Volunteer Community Development

  Nepal

• Other Cities in Nepal: 
Chitwan
• Kathmandu: 
Kathmandu
• Pokhara: 
Pokhara

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Dates Flexible

Description: VCD Nepal was created to address needs of the Nepali people. The ultimate goal of VCD Nepal is to give Nepali people the necessary tools to help themselves. Your time, talent and contributions can help us do that. VCD Nepal offers the unique opportunity to experience the richness of life in Nepal at first hand, while having a direct influence on the quality of life for its people. Whether it be teaching English in a school or monastary, working at an orphanage, rafting or kayaking down the seti river, designing and running health and sanitation projects, learning Nepali, riding and bathing with elephants, canyoning, or doing a journalism and photography internship, Nepal will be made a better place with your own abilities.

Adventure Travel Program- Applicants have the option to participate soley in adventure travel or combine adventure travel with community work as well. Go rafting, trekking, kayaking, canyoning, paragliding, bungee jumping, horse-back riding, all with the beautiful Himilays right in front of your very eyes. Then spend some time teaching English to Nepali children or playing games with Nepali orphans.

High School Program- High school groups are encouraged to spend their spring/ winter/ summer breaks in a foreign and exotic country. Experience a totally new atmosphere individually or with friends. Have the opportunity to paint schools, build ping pong tables, lead environmental awareness projects, etc. Don't wait until college to travel and see the world. See it now while also helping those who are less fortunate.

Internship- Always want to put your writing and photography skills to test? Work for the highly reputable Tourism Times Newsletter rightin Kathmandu. Cover issues from tourism travel in Nepal to current social conflicts.

Language School- Want to learn a foreign language? We offer Nepali language and cultural classes right in the heart of Nepal. Get to know the language and culture of the people who have lived their lives amongst the Himilayan mountains.

Volunteer Position-
Teaching -(Government school, monastary, orphanage, womens group or community library). Volunteers in this program will teach English or other disciplines such as math, science, music, geography, art, dance, etc. depending on your specific area of expertise. The students that you will be teaching range from 5-16 years old, and are typical in groups of around 30-50 students per class. The subject material that you will be teaching i.e. the curriculum for the key subjects will be taken from the Nepali students' standard book. However volunteers are also encouraged to create their own lesson plans; lots of inspiration for classes can be found online as well.
Home stay / cultural exchange - Home stays and cultural exchange programs is a fantastic way to get more out of a trip to Nepal and can be arranged in most areas of Nepal with our 30 Host families. Participants will be placed with a Nepali family in a small rural village for the duration of their stay. This provides the volunteers with an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the depth of all aspects of Nepali culture, lifestyle, language, food and people.
Professional Health Program - This program is especially for doctors, nurses, nursing students and medical students. Volunteers will work at hospitals and community health clinics in Kathmandu, Chitwan or Pokhara. Volunteers will be helping doctors or health assistance at the clinic performing tasks like dressing wounds, administering shots, drawing blood, holding babies while they are being treated, helping to screen and organize patients. They can also assist local staff with getting medicines/supplies, and generally helping out in whatever capacity you might be needed.
Health, Environmental, Sanitation Education - These programs are designed to bring forth modern and everyday health and sanitation practices (i.e. washing hands, brushing teeth, community sanitation, etc.), and environmental sustainability.

Highlights: Adventure Travel- Nepal offers one of the world's most beautiful places to do the adventure sports you love. There is nothing more beautiful then waking up everyday to the snow capped Himilayan peaks. See what all the famous mountain climbers of the world are after.

High School Program- Spend time with your friends in a completely different atmosphere. We offer community projects that all high school students rave about.

Internship- Develop your professional career while exploring Nepal. We offer professional freedom that can't be found with any other newspaper agency.

Language School- Learn Nepali language from an assortment of our Nepali language instructors.

Volunteer- Choose from a multitude of volunteer options

Qualifications: All applicants, regardless of program, must posess the following qualities and capabilities:

-Ability and adaptability to work and live in a developing country
-Desire for community development
-Open-minded towards new cultures
-Eagerness to learn
-Self-starter
-Creative
-Indepedent but also a team player
-Professionalism
-And above all, ability to smile and enjoy Nepal.

Volunteer Position qualifications:

Teaching English & Orphanage work- There are no specific requirements for the program other than fluency in written and spoken English. However the best things you can have is patience and a genuine desire to help the children and Nepali people.

Professional Health Program- Due to the responsibilities involved volunteers must be studying or practicing in the healthcare field, as doctors, nurses, EMT's, and medical and nursing students with clinical experience. We do not accept premed students into the program.

Basic Health and Sanitation Educational Program - Background or experience in health education.

Environmental Awareness - No specific requirements are needed for this program. Individuals or teams of individuals must be highly independent and self-sufficient. Upon your arrival you will receive relevant training towards the projects you are interested in.

Journalism and Photography Internship:
-Experience with journalism or photography. Each applicant's level of experience will be assessed individually.
-Those with no experience may still apply.
-Writing samples will be requested.

Cost in US$: 250 USD - 1500 USD

Costs Include:
Airport pickup and drop
Language and cultural orientation training
Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Specialised training for your chosen program
Land Transportation to and from village placement
Accommodation during training period in Kathmandu
Accommodation and meals with your host family during the placement
24 hours Volunteer supervision and office administration
Legal Service
Scholarship and sponsorship for orphanage children and deprived children

Program fees don't include:

Visa/Visa extension fee
Meals during the training in Kathmandu hotel
Traveling and other expenses out of the placement during weekends
Air Tickets (Domestic/International)
Airport departure Tax from Nepal( About 30 US dollars)
Insurance
Laundry service
Bar Bills
Telephone Calls

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: The typical VCD Nepal volunteer is: -enthusiastic -independent -creative -passionate about change -interested in community development -motivated -team player -good with children

Age Range: 16+

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Nepal Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

VCD Nepal 's Mission Statement: VCD Nepal (Volunteer for Community Development - Nepal) is an officially registered non-governmental volunteer organization. It is a non-profitable organization, registered with the social welfare council. Our mission is to promote community awareness and aid Nepal in it's move forward toward development. In order to help Nepal we work with individuals and teams of volunteers on community projects. These projects include: increasing awareness of the importance of the English language, teaching English in government schools as well as Buddhist monastaries, working with various orphanage homes, environmental and health education, sanitation and argricultural projects and income-generating activities. By educating and helping the rural communities of Nepal, we aim to decrease poverty one community at a time. Nepal is a country with a rich culture. However, as in other third-world countries, more than 80% of our people have to live with inadequate provisions for health and nutrition, poor sanitation and a lack of education. The ultimate goal of VCD Nepal is to give Nepali people the necessary tools to help themselves. Your time, talent and contributions can help us do that. VCD Nepal offers the unique opportunity to experience the richness of life in Nepal at first hand, while having a direct influence on the quality of life for its people.

Year Founded: 2007