Description

You are about to discover a new culture, accomplish something unforgettable, and explore the best Nepal has to offer!

We are excited to get your placement under way where you will:
* You have the opportunity to work with children, teach English to adults or children and provide education on healthcare practices. You could also take part in building/ maintenance projects or choose to enjoy a cultural exchange home stay.
* Have the support of a non profit with 10 years experience in placing over 16000+ volunteers that will provide you with an affordable and rewarding placement
* Be a part of progressive non profit that has raised over USD1.8 million to help women and children in need

Just choose a project and apply:

GVN has volunteer opportunities for you to teach, care for children in homes, and community maintenance projects. Your placement will be tailored according to your individual needs and interests.

This will give you a chance to make an important contribution to the people of Nepal and while doing so gain an in depth experience of the country and its culture, that will stay with you the rest of your life.

Nepal is a developing country and is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. About half of the population live below the international poverty line of 1.25 dollars a day. Very few westerners, apart from explorers and climbers, ever visited Nepal until the 1970s. Although there are parts of the capital and the larger cities that appear modern, most of Nepal is a very traditional society that depends on subsistence farming, although tourism provides significant income in some areas.

Development in the country is difficult largely due to an unstable government; however mountainous terrain and the growing population are also contributing factors. Almost half the population lives in poverty with nearly three quarters being illiterate.

Teaching English: In Nepal, English is becoming more and more of a required skill for job placement, educational advancement, and future success. Volunteers who wish to teach in Nepal will be teaching in an adult literacy school. The school is a locally run charity our partner organization in Nepal works with. The students are adults with varying degrees of proficiency in English. The class is comprised of Nepalese, Tibetan Refugees and Monks. Those who wish to volunteer on a long term basis (two months or longer) will have the option of teaching children in a government school.

Children's Homes: In this program volunteers are placed in a children's home near heart of Kathmandu. Your role as a volunteer is to be a big brother or sister to children who are cared for in the homes due to being parentless, abandoned or 'given over to brokers' by their families. You can also help with medical visits, cleaning, paper recycling, gardening, teaching the house mothers how to properly clean, doing repairs, mending clothing, planning activities for after they return from school and perhaps preparing meals. Once the children return from school, your role will be to assist and encourage them with their homework as well as play with them. Some of the older children may be encouraged to develop skills that may help them in later life such as paper making, sewing or maintenance work.

Community Maintenance Program: This is an opportunity to help in a wide range of practical village-based projects. These projects could be as basic as painting or plastering, however, those with additional skills may be able to help in more advanced work. Projects are usually decided upon in consultation with local communities, but you can use your initiative to suggest projects of your own. It is vital to be sensitive to the needs and wishes of the local community.

Projects are usually partly funded by the communities and partly by our partner organisation and/or volunteer contributions. You'll work with other volunteers in small groups, usually with minimal supervision. Often you'll also work alongside villagers, learning about traditional methods of building and working. Example projects include school repair and decoration; toilet building; drinking water projects; road drainage projects; recycling projects; stove building; and construction work on our partner organisation's own children's home.

You can also take more of an environmental education focus by informing children about appropriate waste disposal, recycling, composting and creating vegetable and flower gardens in the children's homes.

To apply for our Nepal volunteer program please go to our website and fill up our online application form.

Please feel free to email us with any questions you have about this program

Highlights

Home Stay Programme/Cultural Exchange Program: This is a fantastic way to get more out of a trip to Nepal, especially if your time is short. You will be placed with a Nepali family as soon as you arrive in Nepal, and will live in a small rural village or within a city. During your home stay you will learn about all aspects of Nepali culture, lifestyle, food, and be able to attend 2 hours of language lessons in the morning and in the afternoon. As the experience will be a cultural exchange, you can also offer your host family some knowledge of your own home culture and customs as well. Home stay programs can only be arranged for two weeks or one month. They are best between August and December, the time when most large local festivals take place resulting in an overall more exciting experience.

Participants in this program will attend the first two days of training, as per volunteers in the other programs. After these initial two days you will be placed with your host family. During your host family stay you will continue to attend language lessons and will have ample opportunity to practice your new language skills with your host family. You may also spend the day visiting local sights and exploring the local area. Your family will also offer you the opportunity to attend festivals they may be celebrating during your stay.

Qualifications

Specialist medical skills are required for the community health program, but the other programs simply require enthusiasm, interest and an open mind.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please see our website for details on costs.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of <10

Application Process Involves

• Online Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-3 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Global Volunteer Network's Mission Statement

The Global Volunteer Network (GVN) is a New Zealand Charitable Trust (non-profit NGO) based in Wellington, New Zealand. Our Charitable incorporation number is: CC46460. Our vision is to support the work of local community organizations in developing countries through the placement of international volunteers. We believe that local communities are in the best position to determine their needs, and we provide volunteers to help them achieve their goals.

Year Founded

2000