Nepal – Empowering Women in Kathmandu

Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, is the urban center of the Kathmandu Valley in the Himalayas. It has more than 900,000 inhabitants and welcomes a few thousand tourists each year. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 4,600 ft. surrounded by four major mountains – Shivapuri, Phulchowki, Nagarjun and Chandragiri.

In addition to Kathmandu, the Valley contains two sister cities (Patan and Bhaktapur) and a number of smaller towns. The three cities together encompass seven UNESCO World Heritage shrines that have become one official World Heritage Site. It also houses several other magnificent temples, monuments and sculptures – tokens of the golden era in Nepal’s architecture.

Equality is a contentious issue in Nepal as women have less access than men to various resources and employment opportunities. This discrimination is largely due to the country’s patriarchal system and a woman’s dependency on her father or husband for her livelihood.

This project collaborates with an organization that aims to remove some barriers Nepali woman’s face by providing them with access to education through funding and flexible class schedules. About 25-35 women are enrolled in classes throughout the year, studying at different times in the day (there are three classes in the morning and two classes in the evening). This organization also organizes a variety of educational and confidence-building activities to further empower this often neglected population.

Some of your tasks may include:

• Teaching English, mathematics, environmental awareness, health or basic computer skills
• Encouraging women to become more self-reliant through learning activities, creative workshops or vocational training
• Organizing fun games

Holidays: This program will not be available from March 8-10, 2020. Volunteers are invited to join in on the local festivities.

Internet: Free WiFi is available in public areas.

Laundry: Laundry facilities are available to use for an additional fee.

Accommodations: You will stay in a shared room with 4 to 6 other participants at the volunteer house of the same gender. There are mosquito nets and fans in the bedrooms. Volunteers should bring their own bath towels.There are shared, Western-style bathrooms with hot water. There several other facilities which you are also free to use, including a mini library and garden.

Food: Three meals per weekday and two on the weekends are provided. The meals are a mix of Western and Nepalese-style food, mainly vegetarian rice dishes. Meat dishes are available once per week. There is a supermarket a short walk away from the volunteer house.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

• Intermediate level of English
• Police clearance
• Interest in women’s rights
• Flexible and self-motivated
• Immunizations (please consult your local travel clinic)
• All participants must bring along with them 4-5 COVID-19 self-test kits (average 1 per week) to cover their stay.

Travel Extras (Not Included):
You can extend your stay with one of these great adventures for an additional fee:

Culture Week (Highly Recommended):
A Culture Week is the first step towards a great stay in a new country. It is designed so that you can begin to understand the Nepalese culture. It is a fun-filled week that is dedicated to getting to know Nepal and some of its cultural aspects firsthand. You will also have time to meet the local people, taste the local cuisine and get familiar with Nepalese customs. Given its objective – learning about traditional rural Nepal culture, it is appropriate that this week takes place in Kathmandu. There are many opportunities to immerse yourself in the culture, including visits to local villages, touring temples, local fairs, and some amazing natural scenic sites that you can explore during your free time.

Pokhara Excursion: A 2-day weekend excursion to Pokhara, 280 km west of Kathmandu. The city is truly spectacular with its ancient lakes, gushing waterfalls and stunning views of the Himalayan Mountains. You will no doubt have the chance to experience the best of Pokhara with a visit to Phewa Lake, Lord Brahma’s temple and more!

Chitwan Excursion: One of the most popular excursion in Nepal along with Pokhara is Chitwan. A 2-day weekend excursion to Chitwan, around 5 to 6 hours drive from Kathmandu. Visit Nature walk or jungle walks, Dugout canoe ride and Enjoy Tharu culture show.