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Women's Education Volunteer Project in Nepal - Kathmandu

Women's Education Volunteer Project in Nepal - Kathmandu

Purpose
Support women to gain financial independence
Start dates
Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
Duration
Choose from 1-12 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Homestay
Apply for free
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Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

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This program is ideal for:

Volunteers who are fluent speakers of English, care about equal opportunities and want to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged women in Nepal. You’ll be supported by local staff so no experience is required, but a TEFL certificate or similar training would be helpful.

Project details

Inspired to be a Women’s Education volunteer in Nepal? International Volunteer HQ’s Women’s Education project empowers volunteers to assist at education centres with the aim of upskilling women who missed out on formal education in their youth. These centres support women to gain school qualifications. Volunteers will gain teaching experience largely by helping students learn English - a skill which can greatly enhance their job prospects and enrich their futures.

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

For Nepalese women who missed out on education when they were younger, local centres provide a great opportunity for another chance at achieving school certifications. These education centres are well set up to cater for women between 16-55 for the equivalent to a Grade 10 or Year 11 education, however they do require volunteer assistance to maximize their impact.

The women who attend the program are very committed to giving their education a second chance, and are often particularly interested in learning English. The practicality of speaking English gives their job prospects a huge boost, as does the qualification they are striving to achieve.

As a Women’s Education volunteer you will have a great opportunity to get an insight into the lives of the people you will be helping and to learn more about their culture. Your volunteer tasks will include:

  • Teaching English to women
  • Teaching basic lessons from a curriculum
  • Helping women learn new skills
  • Running workshops on women’s rights and reproductive health
  • Assist in research, developing proposals, designing

Please keep in mind that there are two major festivals in Nepal and during these times there won’t be volunteer work available; but accommodation and all other services of the program will be available. The dates impacted are:

  • 31st of October to 4th of November 2024 (Tihar Festival)
  • 29th of September to 4th of October 2025 (Dashain Festival)
  • 20th to 24th of October 2025 (Tihar Festival)

To note: if you are looking to join this project for a 1 week duration, it is important to be aware that there is a 2 day orientation and as such, your volunteer placement would run from Wednesday - Friday.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #5: Gender Equality

Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful and sustainable world. Nearly 60% of women work in the informal economy, which puts them at greater risk of falling into poverty. Education and long-term employment opportunities are key to combating this.

Why do Women's Education volunteering in Kathmandu with IVHQ?

When you volunteer to help teach women in Nepal you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Helping disadvantaged women gain qualifications
  • Assisting women to learn modern life skills in a safe place
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining teaching experience
  • Immersing yourself in Nepali culture
  • Exploring Nepal’s wild mountain landscapes

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
  • All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
  • All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply for free

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'Who is going' users image
Who is going?
Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

OI
Olivia Ironmonger
18 Sep 2024

The whole program I felt so safe from the second I landed in Nepal. This was the biggest point I was worried about as I was visiting Asia for the first time. I was so proud of myself that I could get in front of a class of adults and teach confidently. I have never taught before so this was amazing. Our host family couldn't have been better. They were so kind and welcoming and made us feel part of the family and always available. The homestay was safe and clean.

I gained so much confidence from this program. It was the best experience plus we really got to see the country including visiting Chitwan national park and going on a safari (organised by IVHQ) and visiting Pokhara (which although wasn't organised by IVHQ, they were very helpful with recommendations). The whole program exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to anyone. I met so many wonderful people and got really immersed in the culture.

...
JH
Julie Holland
06 Sep 2024

I’ve learnt to be adaptable. The program has reinforced the values of kindness and caring. It is very humbling to see people who are working very hard to improve their education, and to support their family, yet are so kind, engaging and full of laughter. Advice; keep your mind & heart open & immerse yourself in it.

...
BC
Benedetta Capuani
08 Aug 2024

It was a shocking and deeply rewarding experience. I felt that I learned a lot from the ladies whom I was teaching and from Nepal. I feel that this experience has been deeply transformative for me.

