VIN’s teaching English at Buddhist monastery/nunnery project aims to give volunteers/interns a true taste of life at the monastery. It aims for an exchange between the religious members of a certain community and foreigners from a drastically different community that have just one thing in common: the eagerness to learn. You may learn about Buddhist culture, while the monks and nuns may learn the English language, an extremely important asset for them.

- Creating lesson plans for your daily teaching.
- Teaching regular English classes.
- Interacting with the children of the Buddhist monastery.
- Helping the other teachers advance their English.
- Teaching children basic sanitation/hygiene.
- Organizing creative activities like arts and crafts.
- Most of all giving the children the affection they deserve.

- To help women become self-reliant through a number of initiatives including; literacy classes, income generation projects, savings, credits groups; and raising awareness on health, sanitation and the environment.
- To support and provide facilities for early childhood development and encouraging a good basic foundation for young children at the start of their education.
- To provide a platform for children to participate in non-formal creative activities, as well as developing their life skills and making them aware of their basic rights through the establishment of Children's Clubs in schools.
- To provide sponsored education to disadvantaged children including; orphans, conflict victim children and children from very poor and disadvantaged families and to help children who have suffered as a result of the conflict to regain access to education.
- To raise awareness of the need for English language skills and to facilitate teaching English within schools, Buddhist monasteries and nunneries.
- To help ensure a quality of education being provided, through conducting teacher training workshops, seminars and exchange visits.
- To provide resources and healthcare professionals to assist the health post which serves the local community. To raise awareness of the benefits of good sanitation and provide education in personal hygiene. To provide access to basic hygiene facilities like toilets
- To offer support in the establishment of a Community Learning Center (CLC) to provide learning platforms for eliminating illiteracy and for developing the professional capacity of local people.
- To support orphanages through offer-ing financial assistance for education, food, clothing and through the placement of volun-teers.

VIN is one of the few Nepali run organizations currently operating in Nepal whose mission serves to directly empower marginalized people and promote a greater sense of voluteering. Our projects operate year round and international volunteers can feel satisfied by contributing to an organization that is working to improve the quality of life of the Nepali people with an emphasis on improving education for marginalized groups such as women and children.

- You will be making a sustainable difference in the most marginalized communities
- You’ll take part in structured projects where you will have the opportunity to contribute, together with VIN's onsite team, in achieving a lasting difference for your target community’s shared vision. Our permanent staff continuously facilitate the projects even if there are no volunteers. So there is no question on interruption of the projects.
- Project fees (excluding the necessary administrative expenses), will go directly towards supporting our local projects and activities. There are no large overheads to support, or internationally based NGO to which fees are paid. You can be satisfied knowing that you are directly assisting the local community.
- Our dedicated staff is attentive to your needs throughout your volunteering period. Ongoing support will ensure that volunteers feel not only safe, but comfortable in their placements and in Nepal in general. Volunteer safety is our major priority.
- Our community placement is located among some magnificent hills near the Nagarjun forest, where the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna is said to have attained enlightenment, surrounded by beautiful hills, trees, and crops like rice paddies.

What is needed to be a VIN volunteer/Intern?
Volunteering is a fantastic and rewarding experience, it can teach you more than you ever imagined. The following qualities are vital for getting the most out of the volunteer experience...

Team work, Open mindedness, Willingness to learn and adapt, Flexibility & creativity, Positive attitude, Taking initiatives, Adaptable to basic living conditions, Respect for local culture.

Volunteers must apply to VAP.
- Attach to your VEF, your updated resume / curriculum vitae (CV) with two referee contact details (referees can be for your work/university/family);
- Await confirmation from VIN for acceptance through VAP;
- If you wish to work for more than one placement, then you are required to pay €60 extra to cover our added logistical work.
- VIN Volunteer / Internship project induction starts on the 1st and 15th of each month. The induction period is considered part of your project period. If you wish to come in between for a short period, you will receive a basic orientation before the placement. Please arrive one day prior (e.g. on the 14th if you are starting on the 15th) to the project induction date.

