Description

A volunteer with a legal background is really needed at this placement. The types of tasks that the director has identified has primary tasks include:

* Learn about why the women with PA Nepal have been given a sentencing and review their duration of sentencing. Help to define locate trends in crimes that women have committed and compare sentencing terms to other crimes with the same term.
* Help Indira write a proposal about women who travel with fake passport to Arab countries or overseas. Learn about what why women take this risk, what their stories are and help her describe in writing how they received these passports. In some cases the women were not aware that it was in fact a fake passport. When they return the immigration authorities in Nepal put them in jail until they are able to go to trial for sentencing. Learn about the penal system and if and when probation is allowed and learn about how long waiting times are for trials. Help Indira capture the challenges of this type of scenario in a document that can be submitted to the Nepali legal counsel for review.
* Work with Indira regarding certain cases where there is not conclusive evidence that the person has committed a crime. Help her with advocacy work by learning about the penal system in Nepal and working within it to help create change.
* Learn about the various women who state their are innocent and the reasons why they have been put into jail. They are not able to afford legal counsel and therefore someone with a background in law could learn about their case and provide counsel to Indira to help women. Advocate for prisoners rights and help create a platform for change by writing about the challenges and that you find.
* Write funding proposals that help outline why funds are required for both the prisoners but also PA Nepal. The reason someone with a legal background would be important in this position is because he/she could elaborate on the penal system and provide strong arguments of some of the unjust things that Indira and others have found about the legal framework in Nepal.
* Go to the jails and meet the women that PA Nepal works with. Work with the children and develop an understanding of the challenges that these children face growing up within the prison. Look at the laws surrounding this and learn about why children are also required to go with their mothers to jail.
* Review prison conditions and look for areas were reform would be helpful. PA Nepal is dedicated in improving prisoner rights and would greatly appreciate the assistance from someone with a legal background to help address particular issues by writing proposals and helping to provide suggestions in current policies.

Highlights

PA Nepal is a grass-roots organization with a huge heart, but not a lot of resources or cash flow. They need volunteers who have a common vision and are capable of helping to launch new projects, assist in fundraising, help in administration, accounting and office management as well as volunteers who are good role models who can work with the children to encourage self confidence and self sufficiency.

The director of this organization has requested for a volunteer that has a legal background to come and assist at her organization. Over the years, Indria (the director) has not only spent her time caring for all the children who come to her center but also doing research into the Nepali prison system and the Nepali justice system. She is hoping that a volunteer with a legal background will be able to help her further explore the legal framework and help her advocate for a number of issues that she believes need to be addressed. There are many different types of issues including: treatment of prisoners, length of sentencing for petty crimes, ensuring that prisoners have access to basic things like water, health services and nutritious meals and learning about the existing penal system so programs for the women who Indira works with can receive some training so that when they are released that will be able to make a living for themselves and their children.

Qualifications

It is important that a volunteer who would like to work at this placement has a legal background. They do not have to be a practicing lawyer but must either be in law school or have a significant legal background.

Minimum Education

High School

Intern Types

• Law

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

USD 2.745 for 8 weeks, USD 205 each additional wk.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.

Experience Required

yes

A volunteer at this placement must be able to work outside of the legal framework that they have learned and embrace the difference and similarities of their own legal system and that of Nepal. They must be willing to learn about the penal system in Nepal and help address issues with PA Nepal that they both feel need to be changed. A good heart and genuine interest in helping.

Volunteer Types

• Law
• Legal Aide

Typical Volunteer

We believe everyone can contribute by volunteering. Recent graduates from high school, college or university, professionals taking a career break, recent retirees, individuals or groups who are interested in a change and the chance to enrich their own life and the lives of others. If you are 18 years or older you can apply for any of the placements available. If you are from 16-18 years old you may apply for placements near our Volunteer Abroad Office and Residence, so that we are able to give you more support. Both students and professionals are needed for placements in all our countries.

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of Depends on the placement

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

24-48 hrs

Basecamp International Centers's Mission Statement

We believe international volunteering promotes cross-cultural learning that helps create global awareness, understanding between cultures and provides the platform for positive change. Our volunteers have taught in schools, provided disaster relief support for the International Red Cross, conducted essential research to improve the management strategies of threatened environments, built homes for impoverished people, provided vocational training and programs for street kids and have worked in co-operation with hundreds of local organizations to distribute aid and improve the quality of life for people throughout Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Year Founded

1998