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Volunteer in Nepal
.: The ProgramThe volunteer opportunities are in the following areas:
The system of teaching is different in Nepal. Volunteers do not need to use the same method; but there will be times when you need to follow the school cirriculum - for example - to prepare the students for exams. They will be encouraged to use their own teaching methodologies. Volunteers will stay with a Nepali family near the school. Volunteers will teach for approximately 2 to 3 hours each day for six days a week (Saturday is the day off). This will vary from school to school. You can be involved in teaching in youth clubs or a women's group for informal education for 1 to 2 hours a day. The age range of the students will vary, but generally fall between 10 to 14 years of age and have basic level of English. Volunteers for this program are encouraged to work with local teachers to develop new teaching practices and help with their personal conversational English to enable them to teach English in the future. Working in an Orphanage Volunteers will be placed in an orphanage where they will assist the children in their day to day routine (Volunteers still live with a host family, not in the orphanage). There are several orphanages you can be placed in, all within an hour from Kathmandu. The Prisoner Assistance Mission (PAM) is one example who run an orphanage, which cares for children whose parents are in prison. The children are mostly between the ages of four and fifteen, and have a basic understanding of English. The general role of the volunteer will be to act as an older sibling: to care for, look after and encourage the children. Volunteers will teach the children general life skills, including health and sanitation, as well as arts, crafts and music. In some of the orphanages the children do go to school, however you can help the children with their school work in others. Placements are limited to nine volunteers per month in this program. Environmental Awareness Volunteers will teach Environmental Education for about 2 to 3 hours each day for six days a week (Saturday is the day off). Volunteers will also be involved in sharing their ideas, skills and knowledge with local NGO's about Environmental issues. Volunteers will form a group among the students that will work in the environmental area inside and outside of the school. This will include activities such as creating green clubs, making a flower garden, planting trees, garbage management, paper recycling, making smokeless stove, making toilet pit using available local materials etc. Volunteers are expected to bring their own knowledge and skills to this program. Limited resources are available. Health Education Volunteers will teach Health Education to school children in a school for about 1 to 2 hours each day for six days (Saturday is the day off). They will also be involved in working with the youth clubs or a women's group in the community about Health and Sanitation. You will also provide First Aid information in the local villages to the local people. We prefer medical students for this program, however we do accept others with some experience in this area. School and Community Maintenance Program Volunteers stay in a village with a Nepali Family and help with School and Community Maintenance. You will be involved in painting, building and repairs. During this period volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in local festivals and get the opportunity to exchange their culture. Home Stay/Cultural Exchange Volunteers stay in a village with a Nepali Family. The home stay program is a good opportunity for volunteers to learn about the Nepali culture, lifestyle, language, and people. We can arrange home stay programs in most parts of Nepal. During this period volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in local festivals and get the opportunity to exchange their culture. Homestays can only be arranged for two weeks or one month. In a typical placement volunteers stay in a family where they get Nepali food twice a day (around 9 o' clock in the morning and 7 o' clock in the evening). Tea is served in the morning and in the afternoon. Volunteers will have the opportunity to get together with other volunteers and share their experience. You will be able to travel to nearby towns to purchase things for daily use and could travel to other areas on longer vacation. Besides your project work, volunteers can utilize their spare time in organizing the youth and women's groups of the community to do some worthwhile activities like building a smokeless stove, toilet by using local materials, making a soak pit, kitchen gardening, making a solar dryer, garbage management or paper recycling. .: Program LocationThe volunteer program is presently located in the following places.1. Kathmandu: In the rural areas surrounding Kathmandu. 2. Bhaktapur: Rural areas around Bhaktapur municipality. 3. Kaski: Rural areas of Pokhara which are famous as tourist locations. 4. Bhelung: 5. Bardia: 6. Nuwakoti: .: Program Requirements
.: TrainingTraining takes place during the first 10 days of the volunteers' arrival in Nepal. It will be divided into two phases,four days for the first phase and six days for the second phase. For very short-term volunteers, training will take place over a few days.Phase One - The first four days will be spent with other volunteers in a hostel in Kathmandu area. During this time volunteers will be provided with six hours of training per day. The training will include:
The training time is prepared for individual requirements to suit the period of time you will be volunteering. Upon completion of this training, volunteers have to option of having a break. During this time volunteers are encouraged to take advantage of Nepal's natural beauty by going trekking, rafting, visiting wildlife parks etc. When volunteers return from their break they will be sent to their placement. .: Program ScheduleThe volunteer program starts on the 1st of each month. You can volunteer anywhere from 2 weeks to 5 months. The schools are closed during June and July so the teaching English program is limited during this period. Please note that September-November there are local festivals that can disrupt your program. This is dictated by the lunar calendar. Therefore if you are volunteering for month or less, we do not recommend starting your placement at this time of year. For those volunteering for a longer period of time, the festival does provide a great opportunity to interact with the local culture..: Program CostThe cost of the program are as follows:Global Volunteer Network - Application Fee: US $297.00. The application fee covers administration, marketing, program information, communication and direct support of our partner in Nepal. Nepal Program Fee:
The program fee covers administrative charge, training, accommodation and meals during training and placement, transportation for volunteers and supervision. (This fee is paid directly to our partner organization when you arrive in Nepal). The other costs you will need to meet are: Your flights, Visa (a 60 day tourist visa is only $30US, the extensions are $30US per 30 days with three renewals possible), shots, travel insurance and corresponding airport departure taxes. Also you will need a weekly budget of up to US$20 to cater for all your other expenses like bottled water, personal items, beverages and entertainment. .: Frequently Asked QuestionsWe have put together the following page, which answers the majority of questions people have. Click here to read our Frequently Asked Questions..: Book ResourcesWe have a selection of books available that you may find useful if you decide to volunteer in Nepal.Click here .: Application ProcessAll, applicants will be notified by email as to whether their application has been successful.(1) Complete the Application Form: Fill out the application form below. Upon receipt of the form we will assess your suitability for the program. (2) Contact You: If you are successful we will then email you a letter of acceptance. (3) Decision Point: Once you have read through the letter of acceptance and we have answered any questions or concerns that you might have, it is time to pay your application fee to secure your place on the program. Please note that we will refund your application fee if you decide not to go. (4) Confirmation: Once the application fee is paid, our volunteer partner will contact you to ensure everything is organized. We will also send you the link to our program guide which covers topics such as: country information, travel links, visa application process, fundraising ideas and much more! (5) Communication & Support: Throughout your volunteer placement we will communicate with you to see how you are progressing and discuss any issues. To apply for this program, click here |
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