Calendar
January/February: Cutting grass/millet, growing herbs such as coriander, fenugreek
March: Cutting chickpea, mustard, wheat
April/May/June: (Hottest time) Cleaning wheat and other seeds, farm maintenance and cleaning
July/August/September: Growing season starts; Millet, different varieties of lentils, water melons, and cucumbers
October/November: Harvesting crops
December: Growing cumin, chickpeas, mustard
Year round activities: weeding, cleaning of common areas, meal preparation, maintenance, and care for goats and cows
Current projects
At the moment, the accommodation on the farm consists of a hut without electricity or plumbing. Over the next few months, volunteers have the exciting opportunity to help build more of these traditional Rajasthani huts, made from sand and cow dung with thatched roofs, which take 15 to 20 days to build with the help of three people. We would like to build two more huts, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
We are also interested in generating electricity through solar power, so volunteers with an interest or basic understanding of intermediate technology would be very welcome at the farm.
Volunteers are expected to work four to six hours a day, six days a week. This may change depending on the time of year, since it can get very hot in the summer.
Before you arrive in Jaisalmer, call me one day before on my phone (+9649432927) and I can either pick you up at arrival or you can meet me in my cafe inside the fort (see "accomodation" section).
Volunteers are expected to work four to six hours a day, six days a week. This may change depending on the time of year, since it can get very hot in the summer.
Before you arrive in Jaisalmer, call me one day before on my phone (+9649432927) and I can either pick you up at arrival or you can meet me in my cafe inside the fort (see "accomodation" section).
Expected length of stay
Short stays are welcome, but to gain the most from your time at the farm, one week or more is recommended. Day visits are possible, contact Shiva to organise.
Non-farming activities
The farm is located close to a small village of a few houses, and is the perfect environment to learn about the local culture and gain firsthand experience of activities such as cooking, Ayurvedic medicine, and yoga. Staying at the farm also gives volunteers and visitors the chance to interact with local children, explore villages further afield, and meet gypsies, famous for their music and dance.
The children in the village do not attend school, so the farm also gives volunteers and visitors the opportunity to practice both Hindi and English with school-aged children.
Accommodation
The accommodation on the farm currently consists of a traditional Rajasthani hut, made from sand and cow dung with a thatched roof, without electricity or plumbing. The desert is lit by a very bright moon at night, though candles will be provided.
Before going to the farm we can meet at Shiva Cafe`:the Shiva Cafe is a MEETING PLACE for me to find you. So call me before you arrive and we will meet in the cafe. If I'm not there, just talk with the people who work there, they all know me.
Instead, if you are just interested to visit the desert town of Jaisalmer, it is also possible for you to sleep in the Shiva Cafe (our cafe/hotel) I will give you advice about places in the town, such as where to get the best lassi!This is not concerned with the volunteering work.
the adress of the cafe is:
Shiva Cafe
Inside the Fort, Kund Para, near Laxminath Ji Temple, Jaisalmer 345001.
The accommodation on the farm currently consists of a traditional Rajasthani hut, made from sand and cow dung with a thatched roof, without electricity or plumbing. The desert is lit by a very bright moon at night, though candles will be provided.
We hope to establish another two huts, a kitchen, and a bathroom in the upcoming months. We also hope to generate electricity using solar energy. Volunteers with enthusiasm for, and/or experience in these areas are very welcome!
Before you decide to come to our farm, please contact me on my phone.Before going to the farm we can meet at Shiva Cafe`:the Shiva Cafe is a MEETING PLACE for me to find you. So call me before you arrive and we will meet in the cafe. If I'm not there, just talk with the people who work there, they all know me.
Instead, if you are just interested to visit the desert town of Jaisalmer, it is also possible for you to sleep in the Shiva Cafe (our cafe/hotel) I will give you advice about places in the town, such as where to get the best lassi!This is not concerned with the volunteering work.
the adress of the cafe is:
Shiva Cafe
Inside the Fort, Kund Para, near Laxminath Ji Temple, Jaisalmer 345001.
Food
Until a kitchen is built, traditional vegetarian food will be prepared for volunteers and visitors on an open fire, or in local family’s homes. Once the kitchen is built, people staying at the farm will be supplied with ingredients and will be able to prepare their own meals.
Water
Volunteers and visitors are welcome to use the local well water, which can be boiled if desired. Alternatively, mineral water can be provided.
What to bring
Volunteers and visitors will be sleeping in a rustic hut with few amenities; keep this in mind when packing. However, the city is close and there are plenty of opportunities to make a trip in to pick up anything you’ve forgotten/might need.
See below for a brief list of things you might consider bringing:
- Torch
- Covered footwear –trainers/sneakers are fine, there are just some spiky bushes!
- Sleeping bag
- Culturally appropriate clothing. Please make sure your legs and shoulders are covered, and all clothes are loose fitting. A salwar kameez is the most suitable for women and long trousers and a t-shirt is fine for men.
- Sun protection (i.e. sun cream, sun glasses, hat)
- Small medical kit
Transportation
The easiest way to reach the farm is by contacting us first, and we can arrange for a rickshaw to pick you up. This should cost between Rs200-250.