...
AD
Anika Dahal
25 Jul 2024

I got this wonderful opportunity from my university’s go global website which I am very grateful for. The team is awesome and their efforts and support is genuine and remarkable. I did learn and got the chance to help others learn in my volunteering journey. I still remember those happy faces and funny moments I have shared with the lovely ladies. As I am a Nepali citizen, I got to meet new people from volunteering backgrounds which has left a remarkable impact from my experience. After my journey I went to meet my schools head teacher and he was so impressed with the platforms provided by IVHQ. Apart from this, I will definitely advise my friends and family to try and join this program.

...
FW
Fiona Wyndham
25 Jun 2024

The program certainly pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways and I very much enjoyed being immersed in the day to day life of the Nepali people from Day 1. It was amazing to live in a local area, away from the tourist hot spots, to shop at local markets, to eat with the locals and to build relationships with those leading the teaching projects.

...
TM
Tanya MacGregor
06 Jun 2024

The local team have been absolutely amazing - you can contact them any time with anything. They will make all arrangements no matter what your needs are. I was truly blessed, loved my home stay family. You are treated like family from the minute you arrive. I will miss the family.

The women at the centre taught me a lot. They are so grateful to you for spending time to help them. I had so much fun together! Lots of learning but with fun and laughter.

I went over thinking I was too old at 57 doing this. How wrong could I be. I have met so many wonderful friends from all over the world. Came away as part of a whole new family. I would say to anyone to go with no expectations and go with the flow. Not to worry as if you have any problems or just need help with little things the support you get from the host family and local team is amazing.

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

Academic course credit

Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!

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Location

Volunteer Abroad in Nepal with IVHQ

Location

Land-locked in the middle of South Asia, Nepal is known for its astonishing alpine scenery and breathtaking mountainscapes. But this diverse country offers much more than its remarkable natural environment. Among Nepal’s 28 million people, there are more than 100 different ethnic groups speaking as many languages and following a large number of religious and cultural traditions. It also faces the challenges associated with a history of civil war, natural disasters, political corruption and a lack of resources and infrastructure to support its population.

Volunteers can have a meaningful impact on Nepalese communities by providing assistance with a wide range of activities that help make life, and the future, better for local people. IVHQ has a number of volunteer projects in Nepal. Some are located on the outskirts of the capital city of Kathmandu in rural and urban areas, while others are in Chitwan 150 kilometres away, in the middle of Terrai - a flat fertile plain that borders India and stretches right across Southern Nepal. Pokhara is located in mid-western Nepal and is a popular tourist destination, renowned for its amazing mountain views.

Arrival and orientation

The program orientation begins on the first and third Monday of each month, and volunteers need to arrive in Kathmandu on the Sunday before orientation.

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Kathmandu. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are travelling in Nepal prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged destination in Kathmandu on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by our Nepal team in Kathmandu and runs over the course of two days. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Nepal – an introduction to Nepal, Nepalese customs, language training details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Nepal, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to visit local temples, sample authentic Nepali food, meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

If you are placed in Pokhara or Chitwan, you will travel to your placement location on Tuesday afternoon and you will begin work on Wednesday. If you are located in Kathmandu, you will begin work on Wednesday.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day:

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays:

While a volunteer daily schedule will vary depending on the specific placement, a typical day is as follows:

7:30 AM Breakfast at the homestay.
8:00 AM Volunteers leave home and travel to their placements. There is usually a tea break and a lunch break.
2:00 - 5:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer house, go sightseeing, or do some shopping.
7:00 - 9:00 PM Dinner at the homestay.

Weekends:

During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of their local town and Nepal. Known for being home to the world’s tallest mountain, Mt Everest, Nepal is an adventurer’s paradise. It has a vast selection of exceptional hikes in the Himalayas with arresting views in every direction, white-water rafting, canyon swings, paragliding and scenic flights. It also has a rich multicultural heritage and a huge collection of temples, pagodas, shrines, carvings and ancient architecture, not to mention an astonishing array of wildlife and an interesting cuisine influenced by its many ethnic groups and cultures.

Accommodation and WiFi

On arrival in Nepal, volunteers stay in a local hotel in Kathmandu for their two-day orientation.

