Volunteer and Explore Nepal (VEX Nepal)

Welcome to the lap of the Himalayas!

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Nepal, the home of deities and demons, famous for its snowy Himalayas, the legendary Gurkhas is a mystic country as the Shangri-La of the East. It is a country of amazing extremes and the home of the world's highest mountains, historic cities and the forested plains, rich in natural cultural landscape as if they have carved out for themselves to lead to the world's highest Mount Everest.

Nepal occupying only 0.1% of the total landmass of the earth is the home to 2% of the flowering plants of the world, 8% of the world's population of birds, 4% of the mammals on Earth, 600 indigenous plant families, 319 species of exotic orchids and 11 of the world's 15 families of butterflies.

About Volunteer & Explore Nepal (VEX Nepal)

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"Volunteer & Explore Nepal (VEX Nepal)" is a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization working in the field of Education, Health, Women Empowerment and Gender Issues, Children’s Rights, Environment, Ecology, Sustainable Agriculture, Community Development, Sustainable Development and Livelihoods through mobilizing volunteers. It aims to provide the interested volunteers immense opportunities to explore multi-aspects of Nepal, i.e. culture, geography, history, economy, society, environment, natural resources, flora and fauna, ecology, organic and sustainable agriculture, way of living particularly rural and so on through volunteering. We do believe that the only way to learn and understand any society and culture is through the deep exploration and immersion into these things. Volunteering is a two-way approach and contribution for the better understanding, harmony and mutual assistance and benefits. VEX Nepal is committed to provide sound platforms to the interested people to utilize their expertise in various fields and make significant contribution to the Nepalese communities. Simultaneously, volunteers are expected to gain broader perspectives on several issues through first-hand involvement and contribution. So far, we have served the interests of more than one hundred volunteers from various countries.

VEX Nepal plans to collaborate the efforts with university students, adult groups, school groups, professional organizations and individuals from all over the world to create and run custom-made programs for cultural visits, service projects, voluntary work and internship work in Nepal, developing inventive itineraries in collaboration with these groups and individuals to meet their specific needs, goals and interests.

Volunteer and Explore Nepal Package

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Volunteer and Explore Nepal offers the most affordable and exciting travel and volunteering programs in Nepal for the betterment of local communities in need and to enrich the lives of travelers around the globe. Its unique and innovative ways of working make it a highly competitive and popular travel and volunteer placement in Nepal, providing a truly satisfying and fulfilling experience for all travelers.

Our volunteer programs include both short term, 1 week to long term 5 months. We however, highlighted the "Travel and Volunteer Packages" for 2 to 8 weeks to suit your travel plan.

2 Weeks’ Volunteer and Explore Nepal Program: Cost $ 500 USD

Program Details:

1st Day- Airport Pick-up & Welcome Dinner

2nd Day- Program Orientation, Nepali Language Class, Sightseeing in Kathmandu (Kathmandu Durbar Square & Monkey Temple) & Typical Nepali Dinner

3rd Day- Nepali Language Class, Cultural Information, Sightseeing (Pashupati Nath Temple and Baudhanath Stupa) & Newari Dinner

4th Day- Volunteer Placement Information, Sightse

eing (Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square) & Tibetan Dinner

5th Day - 9th Day- Volunteering in your chosen program

10th Day- Travel to Chitwan National Park, evening walking around the jungle and river & Dinner at Jungle Resort/Lodge

11th Day- National Park Activities

12th Day- Returning back to Kathmandu

13th Day- Program Feedback, Report Writing & Farewell Dinner with “Letter of Appreciation & Typical Nepali Souvenir

14th day– Airport Drop

Included: Airport pick-up and drop, accommodation and main meals during training/orientation period and placement, 6 major sightseeing in Kathmandu with free entrance, Kathmandu Durbar Square , Pashupatinath, Buddhanath, Swoyambhunath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square (All World Heritage Sites), program orientation, language class, cultural information, land transportation to the placement and the Chitwan National Park, National Park Activities like (Elephant riding to see the one horn Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger, canoeing, visit to Elephants Baby Center, Tharu Cultural Dance, Tharu Village, visiting Tharu Museum, elephant bathing, Jungle walk etc), accommodation at the jungle hotel and park entrance fees, land transportation back to Kathmandu, last night accommodation in Kathmandu, farewell dinner+ Typical Nepali souvenir