After you receive the confirmation letter from VIN, you will also receive your placement information; project specific information, a host family information sheet, fundraising tips, a project schedule and other induction information etc. Your placement information sheet will contain all the information that you need to prepare for your journey and stay in Nepal. It is very important that you read the entire information sheet at least once and understand all the contents. Your information sheet will be sent to your sending organization at least 3 weeks prior to your arrival in Nepal. The pre-arrival letter will include all the necessary in-formation that will make your journey to Nepal as smooth and trouble free as possible.

Volunteers must send their flight details so that VIN staff can receive the volunteers from the airport. Please arrive one day prior to the project start date with your method of transportation (this is usually flight). Our project starts on the 1st and 15th of every month.

The induction is spread over three days and starts on 1st and 15th of each month. During the induction you will have different sessions. These sessions include:
- Introduction to the organization - Brief introduction about VIN - history, projects, working communities etc.
- Arrival review - We will have a talk about how your first day was, about the airport pickups, as well as answering questions about problems and concerns.
- Sightseeing - Sightseeing is also part of the induction period, comprised of two different places of cultural importance heritage of Kathmandu valley, such as Boudha, Patan Square, Pashupatinath etc.
- Cultural Tips - When compared to western culture, there are a lot of differences in culture. We provide tips which will help to adapt into the Nepali life style smoothly.
- Placement Information - You will receive a support pack with detailed information about the host family, your daily schedule, their traditions and family members.
- Project Orientation - Briefing about your chosen project, e.g. teaching tips.
- Health Tips - You will be provided with some vital health tips by the VIN doctor.
- Nepali Language - You will receive two to three basic Nepali language classes.

You will have a project coordinator with you to introduce the place you will be staying at and your work. VIN staff will coordinate your work throughout your stay, you are however expected to maintain a high level of independence.

Each volunteer is allocated an L/MTV Coordinator on his/her arrival. The L/MTV Coordinator is a staff of VIN and s/he supports you with your project. Monitoring your progress during your voluntary service through Monthly reports, L/MTV get-togethers, one to one sessions, emails and phone calls. The L/MTV Manager also makes monthly project visits during the placement where possible.

Meetings are conducted once in every month. They are held on a Friday (Saturday is public holiday in Nepal). During the meeting you can share your experiences, challenges and plans. This is also a great way to meet volunteers from different projects, different countries and cultures.

At the end of your volunteering period you will have to submit a few reports, including an exit form, a handover note for the next volunteer who will take your placement and an article about your experience. You will then sit for an exit interview with the Executive Director and the Volunteer Manager . This also serves as a feedback session. Finally, you will then receive a Certificate of Completion from VIN for your volunteering period.

- For you the life-long learner who would like to contribute your time and skill for the benefit of those in need.
- More independent. Will usually require less guidane and supervision.
- Involves less logistical support.

- For students/career builders who need to translate their academic knowledge into practical skills.
- May require more mentoring, guidance and supervision.
- Will require more logistical support in the form of paperwork, supervision and communication with the university/school.

VIN arranges accommodation for your induction period and your placement period, this means two to three nights at a hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu and then your host family or monastery/nunnery. The costs are covered by your project fee. In placement accommodation, your sleeping arrangements may be private or shared and in most cases you will be required to share a bathroom and toilet facilities with your host family or the monks/nuns. It is important for you to realize that bathroom and toilet facilities and standards of hygiene will be in accordance with local standards. These facilities and standards may sometimes be very basic and may not be up to in western standards. You must be prepared to cope with this.

VIN provides food during the placement from the project fee. You will receive at least two meals a day throughout the placement, which will be of Nepali standards and usually Daal Bhat (lentil soup and rice), vegetable curry, pickle etc. If you wish to supplement your diet with other food the responsibility and cost lies with you. We will only cover food and accommodation for the period agreed for your placement and only at your placement.
In most cases you will be staying with a host family after the project induction and will share the same food with them. Should you have any specific dietary needs, please let us know before your arrival in Nepal. Should you wish to visit the city on the weekends then you must cover your own food and accommodation costs.

