Volunteering in Nepal

The royal kingdom of Nepal (though Nepal recently became a democratic nation), is the only Hindu country in the world. Nestled in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, Nepal shares borders with two of the fastest growing economies in the world – India and China. A natural wonder, this tiny nation is very diverse both in geographical as well as cultural sense, and offers many amazing and wonderful natural sights. With colorful festivals, incomparable natural bounty, warmth, hospitality, and plenty of fresh mountain air, Nepal is a land of volunteering opportunities. Not only does volunteering in Nepal promise a rewarding and enriching experience, it also offers you the rare chance to explore the beautiful Himalayan kingdom while serving the poor, the women, and giving the people of this country hope for a better tomorrow.

Why Volunteer In Nepal
Volunteering in Nepal is a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of you who wish to undertake a meaningful journey and do their bit towards making this world a better place for all. With numerous volunteer work opportunities such as serving poor children and women, teaching languages, working on health projects, conservation work, etc., you will get to spend time in three of the bustling cities of Nepal – Kathmandu (capital), Pokhara, and Chitwan. Of course, volunteering in Nepal requires you to be patient, open-minded, and humble when interacting and working with the locals.

Types Of Projects Available
Though there are several volunteer programs available in Nepal, some of the most common ones (which have a higher demand for volunteers) are supporting local orphanages, local schools, teaching English, and working with health centers. Almost all volunteering in Nepal projects are available in Chitwan, Pokhara, and Kathmandu.

As a part of volunteering in Nepal, you have the opportunity to choose the kind of project you are interested to volunteer in. The different types of volunteer projects available in Nepal include:

Teaching English: This volunteering in Nepal program requires, volunteers to be placed in various local schools to teach conversation and reading level English to Nepali children. Just as English is an important skill for a good job placement in the world, Nepal is no different. The requirement of English speaking work force is on the rise in the country. To teach Nepali children English, you don’t require any formal teaching qualification. However, you do need a good command of spoken as well as written English, lot of patience, and unquenchable enthusiasm.

Children's Homes: In Nepal, volunteers will get the opportunity to act as a big brother or sister to many of the Nepali orphans who live in orphanages across the country. You will also be required to help with cleaning, gardening, doing repairs, planning activities etc.

Health Education: Health education volunteering in Nepal means working closely with children’s homes. The key focus area is on preventative measures by educating Nepali children about regular basic health check-ups, administering necessary childhood immunizations, personal hygiene, and sanitation as a disease prevention method. For this program, you need to be either a medical student or an advanced degree holder in medicine.

Community Maintenance Program: This involves practical application in village settings. Some of the community maintenance projects include painting or plastering, however, those of you with additional skill sets can help in more advanced work. You'll get to work alongside villagers, learning about traditional methods of building and working.

Home Stay/Cultural Exchange: A short volunteering program, this is also a wonderful way to get the best value out of your time in Nepal. You will be staying with a Nepali family in a small rural village or even within a city. During the duration of your stay you will learn about all aspects of Nepali culture, lifestyle, food, as well as attend couple of hours of language sessions twice in the day.

Volunteer Requirements
The two most important requirements for volunteering in Nepal are:

• Age - 18 years or older
• Health - no major health problems

Volunteering in Brazil programs is open to participants from all over the world and to individuals, families, and couples.

Fee and Other details
There are fees attached for every volunteering project you opt for. The fee is charged in advance and is applied for accommodation, food/meals, travel insurance, etc. The project coordinator takes care of most of your needs as a volunteer in Nepal throughout the duration of the project that varies from 7 days to 4 weeks.

Conclusion
Volunteering in Nepal is your chance to learn a new culture as well as contribute toward the society.