Not Included: Food during Chitwan Visit

4 Weeks’ Volunteer and Explore Nepal Program: Cost $ 1000 USD

Program Details:

1st Day- Airport Pick-up & Welcome Dinner

2nd Day- Program Orientation, Nepali Language Class, Sightseeing in Kathmandu (Kathmandu Durbar Square & Monkey Temple) & Typical Nepali Dinner

3rd Day- Nepali Language Class, Cultural Information, Sightseeing (Pashupati Nath Temple and Baudhanath Stupa) & Newari Dinner

4th Day- Nepali Language Class, Volunteer Placement Information, Sightseeing (Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square) & Tibetan Dinner

5th to 6^th Day – Nagarkot Sightseeing

7^th to 15th Day- Volunteering in your chosen program

16th Day- Travel to Chitwan National Park, evening walking around the jungle and river & Dinner at Jungle Resort/Lodge

17th Day- National Park Activities

18th Day- Travel to Pokhara

19^thto 20^th Day – Sightseeing in Pokhara

21^st to 25^th Day – Trekking on Annapurna Conservation Area

26^th Day – Rest in Pokhara

27^th Day – Travel to Kathmandu

28^th Day – Rafting on Trishuli River

29th Day- Program Feedback, Report Writing & Farewell Dinner with “Letter of Appreciation & Typical Nepali Souvenir

30th day– Airport Drop

Included: Airport pick-up and drop, accommodation and main meals during training/orientation period and placement, 6 major sightseeing in Kathmandu with free entrance, Kathmandu Durbar Square , Pashupatinath, Buddhanath, Swoyambhunath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square (All World Heritage Sites), program orientation, language class, cultural information, land transportation to the placement and the Chitwan National Park, National Park Activities like (Elephant riding to see the one horn Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger, canoeing, visit to Elephants Baby Center, Tharu Cultural Dance, Tharu Village, visiting Tharu Museum, elephant bathing, Jungle walk etc), accommodation at the jungle hotel and park entrance fees, transportation costs to Pokhara, accommodation Pokhara, 5 days trekking (includes permit, guide and accommodation), half day white water rafting, land transportation back to Kathmandu, last night accommodation in Kathmandu, farewell dinner+ Typical Nepali souvenir

Not included: Food during Pokhara stay, trekking period, and Chitwan visit

6 Weeks’ Volunteer and Explore Nepal Program: Cost $ 1300 USD

Program Details:

1st Day- Airport Pick-up & Welcome Dinner

2nd Day- Program Orientation, Nepali Language Class, Sightseeing in Kathmandu (Kathmandu Durbar Square & Monkey Temple) & Typical Nepali Dinner

3rd Day- Nepali Language Class, Cultural Information, Sightseeing (Pashupati Nath Temple and Baudhanath Stupa) & Newari Dinner

4th Day- Nepali Language Class, Volunteer Placement Information, Sightseeing (Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square) & Tibetan Dinner

5th to 6^th Day – Nagarkot Sightseeing

7^th to 25th Day- Volunteering in your chosen program

26th Day- Travel to Chitwan National Park, evening walking around the jungle and river & Dinner at Jungle Resort/Lodge

27th Day- National Park Activities

28th Day- Travel to Pokhara

29^thto 30^th Day – Sightseeing in Pokhara

31^st to 37^th Day – Trekking on Annapurna Conservation Area

38^th Day – Rest in Pokhara

39^th Day – Travel to Kathmandu

40^th Day – Rafting on Trishuli River

41th Day- Program Feedback, Report Writing & Farewell Dinner with “Letter of Appreciation & Typical Nepali Souvenir

