| |
|
|
| |
|
Volunteering
in Nepal will help you to see the
world from a different perspective,
which enables you to develop your
critical thinking and cross-cultural
skills. In addition, by leaving
the familiar behind to go encounter
new people and places, you will
gain a better understanding of yourself
and the world around you. Experiencing
another way of life firsthand will
enhance your independence, understanding,
education and self-awareness. These
life-skills are all invaluable.
Above all, the rural children, youth,
schools and communities need your
help. You may know that 97 out of
100 children and youth still live
in villages, and that 50% of all
Nepali peole live under the poverty
line. The education and health facilities
in rural areas are insufficient;
and the rural schools lack trained
teachers, as well as a sufficient
number of teachers in general. Every
year, hundreds of children leave
their villages to arrive in small
and big cities in search of work.
Most of these children are deprived
of educational and other opportunities,
so after coming into the cities
they work as child laborers in restaurants,
hotels, and factories. In such a
messy situation, the small efforts
from volunteers can bring hope for
greater change in all rural communities.
Ask your heart whether or not it
is your responsibility to help the
needy people of developing countries,
as a member of this global village?
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If
you are enthusiastic, and motivated
to learn and help needy people,
especially rural school children,
youth and women, you are perfect
and exactly what we are looking
for. You do not need specific skills
and past experience. We organize
sufficient in-country training programs
for all selected volunteers to enable
them to work effectively with target
groups. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteer
Soceity Nepal always ensures our
volunteers that they are placed
in safe environments while volunteering
in Nepal. VSN has more than 100
volunteers every year. No one felt
unsafe; consequently, we do not
see that any serious security threats
exist for foreigners in Nepal. You
might be aware that some embassies
have had security warnings for up
to 13 years warning against visiting
Nepal, but during that period not
even a single tourist has not been
attacked or threatened.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You
can start as soon as you would like,
but you should confirm that you
are coming at least two weeks before
you arrive in Nepal, so that we
can prepare necessary accommodations,
training and placement. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No,
not at all, we recruit Nepali youth
to work along with overseas volunteers
as their counterparts. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VSN
tries to keep costs as low as possible,
a difficult task in itself. VSN
volunteering programs are absolutely
the most affordable in Nepal. Volunteers
have to pay for their food and accommodation,
training, sponsoring Nepali children,
the costs for their Nepali counterparts,
and travel, all of which is included
in the overall fee. VSN is a non-government
organization, and is always working
hard to raise funds through various
activities and fundraisers, and
by trying to coordinate programs
with likeminded organizations. Thus,
we charge our volunteers a nominal
amount for raising the funds needed
to carry out all of our many projects.
Volunteer fees range from US$300.00
to US$ 1200.00, depending heavily
upon the program and the length
of stay. Certain programs follow
a stricter schedule and include
a good deal of traveling, trekking,
and other activities. These programs
are thus slightly more expensive,
in order for VSN to provide for
all travel arrangements and accommodations.
The volunteering period ranges from
1 week to 5 months, depending upon
the availability of the volunteers.
The volunteer fee is to be paid
upon arrival in Kathmandu.
|
|
|
|
Apart
from the fees, other costs that
are to be met by the volunteers
are: |
|
|
| |
 |
Flight
costs |
| |
|
Visa
$40 USD for the first two months
(to be paid at the airport upon
arrival) and $40 USD per month
thereafter |
| |
|
Immunizations |
| |
|
Travel
Insurance |
| |
|
Also
you will need a weekly budget
of up to US $20 to cater for
all your other expenses like
bottled water, personal items,
beverages and entertainment. |
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
Besides
my volunteering fee, is it necessary
to raise extra funds before I start
volunteering with VSN? |
| |
|
It
isn’t necessary for volunteers
to contribute additional money once
they have paid their volunteer fee.
However, many previous volunteers
have raised additional funds through
donations from their friends and families,
prior to arriving in Nepal. These
volunteers dispense their collected
funds by creating their own projects
within VSN, in an area the volunteer
deems appropriate. To begin and complete
a project of your own undertaking
can be a very rewarding experience.
VSN encourages volunteers to consider
this as an option as it is a wonderful
contribution. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VSN
Nepal provides programs from two
weeks to ten months. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes,
it will be helpful if you speak
English, but it is perfectly acceptable
if you speak English as your second
language. When you arrive in Nepal
you will be placed into a training
program that includes an intensive
language course on basic Nepal phrases
that you may need while volunteering. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
Nepal you are provided with accommodations
that are covered by your volunteer
program fee. During the initial
language training, you will stay
at the VSN office in Kathmandu with
other volunteers. This initial training
may also involve spending time in
a local village with a Nepali family,
to practice what you have learned.
