Voluntary Project Overview

The roots of the first MondoChallenge project can be found in Nepal, dating back to 1990. Here, volunteers helped teach at a single school and many of the students have remained in contact to this day.

Since 2001, the operations have expanded, and currently volunteers help out at a number of community run primary and secondary schools in and around Kathmandu itself, as well as in the famous and historical nearby centres at Patan and Bhaktapur. Amongst these are schools which have been established specifically for the benefits of street children and children from the poorest backgrounds, who otherwise would be deprived of any proper formal education.

Resources are minimal and sufficient numbers of teachers are often lacking. Consequently, there is a great need for support and input from MondoChallenge volunteers who bring energy, English and fun to the schools. They compensate for deficiencies in basic resources and can make a real difference to the quality of the children’s education.

The projects are well organised so that volunteers can make a good contribution in a relatively short amount of time. Pre-departure briefings and continuous support by the locally based manager helps with preparation and enables volunteers to maximise their contribution as well as their own enjoyment.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

Volunteers abroad are expected to teach English and can incorporate other subjects according to their own areas of interest, including sport, music or drama.

The physical conditions at the schools are often basic and it can be challenging to teach without much equipment! However, the children are eager to learn and volunteers comment on the rewarding and enjoyable experience of providing English language classes and interactive, fun-based learning activities for the children.

This is fantastic opportunity to gain insights and experience of Nepalese schools and to make a difference to the education of genuinely needy and disadvantaged students.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

Previously, volunteers have found themselves involved a number of extra-curricular activities at their schools, as well as providing personal language tuition or teacher training for local staff.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

Prior teaching experience is not essential. Enthusiasm, energy, resourcefulness and an open mind are crucial, however, as are an interest in education and a affinity for children. Career break volunteers should be prepared to immerse themselves in a new culture and a different way of life.Career break volunteers need good communication skills, an open mind, lots of enthusiasm and a good sense of humour! Our philosophy is to encourage the students to learn by having fun in the lessons.

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

Living in Kathmandu offers a wide variety of sensual experiences. You can sample freshly cooked food from street vendors or international dishes at popular restaurants, and discover deserted wooden alleys or explore bustling market squares.

And for those who want to escape the buzz of the city, weekends offer the chance to head for the hills and mountains amongst the worlds’ highest peaks.

Volunteers usually live with local families, although there is a huge range of accommodation from simple guest houses to comfortable hotels according to personal preference.

What’s included in your Programme Fee?

• Project selection and placement - Our in-country teams work constantly to identify and select projects that are doing exemplary work in developing countries but need your skills and effort. Our staff are in dialogue with you to ensure that we choose a project that really needs you, where you will use your skills and contribute, because at MondoChallenge, we believe that a great volunteering experience is largely dependant on matching you with the right project
• Pre Departure Briefing - Before you leave, we will arrange for a pre departure briefing where we help you with small but extremely helpful details on your chosen destination. Things like: what to pack, local culture and customs, food, safety and precautions if any - simple things to make your life easier!
• Guidance for processing visa - MondoChallenge will arrange for any relevant documents and guide you through the visa process.
• Airport Pick Up - Arriving in a new city and not knowing where to go and how to go can be quite unnerving. A MondoChallenge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your place of stay where you can put your feet up after a long flight.
• In country Orientation and Welcome Pack - When you arrive at your location, you will be given an orientation where you could meet other volunteers from MondoChallenge, learn all about your location, how to find your way around, where to get SIM cards for the phone, small bits that you will need help sorting out in the first few days.
• In Country Support - Our local co-ordinators are there to guide you through out your stay. They will make sure that you are settled at your project, are comfortable with your accommodation and provide guidance on local culture and customs to ensure that you have a memorable and rewarding experience.
• Accommodation - In most cases you stay with a local host family. It gives you a taste of the daily life of a local. You will be sharing a room with another volunteer, however if you prefer to have a single room to youself, this can be arranged but a cost supplement may apply. If you prefer totally independent accommodation, this maybe possible in certain areas at an additional cost and our Programme Managers will be able to assist you with this.
• Breakfast and Dinner - Local home cooked food, will be provided at the home stays. This gives you a chance to experience local dishes.
• Optional Contribution to the Education Grant - The Educational Grant helps projects like the one you will volunteer with, to get basic infrastructure and resources. Open air schools need a roof, some need tables or chairs and some need books for children. We identify needs and constantly work at improving the conditions at our partner projects. We also encourage you to identify needs at your project and let our local management know of any specifics that you feel may help. The grants are made through our registered charity, FutureSense Foundation (Charity No: 1132101). In the project fee above we recommend an optional contribution towards these grants. If you would like to fund raise or contribute further amounts towards this directly to the foundation we can assist you through the process.

Not Included:

• International Flights
• Visa and Travel insurance Costs
• Vaccination
• Local Transport and Travel
• Personal Expenses

Project photos

Testimonials