One of the greatest things about travel is the cultural exchange it enables amongst different communities. For the travellers - it is the introduction to an entirely new place with unique traditions and belief systems. For the locals, it is the exposure that the travellers to their journey and their respective native places. This cultural exchange has influenced industries like fashion, commerce, arts and media and has given a rise to a developing sustainable tourism industry. Travel can be useful in more ways than one thinks. Playing upon this thought, Little Local, a responsible travel startup that works with remote communities and organisations to co-create travel programs that supplement local livelihood, is organising a unique immersive workshop called ‘She Moves Mountains’ wherein two groups of women, from the cities and from the mountains- both equally enterprising and driven will come together to engage and learn from each other.
The week-long workshop, beginning September 9 will take place at Avani, an organisation based in the beautiful hill village of Berinag in Uttarakhand. Avani is an organisation that has been working on various skilling, livelihood, and community development interventions in the region. Organised in tandem with She The People, a local NGO working towards responsible rural tourism, the initiative is looking for ‘women who are doing tremendously well in their respective fields, are keen to understand gender roles across urban and rural areas, and care deeply about making a difference’.
While here, women from the cities and mountains will share stories of personal challenges and successes, find similarities despite their vast differences and leave a tiny but everlasting impact on the community. Participants will interact with artisans, weavers, and farmers, and learn how plant-based natural dyes are made. Moreover, it’ll be a holistic experience wherein participants not only understand the daily processes but also the journey of these small-scale businesses and the intricacies of how these artisans and farmers keep themselves afloat.
The workshop has been planned with adequate time for exploring, reading a book or simply taking in the view and doing nothing. Participants will also get a chance to familirise themselves with their surrounding and contribute to the eco-system. Out of the 6 nights being spent there, participants will be put up at the Avani campus for 5 nights and at a village field centre guest house for 1 night. It is a great chance for creative minds looking out for a rural travel experience combined with hands-on learning and creating a community impact. Interested people need to go the website and fill out a form highlighting their skills and interest in the programme, thereafter which they would be contacted by the Little Local Team.
The cost of the workshop of is Rs 25,000/- and is inclusive of stay, meals, internal logistics, workshop and mentors. Travel to and from the village is not included.
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