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Nina Chapman - Norway - Dec - 2008
We planned the classes the day before. The kids were very eager to learn, especially the second class. The teaching at the primary school seemed much needed, as they lacked teachers and as the kids really benefited from having English speaking people around. They were so eager to learn! I would recommend any volunteers going to Thulakhet to consider teaching at the primary school.

Sarah Looney - England - 23rd November 2008
I arrived in Sauraha in the afternoon after a relatively uneventful bus journey – it was only about an hour late! The previous volunteer was staying with the host family till the next day so I spent the night in a 'tower' in the jungle which was great!  We were woken up in the middle of the night as there was a rhino mother and baby grazing underneath the tower! 

Drac Garcia Palacios - Catalonia, Spain - 28 of June
So, yes, my wish is been fulfilled, I did have the opportunity to travel, go inside of the culture, meet a lot of people, and do something meaningful like teaching English, which I think is really important for them, because gives the opportunity to read more, discover new worlds, travel, get better education, better jobs, and hopefully better lives. So I have to give many, many thanks to Info-Nepal for the big opportunity that they gave me. They are doing a really good job.

Anna Drutschinin - Australia - : February 6th 2008
- I would love to go back to Nirmal Pokhari as I formed so many close relationships there and it really is a beautiful village. Now that I know what its like, I would go back more prepared so that I could make more of a difference - I feel that I spent my time there learning about the culture of Nepal and the issues it faces more than actually doing quality teaching.

Anne-Marie Parry - England - 30th June 2008
We did full medical checks at the school and at the orphanage a total of one hundred children, the local doctor at a near by health post came also to prescribe any medication the children needed. We also took some of the children from the orphanage to the dentist in Narangard.
I was very sad to leave my placement as the people there and the children were so welcoming and helpful it really felt like home. I do hope in the future I will return here and see how the school has progressed and how the children have grown up.

Danielle Soya  - USA  - 27 April 2008
Last year I left Gatlang at the end of winter determined to return the next year. It may be a few months later than I'd hoped, but I did return this year to spend the month of May teaching at Gatlang Library and school. I had suggested last year that INFO give Tamang language training to Gatlang volunteers since they don't speak Nepali. When I arrived, I was happy to find out that Durga (the Gatlang host father) was in Kathmandu to give me just that. It was difficult, but the even the few words I remembered helped control the kids and helped me relate better to their very curious parents.

Nina Chapman - Norway - Dec - 2008
Got up at 6.30 and had tea. First class at the RC at 7 am with the little kids, second class at 8 am with the older kids. Went back to the house for dhal bhat at 9.30. Taught at the primary school from 10am-1pm. After 1 pm: free time. Went hiking or visited the next village. 6-7 pm had dhal bhaat.

Edward Macey - England - 12th May 2008
At the library where we were given as much freedom as we wanted, we based the lessons usually around a topic such as time, weather, family etc and would then use various methods to teach it. The most popular method was drawing and some students managed to fill their books with drawings within a few weeks. Other popular methods included games such as hangman and pictionary. A methods which I tried to use only when necessary included writing on the board and they would simply copy as this is often employed at school and is not much fun or effective way of teaching for you or the students.

 

Tegan Burnet - Australia - 6th Dec 08

Take lots of things to do and read, as in the mountains there are less people to talk with, and if there is no school the days can be long. Be prepared to take the initiative and get involved. And be prepared with lots of ideas and resources at all sorts of levels as the children vary from no English to pretty good basics.

Simon Altman - German - Aug - 2009
And so my placement comes to an end…
It was a tough experience and to say I enjoyed it wouldn't be the right words. The isolation, freezing cold and very simple way of life definitely takes a big adjustment, and really tests your strength of character. But despite this, it's was an experience I'm glad I had. It taught me some valuable lessons, and made my understanding of the world and myself a little deeper.

Danielle Soya  - USA  - 27 April 2008
Gatlang is a challenging place for a volunteer. The weather can be extreme, and the lifestyle is worlds away from home, but you'd be hard pressed to find a more welcoming community. I hope the increase in volunteers willing to travel out to Gatlang continues to grow. I know they are eagerly awaiting the next set that comes through.

Edward Macey - England - 12th May 2008
The main issue was obviously the language barrier, especially when teaching in the primary school as you were trying to teach them from the books they were given and the exercises were far too hard for them. The books were also outdated and often had mistakes in them, which the teachers would never realise, and therefore the teachers would have already drilled this into them.

