Teach English in Nepal to Tibetan Refugees

  Nepal

• Kathmandu: 
Kathmandu

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Volunteers Welcome Year-Round

Description:

Our school was founded originally 13 years ago to help destitute children around the Boudha Stupa who had little or no opportunity for schooling. It was the first language tutorial center of its kind in the Tibetan community of Boudha and was founded by two brothers in their twenties, one of whom continues to teach and run the center.

Chhewang, principal and teacher, was born in Nepal with the Sherpa dialect of Tibetan as his native tongue and educated in Bhutan. He has 'an ear' for languages and is fluent in Tibetan, Nepali, Hindi, Bhutanese and English also having extensive knowledge of many of the dialects within each of these.

The center, comprising 3 teaching areas (plus the kitchen when needed), is located within 2/3 minutes walk of the Stupa but is now attended by a broader cross section of the Tibetan and Sherpa communities, ranging in age from 10 years to adult. They include monks, business people, middle-aged women and others, many of whom have had minimal exposure to school of any kind.

The challenges facing Chhewang with such a varied student base, as you can imagine, are many. Predominant amongst them is the continuous shortage of teaching resources in the form of Volunteer English speaking foreign visitors / residents. The inevitable result being larger, unmanageable classes of basic, intermediate and advanced standard students combined - a truly ineffective long term solution for all concerned. Although very kindly supported for many years by an American volunteer teacher residing in the area, we need more ongoing help.

Highlights: Vajrayana School, in the Boudha neighborhood of Kathmandu, is looking for volunteers who can teach English to our classes of Tibetan refugees and Himalayan Sherpas. Many of our students have just arrived in Nepal and have never attended school before.

We are located just a one-minute walk from the Boudha Stupa, an area 4km from Thamel, Kathmandu full of monasteries, cafes, restaurants, guest houses and Tibetan gift shops. Classes are currently scheduled from 7am to 5:30pm Sunday to Friday so there is flexibility in teaching times, though we ask that volunteers are mindful of students needs for continuity and consistency.

We would be extremely grateful for your contribution to this exciting and worthwhile project. We are not asking for any financial contribution, just your time and energy.

Qualifications: No specific qualifications are required but we welcome people who have teaching or computing experience.

Minimum Education: High School

Experience Required: yes

- no specific experience is required but if you have experience of teaching, computing or leaflet design that would be beneficial to the school. In addition, if you are an architect you could assist in developing the design of a new school building.

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers at Vajrayana Centre have been everything from college students to working professionals to retired people. Some have been professional teachers, but most are new to teaching and merely excited to help. Volunteers have worked with us at Vajrayana Centre from anywhere from two weeks to two years!

Age Range: 18-65

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Nepal Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Written Application

Vajrayana School's Mission Statement: Vajrayana School prides itself on seeking only the talents of the teachers themselves, rather than expensive fees that many volunteer agencies in Nepal charge. While school supplies and any other forms of donation are always gratefully received, Principal Chhewang Sherpa is happy to welcome any and all volunteer teachers in order to give his students maximum exposure to the English language.

Year Founded: 1991