Volunteer Projects - NEPAL

There are several projects where volunteers can work in Nepal.
Many schools in Nepal lack the funds to provide effective English language training. Native or fluent English speakers with or without formal teaching experience can contribute greatly to a child's educational development.

Here are some of these
Global Action Nepal, P.O. Box 2717, Ganeshchowk, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu, Nepal; 011-977-1-370977; info@gannepal.org, www.gannepal.org. GAN is a U.K.-linked charity that works in the field of education in Nepal, providing dynamic volunteers to support village teachers in their work and also to improve school environments by building toilets, wells, etc.

Hands for Help Nepal, Nawasangam Marga 10, Kathmandu, Nepal; 011-977-1-4362648; fax. 011-977-1-4701232; info@handsforhelp.org.np, www.handsforhelp.org.np. Up to 300 international volunteers teach in schools, assist in orphanages, on conservation projects and in various intern positions for up to 5 months.

Insight Nepal, P.O. Box 489, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal; insight@fewanet.com.np, www.insightnepal.org.np. Volunteer placements for 6 weeks and 3 months in schools and community development projects in Nepal. Must be a high school graduate. $480 (for 6 weeks) and $840 (for 3 months) program fee including registration.

KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project), P.O. Box 9178, Thamel, Jyatha, Kathmandu, 011-977-1-4216775, fax. 011-977-1-4216774; keep@info.com.np www.keepnepal.org Opportunities for volunteers to teach English in trekking villages, government schools, etc. Volunteers stay with a host family and must be self-funding.

Know Nepal, P.O. Box 13465, Kathmandu, Nepal; 011-977-1-4279244; volnter@enet.com.np Small Nepali organization that welcomes international volunteers as teachers in development projects for 2-5 months. Program fee $350.

New International Friendship Club, P.O. Box 11276, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal; 011-977-1-4427406; fax 011-977-1-4363950; fcn@ccsl.com.np, www.geocities.com/nifcnepal. Forty English-speaking university graduates placed in schools or colleges. Volunteer teachers should contribute $150 per month for their keep in addition to the $150 registration fee, which includes an orientation course in Kathmandu. Also runs 15-day work camps; fee €16 ($219).

RCDP (Rural Community Development Program) Nepal, Kathmandu Municipality, GPO Box 8957, Ward 14, Kathmandu, Nepal; 011-977-1-427-8305; rcdpn@mail.com.np; www.rcdpnepal.com. Paying volunteers and interns work on various programs lasting two weeks to five months while living with a Nepalese family, $350 for 2-week language and cultural immersion program in Nepal.

VSP-Nepal (Volunteer and Support Program Nepal), Birendramarg-397, Ghattekulo, KMC-32, Kathmandu, Nepal; vsp_nepal@yahoo.com Volunteer jobs and internship program in remote and urban areas in Nepal, including school teaching. Home stay accommodation with meals charged at €100 ($133) per month plus €200 ($265) registration fee.

Cultural Destination Nepal, P.O. Box 11535, Dhapasi, Kathmandu, Nepal; 011-977-1-437 7623; cdnnepal@wlink.com.np; www.volunteernepal.org.np Two- to 4-month volunteer and cultural program in Nepal. Fee €50 ($66) plus €650 ($860) fee includes 2-week pre-service orientation and home stay throughout.

Aid Camps International, 5 Simone Ct., Dartmouth Rd., London SE26 4RP, England; 011-44-20-8291 6181; www.aidcamps.org Small non-profit organization that sends teams of volunteers of all ages to various projects (e.g. Three weeks renovating a school for disabled children in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, or Cameroon). Participants pay £595 (approx. $1,170), at least half of which goes directly to the aid project.

WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms), www.wwoofinternational.org Global website has links to the national offices in the countries that have a WWOOF coordinator. National WWOOF coordinators compile a list of their member farmers willing to provide free room and board to volunteers who want to help and are interested in furthering the aims of the organic movement. Currently there are WWOOF branches in the U.K., Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Italy, Slovenia, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Ghana, Uganda, Nepal, China, Japan, Korea, and U.S. An online list of organic farms in all other countries (known as WWOOF Independents) can be obtained from WWOOF-UK (P.O. Box 2675, Lewes, Sussex BN7 1RB, England); cost $30.

Global Crossroad program comprises of many amazing activities like language training, travel to popular tourist places, and volunteering. In our volunteer program, the first week orientation program covers intensive language course, cultural visits, and cultural orientation. In the second week, volunteers go to rural village for home stay, cultural experience, and language practice. The second week of the programs also covers many amazing travel features. Only after two-three weeks of extensive orientation, language practice, and cultural experience, volunteers go to their project.

Another alternative for volunteers wishing to teach in Nepal is to apply to the New International Friendship Club Nepal (www.geocities.com/nifcnepal). The Himalayan Explorers Connection ( www.hec.org ) sends teaching volunteers to mountain villages. The program costs $150 per month excluding airfare.