42th day– Airport Drop

Included: Airport pick-up and drop, accommodation and main meals during training/orientation period and placement, 6 major sightseeing in Kathmandu with free entrance, Kathmandu Durbar Square , Pashupatinath, Buddhanath, Swoyambhunath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square (All World Heritage Sites), program orientation, language class, cultural information, land transportation to the placement and the Chitwan National Park, National Park Activities like (Elephant riding to see the one horn Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger, canoeing, visit to Elephants Baby Center, Tharu Cultural Dance, Tharu Village, visiting Tharu Museum, elephant bathing, Jungle walk etc), accommodation at the jungle hotel and park entrance fees, transportation costs to Pokhara, accommodation in Pokhara, 10-11 days trekking (includes permit, guide, and accommodation), half day white water rafting, land transportation back to Kathmandu, last night accommodation in Kathmandu, farewell dinner+ Typical Nepali souvenir

Not included: Food during Pokhara stay, trekking period & Chitwan visit

8 Weeks’ Volunteer and Explore Nepal Program: Cost $ 1500 USD

Program Details:

1st Day- Airport Pick-up & Welcome Dinner

2nd Day- Program Orientation, Nepali Language Class, Sightseeing in Kathmandu (Kathmandu Durbar Square & Monkey Temple) & Typical Nepali Dinner

3rd Day- Nepali Language Class, Cultural Information, Sightseeing (Pashupati Nath Temple and Baudhanath Stupa) & Newari Dinner

4th Day- Nepali Language Class, Volunteer Placement Information, Sightseeing (Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square) & Tibetan Dinner

5th to 6^th Day – Nagarkot Sightseeing

7^th to 35th Day- Volunteering in your chosen program

36th Day- Travel to Chitwan National Park, evening walking around the jungle and river & Dinner at Jungle Resort/Lodge

37th Day- National Park Activities

38th Day- Travel to Pokhara

39^thto 40^th Day – Sightseeing in Pokhara

41^st to 51st Day – Trekking on Annapurna Conservation Area

52^th Day – Rest in Pokhara

53^th Day – Travel to Kathmandu

54^th Day – Rafting on Trishuli River

55th Day- Program Feedback, Report Writing & Farewell Dinner with “Letter of Appreciation & Typical Nepali Souvenir

56th day– Airport Drop

Included: Airport pick-up and drop, accommodation and main meals during training/orientation period and placement, 6 major sightseeing in Kathmandu with free entrance, Kathmandu Durbar Square , Pashupatinath, Buddhanath, Swoyambhunath, Bhaktapur Durbar Square & Patan Durbar Square (All World Heritage Sites), program orientation, language class, cultural information, land transportation to the placement and the Chitwan National Park, National Park Activities like (Elephant riding to see the one horn Rhinoceros and Royal Bengal Tiger, canoeing, visit to Elephants Baby Center, Tharu Cultural Dance, Tharu Village, visiting Tharu Museum, elephant bathing, Jungle walk etc), accommodation at the jungle hotel and park entrance fees, transportation costs to Pokhara, accommodation in Pokhara, 7 days trekking (includes permit, guide and accommodation), half day white water rafting, land transportation back to Kathmandu, last night accommodation in Kathmandu, farewell dinner+ Typical Nepali souvenir

Not included: Food during Pokhara stay, trekking period & Chitwan visit

Our Volunteer Programs

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Teaching English
Environment Awareness
Primary Health Care Support
Homestay & Cultural Exchange
Women Empowerment
Orphanage Support
Monastery Experience
Sustainable & Ecological Farming

Teaching English:

English as a universal language has been increasingly essential in coping with the competent world. We tend to improve English learning and speaking skills of our people through mobilization of our volunteers in different resource centers to teach children and youth the basics in English. We plan to set up resource centers in the small communities of the rural areas to provide youths and children the opportunity to improve their English language. We would like volunteers to teach English in an interactive way involving dancing, singing, presentations etc to keep up the spirit of people. Besides teaching English, we ensure the volunteers that they will be getting opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture and customs of the village communities of Nepal.

