DESCRIPTION
Global upheaval, sparked by the pandemic followed by the technology take over, has exposed systemic fragility. Economic challenges are just the beginning of a looming crisis.
The Global Citizen Program transforms how individuals aged 25-65 tackle modern challenges. By teaching sustainable living and fostering a deep bond with nature, we empower participants to build resilience and promote sustainability. Embracing minimalism and enhancing existing skills, they become adaptable professionals, prioritize happiness, and balance their lives across social, professional, and commercial spheres.
By leveraging their time with TGG to launch a meaningful project and successfully completing the program, participants can join the nomad community and maintain a lasting connection with the TGG Family.
Ideal for those aged 25 to 65. International travelers can easily participate with a tourist visa, making it accessible for short stays of up to one month. Indian nationals can opt for up-to six months. Immerse yourself in a transformative experience tailored to your need and schedule.
PROFESSIONALS
Minimum duration: 30 days
Exchange: Training & Food
REMOTE WORKING
Minimum duration: 20 days
Exchange: Training Fees & Food
FREELANCING
Minimum duration: 10 days
Exchange: Minimalism & Food
Rural Development Projects for Associates
Revenue based remote/onsite work opportunity for Monitoring Committee
Freelance opportunity for Nomad Community
Eligibility: All such project to be finalized and Fundraising & networking to be completed of the training program.
1) TGG Foundation offers dorm accommodation on a subsidised rate.
2) Two major meals a day (breakfast, dinner and tea with lite snacks) offered against volunteering.
3) Training Program against work exchange.
4) Certificate of participation on successful completion of the program
5) Participants with relevant professional backgrounds or qualifications who focus on specific revenue generating activities during the onsite training program, that can be managed either remotely or onsite after the successful completion of the Global Citizen program, will be enrolled as Associates. Their remuneration will be tied to the income generated for the Foundation through their specific activities.
6) Unemployed participants who make a significant impact during the training by developing skills in fundraising, grant acquisition, team building, project management, and training for obtaining gig jobs may apply to join the monitoring committee, thereby becoming beneficiaries of the Foundation.
ACCOMMODATION OPTION:
Budgeted Accommodation is provided in the shared Dorm for a nominal fee of Rs. 300 per day per bed on a twin-sharing basis, with easy access to a shared washroom facility.
Earth House with ensuite bath is offered at a special rate of Rs. 1000 per day for a single person or Rs. 1500 per day for couples.
MEALS:
We follow 2 meal system, Breakfast generally prepared by us & Potluck Dinner (some portion is prepared by the participants).
Alignment with our mission: Once your application is accepted the initial step towards participating in our Global Citizen Program at TGG Foundation is to complete a one-time registration at https://tggfct.org/responsible-human-mission/.
Book your Accommodation: Once an RHM Registration number is received by you, reserve your spot by paying an advance of Rs. 5000 for accommodation. Once your participation is confirmed with an advance deposit, a bed will be reserved for you. Please note that if you choose to cancel, the deposit will be fully forfeited.
Clarity and Connection: It is essential to have a clear understanding of our culture and knowledge-sharing program, as well as the distinction between Associate/Monitoring Committee/Nomad Community opportunities when considering a visit to our organization. Our focus is to help you identify your inherent talents, interests and the ways to lead a more sustainable living that causes minimal damage to the planet. We operate with a dual focus- 1) Live a life that is not driven by the society thus creating less pressure to the planet.
2) Participate in activities that can help the Foundation share its daily work such as office and administrative, revenue-generating, fundraising and training, which enable us to provide you with accommodation at a subsidies rate and food at free of cost. During this period, you will engage in following activities: –
1) Maintenance work (Revenue Saving)
2) Conduct training program (Income generating)
3) Website modification, social media, documentary production, promotional activities (Time Saving)
4) Fundraising for various projects after creating a good fundraising strategy. (Tangible Contribution)
5) Collaborations for promoting Bridging-the-gap, Global Citizen Program and Experiential Learning Program (Networking)
6) Research to develop the RHM Center on TGG Foundation-owned land, aiming for sustainability and scalability of our programs (Impactful)
Additionally, we provide volunteering opportunities in community development initiatives such as social media promotion, videography, photography, and vegetable cultivation.
Equally important is the alignment of one’s values with our organization’s mission, encapsulated under the Responsible Human Mission. Understanding and connecting with these values will not only enrich your experience but also enhance the impact of your contribution to our cause.
