Work in a bustling city
Teaching street children
Ages 4 - 14
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Volunteer Projects in Nepal

Introduction

Living and working in Nepal is a fascinating experience! You will get the chance to be part of day to day life in this ancient and mystical country.Career break volunteers in Nepal have the opportunity to be close to some of the world's best treks, and the Kathmandu valley, with its wonderful historic towns and temples.

About Nepal

Nepal has always been a dividing line between cultures and civilisations, and a cross-roads for commerce and culture. Here the plains of the subcontinent climb up to the high plateau of Tibet, the languages and people of India give way to those of China and the Hindu religion blends in to Buddhism. Nepal is often a complex blend of the two influences and this variation is further complicated by the diversity of ethnic groups within the country. And recently, the country has gone through several unprecedented changes - from being the world's only Hindu Kingdom to the youngest federal democratic republic, from conflict to promising signs of the return of peace.

Nepal has four distinct seasons. Spring from March to May, is reasonably warm. Summer, from June to August, is the monsoon season when the hills turn lush and green. Autumn, from September to November, is cool, with fresh mornings and evenings and clear skies, and is the most popular season for trekking. In winter, from December to February, it is cold at night, with fog in the early morning.

Mondo In Nepal

MondoChallenge began in Nepal back in 1990, working with one small school in rural area of Sermathang. Located at 2700 metres in the beautiful Helambu region, the school grew steadily with financial support from volunteers and supporters from all around the world. By 2001, when sadly it was closed by the Maoists, it had grown to 150 pupils and we were funding 9 teachers.

Since then Volunteers on a career break have been working with schools in Kathmandu, just outside Kathmandu Valley and in the Chaukot area (near Dhulikhel). These include primary and nursery schools, where children sit their examinations to move on to secondary school. We choose schools where there is a real need for additional support and where our volunteers can make a difference to the quality of the education.

In the Chaukot region, there is also the opportunity to teach English to adults in the area after school.

Things to see and do in Nepal

Nepal is full of travel opportunities for volunteers and backpackers alike. These include:

Kathmandu: It is the arrival point for most of the visitors in Nepal. This small sheltered valley is the historic centre and the capital of Nepal. This is the place where kingdoms rose and fell, palaces and temples are built and rebuilt, art and cultures are refined and protected. Kathmandu city is the largest in Nepal and is surrounded by green hills. Scattered around the valley are hundreds of temples and shrines, traditional villages and agriculture scenes of timeless beauty. You can see all these places by taxi, cycle, bus and by foot.

Bhaktapur: which is also known as Bhadgaon or the city of Devotees, is the third major town of the Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur was the capital of the whole valley during the 14th to 16th century. Much of the town's great architecture dates from the end of the 17th century. This town is also well known as a Newari Architecture town. Bhaktapur rises upon the northern bank of Hanumante River. All visiting foreigners are charged a fee.

Trekking: There are different approaches to trekking in Nepal and the choice depends on time available, budget, experience and personal preference including the famous Mount Everest Base Camp. We can help you organise your trek, including introducing you to a good guide or arranging permits which may be needed. You should always listen to advice concerning the security of your trek and we strongly suggest that you should NEVER go alone or without a guide.

Living in Nepal

In recent years there have been strikes and violent outbreaks due to tensions between the various political factions – the monarchy, Maoists, and ruling political parties. This is particularly tragic in a country that has traditionally had a peaceful way of life, but happily, the situation seems to have improved dramatically. The successful elections in spring 2008 promised to lay the foundations for increased stability and political harmony.

We regard security as a top priority and recommend all career break volunteers planning to visit consult the Foreign Office web site (www.fco.gov.uk/travel) or the Nepal News site (www.nepalnews.com) for the latest information.