A home away from home: help in north-west Rajasthan, India

Volunteer in Rajasthan with a desert guesthouse and camel safari

Volunteer in Rajasthan – I am Yogi from Bikaner, Rajasthan and I offer a short- or long-term volunteer opportunity at my place in the beautiful non-touristic city Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, namely Shri-Ram Guest House and Rao Bika Ji camel safari near Bikaner in the desert. Both places are fully run by locals. We make tailor made packages all over India, especially Rajasthan, as per clients’ budgets, so we might need help in this also as guide / personal tour companion, but it all depends on bookings.

General description

We are building a camp in the desert and need help in construction of mud huts in our camp in the desert near Bikaner. We also need help with SEO, online marketing / Google Analytics, social media etc.

Besides, we manage a grass root organization that is working in local villages, where we contribute to youth education and basic health and hygiene. We are also supporting other causes, helping with the training of various skills needed to earn a living and also with teaching English to poor students. Our guest house and Rao Bikaji camel safari are important funding resources for these projects.

What can you do to contribute to our homestay and camel safari in Bikaner?

General help

An extra pair of hands is always needed for general maintenance (cleaning rooms, mopping floors) and help in the kitchen and the garden. While working in the kitchen, volunteers who love to cook can also learn to prepare typical Rajasthani food.

During breaks, you can have a friendly chat with my father, who is a retired, highly decorated Indian Army Brigadier, who loves to talk about the rich history of India and Rajasthan. He is a descendant of the Rao Bikaji family, the founders of Bikaner. He also loves to teach about yoga, meditation and homeopathy.

For many years we have been connected with tourism and social work and are now trying to merge them both. As we love sharing our culture and traditions with our guests and volunteers, we make an effort to make sure that the people coming to work or travel here in India get a special and peaceful environment. In doing so, we want to create a place where people can learn and exchange cultural and work experiences and help each other, a place where new ideas can grow into activities and self-sustained business. We want this place to grow space-wise and people-wise, like a network.

In the last few months, we have hosted many volunteers from all over the world. Many travellers, young artists and other people who wanted to evolve have stayed at our place and have made many useful contributions, each in their own way, for the growth of our homestay.

Language exchange

While most of us can speak English fairly well, we need help with written English. Our volunteers can help with answering our emails and dealing with calls from potential guests. If they know Hindi it will be great. Further assistance is needed with the books my father is currently writing and translating.

Web design help

We are also searching for people who are experienced in web design, search engine optimization and social networking. Our websites need further optimization. We need help with online marketing of our Shri Ram Guest House and desert resort and their promotion on social networks so we can find new customers.

Your work would consist of developing new content (writing and updating texts, taking photos and making videos with your own equipment), creating animations, updating graphics and programming. Our current aim is to increase the amount of Indian customers as well as the number of foreigners travelling to India.

Camel safari and camp in the desert

In Bikaner we have started our own camel safari and camp in the desert, so we need help to step up. Therefore, we need volunteers to promote equitable camel safari tourism through the internet and by word of mouth.

Art project

At the moment we are having an art project at Shri Ram Guest House in Bikaner, which includes decorating the interior and exterior walls with Indian and Rajasthani images. If you want to give it a try, you are most welcome, because there are still many walls to cover. Already you can find many beautiful paintings, signed by helpful volunteers from all over the world.

Renovation

We are currently renovating some rooms, so if you are an interior designer, you are most welcome as well.

Reception work

We would also like to try having a helper to work at the reception desk for several hours each day, so if you have any experience with that sort of work, it could be useful. Even if you do not have experience, you can quickly learn how to do the few tasks required.

Education: volunteer teachers needed

We also need volunteers to give primary education to children in schools in Bikaner nearby villages, who otherwise would never go to school. The Indian government has opened many schools in the villages and cities free of cost and even gives a free mid day meal to them.

The volunteering exchange in India

For a few hours (about 5–6 hours) of work a day, we can provide accommodation in our guest house or desert camp, as well as three meals and tea a day, which typically consists of local dishes.

Others

I am planning to explore India and Thailand. If anyone would like to join me it will be a great pleasure to have a great companion like you. It will be a great adventure. I like the voluntourist way of travelling and would love to travel and even if we had to stay in some hotels or homestays I can use my contacts to get special prices or work for food and accommodation. I look forward to meet you and travel.

If I cannot reply in time, please call me or WhatsApp via my mobile number above.

What type of host are you?

Private / individual / family

What are you looking for help with?

• Administration
• Animal keeping
• Building
• Charity work / fundraising
• Cleaning
• Computer / web
• Teaching / language exchange
• General help
• Health / medical assistance
• Hostel / hotel
• Marketing
• Writing

How many volunteers could you host?

More than two.

When would you need volunteers?

Between September and April

How many hours of help per day?

6 hours of help per day.

How many days of help per week?

5 days per week – 2 days off

Are accommodation and food included?

Yes, we offer food and accommodation.

What type of accommodation can you provide?

• Dormitory / shared rooms
• Tent

Diet – nutrition information

Normal, vegetarian food.

Visa – could you provide visa support / info / invitation letters?

Maybe. We can help with an invitation letter if the candidate has good qualifications.

Volunteers’ benefits

• Cultural exchange, free tours.

What to do in the free time

Explore the city as well as the desert. Our place in Bikaner is situated in a quiet residential neighbourhood and is only a short walk from interesting places worth visiting.

Language

• Hindi, English

Geography

Bikaner, Rajasthan, India has good weather in winters.

How to get to your site

Bikaner is connected by trains, buses and flights with major cities of India.

Is there internet access?

Yes, but not very strong. There is free WiFi available in the room. Please do not download movies or songs and use it mainly to check mails, Skype, Facebook etc.

“Paying guests” option. Could you accommodate “solidarity” tourists?

Yes, we can accommodate eco / responsible tourists and paying guests.

Contact details 📧

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