Identify your skills and knowledge to exchange: Having a clear plan of action is essential for any participants, especially for those who are providing skill-based training in a specific field against training fee collected. It is important to understand the needs and requirements of the organization that you will be working with, and to develop a plan that aligns with their goals and objectives. For example, if you are providing construction or technology expertise to a rural development charity like TGG Foundation, you may want to consider the specific needs of the organisation and develop a plan that addresses those needs. This may include providing hands-on support for specific projects, helping to develop new fundraising strategies that can support ongoing initiatives and participate in fundraising. In addition to having a clear plan of action, it is also important to stay organized and communicate effectively within the organization you are working with. This may include regular check-ins and progress updates, as well as maintaining open lines of communication throughout your volunteer period. By taking these steps and developing a clear plan of action, you can ensure that your exchange is productive and meaningful, while also making a positive impact in the community you are working with.
Plan your trip: Once you have chosen a project and an RHM Registration is obtained, start planning your trip. Consider the length of the program, the season, and any visa or travel requirements. Trainers have to ensure that there is sufficient student participants enrolled for the program and the required fund to meet the fee is generated through collective action.
Choose your engagement wisely: We provide 3 types of opportunities. Choose the most appropriate one and block your accommodation accordingly.
ASSOCIATE: For those interested in a long-term commitment with TGG, WorkExchange to integrate your professional background with our existing rural development activities, in exchange for a Training program on sustainable living offered by TGG for a minimum of 30 days. This program prepares participants to become Associates of TGG.
MONITORING COMMITTEE: For those who are interested to engage in project management of TGG, WorkExchange to learn how to develop a project and manage it remotely. The training is offered for a minimum period of 20 days.
NOMAD COMMUNITY: For Freelancers who wish to embrace minimalism and join the Nomad Community of Responsible Humans while contributing their time to community development activities for a minimum period of 10 days.
Remote volunteering & Online Integration: Participants are asked to complete an online familiarization program & align them before their arrival. This will ensure a smoother transition and reduce the need for extensive assistance upon arrival, enabling them to seamlessly integrate into our projects in a more organized way.
Items to carry: Other than your personal belongings, items that you need to carry for the onsite volunteering program are Cloths to wear during field work, Garden Gloves, Mask, Safety Glass, Gumboot, Cap, laptop, essential medicines, rain preparedness if visiting during monsoon, etc.
Disclaimer: By filling up the application form and submitting it, I acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. Voluntary Participation: I am volunteering my services to the TGG Foundation of my own free will, without any promise of compensation or employment.
2. Assumption of Risk: I understand that my participation may involve various activities that could pose a risk of injury or harm. I accept and assume all risks associated with my volunteer activities.
3. Waiver of Liability: I hereby release and hold harmless the TGG Foundation, its officers, trustees, members, beneficiaries and agents from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, which arise or may hereafter arise from my volunteer activities with the TGG Foundation.
4. Medical Treatment: I will obtain the necessary medical insurance coverage having hospital facilities in Wayanad at my own cost and will protect myself from illness or injuries during my volunteer activities and will not expect any monitory support from TGG Foundation.
5. Confidentiality: I agree to respect the confidentiality of any information I may have access to during my volunteer activities and will not disclose any such information without proper authorization.
6. Photographic Release: I grant the TGG Foundation the right to use photographic images and videos of me taken during my volunteer activities for promotional purposes.
I have read and fully understand this disclaimer, and I voluntarily agree to its terms.
Be respectful and open-minded: When volunteering in a different culture, it’s important to be respectful and open-minded. Take the time to learn about the culture and customs of the community you will be working with and be willing to adapt your behavior and communication style as needed. Be open to new experiences and perspectives and be willing to learn as well as teach.
Keep them out before entering: Please leave your ego outside before entering in any of the centers created by TGG; there’s no room for them here. We kindly request that you approach with humility and acknowledge the tremendous effort it takes to create such an opportunity. We extend the same courtesy and respect in return since we too realize the effort taken by you to travel all the way to meet us here to participate in this volunteering/exchange/both programs.
Office Activities: Promotion of Experiential Learning Program, Establishing Collaborations, Fundraising for projects in progress, Design thinking, Creative communication and Documenting.
Volunteering Activities: Community development projects mainly related to TGG Aid projects, social media promotion, videography & photography and vegetable cultivation.
