ROSE Kanda Homestay – India

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About ROSE Kanda Homestay – Sustainable Green Ecotourism and World Travel

Rural Opportunity for Social Elevation (R.O.S.E.) is a small self-help group from the Kanda community in the rural hills of northern India, near the borders of Tibet and Nepal.  R.O.S.E. guests stay with local families in home stays, or at a modest guest house owned by local eco-tourism guru Mr. Jeevan Verma.  Guests have the opportunity to connect with and give back to the local community through volunteer projects such as home construction, educational programs, organic farming promotion, micro dairy, and other rural development initiatives.

Getting to ROSE Kanda

The nearest international airport is in New Delhi.  From the bus station in Delhi, there is a direct bus to Kanda (Bageswhwar) at 5PM and 7PM.  It is a 16 hour overnight journey.  Or, you can take the train to Haldwani and then buses or share taxis to Kanda (Bageshwar), which is a 7 hour hill journey.

Book a sustainable homestay or volunteer trip with ROSE Kanda.

Watch videos from rural Kanda.

How to be Green – Sustainable Development by ROSE Kanda

R.O.S.E. is designed specifically to bring travelers and locals together in the pursuit of responsible rural development.  The home stays and influx of visitors to this remote area generates employment and income for local families, who also benefit from the projects undertaken by R.O.S.E. volunteers.  The owner, Jeevan Verma, runs the R.O.S.E. School for less privileged children, as well as eco development camps, and his company supports local businesses and shops, transporters, craftspersons, guides, micro dairy farms, and community organic producers.

Testimonials:

• ‘Living all together within the same Indian family gave us the opportunity to experience and learn about new cultures.  In the family we are introduced to a modest lifestyle, which allows us to comprehend the daily realities for a rural community in India.  This is an incredible opportunity to experience and discover their music, smells, peaceful way of life and unique culture.’  -Elise Desloges, Canada
• ‘Jeevan’s family welcomed me into their house and I enjoyed spending time helping with their chores or just playing with them.  My only real problem whilst staying at ROSE was homesickness but the children would cheer me up by putting flowers in my hair or drawing with me.  They are lovely people and I will never forget them.  I have fond memories of Gunja trying to teach me to wash my clothes at the well.  I really did appreciate all the delicious meals that were prepared by Jeevan’s wife and children.  Thank you so much!’  -Polly Rathbone, UK
• ‘The altitude where we are staying is 2800 meters and sometimes it is hard to breathe.  The view is so wonderful that it doesn’t matter.  There are many hills to go down and up, there are no cars about, just little stoney paths.’  -Amy Dorman and Stephanie Humberest, Switzerland
• ‘I spent a short spell of 3 weeks at ROSE in Kanda.  I found the experience totally worthwhile and informative…It helped me to really accept how little I understand this amazingly vast world and how much I am in no position to judge anyone else’s behaviour, culture, etc. or even my own for that matter.’  -Andrew Daube, Australia
• ‘Life at Jeevan’s house is relatively comfortable … (but) you can see all around poor families that suffer from a lack of resources. This … makes you realize that most of your problems are unimportant.’  -Eric Samson, Canada
• ‘The experience I gained here will always remain as on my most precious possessions.’  -Reiko Yoshida, Japan
• ‘I will be incredibly sad to leave Kanda … I will miss everyday life with the Vermas. Life here can be harsh, especially for the women, but they people are hardy, inquisitive and open.’  -Carol Kitchener , UK

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