Description

Located between China and India, Nepal has much to offer those who work on a Projects Abroad volunteer project, including jaw-dropping scenery and many worthwhile placements working with children and orphans. Yet Nepal is also one of the poorest and least-developed countries in the world. A large proportion of the population lives below the poverty line and there is widespread unemployment.

There is a real need for assistance at the many orphanages and centers for children with special needs in Nepal. The centers that Projects Abroad works with often suffer from a chronic lack of resources, so your work as a volunteer will be challenging. You may find that some of the children are malnourished or have been victims of domestic violence. Our care placements enable you to get involved and really make a difference to the quality of life experienced by these children.

By volunteering on a Care project in Nepal you will make a real difference to the lives of children in the developing world. You do not need qualifications or previous experience to join a work experience placement, and we believe all volunteers have something to contribute.

Whether you are on vacation, a college summer break, a gap year or a career break you will have a role to play. These Care projects benefit the local community and make a difference to the lives of not only the children but also the many other people you meet along the way.

There are thought to be about 5,000 street children in Nepal, and the majority of them are concentrated in and around the ancient capital of Kathmandu where Projects Abroad Nepal is based, so this is a key group that we try to help.

You could help with general or more specialized care work at the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre, which was set up to provide a stable and nurturing environment for impoverished children suffering from varying degrees of malnutrition.

The Saathi Drop-in Centre offers basic education, food and shelter to boys from the streets, from age 5 to 17. Here you could help organize activities and even assist with giving vocational training.

The Life Development Centre is dedicated to providing the best available teaching and general care to children with mental disabilities. On this placement volunteers are encouraged to use any artistic and musical talents they may have, to play games with the children and to teach some basic English.

Whichever volunteer care project you find yourself working on, you need to be ready for a challenge. Many of the children will have health or behavioral problems, or may require extra attention due to mental or physical disabilities.

Highlights

Many of the orphanages in Nepal have facilities such as a soccer fields or basketball courts, so they are great for those who are eager to get involved with sports. Previous volunteers working in orphanages have also spent some time helping with conversational English classes at the schools the children attend. You do not need to have any sort of qualification to get involved in teaching; just a good level of spoken English.

Volunteers at the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children work with children who have physical disabilities. In order to receive corrective surgery, children have to spend extensive periods at the Centre, away from their homes and family. They really appreciate the interaction and support our volunteers provide on a day-to-day basis. You will also find yourself working with children who have been shunned from society as a result of their disfigured limbs, and by befriending the children you can work towards raising their self-esteem. The center is set on a hill overlooking a quaint village outside Kathmandu - with a magnificent view of the Himalayas.

Volunteering on a care project in Nepal is a chance to make a real difference to these children, not merely through the development of their social and life-skills, but also through exposing them to new ideas and cultures. Your assistance will also support the dedicated, but overstretched, staff who will always appreciate having you there to help.

Qualifications

no qualifications or experience required

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Childcare/children
• Community Centers
• Orphans
• Social Services, Social Work
• Street Kids

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-70

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992