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PERMACULTURE (SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION)ꟾ VINWC23- 15ꟾ 2023-11-26 – 2023-12-08ꟾ ENVI/AGRI  AGE: 18-99

VIN’s Environment and Conservation Programs focus on promoting community awareness of crucial environmental issues and developing solutions. VIN runs a number of environmental projects to conserve, promote and protect environment and culture and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution in order to enhance health, safety and welfare of this and future generation. We use permaculture for sustainable farming! We started teaching and implementing Permaculture from later 2018! We believe Permaculture help restore whole ecosystem! Agriculture provides subsistence and employment for 80% of the population of Nepal, accounting for approximately 39 % to the total GDP. The development of the sector is crucial for the empowerment of those who rely upon it and for the national economy. Since Nepal is in Himalayan region, it has been badly affected by the Climate Change! The sources of water are drying; new types of moths / insects are in existence; the crop cultivation time changed, unexpected change in climate, unpredictable rainfall, draughts etc. are the result of global warming Nepalese farmers facing. 12 principles of Permaculture  Observe and interact- Let’s slow down and observe and appreciate our surroundings and others. Let’s slow down and interact with others, in real life, not on our phones.  Catch and store energy- Take time to relax to restore balance and energy. Also, for me this means associating myself with those who bring positive energy and it means doing things that bring me joy and make me feel energized like running and learning.  Obtain a yield- In permaculture, this of course might mean planting in such a way that the most food is created. The food is the reward. In life, we can work to obtain an intrinsic or extrinsic reward. These rewards need not be strictly financial. Perhaps the reward is making a difference in your client’s life or making your coworker’s day a little bit easier.  Apply self-regulation and accept feedback- Self-regulation or self-control allows us to be accountable and it empowers us. Feedback helps us improve which will help us excel at work.  Use and value renewable resources and services and produce no waste- These two principles are simply common-sense tips to living a eco-friendly lifestyle and in creating a more sustainable world.  Design from patterns to details- Permaculture calls for standing back and observing patterns in nature and in society and then filling in the details; this might make for a more efficient and logical way to work as well. 35  Integrate rather than segregate and use and value diversity- These principles translate perfectly in how we should all live in harmony with each other by integrating everyone into our communities and valuing diversity.  Use small and slow solutions- Permaculture uses small and slow solutions because they are easier to manage than bigger solutions and they allow for the use of local resources leading to more sustainable outcomes. While this may not always be feasible- sometimes we need big and fast solutions to solve some of society’s greatest problems- this principle can potentially be a valuable tool for problem solving.  Use edges and value the marginal- Permaculture suggests that the interface between things is where the most interesting things take place. These are often the most valuable, diverse and productive parts of the system. This might mean extending a community garden out onto an edge near an unused railway. In life and work, we can try to more effectively use our resources including the edges.  Creatively use and respond to change- This requires no explanation, but in a changing world, it remains an important principle in both life and work. To remain a viable and sustainable business and to live well, we must be resilient and creatively work with change. Using these principles may allow us to create a better life and a better world by caring for the earth and caring for people.

Work As a volunteer, you will be working with the farmers who are trained by VIN in permaculture. The work usually is hands on like designing the farm based on the permaculture principles – cultivating crops, weeding, irrigating etc. Support farmers in making organic fertilizers like compost. Observe, interact, learn and implement.

Placement Support Process: The first day is the arrival day. Each volunteer is greeted and received by VIN local staff at the airport and dropped at a hotel or VIN hostel. The second-day volunteers will receive a full-day orientation at the VIN office in Kathmandu. The placement orientation will cover cultural tips, survival phrases on Nepali language, health tips, project activities preparation, and VIN. Then you will travel to Okhaldhunga, the project site, which takes a minimum of 8 hrs. drive. You will always be guided by a Nepali camp leader/VIN staff, and VIN supervisors will visit you from time to time for follow-up support. Should you have any concerns about the work camp, you may always call us for immediate help. On the last day of the work camp, you will submit a detailed work report, fill up an exit form and sit with VIN executives for an exit interview and feedback session. 

Location: Okhaldhunga district, which is 250 km from Kathmandu. It takes one day of travel by bus—a hilly and mountainous region surrounded by woods and fields. 

Accommodation/food: The volunteers will stay in Kathmandu for two nights until orientation. VIN covers two nights' accommodation on sharing basis and simple Nepali-style food. Then they will be with the host family/hostel identified by VIN in Okhaldhunga. The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female Volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms. There will be 2-4 people in one room. Volunteers are required to sleep on simple beds. Please bring your sleeping bag. 

Requirements:  Basic English should be spoken among the participants and children  The volunteer should be fully vaccinated and should have a certificate against COVID-19.

Participation Fee: The participation fee of 250 Euros + 100 Euro for Transportation is to be paid on your arrival at VIN Office. Why Okhaldhunga and extra transportation fee:  The beautiful Himalayan region is close to Mt. Everest.  It lacks development and basic infrastructure.  Very needy local area waiting for development.  Welcoming community and rich in culture.  Simple lifestyle and smiling people.  Lovely environment and up and downhills.  It takes one day (250 km) car/bus rough and paved drive from Kathmandu.  Good and enough support from local staff and community people.  Volunteers will fill they have contributed to the needy and poor community. The Participation Fee Covers:  Food and Accommodation: Nepali Standard at a local host family – 3 meals a day  Transportation: Airport pick-up and pick up and drop to the working community site  Materials for the work camp community development projects support  Local volunteer support cost  VIN T-shirt and certificate of participation  24 hours emergency support  VIN admin cost.

Meeting point: VIN staff will pick up each volunteer from the airport. The volunteers are requested to send their flight details to VIN on time so that we can send our staff with your name card and VIN's Logo. If you want to come earlier and explore the country more, you may find pre-paid taxi at the airport, or VIN may help you with that. 

Airport: Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu

Leisure Activities: VIN also organizes travel tours like Chitwan Jungle Safari, Pokhara, Nagarkot for extra costs if you are interested after your work camp. 

Language: Eng

Extra fee: 350 EUR