Volunteer Services and Support Nepal (VSSN) is a non-governmental organization that raises and saves funds from participants fees to provide programs and services to children and families, schools, orphanages, health centers and local clubs.
Fill our online form in our 'Contact page' or send an email mentioning your program of interest and tentative arriving date and duration of volunteering. Attach a CV, and a copy of digital photo (should be small sized and clear to see). You may have lots of questions about program and other issues. We will be more than happy to respond to your emails as soon as possible.
You will receive 15 to 90 days tourist visa at airport in Kathmandu. Visa receiving process can be easy and faster if you carry few copies of your PP size photos with you and US$ in cash.
The initial few days of the program will be Nepali language and cultural training and this time you will visit some historical places for sight seeing with our staff member, you can also do shopping while you visit places like Thamel and New Road. After that you will be taken to the placement for work.
Many people in Nepal understand English but speaking few sentences in Nepali will make your life easier. Nepali is not a hard language, we have designed a course book and our language trainers are experienced, qualified and friendly. They have very good English language skills. We can send you a few lessons of our course book upon request.
Yes, but it is acceptable if your English is second language. A good communicative English language is a must for Volunteers.
You can bring books and pictures in class room which describe about your place, people, family etc. These can be very good teaching materials. Nepali children would love to know more about you, your country and people. The children also love simple arts and crafts, stickers, games, picture books, etc.
No, you can come and volunteer with us from any country, we treat all nationalities equally. The majority of volunteers come from the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia. Nepal is a very safe country to live and travel for all nationals.
One of our staff member will come with you to the placement to make your introduction to the host family and your working place. You will receive all necessary support while you are staying with us. First few days that you start living with the host family, VSSN staffs will help you to make sure that you are feeling comfortable. Support from our office will continue until you do not finish your stay. There will be telephone access at your host family, you can contact VSSN staff any time.
We always try our best to maintain the food and water hygiene during training and placement, our host-families are experienced with hosting many past volunteers and they will always give you boiled water and well cooked food. VSSN has already trained the host families regarding the safety of water and food. You may get illnesses like diarrhea or giardia in Nepal so you need to be aware of water and food while traveling.
It is not necessary but you can bring anything which you think that is best. It is always good to bring a unique and souvenir type gift. If you would like to bring gifts for your family, here are some suggestions; a t-shirt, key-chain, cap, calendar, toy for kids, table book or magazine, a framed picture of yourself and your Nepali family (you can have this made while in Nepal), chocolate etc.
You are provided with food and accommodations in your placement that are covered by your volunteer program fee. During the initial language training you will stay in a hotel in Kathmandu, only during this time your will buy your own food. Please do not expect a luxurious placement with a cozy bed, hot showers, and a western style toilet though we have few placements are very comfortable. In Kathmandu there is electricity, but generally you will not find it outside of major centers. Two meals a day are provided for you while volunteering, as well as snacks. You are advised to buy your own bottled water once you arrive outside Kathmandu airport, and only drink boiled water during your Kathmandu stay. We offer accommodations from the first day of the program to the last day. For the volunteers who arrive earlier or who want to stay longer, it is not possible to offer accommodations, but we will help volunteers to find a quality, inexpensive place to stay.
Here are the lists of most common and important things you may need to bring; all the items you can buy/hire cheaply in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
You should consider the following vaccinations, however, we strongly advice to consult your doctor / local travel clinic for the latest recommendations regarding vaccines:
Nowadays, there are ATM services in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitawan and in some other cities there are several ATM booths which will open during day time. There are several banks and money exchange services. You can bring Master/Visa card, cash $/ Euro or travelers checks, these all are accepted.
There are many cyber cafés, international and local phone facilities in every small area of Kathmandu valley and other towns of Nepal. There are many telephone services and you can make calls to your home country paying about half a dollar per minute. There won't be easy internet access if your placement is in a rural area of Nepal.
Nepal is geographically divided into three parts. Nepal is not always as cold as people think. The Himalayan region of Nepal is very cold in the winter, while the mid-hill region and Terai region of Nepal have different climates in different seasons. The weather is cold from December to February but warm and moderately hot in the summer. The spring and fall seasons are cool and very pleasant. Please bring your winter clothes (thick layers!) if you are coming in November, December, January, or February. Please bring summer clothes for the rest of the months. If you are volunteering in the rainy season (July and August), please bring a light rain jacket and umbrella. We advise female volunteers not to wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, or short skirts in villages. Nepali people dress modestly and girls cover most of their body, in accordance with Nepali tradition.
Please visit http://www.thehimalayantimes.com ; this is unbiased daily news out of Kathmandu.
More than 80% of the country practices Hinduism, the second most practiced religion is Buddhism, as well as small percentages of Muslims and Christians. In Nepal, all different types of belief systems get along very well.
Volunteer Services and Support Nepal (VSSN) is a non-governmental organization that raises and saves funds from participants fees to provide programs and services to children and families, schools, orphanages, health centers and local clubs.