What could be more rewarding than spending your vacation exploring the richness of Nepali culture, lifestyle and enhancing cross cultural understanding while volunteering in the community itself? A unique opportunity for cultural exchange, Himalayan Glacier not only takes you to exotic locales but also connects you with exciting volunteering opportunities to share your life experiences, skills and passions in some of the remote communities of Nepal. So if it is a life changing experience that you are after, then Nepal might just be the place for you! Spend your vacation volunteering with us and chances are you’ll return home with a wealth of lasting memories and new friends. Here are some of the exciting volunteering opportunities to get you started:
Children’s (Orphanage) Program
In this program volunteers will be placed in children’s home located at Naya Bazaar which is at 15 minute walking distance from Central Thamel. Volunteers have the opportunity to participate in a variety of educational and community aid programs. This will give you a chance to make an important contribution to the people of Nepal and while doing so gain an in depth experience of the country and its culture that will stay with you the rest of your life.
Health Education (Remote Village)
Depending on their medical qualifications volunteers with a background in healthcare will work closely with orphanages in Katmandu Valley. The need is extensive for children’s’ health care. Projects could include; health checks, the creation of medical records, health and sanitation education; administering inoculations against childhood diseases and treating basic ailments in the orphanage. Volunteers with health education and first aid training can also provide real benefits to local communities. You can also deliver first aid knowledge to the local villages and assist in developing and delivering First Aid and General Health Programs. Please note that for the health program we prefer medical students or advanced degree holders, however, volunteers with basic experience in this area can also be placed.
Teaching Environmental Awareness
If you are an environmentalist, it is possible to teach environmental awareness in local schools, within the community, or in the many children’s home where our volunteers serve. Environmental Awareness activities and programs can also be undertaken in the plan. In this setting projects could include; informing children about the hazards of inappropriate garbage disposal, building a compost bin and teaching children how to maintain it, creating paper recycling stations to teach children a valuable skill that could ultimately be used in their future.
School and Community Maintenance Program
This is an opportunity to help in a wide range of practical village-based projects. These projects could be as basic as painting or plastering, however, those with additional skills may be able to help in more advanced work. Projects are usually decided upon in consultation with local communities, but you can use your initiative to suggest projects of your own. It is vital to be sensitive to the needs and wishes of the local community. Projects are usually partly funded by the communities and partly by our partner organization and/or volunteer contributions. You’ll work with other volunteers in small groups, usually with minimal supervision. Often you’ll also work alongside villagers, learning about traditional methods of building and working. Example projects include school repair and decoration; toilet building; drinking water projects; road drainage projects; recycling projects; stove building; and construction work on our partner organization’s own Children’s home.
Home Stay/Cultural Exchange
In this program you will be placed with a Nepali family in a small rural village or within a city for the duration of your stay. You’ll learn about all aspects of Nepali culture, lifestyle, language, food and people – an unforgettable experience. You should remember that this is a cultural exchange so you should try and offer some knowledge of your own home culture and customs to your host family. During your home-stay you will attend 2 hours of language lessons in the morning and in the afternoon. You can spend the day visiting the local village and school and exploring the local area. You will also have the opportunity to help out at the local school. Home-stay programs can only be arranged for two weeks or one month and are best from August to December, which is the time when most large local festivals take place resulting in an overall more exciting experience. Please note that if you choose a home-stay/cultural exchange you will be placed with your host family as soon as you arrive in Nepal.
For more information please go through the following link: https://www.himalayanglacier.com/activities/voluntourism/