Environment Awareness:

Conducted at a very basic level, these programs include dealing with the people and introducing them concepts and creative activities of environmental awareness and personal hygiene. Environmental awareness has been a matter of big issue in Nepal, the government not being able to manage the wastages properly. We expect you to involve you in activities, as informing people the advantages of sanitation, the ways to maintain it (usage of dust bins, methods of waste disposal, minimal use of plastics) and teaching them some basic techniques. Examples include planting trees, recycling programs, making of smoke free stoves, using alternate source of energy to wood as biogas.......

Primary Health Care Support:

VEX Nepal is seeking personnel practicing in the health care field as doctors, nurses, medical and nursing students with clinical experience, for volunteer work providing basic health care to impoverished rural populations, elderly population and orphan children in Nepal. We advise you to make a group of 5-10 participants and if possible to bring materials, as first aid kit, medical books, instruments. Besides, volunteers will be teaching them basic procedures in coping with the diseases as teaching them the proper way to use oral dehydration solutions, precautions to be taken during disease phase, proper use of medication and so on.

Homestay & Cultural Exchange:

Home stays and cultural exchange programs is a fantastic way to get more out of a trip to Nepal and can be arranged in most areas of Nepal with our 30 Host families. Participants will be placed with a Nepali family in a small rural village for the duration of their stay. This provides the volunteers with an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in the depth of all aspects of Nepali culture, lifestyle, language, food and people. Volunteers should remember that this is a cultural exchange and that an effort to offer some knowledge of their own home culture and customs to the family with whom they stay is appreciated.

During their stay, volunteers will attend daily language lessons in the morning and in the afternoon. They will also have the opportunity to visit and help out at the local school. Home stay programs are best organized from August to December which is the time when most large local festivals take place. This makes for an overall more exciting experience for the volunteer. Nepali culture is distinctively friendly and open and participants are made to feel as though they are part of the family. VEX Nepal local co-coordinator will be on hand to help the volunteers.

Women Empowerment:

Working toward women's empowerment enables you to support women in their pursuit for healthy and sustainable livelihoods. Women's groups provide a forum for issues such as family health, women's rights, and access to resources, income generation, and other challenges women face in their daily lives. Volunteers have the opportunity to exchange ideas, collaborate in ongoing projects, teach basic English skills, help with small businesses, and be a positive role model. You can also provide support in many other ways, depending on your skills and interests and the needs of the local community. So, Inside-Nepal invites all interested national and international volunteers to be a part of our women development programs. Your small effort can make a big difference to the women in the most marginalized communities.

Orphanage Support:

For orphaned children one of the most beneficial things for them is to be able to have access to Education. As it will provide more opportunities for them in the future once they have to make their own way in the world. Resources are often scarce so if they have access to a teacher it will be a great advantage to them. Depending on your own expertise and interests, though, you can also teach drawing, songs, music, dance, cooking, or any number of activities, and generally just spend quality time with the children.

Some orphanages can provide accommodation for volunteers; alternatively you can stay with a local host family and work at the orphanage during the day/evening. Your duties will include many things, basically taking care of the needs of the children, teaching them, helping with cooking, getting them ready for school. Consequently it is can be challenging but also one of the most rewarding experiences you can have, as you are improving the lives of the children.

Most orphanages also welcome assistance from Volunteers for the organizations themselves. This involves working with staff to develop marketing, fundraising, and program strategies for the orphanage.

Monastery Experience:

Volunteers of VEX Nepal will be primarily working at the monasteries as English instructors as well as they would be supporting the extra activities of the kids at monastery as sports, drawing and singing competitions, creative activities and so on. We would like our volunteers to make them aware of the world outside the monastery and teach them how to deal outside as well.

Sustainable & Ecological Farming:

As a volunteer with Sustainable & Ecological Farming Program, you will gain hands-on experience helping the farmers, students and local communities to cultivate and harvest organic crops, vegetables, fruits, herbs through sustainable farming methods. If you are new to organic and ecological farming, then you can learn from the host and local farmers. We have several vibrant farms where a variety of vegetables, crops, fruits and herbs now thrive within the Kathmandu Valley, Chitwan and Pokhara.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What kind of volunteers is VEX Nepal looking for?

