OKEGIGA HOMES

Main Objective:

To build a community hub, where people from any corner of the world would come here and LIVE, WORK AND SHARE, their experiences, expertise; also exchange their knowledge, language, culture, tradition, cuisine, sports, music, value and ethics and any other things that can contribute to build a better society, with the local communities. Most importantly the local people must have earning opportunities by involving in various projects, in line with the people who come from other places and wish to Live and Work in the project, such as productions of handloom and handicraft, local cuisine, processed and packaged food products etc; and taking them to markets of national or international level by promoting and selling by the social media of the travel influencer, by their references, network etc.

Collective sharing and exchanging of experiences, expertise, life styles, values, ethics, sports, music, beliefs etc; between the local communities and tourists will contribute to build a healthier and knowledgeable society in the locality.

Why

OKEGIGA HOMES is in effort to work for poverty eradication and women empowerment in Majuli, the world's largest river island (India) by bridging the gap between local communities and global travelers through an innovative “Tourist-Community Model.”

Challenges in Majuli:

 Geographical Isolation – No direct bridges over the Brahmaputra and Subansiri rivers make access difficult, limiting economic opportunities.

 Limited Market Access – Agriculture is the primary livelihood, but the lack of industries and proper market linkages hampers growth.

 Multi-Dimensional Poverty – Women suffer not just from economic poverty but also from information, technology, and skill poverty, restricting their empowerment.

Our Objectives/Solutions:

 Creating a Host Village: We are building a self-sustaining village (okegiga Homes) where tourists serve as resource persons, contributing their expertise to the local community.

 Developing Infrastructure: By constructing cottages and co-working spaces, we enable travelers to stay longer and work remotely, fostering deeper community engagement.

 Skill & Knowledge Exchange: We bring locals and travelers together to share expertise in agriculture, arts, marketing, and entrepreneurship, enhancing economic opportunities.

 Digital Market Expansion: Social media influencers promote local products, artisans, culture etc, creating new markets globally and boosting income for local businesses.

 Tech-Driven Empowerment: We incentivize tech-expert travelers to train local women in digital literacy, e-commerce, and social media marketing, enabling them to expand their businesses independently.

Who is our beneficiary/community?

Our initiative directly benefits a diverse range of individuals and groups, fostering economic, social, and cultural growth.

1. Village Communities as a Whole

– The entire community benefits through increased economic opportunities, skill development, and global exposure.

1. Women

– Women gain empowerment through economic participation, entrepreneurship, and skill-building opportunities in handicrafts, farming, and tourism-related activities.

1. Farmers

– Farmers receive knowledge exchange, better market access, and opportunities to sell their products to a broader audience, including travelers and international buyers.

1. Youths

– Young individuals get exposure to new skills, entrepreneurship opportunities, and cultural exchange, preparing them for a more dynamic future.

1. Craftsmen & Artisans

– Local artisans and handloom workers can showcase and sell their products on social media and global platforms, increasing their income and recognition.

1. Handloom & Handicraft Artisans

– Traditional artisans receive support in preserving and promoting their craft, while also accessing new markets through digital platforms.

1. Travelers' Community

– Travelers benefit from meaningful cultural immersion, opportunities to contribute through skill-sharing, and a pollution-free, inspiring environment for work and creativity. This holistic model creates a thriving ecosystem where both locals and travelers benefit, fostering sustainable development and cross-cultural collaboration.

Impact on the Beneficiary/Community

Our solution creates a dynamic exchange between the village community and travelers, fostering mutual growth and development.

 Productive Engagement – The community gets a structured platform to interact with travelers, leading to meaningful exchanges in agriculture, arts, sports, technology, and marketing.

 Skill & Knowledge Sharing – Both locals and tourists share expertise, enabling cross learning and capacity building.

 Economic Growth – Local artisans and farmers can expand their market reach through connections established with travelers.

 Social Media Exposure – Social media influencers promote and sell community products, boosting income and visibility.

 Increased Productivity & Awareness – Joint activities with tourists enhance social responsibility and skill development.

 Global Reach – The community gains national and international opportunities to market their products.

 Education & Cultural Exchange – Locals get exposure to different languages, cultures, and traditions, enriching their perspectives.

 Tourism Development – The initiative promotes rural, spiritual, and yoga tourism, attracting diverse visitors.

 Policy Attention – The unique “Tourist-Community Model” garners interest from governments and organizations, leading to increased support and funding.

Benefits for Tourists

 A peaceful and inspiring environment for work and exploration, OKEGIGA HOMES

 First-hand experience with indigenous tribes and their traditions.

 A pollution-free environment conducive to creativity and productivity.

 Opportunities to participate in local activities like farming, art, and teaching.

 Potential earnings through social media promotions of local products, engagement of collective works etc.

 Availing benefits in kind, like free stay, free local tour etc.

 Sharing expertise in exchange of cash or kinds with the community. This model fosters a sustainable ecosystem where both communities and travelers benefit, driving long-term social and economic development.

Our achievements, so far in the last seven years.

1. Attracting Digital Nomads & Influencers – We have drawn social media influencers, digital nomads who not only stay for extended periods but also engage with local communities. They create and promote content on Majuli’s culture, food, traditions, and indigenous products, boosting global visibility.

Corporate Engagement – We introduced corporate events to Majuli, bringing new customers for local products and services, a first for the island.

Promoting Wellness Tourism – We have nurtured a community practicing yoga, meditation, and pranayama, attracting wellness seekers.

Disaster Support & Relief – Past travelers from across India have contributed to flood relief efforts, during flood.

1. We could draw a lot of corporate employees not only from India but also from different parts of the world who prefer to stay for long duration without losing their work days.

• InfrastructureLast but not the least, so far we have developed 7 (seven) comfortable cottages with clean and spacious lawn with vegetable farming area.

Plan to integrate technology in the organization.

At OKEGIGA HOMES, we are planning to integrate technology-driven solutions to enhance

connectivity, market access, knowledge-sharing, and digital empowerment for the local

community.

1. Digital Presence & Community Engagement

 Website Development – A comprehensive platform showcasing activities, interactions,

success stories, and progress, featuring profiles of contributors and beneficiaries.

 Social Media Platforms – Dedicated Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn

pages, Blog and Podcast to amplify the voices of local artisans, farmers, and entrepreneurs

while promoting cultural exchange.

1. Smart Infrastructure & Virtual Collaboration

 Tech-Enabled Community Hall cum Restaurant – A digitally equipped space for

virtual as well as physical conferences, knowledge-sharing sessions, and collaborations with

global experts, mentors, investors and travelers as well.

 High-Speed Internet & Co-Working Space – Establishing a WiFi-enabled workspace

for travelers, digital nomads, and locals to foster remote work and global interactions.

1. E-Commerce & Digital Market Expansion

 Online Marketplace Development – A dedicated e-commerce platform to sell local

products while leveraging existing platforms like Amazon, Flipkart and social

commerce channels.

1. Technology for Learning & Knowledge Sharing

 Webinars & Live Workshops – Regular virtual workshops connecting locals with

experts in agriculture, sustainable tourism, digital marketing, and business

development.

1. QR Code Integration & Smart Tracking

 QR Codes for Transparency – Each product and activity will be linked to a QR code

providing details on its origin, creators, materials, and impact, ensuring authenticity

and traceability.

1. Digital Networking & Global Outreach

 Building Online Communities –A virtual platform for tourists, social entrepreneurs,

artisans, and local communities to connect, collaborate, and support each other.

By integrating technology across all aspects, we aim to bridge the digital divide, empower

local communities, and position Majuli as a global hub for sustainable tourism and

innovation.