The program
This wonderful project was created with the goal of helping to improve the education of some of the poorest children in the world. Located close to one of Kathmandu's largest slum areas, near Bhaktapur, this volunteer program is based in a severely under resourced school that provides free education, text books, uniforms and shoes to more than 150 children who live in poverty within the confines of the slum, and whose parents would otherwise not have been able to send their children to school at all. Volunteers are desperately needed to work alongside local teachers (many of whom are also volunteers) to assist in teaching vital subjects that include English, mathematics, science, history, geography. Volunteer teachers have a huge impact on the student’s English language skills. An ability to speak English is hugely beneficial to youth, allowing them to pursue further education opportunities and to seek employment where English is an advantage, such as the tourism sector, which is a major market for Nepal. Volunteer teachers help many low income children learn a tool that is vital to their future success. Volunteering on this project will truly make a difference to the lives of children facing a bleak future.
Goals of this Project:
Through the help of international volunteers, some of the most marginalised children in poverty-stricken Nepal now have hope for a brighter future. Volunteers play an essential role in this school and in its student’s future success. Without volunteers to offer their skills and time, there would simply not be enough teachers for these wonderful students. Volunteers in Nepal will not just teach academic subjects but also organize creative activities, such as art, dance and music, as well as lend their experience and enthusiasm to extra-curricular activities like sports games. Due to overwhelming demand for the opportunity to gain an education, classes have high numbers of students and classrooms, often crammed into any available space, generally lack adequate resources so the input of international volunteers is vital to keeping the school operational. Volunteers gain wonderful teaching and life experience on this fantastic program, traveling to one of the most amazing places on earth.
Volunteers will contribute in a number of ways and can expect to undertake the following tasks:
A volunteer’s work day on this project will generally last between 3 and 4 hours, following the 6 day Nepalese working week, Sunday to Friday. While we ask all volunteers to be flexible in this regard, a typical daily schedule is likely to go something like this:
8:30am Breakfast at the Volunteer House
9:30am Walk or bus to the project site
10:30am Pre-start meeting with the project supervisor (when required)
11:00am VOLUNTEERING DUTIES START
Lunch is taken at the school from 1:30pm - 2:00pm
4:00pm VOLUNTEERING DUTIES END
4:15pm De-brief with the project supervisor
4:30pm Walk or bus to the Volunteer House or run errands in town
6:30pm Dinner at the Volunteer House
Evening Free time to spend at the Volunteer House or running errands, checking emails, exploring Kathmandu.
Volunteers on this program have the opportunity to experience Nepal's vibrant capital city. Kathmandu is described as the “Land of Gods” and home to the “largest congregations of magnificent historical monuments and shrines ever built”.
The city is a juxtaposition of urban sensory overload (traffic, people, sounds, smells) and serene temples. With so much to see and do in the city itself and located on the foothills of the Himilayas this is an exciting destination for the international traveler.
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu you will be collected at the airport and delivered to your accommodation. Here you will receive an orientation to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet your fellow volunteers. A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts and ask any last questions you may have.
Volunteer House near to the town of Bhaktapur in Kathmandu. Rooms are dormitory style and may be shared depending on the number of volunteers.
Living conditions in Nepal are far from luxurious and part of the experience of volunteering in this location is getting back to basics! The Volunteer House has both electricity and running water but be prepared for power outages and cold water only. Heating and air-conditioning are not standard in Nepal.
Bedsheets and a pillow are provided so volunteers need only take a sleeping bag, personal toiletries and towel(s). Mosquito nets are readily and cheaply available locally and the local team will assist with purchasing one should it be required. When volunteering during Nepal’s winter months (particularly December, January and February) warm clothes and a heavy sleeping bag are recommended.
Internet coverage is available at the Volunteer House and school but can be unreliable and it is recommended that volunteers purchase a local SIM card and data package on arrival in order to stay in touch with friends and family. The local team will assist with this.
You requested a page that doesn't exist on this site any more. This could be caused by a link you followed that was out of date, by a typing in the wrong address in the address bar, or simply because the post has been deleted.