While you are there, you will be
housed and fed by the local people
who are compensated by VSN as part
of your program fee. When volunteering,
you are placed in a 'family' home
in the village where you will be
working. Please do not expect a
luxurious placement with a cozy
bed, hot showers, and a Western
style toilet. In Kathmandu there
is electricity, but you generally
will not find it outside of major
centers. Two meals a day are provided
for you while volunteering, as well
as snacks. You are advised to buy
your own bottled water once you
arrive in Nepal, and only drink
boiled water during your home-stay.
We offer accommodations from the
first day of the program to the
last. For the volunteers who arrive
earlier or who want to stay longer,
it is not possible to offer accommodations,
but we will help those volunteers
find a quality, inexpensive place
to stay. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
with any overseas traveling, health
insurance is recommended. Please
obtain necessary health and travel
insurance before coming to Nepal.
Talk to your travel agent about
this or search on the internet to
see what offers are available, and
make sure you look into the details
of the policy. Find out if it covers
airfare in case of a medical emergency.
We also suggest that volunteers
consult a physician or an international
travel clinic for recommendations
on immunizations, and you should
certainly bring a small first aid
kit. Nepal offers basic medical
services and there are some places
for emergency medical treatment.
If you are taking any prescription
medicine, we suggest that you bring
an ample supply from your home country. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That
is not necessary. VSN organizes
volunteer programs for individuals,
couples, groups and families. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You
can contact us at
vsnnepal@ntc.net.np
to get the email address of our
previous and corrent volunteers.
They will be happy to discuss thier
experiences with you and answer
all the questions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You
do. You will need to organize your
trip to and from Nepal, but we can
help you to find affordable flights. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
VSN does not have long process for
making reservations, you can simply
send us a cover letter mentioning
your program of interest, a small
sized picture, a short resume, your
tentative arrival date and the duration
of time you will be volunteering
to vsnnepal@ntc.net.np |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most
of our volunteers obtain visa upon
arrival at the Kathmandu airport,
which is very easy. You just need
to bring a PP size photo with you. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes,
but it is acceptable if English
is your second language. Good communication
skills in the English language are
a necessity for Volunteers. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Orientation
will include an intensive introduction
to Nepali language and culture,
and you will learn the Nepali language
quickly. It is better if you are
able to speak Nepali, and great
fun as well, but volunteers on our
short-term (2-3 week programs) do
not need Nepali language skills,
and it may not be possible for them
to have enough practice and time
to really be able to converse. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Many
people in Nepal understand English,
but speaking a few sentences in
Nepali will make your life easier.
Nepali is not a hard language to
learn. We have designed our own
course book and have language trainers
that are experienced, speak English
well, and are qualified and friendly.
We can send you a few lessons of
our course book upon request. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No,
you can come and volunteer with
us from any country. The majority
of our volunteers come from the
United States, Canada, Europe, Japan
and Australia. In the year 2007,
we have had volunteers from more
21 different countries. Though the
embassies of some countries are
requesting you not to travel to
Nepal, the situation remains very
safe for volunteers. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We
always try our best to ensure that
the food and water during training
and placement is safe and clean.
All of our host-families have experience
accommodating past volunteers, and
they will always give you boiled
water and well cooked food. VA Nepal
has already trained the host families
regarding the safety of their water
and food. You may, however, get
illnesses like diarrhea or giardia
in Nepal so you need to be very
aware of the water and food you
are consuming traveling. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It
is not compulsion for you to bring
gift for family but they would appreciate,
if you bring any gifts. You could
bring gifts for your family like
a t-shirt, key-chain, toy for kids,
books for kids, chocolate etc. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This
will depend greatly on what country
you are traveling from. You should
always consult your doctor before
purchasing any medication, as some
may not be necessary. In addition,
depending on where you are from,
you may have already had some of
the required vaccinations as a child.
We suggest that you consult a travel
doctor from your country before
you arrive. However, you should
consider the following vaccinations.