Volunteers are then accommodated together in homestays and hosted by local families who have been approved by our program staff. We give your host family a fee for your support, food and board. It is exciting to stay with a host family, providing you with a unique opportunity to learn about the Nepalese way of life, meet local people, try traditional food and speak the local language - especially when host families in Nepal tend to have limited English.

Living is basic but comfortable and most homestays have electricity and running water, with the exception of some rural homestays which are without these conveniences during the dry season. Western toilets can be found at your home stays but please keep in mind that Squat toilets are still the norm in parts of Nepal; so you might find these at your placement and during activities, treks, etc. Volunteers can also expect low-pressure showers that are generally not heated, however, this is refreshing after a day in the heat.

You can expect to share a room with one to three other volunteers and bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. It is recommended volunteers bring their own sleeping bag and mosquito nets for any trips away.

WiFi is available in most of the volunteer homestays, however those based in Chitwan should expect to walk to a nearby cafe for internet access. If you would like to keep connected during your stay, we recommend bringing an unlocked mobile phone and purchasing a local SIM card when you arrive in Nepal.

Meals

The staple meal for most Nepali families is dal bhat, which consists of lentil soup (dal), rice (bhat) and vegetables in curry (tarkari) and/or meat (masu) with a side of pickle/sauce (achar).

Food in Nepal is heavily influenced by the country’s Indian and Tibetan neighbours and includes plenty of curries, breads and potato-based dishes. Volunteers are served two meals per day at their homestay and can purchase additional food to supplement this if they wish.

Bottled water is readily available in Nepal and volunteers should budget approximately AU$7 per week for two litres a day. If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply for the program so we can make arrangements for you. However, we need to stress the point that you should not expect to eat as you normally do at home. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of, but there is a need to be flexible.

Pricing

  • USD

Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately AU$478) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.

You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.

Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week $285 Equivalent to $41/day
2 weeks $415 Equivalent to $30/day
3 weeks $545 Equivalent to $26/day
4 weeks $675 Equivalent to $24/day
5 weeks $805 Equivalent to $23/day
6 weeks $935 Equivalent to $22/day
8 weeks $1,175 Equivalent to $21/day
10 weeks $1,415 Equivalent to $20/day
12 weeks $1,655 Equivalent to $20/day
  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately AU$478) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Nepal generally find US$45 per week to be sufficient for expenses, such as lunches, transportation and local tours & activities.
  • Daily breakfast and dinners
  • Airport pick-up
  • Accommodation
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • Daily lunches
  • Transport to and from your placement each day
  • Return to the airport when your program finishes
  • Flights
  • Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
  • Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.

Popular add-ons & experiences in Kathmandu

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Kathmandu program.

Chitwan Jungle Safari (2 nights/3 days)
Chitwan Jungle Safari (2 nights/3 days)

Embark on an unforgettable jungle safari to witness Nepal’s captivating wildlife in its natural habitat.

AU$299
Everest Base Camp Trek (14 days)
Everest Base Camp Trek (14 days)

This iconic expedition is the most popular trekking route in the Himalayas and is unlike any other in the world.

AU$2362
Hatha Yoga and Meditation Retreat (1 week)
Hatha Yoga and Meditation Retreat (1 week)

Reconnect with tranquility and mindfulness during a rejuvenating one-week yoga and meditation retreat, leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the Western world.

AU$842

Check what's required to visit Nepal

Safety and support

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Essential country information

Capital Kathmandu
Population 28 million
Languages Nepali
Currency Rupee (NRs.)
Time zone UTC+05:45

Weather and climate: The climate in Nepal varies largely due to the variations in geography across the country. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons with dry weather and moderate temperatures. The Kathmandu Valley and other areas of high altitude experience summer temperatures of up to 28°C (82.4°F) and in winter, temperatures range between 2°C (35.6°F) and 20°C (68°F). The summer temperatures in Chitwan can reach up to 35°C (95°F) and in winter they range between 7°C (44.6°F) and a mild 23°C (73.4°F). The climate in Pokhara is similar to that of the Kathmandu Valley, with slightly warmer temperatures.

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