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What Is WWOOF? WWOOF (www.wwoof.org) is a world wide network - It started in the UK in 1971 and has since become an international movement that is helping people share more sustainable ways of living. WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles. WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help. How does it work? WWOOF’s stated goals are to provide volunteers with first-hand experience with organic and ecologically sound growing methods, to help the organic movement, and to let volunteers experience life in a rural setting or a different country. WWOOF volunteers ('WWOOFers') generally do not receive any financial payment. The host provides food, accommodation and opportunities to learn, in exchange for assistance with farming or gardening activities.
A large variety of people volunteer through WWOOF, from vacationing students to those who are interested in starting organic farming or organic gardening for themselves. WWOOFers range in age from teenagers (or children with their parents) through to pensioners. Likewise the farms can range from a private garden through smallholdings, allotments, to commercial farms. WWOOFing at Bev We have no rigid hard and fast rules about how many hours you have to work for food and a place to stay and prefer to allow water to find it's own level and know you may need some time and energy to adapt to India and life in a mountain village. Generally 5-6 hours a day of service is a good parameter to consider with a free day in the week. There is usually some yoga training and some insight into the ayurveda going on for which you can make individual arrangements. We do not charge anything for accommodations and food as long as you are engaged in the wwoofing program. Should you require more free time for your own personal pursuits and cannot offer any service, we understand but will charge you some very nominal amount on days, you are not engaged. You may also make arrangements for just being a contributing guest by giving donations and not engaging in the food for work program. Basically we are devotees of Sri Krishna and practice bhakti yoga but we have no strictures that demand that you follow our routine in this respect. We are very liberal with and tolerant of other beliefs or religions. We must insist though that you will be moral and conscious not to violate our cultural beliefs while at Bev. We follow four basic principles like no meat, fish or eggs, no intoxication of any form, no gambling and no illicit sex. Please expect not to dress in very revealing clothing although you can be very casual and not formal. Otherwise you are not restricted in any way and I just say these things for your own knowledge and consideration. As per Indian and Vedic custom and tradition unmarried couples are not allowed to stay together in the same room for the night nor have intimate association in public. We have comfortable double or single guestrooms that are best arranged in advanced according to your numbers and requirements. The rooms lack electricity, although there is some solar power for light. Water is plentiful and pure from the mountains. Bathrooms are good and clean. No mosquito's to bother you. Summer is warm not overly hot and temperate at night. Winter is cool but not so cold at night and pleasant in the day.
As far as the dietary requirements we are strict vegetarians
with no meat, no fish and no eggs, and do not use even onion or garlic
but we are not vegan. We do use many dairy products from Mother Cow
as you may see in our website under cow protection. Also we use the
bullocks to plow the fields and for transport by cart pulling. Some
of the meals provided are not totally organic at this stage of our development
as our quantity requirements sometime exceed our productions. Your input
in filling this gap would be most rewarding. Food is hot & plenty
and served twice a day. Please confirm your stay at Bev by e-mail to kcd108@yahoo.com
and recieve the terms and conditions of WWOOFing at Bev. |
Bev
has been providing opportunity to Willing Volunteers to be able to experience
and learn the organic way of farming and living naturally. Bev is a
host of the WWOOF network. It however is not necessary that a volunteer
must be a member WWOOF, but the same rules apply.
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Bev Society Registered Office: Garuda Guha, Kollur,
Udupi Dist, Karnataka, India - 576220 |
