As a volunteer you will have many different opportunities at FRESH NEPAL to help and contribute to the daily life. One way is to assist the children with their daily activities, helping them with their homework, playing games, teaching them English, taking them to and from school and showing them love and care. According to your own personal skills you can also contribute with office and administrative tasks, for example regular updates on social media and our website of the activities at FRESH NEPAL, drafting suggestions for new projects, fund raising work, public relations work and rising awareness of our organization, helping to organize various excursions and trips for the kids, taking photographs of the children during weekend activities or sports events, teaching them any of your own set of personal skills. Anyone with an open and caring heart is welcome in our home and together we will find out how you can be of help in your own personal way.

 

Costs

In order to be able to continue to provide hope and a better future for our children we are dependent on your support. We allow us to ask for a contribution of $95 per week. This will cover all your accommodation, food and all other amenities.

 

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

- Mahatma Gandhi

 

Practical Information for Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Fresh Nepal Children's Home. We are happy that you have decided to take on this worthwhile challenge! Please take a moment to read the following information which we hope will give you a useful overview to prepare yourself for your journey to Nepal.

Should you have any concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Your Arrival

Please send us your confirmed arrival details, such as:

• Time of Arrival and
• your flight number

 

One of our staff will be waiting for you at the airport. Please be aware that you might be approached by people in the airport which are trying to help you in any way and asking for money. We advise you to carry your own bags and do not give any money to anyone.

Preparations for your journey

Inoculations/Medical Supplies

Please consult your doctor / local travel clinic for the latest recommendations regarding the necessary inoculations for Nepal.

You may bring your own First Aid kit but you can also buy one from the local medical supply shops or pharmacies. Any medication you need should be brought with you, as there is no guarantee you will be able to purchase them here. In case of serious illness or hospitalization, we will make every effort to assist you in getting treatment. If you do have medical concerns or limitations, please let us know before your arrival.

What you should bring

This will vary depending on what activities you want to participate in (trekking, rafting, mountain biking, etc.) and how much comfort you wish to have during your stay with us. Except of any medicine you require, you can buy everything that you would need for your time in Nepal here in Kathmandu. Here are a few suggestions:

• Hiking boots, sneakers and flip flops
• Hat or Cap
• Camera
• First Aid Kit
• Clothes for warm and cold weather
• Head lamp – torch
• Sleeping bag
• Multipurpose knife
• Water purifier or Tablets
• Sun screen

 

For travelling, it is generally better to bring a backpack rather than a suitcase. While traveling in Nepal it is more comfortable to have a backpack as most roads in the cities and around the local bus stations are not suitcase friendly.

We suggest you make two photocopies of all your essential documents! If these documents are lost or stolen you will need the information and contact details. We can keep one copy of your documents in our office for safekeeping.

 

Insurance

It is absolute advisable and a must to have a travel insurance for the time of your stay in Nepal.

Cash Money and payment methods

Generally you can pay in most shops, restaurants and stores with your Visa or Master Credit Card. For the daily pocket money you can find ATM's, banks, and currency exchange offices everywhere in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Nepalese Visa

Your Nepalese entrance tourist visa can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu airport or border posts. You don’t need to get it in your home country beforehand. You can also extend your visas easily in Kathmandu and Pokhara at the Nepalese immigration office. If you think you may have problems, please check with your embassy before you travel.

The current entrance tourist visa fees on arrival are (Nov 2019):

• 15 days - $30
• 30 days - $50
• 90 days - $100

 

Optional gifts to bring for the children:

• Books about your country Photos of your family / friends / home (essential, the children love to see them!!)
• Colored pencils and pens, drawing books, writing books, any other school stationeries a regular child could use for school or free time
• Second hand clothes and shoes for boys and girls in the age between 6 and 18 years

 

What you can expect from your volunteer time

Accommodation

You will be living in our Fresh Nepal Children Home in your own private room. Upon your personal preferences you can also choose to stay in a nearby Hotel or Guesthouse.

Your room is equipped with the minimal facilities such as a single bed, shelf, chair, table etc.

Meals

You will be served traditional Nepali food three times a day. In the afternoon a snack will be offered together with Tea or Coffee.

Traveling

There are many interesting places worth visiting in Nepal as well as many various sports activities to enjoy. We encourage you to plan short trips to visit other parts of Nepal depending on your interests. The most interesting activities are Rafting, Bungee Jumping, Trekking, Mountain Biking, etc. If you are interested, please let us know, it's usually significantly cheaper to book this within Nepal than from your home country.

After your Volunteer period

At the end of your Volunteer time you will have the opportunity to participate in various activities, sightseeing, trekking or visiting other interesting areas of Nepal. Another good reason to stay a bit longer is for the shopping opportunities! Many products here, especially outdoor equipment and electronics, are usually a lot cheaper as they would be in your home country.

You can also continue to contribute through sponsorship of the children. You may leave Nepal, but you will never forget it.

Do’s and Don’ts

It will be highly appreciated if you will be a role model and inspire the children with being a good example with your positive spirit, good and generous heart and positive attitude. You will have the unique chance to teach the children some of the customs and traditions from your culture and show them good manners and kind and respectful behavior.

The things that should be avoided during your stay is to drink or smoke in front of the children and to use bad or negative language in their presence.