VEX Nepal has worked with universities and colleges, organizations, clubs, church groups, youth groups and individuals. You do not need any specialized training to work with us. We will provide you with appropriate training for your program, although experience in teaching, health work or environmental project can be advantage.

When should I arrive in Nepal?

We are very flexible and as such you can arrive at a date which is best suited to your needs. You are welcome to arrive a few days earlier than the start of your program. Our representative will meet you at the airport holding a sign with your name. S/he will take you to the hotel. We can arrange your accommodation if you arrive a couple of days earlier, but you will need to pay the costs for the extra time yourself, and for any non-VEX Nepal activities. In some cases, the dates of your program can be adapted if you contact us.

Do I meet any VEX Nepal staff at the airport?

Yes, one of our representatives will meet you at the airport to pick you up holding a sign with your name.

Where will I be staying during my training period?

During your training period, you will be in Guest House in Thamel, Kathmandu.

Where will I be placed?

After we receive your flight confirmation we will find suitable placement for you.

What kinds of thing do I need to bring with me?

Sleeping bag

Hiking boots

Flip-flops

Fleece jacket (during winter months)

Sun cream

Mosquito net/repellent

Water purification tablets and water filter

Photos of your family/ friends

A few examples of your local currency

Music

National flag

Colored pencils, pens, drawing books, grammar books, charity donation t-shirts

Flashlight

Penknife

First aid kit

Is there age limit in program?

No.

Do I need any travel medical insurance?

Yes, we highly recommend that you have travel and medical insurance.

Is Nepal safe?

Nepal is the land of Buddha. A couple of years ago it was one of the most peaceful places on the earth but these days because of political unbalance crime is increasing and there is some violence but, unlike many developing countries, Nepal is quite safe. Every year thousands of tourist visit Nepal. These days the situation is getting better.

What's the weather like in the placement areas?

Nepal's climate is seasonally changeable and different in different regions. Geographically Nepal is divided into three parts. The mountain region of Nepal is very cold in winter while the mid-hill region (Kathmandu and Pokhara) and mid-terai region (Chitwan) have different climate in different seasons. The weather is cold from December to March, humid and quite hot in the summer. The spring and fall are cool and pleasant. Please bring your winter clothes if you are coming in November, December, January, February and summer clothes for the rest of the months. We advise female volunteers not to wear short skirts in villages, and male volunteers not to wear shorts. It is traditional for Nepali people dress modestly and for girls to cover most of their body.

Emergency contact:

In case you miss our representative at the airport or if your flight schedule changes suddenly, please give us a call on 977 1 4701657, 977 9849112196 0r 977 9851098167

Application Process

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Our application process typically takes one or two days. Please copy the given below application form and fill up this and then email us at: vexnepal@gmail.com

Application Form

Please fill in all required fields.

Personal Data

* Your Name
* Date of Birth {mm/dd/yy}
* Sex
* Marital Status
* Nationality
* Address
* Occupation
* Education Level
* Telephone
* Fax
* Email Address

Program Information

* Why do you want to do volunteers service ?

* When do you want to start?

* How long would you like to volunteer?

* What type of service do you wish to do? (Any 2)

Teaching English
Environment Awareness
Primary Health Care Support
Homestay and Cultural Exchange
Women Empowerment
Orphanage Support
Monastary Experience
Sustainable and Ecological Agriculture

* Please describe any relevant experience you may have regarding your selections above.

* Any special conditions regarding your service that VEX Nepal should be aware of?

* How did you find us?

Contact Us

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Volunteer & Explore Nepal (VEX Nepal)
Z Street, Thamel
Kathmandu
Nepal

Phone No: + 977 1 4701657
Mobile No: + 977 9849112196

Email: vexnepal@gmail.com
Web: http://www.vexnepal.blogspot.com