Some quick answers to common questions about volunteering in Nepal.

Do I need teaching experience?

No. Teaching or tutoring experience is helpful but not required. You do need an open mind, lots of patience, and a healthy sense of humor.

What will I do as a volunteer in Nepal?

Volunteers teach beginner’s English and reading to our students, who range in age from 5 to 13. Typically, the children are most interested in hearing stories and learning different rhymes and songs.

Apart from English instruction, volunteers are welcome to lead other activities, such as arts and dance. Previous volunteers have come to Nepal with ideas for hands-on activities that make learning fun, like Apple Day and lessons about brushing teeth and cleaning up the community.

You should expect to be at school for 4 to 5 hours each day, 5 days a week. (School’s actually in session 6 days a week.) The rest of the day is yours. In the past, volunteers have enjoyed learning the routines of village life.

What will I eat? Where will I sleep?

You will live with a local family in the village, who will prepare your meals. The typical meal consists of rice, lentils, fried egg, spinach and/or cauliflower; when there is meat it comes with bones. There will be plenty of opportunities to drink tea.

What’s it like in Ramche?

Ramche, where we built our first school, is a small village on the side of a mountain. It’s a 2-hour hike up from the nearest town, Barabise. In some ways, life there can be kind of like camping—there’s no hot water for bathing, for instance. The toilets are simple ceramic basins set in the ground. (Bring your own TP!)

However, despite their poverty, the people of Ramche are very generous and exceedingly friendly. Everyone will make you feel welcome. In particular, the children will be excited to learn English. And the village is a safe place.

When is the best time to volunteer in Nepal?

You are welcome to visit our schools and help us any time you would like, but the best time would be April and May and then September through December.

Schools in Nepal are closed from mid March to mid April for the end of the academic year, and then again from mid June to early August for the rainy season.

How much does it cost to volunteer in Nepal?

Our only charge to volunteers is $350 a month for meals and accommodation. You will sleep in a house of a local family, and eat all your meals with that family, too. Volunteers are expected to eat the food prepared by the host family; no separate arrangement will be made.

Volunteers pay for their own travel to Nepal and the costs associated with staying in Kathmandu until being sent to a school in the village.

What about health concerns? Is there malaria there?

Before you leave for Nepal, you should be up to date with all the necessary immunizations (including Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, tetanus, polio). Malaria is present in some parts of Nepal. You should consult a health care professional for more detailed information about malaria and travel vaccines.