 

 

Shweta Parmekar - USA - July 2009
I loved the variety that volunteering in different parts of Nepal offered.  It exposed us to various health conditions and circumstances which gave us a wider perspective on healthcare here.  It also allowed us to practice the clinical skills we've gained thus far and allowed us to see conditions that we may not normally see in the States.

 

Montserrat de Villasante Fuentes and Ricardo Borges Rutz - Spain / Brazil - July 2009
Children who used to come to the library had many different ages, from 2 years old till 20 years old, so we had to deal with this. Montse used to be with the little one, and Ricardo with the olders. The activities consisted on:
Playing nature memory in english, practicing numbers and names of animals, meals and other stuff….,  playing with balloons, making jungle balls with balloons, for the olders the activities were: maths, geography, playing table tennis, and all the time using english language.

Rachel Reeves - USA - Nov 2009
Another thing you should know -- the teachers' lack of motivation/organization will likely frustrate you, but don't let it affect you. You just have to get used to it. Though they don't seem to care about their students, you can care about the students for them.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I arrive? 
Any time of the year. We are very flexible in starting your training any time you arrive.

How do I get from the airport to the guest house/training facility?
You will be met outside the airport terminal by an INFO Nepal representative holding a placard with your name on it who will then escort you to the guest house or training centre. Please provide us your flight information as soon as possible so that a punctual pick-up can be assured.

Does Nepal have a high rate of petty theft?  Should I bring valuables along?
Though petty theft is not as common in Nepal as in, say, neighboring India, it does still exist - and foreigners are the primary targets.  As such, it is important to exercise caution and travel smartly.  Bring a bag that you can wear crossed over your body, or if you have a backpack, bring a lock.  Don't flash around money or other valuables, and keep an eye on your belongings - especially while taking public transportation.

Is there any way of securing valuable things at the INFO office?
You can give your passport or plane ticket to a staff member at the office and they can keep them in the safe.  Generally, your room at your placement will have a lock on the door or a locked compartment, and you should use it because the kids and your host family are really curious about you and they will rifle through your stuff.  It is harmless but can get annoying and can account for the occasional misplacement of items.

How can I pay for the program fees?
The program fees are due when your training commences. Currently we do not accept traveller's cheques or credit cards. We prefer payment in Euros, but can accept Nepalese Rupees as well. If you wish to extend your volunteering program you must discuss this with INFO and pay the  fee accordingly.

Do the fees have any insurance incorporated in it?  Do I have to provide my own, if so what do I need to have covered?
There is no insurance and so we recommend that you get your own travel medical insurance to protect yourself in case of illness or lost or damaged property

What happens if I decide to return home before the placement is completed?
Once the volunteer commences training, having paid the fee and received a receipt, INFO Nepal does not refund programme fees. However, if due to unavoidable circumstances (e.g. serious illness, family bereavement), INFO Nepal will consider a refund of 30% of the Host Family Costs, provided the volunteer is registered  for a programme of more than 30 days. No refund will be offered for programmes of less than 30 days.

Is there a Training program?
Yes, depending on your length of stay, you will receive up to 10 days of Cultural and Language training from the INFO staff. The first phase of the training includes basic cultural and language information and will be conducted at our office near Thamel. The next phase of the training takes place  either in Sanga or Dhulikhel village to help prepare you for village life. During your time in the village, the INFO staff will continue to provide language training. For more information about the training program, please review the Program Section.

Where will I stay during the training period?
During the first phase of the training period, you will either stay at Happy Home or a Guest House in Kathmandu, just North of Thamel, across the street from the INFO office.  Both locations have facilities similar to Western standards. Starting with the first date of your training class, INFO Nepal will pay for your hotel and basic food costs during your stay. When you return from your placement, INFO will pay for up to two nights of your accomodation.  You will be responsible for the costs of your accommodation and food for the rest of your time in Nepal.

During the second phase of training, you will be moved to the placement village where you will stay with a traditional host family for one or two nights.
INFO Nepal will organize the transportation to and from your placement and ensure that you arrive safely.

Where will my placement be?  
Currently, we are sending volunteers to villages within the Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and its surrounding villages, the rural areas around Pokhara, Langtang, and the Everest region.   

Do you select my placement area?
Yes, placements are decided based upon program vacancy and volunteer's skills.   We do try, however, to take into account any special preferences / needs of the volunteers. If you have any preferences, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can endeavor to accommodate them. Your placement village will be finalized during your training week.