You will be received from the airport and dropped of at the hotel on the day of your arrival. After the induction period you will be placed with your host family or monastery/nunnery. At the end of your entire volunteering period you will be picked up from the host family and dropped off at a hotel or the VIN office. All of the above mentioned transportation facilities will be provided by VIN. Your personal travel (not including the first drop off at your placement and your final pick up from your placement) will be at your own costs.

All the registration formalities will be completed in the first three days during the induction period. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract and paying the project fee. Please note that the entire project fee will be collected during the induction days.
You will have to produce a photocopy of your passport and of your visa as well as a passport photo. VIN will issue a volunteer identity card for you.

We are a non profit organization enabling us to keep our prices as affordable as possible. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of Nepal or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for VIN is the project fee that is collected from the volunteers.
 Food & accommodation for the volunteer (project induction, local transport, host families, meals)
 Staff salary - VIN has 18 paid national staff to run its projects and paid local volunteers.
 All supports such as emergency measures and coordination of the project.
 Office administration - including office rent, telephone, internet, supplies, electricity, water.
 Promotional and development activities - maintaining the website, folders and leaflets.
 A large part of your fee however is reserved to support of VIN’s different community projects - women’s empowerment, children & youth development and community health.
 We prioritize the allocation of money on a needs basis, considering continuity and sustainability.

Duration / Volunteer / Intern
4 weeks / 499 EUR / 550 EUR
5 weeks / 559 EUR / 615 EUR
6 weeks / 619 EUR / 680 EUR
7 weeks / 679 EUR / 745 EUR
8 weeks / 739 EUR / 810 EUR
For each extra week / + 60 EUR / + 65 EUR

Four weeks Volunteer & Travel Tour fee is 675 EUR & Five Weeks Volunteer & Trekking
Fee is 1099 EUR. There will be 60 EUR extra double placement is chosen.
The payment can be made prior to or on the first day of the induction. We accept only cash,
(if you wish to pay by PayPal, there will be 5.5% extra cost to cover PayPal’s cost and transfer
fees). You can also pay in NPR, USD, Sterling Pounds and Australian dollars. The fee is non-refundable.

Are you interested in teaching, helping and improving the lives of children who have lost their parents? Nepal is a poor and underdeveloped country. A long history of political conflicts has left many children in very unfortunate situations. At the FFN, we believe it to be our responsibility to help and try to make these conditions better.

Through personally rewarding but emotionally challenging voluntary work, you can take part in improving these conditions for the children. Motivated volunteers willing to teach them to think in new and different ways is their benefit. Learning from their way of living is yours.

Teaching and taking care of children. 1-5 months. 5-6 hours of work each day, 6 days a week. Good motivation and English language. No formal qualifications needed. In the morning and evening, you take care of the children. Help with their homework, chat, play sports, music and games. When the children leaves for school, you go as well. In the school, you’ll mainly teach Basic English to children between 6 and 15 years of age. However, the schools are always in need of more teachers and it would also be possible to teach such subjects as Mathematics, Science and Computer Science. In Nepal the school day starts at 10:00 am and finishes at 4:00pm. You’ll have 3-5 classes each day, each class lasting 45 minutes. In Nepal, Saturdays are holidays and Fridays are half-holidays. On Saturdays you are more than welcome to visit the sights surrounding the orphanage.

In or around the Kathmandu valley, Lamjung or in Pokhara. We cooperate with orphanages in and around the Kathmandu Valley, in Besisahar and in Kaski, Pokhara. Staying here gives you a great opportunity to experience the urban and modern Nepal and explore the bustling and fast-growing cities of Kathmandu, Besisahar and Pokhara.