• Hepatitis A & B
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Yellow fever
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria tablets |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nowadays,
there are ATM services in most of
Nepal’s cities, which will
be open during the day. There are
also several banks and money exchange
services. You can bring Master/Visa
card, cash $/ Euro or travelers
checks, these all are accepted. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VSN
is very flexible, and we consider
any requests from our volunteers
for changes in their work-places
seriously. It is possible to change
the working areas to meet the expectation
of volunteers. We cannot change
position frequently, however, without
genuine reasons. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VSN
is very flexible on when volunteers
can start with the program, and
it’s possible to start any
day of the year. It just depends
on your availability. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There
will be plenty of time for you to
explore the Kathmandu Valley during
orientation. We offer full day guided
tours of Kathmandu valley as a part
of the language program. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
This
all depends on your placement. Almost
all placements will have access
to a Post Office. If you are in
a city, there are many places in
which you can use a phone or have
access to e-mail. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Volunteer
Society Nepal welcomes individuals,
couples, family, small and large
groups, students and experts, as
well as senior and young professionals
to make a great contribution and
bring changes by getting involved
in our volunteer program. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Am
I able to take some time off during
my volunteer commitment to do some
trekking while in Nepal? |
|
|
Of
course! A great majority of our volunteers
take a break during their stay with
VSN to embark on various trekking
expeditions. VSN supports and encourages
any volunteer wishing to take a leave
of absence from their duties to explore
the natural beauty of Nepal. We simply
ask that any major projects you are
overseeing to be managed appropriately
prior to your departure. |
|
|
|
|
|
Can
you recommend a trekking company in
Nepal which is reliable and affordable? |
|
|
VSN
recommends ‘Inventive
Panorama Trek (P) Ltd
’ www.tour
and trekking in nepal .com
which provides excellent services
for those interested in trekking or
touring in Nepal. Several of our previous
and current volunteers have utilized
their services with great success. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Once
the volunteer makes a decision and
pays for the program fee, upon receipt
of invoice, VSN Volunteer Program
does not refund any program fee
under any circumstances. However,
if the volunteer has unavoidable
circumstances (such as illness,
death in the family, etc) they may
request to leave the program, and
VSN will consider returning 25%
of the host family cost (if the
volunteer is registered for more
than 30 days program). No refund
will be made for programs lasting
less than 30 days, or if the volunteer
chooses to leave the program on
their own. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kathmandu
has the only international airport
in Nepal, so all international flights
arrive and depart from there. Our
representative will meet you at
the airport. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We
advise female volunteers not to
wear short skirts in villages. Nepalese
people dress modestly and girls
cover most of their body; it is
the Nepalese tradition. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nepal
is not always as cold as people
think. The country is geographically
divided into three parts. The Himalayan
region of Nepal is very cold in
the winter, while the mid-hill region
(Kathmandu and Pokhara) and mid-terai
region (Chitwan) areas of Nepal
have different climates in different
seasons. The weather is cold from
December to March, but warm and
moderately hot during the summer.
The spring and fall are cool and
very pleasant. Please bring your
winter cloths (think layers!) if
you are coming in Nov, Dec, Jan,
Feb and bring summer clothes for
the rest of the months. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Any
travelers in Nepal can stay on a
tourist visa for 5 months each year
for $1 per day. You can get the
tourist visa at the Nepalese embassy
in your country, or at the Tribhuvan
International Airport upon arrival.
A non-tourist visa is difficult
to obtain and is twice as expensive
as the tourist visa. It is the responsibility
of volunteers to manage their own
tickets and visa. We suggest that
volunteers not stay more than 5
months. Please call the nearest
consular or embassy of Nepal to
confirm that you can get a visa
at the airport. If you overstay
your visa the fine is US$1 a day
and US$50 (i.e. for a month's extension),
paid in rupees. For overstay periods
of less than a week this can be
processed at the airport upon departure. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obtainable
from the Department of Immigration
in Katmandu or Pokhara. Extensions
are valid for 30 days (whether you
need it for a day, a week or whatever)
and the cost in Nepalese rupees
is the equivalent of US$50 at the
government exchange rate. You must
pay for visa extensions. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nepal
is a cheap place for shopping and
traveling, but if you are planning
to travel in Nepal before or after
your volunteer program, you will
need some extra money. If you want
to buy gifts for family and friends,
you can buy them in Kathmandu. You
may change your major currencies
and travelers checks in Kathmandu
and at the airport. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yes,
there will be a VSN representative,
who will be waiting to receive you
at the Kathmandu air port. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