How can my family contact me during my placement?
Depending on your particular placement, your host family may or may not have a telephone within their home. Most villages will have one phone that can accept incoming and outgoing  international calls. In addition, most placements are within an hour travel to a major city that provides email/internet and/or international phone service. 
That said, in case of an emergency, your family/friends may contact INFO Nepal. We will do our best to get a message to the individual as quickly as possible. You must understand that the infrastructure in Nepal is not as reliable as in more developed countries. In some cases it may be hours or even a day before a message can get through to a volunteer.

Does an INFO staff person stay in the village with me during my placement?
An INFO Nepal staff member will not be in your placement village throughout your stay. However, each village has a local 'point person' to assist the volunteer with any issues that may arise in the village. If there is a problem that he or she can not resolve, then they will contact an INFO staff person to provide assistance.
During the placement an INFO staff person will provide site visits (the number determined by your length of stay), and/or will contact the volunteer via phone or email to provide regular 'check-ins' .

What sort of Health Care Facilities are available?
In Kathmandu, health care is relatively good - and also very inexpensive.  In your placement, however, the same cannot be said.  Some placements are close to Kathmandu or Pokhara (another large city), but if you are in a village, there will be little to no access to health care.  There probably won't even be access to medication, so we recommend that you bring your own mini-pharmacy. 

Is electricity available in the placements, and is it worth bringing my lap top?
If you are a technology junkie, Nepal is not the place for you. If you have all of this equipment you will not only have to bother with storing and securing all of this equipment, but you will look quite affluent to your family and village. The villagers may approach you for funding. While most placements have electricity there is a rolling blackout at different times during the day - even in Kathmandu.  It's thus likely not worth bringing a laptop.

How hard is it to get E-Mail access where I will be staying? 
There are email cafes in most areas in and around large cities like Kathmandu or Pokhara. Email is a dial up connection (sloooooow) and is generally 20-100 rupees/hr.  Some host families do offer you internet, but it is better you do not accept or go online for only a few minutes as this is extremely expensive.  In our most remote placements, there is no internet access.

Is it worth while bringing a digital camera and/or video camera?
Digital Cameras and video cameras are a good idea. You can also buy these quite affordably in Kathmandu. Nepali children all love being filmed and having their picture taken. It is a good idea to make sure you have a large memory card and extra batteries, or ones that can take ‘AA’ batteries if you’re in a pinch. You can download the pictures to a CD in Thamel - the tourist area close to the office.

How can I prepare for teaching English prior to my arrival?  
If you choose, you can be provided basic TEFL instruction during your training period, but it would be helpful for you to brush up on your grammatical knowledge of the English language. You could also consider bringing any English language textbooks, and or TEFL books that you may find useful as they are difficult to find in Nepal.

Should I be concerned about Maoist or other minority group activity?
Obviously, this is an issue that is currently affecting Nepal, however, we place all of our volunteers in areas and with families that we know to be safe. Please remember, there are always inherent risks when traveling abroad, especially to developing countries. We advise you to contact your embassy to make informed decisions regarding your stay in Nepal.  If you would like to speak with one of our volunteers about this issue please contact us at infonepal@mail.com.np and we will get you in contact via email with a current or recent volunteer or Country Coordinator.
To date, none of our volunteers have had any encounters with Maoists.  The Maoists are not targeting foreign nationals although whilst trekking you may encounter them asking for donations,  but this is rare.  Volunteers will probably experience going through army security checkpoints while traveling, but in general, the army only looks through the bags of the Nepali people (they leave the tourists on the buses alone). This process is basically similar to going through security screening at an airport and is for general safety.

I am from the United States (or country X). Should I be concerned about anti-Americanism (country x-ism) while in Nepal?
The Nepali people are very welcoming to tourists, and are very interested in speaking with people from other countries. We have had volunteers from all over the world participate in our program; none of them have experienced any 'anti-x country' sentiments. 

What is the weather like in Nepal?
The width of Nepal is only about 200 km on average, but within this short distance the altitude of the land rises from lowly 60m to all the way up to above 8000m. 
Hence the weather depends upon the altitude of the place in Nepal. However, in general Nepal has four climatic seasons: Summer, Monsoon, Autumn and Winter.
Summer is from March to May. The temperature of this season fluctuates between 20 °C to 30 °C (68 °F to 86°F). Monsoon lasts from June to August. These are also the pre-monsoon months with occasional evening-thunderstorms and hot temperature. Autumn starts from September and ends by November. During this period, the climate is dry and mild with temperature fluctuating between 20 °C to 30 °C (68 °F to 86 °F). Winter starts from December to February. The morning and evening are very cold while the afternoon is pretty sunny. The temperature during these months rises from 15 °C to 20 °C (59 °F to 68 °F).

