Sadhana Forest Fellowship in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainability: Sadhana Forest

Deadline for the application 1 May 2024

Sadhana Forest is an international water conservation and reforestation organization active in India, Haiti and Kenya. We are a donation-based and volunteer-run community, and we welcome volunteers year round. Sadhana Forest works on restoring degraded ecosystems and ensuring food security through indigenous food forestry in rural and arid lands. We operate from sustainable off-the-grid campuses where we house our volunteers, conduct trainings and practice a simple, substance-free, vegan community lifestyle, complete with solar energy, compost toilets, biodegradable toiletries, zero waste practices and natural construction. Volunteers and visitors are welcome year round. Volunteers engage in seva (selfless service) for about 25-35 hours a week. The seva consists of reforestation and water conservation work, as well as general maintenance tasks and supporting our other projects such as our ‘Goshala’ farm sanctuary, our gift economy vegan tea hut, ‘Children’s Land’ natural learning space and ‘UniverCity of Compassion’ self-directed learning course. We always have plenty of space for volunteers, and welcome anyone regardless of their background. You do not need prior experience to be part of Sadhana Forest. Accomodation is provided free of charge. Volunteers pay around 8 USD per day as food contribution for their wholefood and plant-based meals. The work of Sadhana Forest is made possible only through people gifting us their time or resources. If you wish to support us financially, please visit http://sadhanaforest.org/donate.

Serve for one year in Sadhana Forest and get an in-depth experience of its ecosystem restoration efforts and sustainable lifestyle! If you are very hard working, committed and passionate about the environment, animal welfare and community, this is the challenge you are looking for. This Fellowship is an opportunity for you to receive hands-on training and help organize Sadhana Forest’s activities in ecosystem regeneration, natural learning, environmental awareness and volunteer management. You will help welcome and educate 1,500 volunteers and around 10,000 visitors from all over India and the world, and give them a chance to experience Sadhana Forest’s way of life and to learn about its values. Are you looking to live a life of selfless service to humans, animals and the environment? Do you want to experience living simply in huts in a forest, being vegan and substance-free for one year? Come join our team!

The next batch of the Fellowship will start on Monday 3 June 2024. Applications will be received until 1 May 2024.

Your role

As a Fellow, you will be trained in the different community roles and responsibilities and take up a leading role, guiding volunteers and welcoming guests. Different tasks include:

• Tree planting and tree care using our adapted dry-land tree planting techniques to restore an indigenous forest
• Implementing and maintaining water conservation structures, to harvest rainwater and prevent water run-off and erosion, recharging the local aquifer
• Facilitating groups of underprivileged local children in Children’s Land, a natural learning space
• Taking care of the animals in the vegan Gaushala and in the community
• Preparing and serving vegan chai and laddus to visitors, neighbors and volunteers in the gift economy vegan Tea Hut
• Cooking and organizing community meals, serving volunteers and visitors, all wholefood and plant-based
• Maintaining the community campus, using natural zero-waste practices
• Guiding volunteers in their natural learning journey in the UniverCity of Compassion
• Facilitating community events and gatherings, such as core value talks, sharing circle, Eco Film Club and vegan potlucks

Location The campus of Sadhana Forest in Auroville, Tamil Nadu.

The team

You will live in a dynamic international community and be part of its long-term team. You will participate in the long-term team meetings, helping to organize the daily operations. The long-term team is led by Sadhana Forest’s Project Director who reports to its founder and Executive Director.

Sadhana Forest

Sadhana Forest is a volunteer organization with its main center in Auroville, Tamil Nadu. Through ecological restoration and sustainable community living, Sadhana Forest aims to inspire people to live a life of service and compassion.

Your profile

Please apply if you have a passion for nature and healthy and wholesome community living and are an Indian resident (aged 18+)*. You love animals, the environment and working with other people and are willing to go the extra mile to serve others. You are reliable, flexible and adapt easily to new environments. You are willing to grow and work on yourself, your communication and teamwork skills.

* If you are a non-Indian resident, or you would like to come and live at Sadhana Forest with your under-age children, please contact us at longtermvolunteer.sf@gmail.com for long-term opportunities.

Requirements

1. This Fellowship is a one year commitment. Fellows are required to fulfill the full one year term.
2. Fellows need to be focused exclusively on the Fellowship. They have to stay on-site at Sadhana Forest and cannot take up any other work, volunteer or study commitments – online or offline – during the entire year.
3. Fellows need to follow a 100% vegan (plant-based) diet and lifestyle for the entire year.
4. This Fellowship is an opportunity to grow your consciousness and awareness. Fellows need to fully abstain from consuming any tobacco, alcohol or any other drugs for the entire Fellowship period, both inside and outside of Sadhana Forest.

Any failure to comply with these requirements will result in immediate removal from the Fellowship.

Support

Fellows will receive food and accommodation, and a small monthly stipend to cover expenses.

Post-Fellowship Opportunities

Upon successful completion, Fellows receive a certificate and personalized recommendation letter and the opportunity to continue to serve at Sadhana Forest in Auroville.

Fellows who demonstrate exceptional commitment, dedication and leadership skills may be offered management roles or the opportunity to serve in one of Sadhana Forest’s other centers in India or abroad.

Application

The next batch of the Sadhana Forest Fellowship in Sustainability and Ecosystem Restoration will start on Monday 3 June 2024. Applications will be received until 1 May 2024, 11:55pm IST.

In order to apply, kindly fill out this application form.

You will need to give the contact details of two references you have previously worked for, for at least three months. If your application form meets the criteria, we will reach out to your references. If the references are found to be positive, we would schedule an interview with you. After the interview, we will get back to you within one week with regards to your application.

Contact

For further queries, kindly contact us at fellowships@sadhanaforest.org.

If you are interested in Sadhana Forest’s other Fellowship opportunities, please visit www.sadhanaforest.org/fellowships.