VOLUNTEER SERVICE AND SUPPORT NEPAL
A helping hand
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
We have collected some FAQ in this page; you are always welcome to ask us your more questions via email.
1. How do I register as a Volunteer with VSSN?
2. Where can I obtain a VISA?
3. How is the program length designed?
4. Why should I learn the language? Is it easy?
5. Do I need to speak English to become a volunteer?
6. How can I prepare materials for teaching English?
7. Do I have to be from a certain country to volunteer?
8. Who will visit me to the placement and what support will
I receive?
9. What about Hygiene?
10. What should I bring for the host family?
11. What are the living arrangements when volunteering?
12. What things should I bring for myself?
13. What vaccinations should I consider having prior to
arrival?
14. How do I change money? Are Master/Visa or other cards
accepted?
15. What about Internet, Email and Phone?
16. What is the climate like and what clothes should I
bring?
17. What is the current political situation in Nepal?
18. What religions are practiced in Nepal?
1. How do I register as a Volunteer with
VSSN?
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.
2. Where can I obtain a VISA?
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.
3. How is the program length designed?
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.
4. Why should I learn the language? Is it
easy?
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.
5. Do I need to speak English to become a
volunteer?
Yes, but it is acceptable if your English is second
language. A good communicative English language is a must for
Volunteers.
6. How can I prepare materials
for teaching English?
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.
7. Do I have to be from a certain country to
volunteer?
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.
8. Who will visit me to the
placement and what support will I receive?
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.
9. What about Hygiene?
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.
10. What should I bring for the host family?
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.
11. What are the living arrangements when
volunteering?
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.
12. What things should I bring
for myself?
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.
• Flashlight, head torch (very important, you can also buy in Nepal)
• Sleeping Bag (important for trekking)
• Hiking boots (important if you hike)
• comfortable shoes for indoor use/ flip flops (important- you can
buy in Nepal)
• Fleece jacket (during winter 'Nov to Feb.')
• Light-weight cotton clothing (you can also buy in Nepal)
• Waterproof jacket (a fold-away wind cheater is fine)
• (for Women) Sarong (or you can buy a lungi cheaply in Nepal)
• Mosquito repellent during summer (cream would be good)
• Sun cream
• Water purification tablets and/or good quality water purifier (not
so important)
• First aid kit (not so important)
• Pen-knife
• Few books about your country
• Photos of your family / friends / home (essential!)
• A few examples of your local currency
• Books for reading in your free time (you can also buy second hand
books in Thamel,Kathmandu)
• Basic Learner's English/Nepali/English dictionary – for simple
definitions (buy a Nepali dictionary if you stay for long time)
• Colored pencils and pens, drawing books, stickers for teaching
purpose
• Inflatable globe
• Books on teaching English/English Grammar for your reference (buy
in Kathmandu if needed)
13. What vaccinations should I consider
having prior to arrival?
You should consider the following vaccinations, however, we
strongly advice to consult your doctor / local travel clinic for the
latest recommendations regarding vaccines and Nepal:
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A & B
• Yellow fever
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria tablets
14. How do I change money? Are Master/Visa
or other cards accepted?
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.
15. What about Internet, Email and Phone?
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.
16. What is the climate like and what
clothes should I bring?
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.
17. What is the current political situation
in Nepal?
Please visit www.thehimalayantimes.com ;
this is unbiased daily news out of Kathmandu.
18. What religions are practiced in Nepal?
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.
Contact:
Email: vnepal@wlink.com.np OR volnepal@gmail.com
Cell Phone: +977 9841256906