Kerala homestay, India

We aim to enhance the exchange of culture and tradition between the guest and local community through mutual interaction, by encouraging guests to wear the traditional Keralite dress while in Kerala. We also organise cultural shows and are making an effort to preserve the rare art forms from extinction. For example, 'thiruvatira' a festive art form would be organised on demand.

If the project is successful, we plan to donate money to a local school created for the mentally challenged children of our locality.

A small library has been built so that guests can inform themselves on local language, tradition and custom.

On an environmental scale, medicinal plants and herbs, seen in our farm, are protected with utmost care. Bio-degradable wastes are converted into organic manure by a vermin compost method and we only use organic manure in our farm. Usage of plastic is reduced to a minimum. Our pets are fed organically. A large amount of food waste is used to feed them. Usage of wooden stoves helps to replace electric stoves. The wood is collected from our own farm- they include coconut shells and the dry branches that fall from the trees. A considerable amount of Electricity is saved by using long life bulbs. Concrete constructions cannot be found on our farm land.

We take care not to disturb the fine ecological balance that exists on our premises. The presence of innumerable birds on our farm land is the evidence for a balanced ecology. Birds, trees and insects are allowed to grow and prosper in their natural ways.

Water sources are protected from being contaminated. We have a well and a pond as the sources of water. We don’t use any chemical pesticides which would pollute the water. The waste water that comes from the kitchen is used to feed certain plants in the farm. Just before the rainy season the farm land is drilled so that the water moves deep down to the earth rather than being flooded away.

To financially aid the local community, we make use of the local services (taxis, medical services etc), we make arrangements for the guests to visit the traditional weavers and ‘pappad’ makers in our locality and buy their products, the entirety of the farm activities and maintenance of the home stay are carried out by local workmen, and guests who wish to have ayurveda treatment are directed to a local ayurvedic hospital where quality treatment is assured.