How much money should I bring with me?  
It's difficult to give an exact amount of money that you should bring.  Costs will vary according to how much time you spend traveling on your own, whether or not you go trekking/traveling, if you drink beer (!), how often you phone home / use the internet etc. 
That said, living in the village is very cheap as you will not have to pay for your main food or accommodation and there is very little for you to spend your money on! During your training and placement you are responsible for any incidentals (sodas, snacks, etc.) that you may accrue.
We recommend purchasing one of the travel guides, such as the Lonely Planet for Nepal to help you estimate how much money you may need.
Don't forget that you also need to budget for INFO's program fees, visa fees and your flight and any extra activities, extra transportation and extra food.

What is the best way for me to access money once there? 
There are ATM's in Kathmandu and Pokhara. You can also exchange your money into rupees at a number of locations in Thamel, or cash traveler's checks at a bank.  If you're in a pinch, there are Western Union facilities in both Kathmandu and Pokhara. There is NO credit/debit card system here - leave your card at home.

Is there anything I can bring with me that would be useful to your organization?
We would be very grateful for educational books (grammar, TEFL, science, health, etc.,) illustrated books, English novels and children's books.  Also very much appreciated are donations of clothes, art supplies, and stationery.

What should I bring for my host family?
The Nepali people are very friendly, and giving gifts to the volunteer on the day of their departure is very common. If you would like to bring gifts for your family, below are some suggestions:

  • A framed picture of yourself and your Nepali family (you can have this made while in Nepal)
  • A small photo album with pictures of you and your family/friends from home
  • A 'coffee table' book of your home town or country
  • Posters, stickers or magazine pictures from your country
  • Children's books
  • T-shirts (new) from your country
  • Flags

Whatever you decide to give your host family, please consider the next volunteer.  Buying your family something elaborate or expensive will create an expectation in them to receive similar presents in the future.  It is better to give them something sentimental (representative of your time with them or of your home country).

What Should I Bring for myself?
This will vary depending on what non-INFO activities you want to participate in (trekking, white water rafting, etc.) and how much you need to be comfortable during your placement. With the exception of medicine, first-aid-kit and high-tech trekking gear, you can buy everything that you would need for your placement in Kathmandu (likely cheaper than in your home country). Here are a few suggestions:

  • Sleeping Bag
  • Hiking boots
  • Tevas/ flip flops
  • Fleece jacket (during winter months) 
  • Light-weight cotton clothing (see Program Guide and Volunteer Room for details)
  • Waterproof jacket (a fold-away windcheater is fine)
  • (Women) Sarong (or you can buy a lungi cheaply in Nepal)
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Sun cream
  • Water purification tablets and/or good quality water purifier
  • First aid kit 
  • Flashlight (torch) 
  • Penknife 
  • Books about your country
  • Photos of your family / friends / home (essential!)
  • Souvenirs for your family and staff from your country
  • A few examples of your local currency
  • Music CDs
  • Basic Learner's English/Nepali/English dictionary – for simple definitions (buy a Nepali dictionary on arrival in Kathmandu)
  • Magazines
  • Coloured pencils and pens, drawing books, stickers
  • Inflatable globe
  • Books on teaching English/English Grammar for your reference

What types of sanitary items are available in Nepal?  What do I need to bring from home?
Most things are available here - shampoos, soaps, shaving products, toothpastes.  It is recommended, however, that women bring tampons (if they wear them), as you cannot get those in Nepal.  Hand sanitizer/ wipes should also be brought from home, as well as any name-brand/prescription medicine.  Since rice is eaten with every meal here, some people may have constipation problems - volunteers should thus consider bringing fiber vitamins!

Is it possible to find English books in Nepal, or should I bring them from home?
You can English books in Thamel, both new and used, and the selection is wonderfully vast. Books tend to be around 500RS and you can get a 20% volunteer discount on used books if you bargain with the dealer.  You will also get 50% back upon return of the book.

What vaccinations should I consider having prior to arrival?
You should consider the following vaccinations, however, please consult your doctor / local travel clinic for the latest recommendations regarding vaccines and Nepal:

  • Diphtheria
  • Tetanus 
  • Polio 
  • Hepatitis A & B 
  • Typhoid 
  • Yellow fever 
  • Rabies   
  • Tuberculosis 
  • Malaria tablets 

Can my family send me small packages, cards etc.? 
Yes, we generally check the post office weekly. You can have mail sent to our P.O. Box and we will hold it at the office or try to send it to you depending on where your placement is. 
POSTAL ADDRESS:
c/o your name
INFO NEPAL
PO Box 19531,
Kathmandu, Nepal
If you are sending a package by FedEX, or delivery method, please send it to the office, you will also need to put our contact #'s
INFO NEPAL
16 Pakanajol, Thamel, Nepal
In front of the yellow star youth club or Near the Sarakhutte Police Post

What Makes a Good Volunteer?
INFO Nepal does not ask for any formal qualifications from our volunteers.  All we ask is that you have a genuine desire to help people and are committed to seeing the Program through. A positive and flexible attitude will also help you to get the most out of your stay in Nepal.