Local orphanage and typical Nepali food. You will live with a local family near the orphanage and go to the orphanage and school to work every day. When you are living with a Nepali family, you’ll experience their hospitality, friendliness, and unique way of life. You will be welcomed as a member of the family and as a member of the local community. At least one member of the family will be able to speak English. Nepali houses are simple; very basic facilities (i.e. heating system, shower, cooking, washing methods, toilet and bathroom etc). Most families do not have a HOT shower, but most of them have bathroom and toilet, so please do not expect facilities like in your country! You’ll get your own single room and the family will respect your privacy. In order to make the most of your Nepalese experience, we encourage you to interact and socialize as much as possible with the local families and take part in their household activities. In the cities, you’ll find similarities to your own country. In the countryside, many Nepalis grow their own vegetables and have buffaloes, goats, and chickens. You will typically be served food twice a day: a heavy breakfast around 9am and dinner around 7pm. Soon you will realize that tea is very popular; when you visit a family they will welcome you by serving tea!
Every family can host up to two persons.

Seasonal clothes, sleeping bag, comfortable footwear, mosquito-net, music player, reading materials and/or photographs from your own country. Such materials as pencils, pens, books, and text books for the orphans are also greatly appreciated, and can be bought for a reasonable price in Kathmandu prior to departure.

Before you leave, we strongly suggest that you attend our 3-day orientation seminar at the Training Center in Kathmandu. It aims to provide you with basic knowledge about the Nepalese education system, culture, dress, food, detailed information about the project, the school, Nepali language classes, and much more. The orientation seminar will start on the first Monday of each month, but can be arranged differently according to each person’s respective travel itineraries. During the Orientation days, you’ll stay at our dormitory in Kathmandu along with the other volunteers waiting to go to their placement. Every morning and evening you’ll eat together with staff from the FFN.

When and how long?: Between 1-5 months. It takes time to adjust and get used to it. We advise you to stay as long as possible. You will start on the first Monday of each month.

What do you need?: You have to be at least 18 years old. You don’t need to have any formal education in teaching, but any relevant qualifications are appreciated and you are encouraged to use them! But most of all you need an interest in children, patience, a will to learn and teach and GOOD MOTIVATION!

Our Long Term Volunteer Project Coordinator will be in touch with all Long Term Volunteers on a weekly basis. He will monitor all Long Term projects while the volunteers are working and also organize a final evaluation meeting with them. Should there be any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or email.

Office registration Fee: 250 Euro (The fee covers the 3 days Orientation days in Kathmandu, two way transportation from ktm to project site and back to Kathmandu after the project finished.

Nepal is a comfortable country; you can get all modern communication facilities here (i.e. telephone, Internet, post office etc.) Pre-paid mobile SIM cards are easily available at the market as well. In the country-side, it may not always be possible to get connection.

100 euro will be for the family or orphans home for your three meal a day tea coffee and accommodation during your stay in Nepal.

We believe that when you are away from your own home you can still have a home away from home in Nepal. It is a very safe country and at the moment and there is NO political conflict in Nepal. Even during the conflict period, Nepal was never unsafe for volunteers; we hosted several volunteers from around the globe during that period. Our orphanages are located in safe areas, they have hosted international volunteers before, and you will be in regular contact with FFN staff. However, problems or misunderstandings can occur if you do not respect the culture you are living in. Listed below are some points worth taking into consideration;
Please don’t walk alone during the evening and bring a trustworthy person if you feel unsafe.
Don’t walk alone in the forest or any other isolated area.
Be careful near the rivers. They have a very strong current.
Don’t go with any unknown persons not introduced by the project or orphanage.
Never carry unnecessary huge amounts of money with you while in the village.
Please write down the information of the orphanage you will be staying with (name of contact person, address and contact number) and send it to a contact person in your home country.
Please avoid alcohol or drugs as the some people might be culturally very sensitive to these things.
Communicate; feel free to talk with people around you about any discomfort or problems you have regarding your stay, room and food (please tell the orphanage staff about your likes and dislikes and let them know if you are a vegetarian or not).
Don’t forget to tell if you are going out to eat at least 3 hours before.
Don’t leave the electricity switches on in your room. Resources are very scarce in Nepal.
Keep your room tidy and clean.
Please ask permission from the staff if you want to use their facilities like bicycle, radio, soap, washing detergent, television, even books if they are in your rooms. (Please repair or fix items if it gets broken, punctured etc)
Please keep your room locked when you are going outside or far from the orphanage.
Please wash your own clothes and plates (after eating)
Please don’t expect any western food when staying in an orphanage.