Common Activities: Cooking & cleaning, collecting dry leaves, vegetable garden maintenance, harvesting, watering plants, social media promotions, videography & photography, etc.
Our Practice: We practice minimalism at the RHM Center hence we encourage two major meals a day, recycling & upcycling, simple living, low carbon footprint, sharing resources and cost-effective travel. Alcohols and Smokes are strictly prohibited.
Culture Exchange: We, the hosts at the RHM Center, are also the founders of TGG. We enjoy meeting people who are truly interested in a simple way of life and are transitioning from thinking about “I” to embracing “WE”. We’ve already lived most of our lives and doesn’t have much desire for material needs and are dedicating our time to help those who are starting a transformative journey. In our daily routine while we are at the RHM Center, we prepare morning refreshments at 8 AM, breakfast at 10 AM, tea and snacks at 3:30 PM, and dinner at 7 PM. We’re happy to share our meals with everyone here if you express your willingness in advance and respect our mealtimes. During dinner, we encourage sharing dishes, so you can cook one or two items, and we can have a potluck dinner. Additionally, from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM, we encourage informal conversations to strengthen our bonds without any barriers or cultural differences.
Training Program: Those who are opting for 6 hours WorkExchange against training fee must present the training module and get the approval.
Knowledge Exchange We will assess your enthusiasm, dedication, abilities, and talents while you volunteer with us, and we will provide opportunities for you to explore and develop them until you feel confident and excel in your chosen area. Throughout your volunteering period, you will also gain knowledge about our alternative way of living, the advantages of collaboration in a competitive world, and practices to attain financial independence. On Sundays, there is no obligation to participate in any activities, especially if you plan to be out for the entire day. All participants who successfully complete the program will become members of the Nomad Community of Responsible Humans / RHM Club / Associate, depending on their interest.
Cooking Facility : At the RHM Center, we’ve set up a community kitchen for everyone who comes here. This facility will be shared by other volunteers too. Please feel free to cook any food of your choice and by respecting the preferences of other members too.
You are responsible for your own safety: Wayanad is a district enveloped by numerous small forests, expansive reserve forests, and wildlife sanctuaries. The region’s lush greenery is predominantly due to the extensive plantation activities, including tea, coffee, and fruit trees, which offer a welcoming habitat for wildlife, particularly during the night. When traveling at night, it is of paramount importance to exercise the utmost caution. We strongly advise all visitors to remain inside their rooms between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM, as a precautionary measure to ensure your safety and to minimize any potential interactions with wildlife.
Termination of participation: We’re doing our part to help build a responsible community through our different projects, and we’re not expecting anything in return. When you are participating for these initiatives, you’re also playing a role in being socially responsible. In this whole journey, TGG Foundation and its members aren’t the ones benefiting; it’s you who gets the chance to grow as a person in a world that often emphasizes material things. However, if at any point we see that your goals don’t align with our social responsibilities, we may have to end your volunteering and cancel your RHM Registration.
Wayanad is a district enveloped by numerous forests, plantations and wildlife sanctuaries, all welcoming habitats for wildlife. We strongly advise all visitors to remain inside their rooms between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM and to minimize any potential interactions with wildlife. Also, during adverse weather conditions, you are requested no to visit ecologically sensitive areas including waterfalls and hills as a precautionary measure to ensure your safety.
Many tourist places are closed on Mondays, so it’s a good idea to plan your visits on your days off. You can find more information at Wayanad Tourism. The nearest bus stop to the RHM Center is ONNEYAR, just 1 km away. You can also take an auto or taxi to get around. The closest train stations are Kozhikode and Mysore, both about 100 kilometers away. The main bus station near the RHM Center is Sulthan Bathery, approximately 18 kilometers away. The nearest airports are Calicut International Airport, Kannur International Airport, and Mysore Airport, all approximately 100 kilometers from Wayanad.
Participants who have successfully completed the Global Citizen Program and earned their certificate are eligible to create a team of volunteers to develop rural development projects by raising necessary funds through TGG Grant to financially support their upskilling, pre-project studies that covers essential expenses such as upskilling, food, accommodation, field visits, training fees, and project report preparation. Once their proposed project receives approval from the board of trustees, they gain access to TGG AID, a platform designed to help them raise the necessary funds to bring their impactful ideas to fruition. This initiative empowers certified Global Citizens to implement meaningful projects while fostering sustainable development and community well-being.
EXPERIENTIAL MEMORY