Sadhana Forest Fellowship in Ecosystem Restoration and Sustainability – India

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 the team!

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 the 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

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.

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.

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 them for long-term opportunities.

Requirements

• This Fellowship is a one year commitment. Fellows are required to fulfill the full one year term.
• 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.
• Fellows need to follow a 100% vegan (plant-based) diet and lifestyle for the entire year.
• 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.

For more information, visit Sadhana Forest.