Here is something for the fit and adventurous volunteers – start with an action-packed couple of weeks in Nepal by trekking at high altitude (up to 5,545 metres) to the base of Mount Everest, taking in the most breath-taking sights along the way and enjoying sightseeing around Kathmandu in some of the most famous temples. Then start your white water rafting experience, paddling fast through Grade III rapids such as “Teen Devi” and “Monkey” and thrilling Grade IV rapids such as “Upset”, “Monsoon” and “Seti Beni”. While trekking you will be staying in local tea houses (lodges), with shared bathroom facilities. When the adventure is over, start another one by volunteering with children or teaching for four weeks near the city of Pokhara.
Make a real difference to the children at several different project sites, depending where the need is most. Not only will this be an amazing opportunity to provide much needed help to the local teachers, the children and their families, but you will be working towards the long term goal of sustainability of these projects and centres. You will be making a real difference towards the children’s futures in this community.
- Teach English at the Little Daffodils English Boarding School. Many of the students come from poor backgrounds and have their education sponsored or their school fees are paid through donations of the school. You will be helping with English fluency in the classrooms, building teachers confidence with their English speaking skills and being an extra pair of hands where needed amongst the 400 students that attend here.
- Give a helping hand at the Street Children Rehabilitation Centre to the boys that need support with their homework, have fun with the kids in the sports program, and be an extra pair of hands if needed at breakfast time and for getting them off to school.
- At the understaffed Early Childhood Development Centre you will be a much needed help. You will be helping out with activities, games, lessons and lunchtime for the 3 – 5 year old children that spend the day here.
- The Children’s Paradise is a pre-school offering special attention to children with disabilities. You will be working one-on-one with the children that have disabilities and will be there to support them through the day’s activities from being at the bus stop to take them to school, to bringing the children home in the evening.
- The Conversation Club is based at Shanti Café, a local restaurant near your host family where Nepali boys and girls get to learn or improve their English through conversation.
Living with a host family where you will be sharing a room with other international volunteers, you will be immersed in the Nepali community and its culture. You will have plenty of opportunity to visit the local area. On your time off you can experience Nepal’s natural beauty with more adrenaline pumping activities such as white water rafting (in case you couldn’t get enough of it), bungee jumping or even travel further abroad and experience an elephant safari in the Chitwan National Park. For those looking to take it easy, experience the spiritual tranquillity the region has to offer. You can visit the Tal Bahari temple which is situated in the middle of the beautiful Fewa Tal Lake surrounded by the Annapurna Himal. You will also get the opportunity to learn about the local culture with local Nepali language lessons and cooking classes.
What you need to know
The adventure experience requires you to be fit. You will undergo a comprehensive Health & Safety training and learn about the risk assessment guidelines to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable time. It is advisable to build up physical fitness in the preceding weeks to the project to take advantage of the trekking opportunities to Everest Base Camp.
Upon arrival at your volunteering project you will get a comprehensive orientation including a Welcome Presentation, with introduction, background and objective of the project and Health & Safety briefing. You will also be given Nepali lessons over two morning sessions. You will then start getting involved with the projects and get continuous support from the local staff to help you where and when needed. You need to bear in mind that you will be working with vulnerable children and young adults, some living in difficult circumstances or coming from challenging pasts. Working with children will be hard work both physically and mentally, but can also be one of the most rewarding things you will experience. The more you put in, the more you will get out of it. Nepal is a conservative country (Hindu and Buddhist religious tradition) so remember to be respectful of local customs; it is worthwhile researching some of the country’s culture and (religious) traditions before arriving.
What’s Included?
- Placement and pre-departure help
- In-depth travel advice on how to get to where you need to be
- Full training and orientation upon arrival
- Shared accommodation within a local family home, safe and to good standard
- Meals when on base
- Onsite support by experienced staff
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Undertaking the challenge of trekking to Everest Base Camp, including return flights from Kathmandu to Lukla
- White Water Rafting – Two days white water rafting on the Trisuli River, including an overnight stay at a riverside camp
- A day tour of Kathmandu
What’s Not Included?
- Flights
- Travel and health insurance
- Visa costs
- Local transport and spending money
- Vaccinations if required