If you are applying to teach English, a strong command of the English language is a necessity.  Similarly, if you are interested in volunteering at a Health Post, some prior medical experience and first aid skills would be useful. If you are applying to teach computers at the Resource Centre, to the environmental awareness program, or income generation program, you should possess the skills and knowledge necessary to work within these programs. 

The following attributes are vital for survival, regardless of the program!

  • Independence
  • Patience
  • Good problem-solving skills
  • Sense of humour/ability to laugh at yourself
  • Tolerance
  • Willingness to share
  • Flexibility
  • Self-motivation
  • Open-mindedness
  • Enthusiasm to learn about new cultures

Please check the Volunteer's Corner for more details or send us an email.

infonepal@mail.com.np
+9779741178929
+97714700210
+97714880198

Water Tap's and new school

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Income Generating Program for Orphanage home

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Tami Nudel - Israel - Sept 2008
The Langtang area is very impressive, and waking up every morning with the view of the massive mountains was wonderful.
The local food was very spicy, and I must admit that I will not eat rice for the near future, because eating Dhal Baat for 7 days a week, 3-4 times a day was a real challenge!
To sum it up, I had one of my greater experiences in my life, and I will never forget it.

Shweta Parmekar - USA - July 2009
At our health placements we did 2-3 health camps at each location and included routine physicals, general checkups, and noting each patient's chief complaint.  The physician would then provide us with insight to the diagnosis and would then prescribe appropriate medications. The biggest challenge by far was the language barrier. It made it quite difficult to communicate directly with the patients and establish any form of personal touch. Also occasionally the lack of medical equipment made it difficult to perform adequate examinations.

 

Sarah Looney            - England - 23rd November 2008
Definitely, it was a lot of fun and very rewarding the children were lovely and very motivated and the host family was great- they made me feel really welcome in their home.  In addition Sauraha is a great place to visit.
Yes, I have had a great experience and everybody at INFO is always helpful and accommodating and tries to make you experience as good as it can be. It was also really good meeting all the other volunteers. I have had a fantastic time.

Nina Chapman - Norway - Dec - 2008
Try to plan your classes ahead of time, but don’t expect to necessarily finish with everything you planned. With the younger kids, it was very useful to split them up in groups, with the older, more capable kids receiving more complicated tasks. Also try to make them understand concepts, not just repeat them. The older kids are quite capable and can do quite complicated tasks.

 

Kate and Llynlly Langdon - Australia Oct 2009
We made posters, cards, poems, art, we did dictation, spelling and played games such as hangman etc. They loved to colour in and also did dictation, spelling and reading with those who were willing. The older children were great and had very good English already to it was easy to teach them more.

Tami Nudel - Israel - Sept 2008
Working with the children was great, because they were truly enthusiastic about me- the western girl… Walking through the village made me fill like a celebrity- everyone shouts "Namaste!", and all the children run towards me and jump on me.
Living up in the mountains, working in the fields, cleaning with the local women was a real adventure. This is something that I would never to back in Israel, and I am very glad that I got the opportunity to do so.

Sarah Looney - England - 23rd November 2008
Over the next few weeks the routine continues teaching from 6-8.30 am and then having the days to prepare and free time and then in the afternoons teaching from 4.30 – 6 pm. One of the challenges we faced was the fact that their was no electricity so we had to teach by candlelight at the beginning and end of the day which was an experience!  The teaching was great fun, the children were very motivated to learn and loved playing games – they also often wanted to stay even after their class had finished and sometimes a few of the older ones stayed to help out with the younger ones, who at times could be very hard work. 

Nina Chapman - Norway - Dec - 2008
Another challenge was at the primary school, where they wanted us to teach the kids for as long as 1 ½ hours at the time. This is too long to try to keep little children's attention, but as long as we were clear about what we were doing, it worked out fine. We ended up taking two 45 min classes each per day. They primary school also had exams in the time that we were there, so for these days, we couldn’t teach them.

Info Nepal is a Social Welfare Council registered charity that offers volunteer oppertunity in Nepal.
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