Volunteer in Nepal FAQ
Travel Logistics
Health and Safety
Accommodations and Meals
Technology
Cultural Concerns
Miscellaneous
How
long can I volunteer?
The recommended minimum time to volunteer is 2 weeks. The
recommended maximum time to volunteer is 3 months.
What
is the best time to volunteer in Nepal?
The best time to travel to Nepal is between mid-October and
early June. Mid-December to February is the winter season,
which is only a concern for those trekking to mountainous
regions. June to August, and early September, is considered
the rainy/monsoon season. Transportation can be cancelled
unexpectedly during this time of year due to washed out roads
and severe weather conditions. Click here
for more detailed weather reports in Nepal.
Do
I need a visa for Nepal?
Yes. You must have a visa to enter Nepal. You can obtain
a visa application via the Nepal embassy or consulate office
in your home country. For US citizens, visa applications are
available via the Embassy
of Nepal website.
Prior to submitting your application, it is strongly advised
that you contact the embassy or consulate office to confirm
the current application processing times so you can determine
whether you need to use an expedite service.
Can you
recommend a service that can expedite my passport or visa?
In the US, expedited passport and visa services are provided
by A Briggs
and PassportsandVisas.com.
Can
you recommend a travel agent?
For low cost airfare, we recommend the following sites:
Expedia.com
Kayak.com
Orbitz.com
SideStep.com
Which aiport
should I fly to and depart from?
Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu
Will
there be someone to meet me at the airport?
Yes, a representative from Sustainable Agriculture Development
Program (SADP) will greet you at the aiport, holding a "Village
Volunteers" sign.
What
are the in-country transportation costs?
Your transportation
between Kathmandu and the village in which you will be volunteering
is included in the program fee. However, if you chose to depart
from the program for independent travel or personal reasons,
please be prepared to be responsible for the cost.
Is it possible
to visit multiple villages?
Yes. Sustainable Agriculture Development Program serves
three villages. If you are interested and time permits, you
may have the opportunity to visit them.
Will
there be time to see the sights of Nepal?
Yes, there are many local sights that you can visit on weekends.
Village Volunteers provides basic information for touring
the sights near each program. Ask your program supervisor/translator
for their suggestions for safety.
What safety
precautions should I take when traveling in Nepal?
For the most part, the areas where volunteers stay are considered
safe. However, as with any international travel, volunteers
should be cautious. Do not carry expensive gadgets or wear
jewelry when traveling. Avoid talking about politics, about
the king, and about the Maoists while you are in a restaurant
or in other public places. In bigger cities, it may not be
safe for women to be out alone. Young men in Nepal sometimes
have a mistaken impression of Western women from movies they
have seen. They may assume that a Western woman will instantly
be romantically interested in them. If a male Nepali stranger
touches a woman, the woman needs to know that this is not
acceptable in their culture, so try to end the interaction
right away.
Will I need any immunizations
or medications?
Yes. Be sure to consult a travel physician at least two months
prior to your departure from your home country. You may also
want to consult the Center
for Disease Control and Prevention website for additional
information.
What
are the accommodations like in Nepal?
Volunteers are hosted in villagers' houses, which have only
basic facilities. Rooms are small (in some older homes, the
ceilings are just 7.5-8 ft high) and contain western-style
beds with linens. Bathroom facilities are pit latrines located
outside the house, and volunteers are provided with basins
of warm water for bathing.
What are some
of the common foods and drinks in Nepal?
Rice is the basic food of Nepal. The most commonly eaten
Nepali dish is called Daal Bhat Tarkari,
which contains lentil sauce, rice, and curried vegetables.
Achar, a flavor condiment, completes the dish. They also eat
flatbread made from wheat or millet flour. In the cities,
especially Kathmandu and Pokhara, a variety of food is available,
including Tibetan, Indian, and Western food. Note that Nepalis
don't eat beef, because cows are considered sacred.
Avoid raw vegetables and fruit. Fruits and vegetables that
can be peeled are safer, but the safest is thoroughly cooked
food, served on a dry plate. In villages, they will often
douse your plate with water as a blessing before placing your
food on it. It can be difficult to completely avoid unboiled
water without offending local people. Drink only reputable
brands of bottled water. Soft drinks like Coke and Pepsi are
okay to drink, as long as they don't have ice in them (ice
is often made from unboiled water). Avoid fast foods. When
you bathe, make sure the water doesn't get into your mouth.
What if
I am a vegetarian or have food allergies?
When you complete our volunteer application, you will have
an opportunity to let us know of your specific dietary needs.
This information will be forwarded to our partners overseas
so they can prepare your meals accordingly.
Will I have
email access while in Nepal?
Yes, you can email while in Nepal. However, the nearest internet
service point is, on average, 20 kilometers away. It ranges
from $0.50 to $2.00 USD to travel to a town with internet
by bus, or about $10 USD round trip by taxi. Internet service
ranges from $0.70-$1 USD per hour. (All prices are subject
to change.)
Will I be
able to use my cell phone in Nepal?
Unless you have an international phone plan, your phone will
most likely not work in Nepal. You may want to consider purchasing
a local cell phone and pre-paid minutes on a card once you
arrive in Nepal.
Will I be able
to charge my digital camera and batteries in Nepal?
All Sustainable Agriculture Development Program sites have
electricity except at Setivalley Farm. At Setivalley Farm,
the farm manager can assist with getting electronics charged.
Will I need
an adapter or converter in Nepal?
Depending on
your home country, you may need both an adapter and a power
converter. Voltage in Nepal is 220V - 230V, and outlets are
shaped like the images below:
 
If you need to purchase a converter and adapter, you may
want to consider buying an adapter/converter set with multiple
adapter plugs. You can typically find such a set at an electronics
store or a store which carries luggage accessories. Before
buying a set, have an idea of the types of appliances you
will want to plug in, so you can make sure the power converter
will meet your needs.
Do the villagers
in Nepal speak English?
School children, teachers, officials, teenagers, and other
youth tend to speak English better than adults and elderly
citizens.
Although it is not essential to learn the native languages,
it is extremely useful and appreciated if you make an effort
to learn the basics. Village Volunteers offers basic Nepali
and Tibetan Language Guides in the online orientation materials
(which volunteers can access after they have applied, been
accepted, and submitted a program deposit).
What are some
basic customs I should be aware of?
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Remove your shoes before entering a temple
or someone's home. |
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Ask for permission before entering a Hindu
temple. |
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Taking photographs inside most temples is
considered illegal. |
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Ask for permission before taking photographs
of local Nepali people. |
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|
Women usually cover their shoulders
and their legs, especially in villages, so shorts and
tank tops for women are considered inappropriate. |
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You may accept a handshake
offered by men or women, but never offer your hand first
to women. It is considered rude for a man to touch a woman,
including shaking her hand, especially if the woman is
married. |
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Pointing your finger at someone is considered
rude. If you have to point, use your upturned hand (all
fingers out, as though you're going to shake someone's
hand) or point your chin at the person. |
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If someone says he or she is fat, it is
a compliment. It means that you look healthy, well-fed,
and that you are probably wealthy. |
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When you are sitting on the floor never
show the bottom of your feet. |
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Always use your right hand
to eat, handle money, or any other interaction. |
I have
more questions.
More in-depth orientation materials are made available to
volunteers after the application process has been completed.
For assistance, email our team at info@villagevolunteers.org.
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