Who We Are
Campus
Avani’s campus at Tripuradevi, strives to create stress-free, harmonious living conditions which have a symbiotic relationship with our natural surroundings. Community activities include shramdaan, where the team works on the farm, help out in the community kitchen and regular sessions in meditation. These activities foster a sense of community, and help the team practise mindfulness throughout the day.
The campus itself is part of a closed loop system of water and organic waste. Avani is dependent upon rainwater in this already water-stressed area. 100% of the wastewater is recycled and used to grow vegetables and dye plants. The use of parabolic solar cooker and pine needle charcoal in the kitchen has helped save costs of conventional fuel. We are self-sufficient in electricity generation through solar energy and pine needle gasification.
Programmes
Textile & Natural Dye Program
Avani’s revival of traditional skills of hand spinning and hand weaving through production of handmade textiles and plant based dyes has been consolidated under the Earthcraft Cooperative. Earthcraft is an artisans’ and farmers’ cooperative which generates livelihoods, for vulnerable women and girls, in Kumaon.
Bio Energy Program
The bioenergy program is at the centre of a complex ecological, social and mechanical process.The program focuses on the promotion of clean energy technologies in the local villages including solar energy for rural electrification, use of charcoal as a clean cooking fuel for rural households and the harnessing of energy from pine needles to generate electricity.
Primary Education Program
Led under the name Abhivyakti, a school that was established in 2011, Avani’s primary education program blends Montessori and Steiner principles of education to bring innovative learning and teaching methods to this remote Himalayan community, nurturing and developing a new generation of creative minds.
What's New?
Weaving the Future
Avani’s mission in the Kumaon Himalayas started in the 1990s. Watch this short film by theJaiHindProject to learn more about our story in this beautiful mountainous region amidst a vibrant community and rich ecology.
Artisan in focus
Neema Devi
Neema has been working with Avani for 15 years as a dyer. The role of a dyer can be physically very strenuous. Neema spends much of her day standing over boiling vats of dyes, dipping heavy rods piled with wool, silk, and linen yarns. As part of Avani’s dyeing unit, Neema is in charge of ensuring that the colours on each batch of materials match exactly, a responsibility that Neema finds as the most challenging aspect of her job. Neema joined Avani when she needed to ensure there was oil in her cooking pot and that her children went to school. Today, she is a proud mother of a vibrant young daughter, who also teaches Hindi to some of our international volunteers.
Product of the month
Vibrant Woolen Stole
Become a showstopper with this bright maroon stole that evokes the nostalgia of earthy goodness!
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