Location
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is enriched with temples more than homes and festivals exceeding the number of days in a year. The whole valley with its seven heritage sites has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kathmandu is not big when one compares it to other cities in Asia. However it is a fascinating old city where pagodas, narrow cobbled lanes, old carved windows, and stone shrines are like a stage to the drama of life that continues unhindered. Here the experiences are amazing, views fascinating, and the climate is comfortable.
About the project
This unique program offers you the chance to learn, volunteer and travel in the fascinating capital of Kathmandu and the surrounding rural valley. A key element in local community development is the ability to further education and economic prosperity with out compromising traditional ways of life and the natural environment. This exciting project seeks, with the aid of motivated international volunteers, to improve the lives of the poorest and most marginalized members of Nepali society through a variety of different fields including orphanages and social work, informal and formal English teaching and education, and health and sanitation. As a volunteer in this project you will contribute your skills and knowledge to Nepalese people, while gaining an in-depth experience of their culture and community.
Project structure
- Week 1: introduction and volunteer orientation
- Week 2+: community volunteer placement, easily extendable
- Last week (optional): Eco-adventure trips to wonderful sites around Nepal
Week 1: Introduction and orientation week
The Introduction Week is the first step for a great stay in a new country! It's an action packed and fun filled week that is dedicated to getting to know Nepal in all its cultural aspects with a first hand live in experience. You will also get time to meet the local people, taste the local cuisine and get familiar with the Nepali customs. The Introduction Week will take place in our regional center, located in the capital city of Kathmandu. Our schedule will be flexible but all introduction weeks usually consist of:
Nepal: Culture, religion, habits, customs, history, social issues, are some of the topics that we will introduce you to through group discussions, workshops and visits.
Language Skills: A first contact with the Nepali language and you will learn a few phrases to get by.
Projects: If you proceed to do a volunteer project, we will give you an overview of the ongoing projects we support and send volunteers to, and an explanation of your particular placement. There will also be a project visit on site.
General Information: Many new things will be introduced to you through some sessions on yoga, cooking, team work, project work, customs, habits, behavioral aspects, dos & don'ts, and emergency preparation.
Cultural Site Visits and meeting people will acclimatize you culturally. We will also do a One Day Trek up to 2000 mts as an outdoor activity. You will have the opportunity to visit market places, and natural sites in groups or individually during free time.
Group Games will be the style of operation of our coordinators during the orientation week to make the theoretical sessions as dynamic as possible.Do not forget to bring items from your home (photos, music, food) to be able to talk about your place and your culture.
Week 2+: community volunteer placement
Teaching
Education is probably the most important tool in development. Therefore, volunteers are invited to teach English & special education in a self- chosen fashion to the local children at a primary school and at the center premises during & after school activities.
Requirements: Volunteers should have a good level of English, some knowledge and prior experience in teaching are highly appreciated. You have to love children, as you will be surrounded with many of them everyday.
The mission of this project is multi-fold: Teaching English is the main task, but also other subjects, such as arts and crafts or sports like football, hockey, cricket and athletics -Motivating the children to learn -Instilling social, psychological and physical security to the children
Community & Social Work
Volunteers will have the opportunity to work along side different organizations involved in development of the underprivileged. The slum reality is a big issue in the entire country; our aim is to spread awareness among the people and to give them more instruments to feel confident and free to decide for their future, and for the future of a new generation.
Requirements: The only requirement is that when you decide to volunteer bring loads of enthusiasm with you and show dedication in your work.
Some of the Projects would be:
- To organise a multi-purpose project to involve the community and sensitize community/people about the Health & Hygiene problems
- To Spread awareness on Women rights issues and social welfare
- Environmental issues
- Health & Medical Training
- Working with other NGOs in community service projects
- Assisting at Orphanages
Accommodation & Meals
The volunteers stay together in Kathmandu at the project center in shared bedrooms. Three meals are served daily. The food is generally traditional Nepali and is a variety of dishes made of rice with sauces and vegetables. Meat is also served, especially chicken. All participants are expected to be environmentally responsible and to use all resources with restraint, especially water, paper and electricity. You will be expected to clean up after yourself, and to play your part to keep the accommodation neat and tidy.
Not just work...
The capital of Nepal, and the countries only major city, Kathmandu is a fascinating place. Set in the Kathmandu Valley, with the Himalayas rising to the north and the gentler slopes of the Mahabharat Range to the south, Kathmandu is in places as crowded, dirty and bustling as virtually any developing world city. Other areas are architecturally stunning and home to numerous notable Hindi and Buddhist temples and ancient buildings. Kathmandu, and particularly the tourist area Thamel, has a large variety of Western food, shopping, guest houses and Internet cafes, however even this can have an old world feel with its labyrinth of small restaurants and shops. A feeling that increases when the area is plunged into darkness by scheduled daily power outages. Kathmandu city centre is walkable. If you wish to go out of the centre there are many taxi's and cycle rickshaws available, be sure to negotiate before getting into one. If you would like to take a break to do some sightseeing or trekking contact your coordinator and a small break can be arranged.
Minimum requirements
- Min age 18
- Good level of English
- Motivation to work with children
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)
Last week: Eco-adventure trips
After you volunteer placement you can join one of the exciting eco-adventure trips:
Culture & Trek (2 Weeks)
During these two weeks we will be busy doing trekking in the Annapurna Base Camp (ABC), touring the Pokhara valley and do a Jungle Safari in the Royal Chitwan National Park. We will also have the possibility to do wild water rafting in Trisuli River. The Itinerary will be adapted to the season.
Meditation Week
Prepare to experience the relaxation of a home stay in a traditional Nepali Temple. We will have the possibility to practice meditation and yoga on a daily basis. During this time, we will also visit some of the most spectacular temples and monasteries in Nepal.