Nepal is well-known for its stunning natural beauty and welcoming people, but also struggles with poverty. Your compassion and skills could make an immense impact while giving you a life-changing experience.
Volunteer with children and teach English in under-resourced schools. You’ll live with a host family for an immersive cultural experience, while exploring Kathmandu Valley and going on wildlife safari!
1. Check with your college or university
One of the best ways to find volunteer abroad programs in Nepal is through your college or university. They often partner with international organizations that recruit volunteers, making finding an appropriate placement easier than ever before. They can also provide necessary resources and support services so your volunteer experience goes smoothly.
There are various volunteer options in Nepal, from teaching to caring for children. Teaching is one of the more popular projects among volunteers abroad in Nepal, particularly in rural areas that may struggle to access education. You can engage students through games, songs, art projects or sports by using various activities that keep them interested such as games, songs, sports or arts classes – providing them an opportunity to practice new vocabulary words while discovering concepts through fun learning experiences.
Most volunteers in Nepal’s mountainous regions work as teachers in small villages with few schools and teachers available; thus preventing young people from receiving an adequate education to thrive in modern life. Volunteer teachers can make a profound impactful difference to these disadvantaged children’s lives by giving hope for a brighter future.
Volunteers in Nepal can help improve the quality of life for women by providing support and education to disadvantaged girls. This could involve helping these girls with school work, teaching them reading and writing techniques or providing financial aid so they can support themselves and their families.
Another way to assist the poorest people in Nepal is through agricultural projects. Volunteers can aid farmers by planting and harvesting, while simultaneously becoming immersed in local culture while learning traditional farming methods from Nepalese communities.
2. Check with your friends
If you’re thinking about volunteering in Nepal, ask around among your friends for recommendations. Perhaps one has had an incredible experience on one or knows someone who has; getting firsthand information will allow you to avoid any unexpected surprises that might scupper your volunteer adventure.
As well as consulting your friends, it is also wise to research programs of interest. Read up on projects, accommodation options and the application process so that you can make an informed decision and select a volunteer project that best matches your skills, interests and travel goals.
Nepal is still recovering from earthquakes that struck in 2015, so many available projects focus on rehabilitation of buildings and infrastructure. You can join a GoEco team in working on construction tasks such as mixing cement, painting, restoring, landscaping or renovating in rural communities around Kathmandu – this year-round opportunity suits volunteers with good fitness who enjoy working outdoors.
Other volunteer abroad programs in Nepal may involve teaching young children. This is an excellent way to assist local teachers and give Nepal’s young people access to an excellent education. You could also volunteer with animals – something which is especially essential in Nepal where street animals need all the assistance possible.
Nepal also offers various agriculture-related volunteer programs that offer you an excellent way to experience its culture and learn a new way of life. You’ll help with planting, harvesting and animal care while becoming acquainted with Nepalese traditions and customs.
Volunteer opportunities in Nepal can be found easily and at an affordable cost, though you should remember to budget for any additional costs related to travel or programs like background checks; some programs may even charge extra fees for meals and accommodations.
3. Check with local agencies
Nepal has long been a source of travel inspiration with its towering mountains, tranquil monasteries, and rich cultural history. But Nepal is more than a faraway land — its people live real lives; one-third live below poverty level! By volunteering in Nepal you can take your trip beyond spiritual enrichment into tangible support for local community projects.
Engage in English teaching and support education initiatives in Nepal, an idyllic country where many children lack the resources to realize their full potential. Your program will begin with an orientation amidst snow-capped Himalayan Mountains before you are assigned an ideal location based on your skillsets and current project needs.
Work can be hard, but its rewards are abundant. You will witness first-hand how your efforts have made an impactful statement about who we are as individuals – providing a sense of fulfillment long after returning home.
Before choosing an organization for volunteering, make sure that they have reliable volunteers on board who have participated before as well as business references from former volunteers and agency. Also consider getting in touch with some former volunteers directly so you can gain an authentic picture of their organization – the more reliable and transparent an agency is, the greater will be your experience!
Keep in mind that flights to Nepal can be costly, so it is wise to plan a budget around this expense. Also remember any additional costs (extra activities or souvenirs not covered by program fees or extra living expenses not covered by your program fees), travel insurance costs and travel related services as you make decisions regarding volunteering abroad in Nepal. Although Nepal may seem costly at first glance, most programs here are relatively cost effective compared to similar volunteer opportunities worldwide.
4. Check with international organizations
Selecting an effective program provider for your volunteer abroad experience can be crucial in its success. Some international organizations have an established track record of offering safe and efficient projects with trained staff who support volunteers throughout their process, such as Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN). One popular VIN initiative is their childcare project which assists autistic, special needs children, beggar children who have been denied education among others.
Another option would be to join a program that assists with agricultural work, since so much of Nepal still depends on farming to survive. VIN’s Agricultural Project assists community farmers with farming and animal care needs as well as offering tea research projects where volunteers can gain more information on cultivation and processing organic tea leaves.
Get involved with women’s development in Nepal! Many women struggle to provide for their families and rely on women and girls for income through various skills and activities that teach reading, writing and income generation – as well as financial assistance with housing or school fees fees – in order to make ends meet. Women’s development programs aim to empower these women while teaching girls how to read and write while providing opportunities to earn an income via various activities and skills training programs.
There are also opportunities to assist with reconstruction efforts after the devastating earthquakes of 2015 through this program, providing those looking for something tangible an outlet to contribute their time and energy towards rebuilding efforts.
Remember, volunteering abroad doesn’t come free, so make sure that your budget includes travel and program costs. To reduce expenses further, seek a program with an organization offering weekly fees rather than one-time application or registration fees – that way your donations go directly towards helping those in need rather than fund company profits.