consider staying at Khamir instead of a fancy resort and in some way you are contributing towards their cause of preserving local arts, crafts and heritage. 

KHAMIR Craft Resource Centre

Behind BMCB Social City

Lakhond-Kukma Crossroads

Post Village Kukma, Taluka Bhuj

Kachchh, Gujarat 370105

India

Phone

+91 02832 – 271272/422