Welcome to World Youth International's Overseas Service Program in Nepal. The Overseas Service Program in Nepal is an individual volunteer placement that commences monthly. This program will empower you to make a difference. We trust that your queries will be covered in this document but if there are further questions, please email us at admin@worldyouth.org.au or call our office on 08 8340 1266. For information on fees and dates visit www.worldyouth.org.au.
Contents Nepal Country Information Program Inclusions and Exclusions Standard Program Itinerary Additional Included Packages Placement Information Frequently Asked Questions Application procedure Fundraising Research links 2
Nepal Country Information The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal is a land-locked country of roughly 30 million people in an area of 147,181 square kilometres. The small Himalayan nation is wedged between two major Asian superpowers India and China. The country has become a favourite destination for hikers and trekkers as the mountainous north has eight of the world s ten tallest mountains, including Mount Everest (called Sagarmatha in Nepali). Nepal s population consists of over forty different races and ethnic groups. The two major groups in Nepalese society are Tibeto-Burmans, or Mongoloids from the north, and Indo-Aryans from the south. Many customs are inherited from both sides and have been developed by the influences of the land, climate and available resources. The overwhelming majority of the Nepalese population (around 81 per cent) follows Hinduism. Shiva is regarded as the guardian deity of the country. Nepal is home to the famous Lord Shiva temple, the Pashupatinath Temple, where Hindus from all over the world come for pilgrimage. Nepalese cuisine is quite simple and has had many influences during its development. Indian, Chinese and Tibetan flavours and aromas can easily be detected in Nepalese meals. The climate has made it possible for the country to grow crops such as rice, lentils, wheat, corn and potatoes; as such, these ingredients commonly feature in traditional Nepalese meals. The staple diet of most Nepali people is dal-bhat-tarkari. This is a spicy lentil soup poured over boiled rice, served with curried vegetables and pickles or chutney. Beef is rarely consumed in Nepal, as cows are considered sacred by most of the population. Chicken, buffalo, goat and pork are more likely to be used in Nepalese meals, if possible and affordable. Based on recent UNDP data, Nepal ranked 125 in life expectancy with the average Nepalese person living to 68 years. Disease prevalence is higher in Nepal than it is in other South Asian countries, especially in rural areas. Leading diseases and illnesses include diarrhoea, gastrointestinal disorders, intestinal parasites, leprosy and tuberculosis. Despite the government s efforts in addressing development strategies on an equitable basis, the health gaps between the poor and the rich are very wide. Malnutrition among children, adolescents and women continues to be a serious public health problem, as is food availability and security in rural hill and mountain regions. Natural hazards like floods, landslides and drought also affect different geographical zones with a varying degree of damage to the health infrastructure and people s health each year. Currently, the adult literacy rate in Nepal stands at only 59% of people aged 15 years and over. Legally, there are two types of school in the country: community (public) and institutional (private). Community schools receive regular government grants whereas institutional schools are funded privately. However a third type of school also exists. This is the kind run by local people who are enthusiastic about having a school in their district. They do not receive regular government grants and most of them do not have any other sustainable financial source. They are supported and managed by the local people and can be identified as the real community schools. These are the schools we encounter most commonly on our programs. Most visitors come to Nepal to visit and hike through the Himalayas. These people only see the small areas that receive considerable economic benefits from tourism. One only needs to step behind the backdrop of the beautiful mountain scenery and into the remote regions of Nepal to learn that the majority of the population lives in poverty. In spite of substantial external development assistance, Nepal remains one of the least developed countries in the world. 3
Program Inclusions and Exclusions Your program fee includes: Accommodation with a Nepali host family Meals Airport transfers A three-day orientation and sightseeing program in central Kathmandu (includes meals) A rest and relaxation package (the allowance will cover most activities or contribute to a trekking package). Transport throughout your program Nepali language lessons Guidance and support provided by an experienced local staff Pre-Departure Preparation and Support from WYI Australia Staff 24-hour Emergency Support Attendance fee for WYI s Personal Empowerment Program (A four day program for returned volunteers, held annually in Adelaide) WYI polo shirt and WYI book You Are Amazing WYI Step Out Australia membership Contribution towards the sustainable growth of WYI which supports its work in developing countries Your program fee does not include: (all costs listed are a guideline only) Air travel, taxes & travel insurance You are required to organize your own airfares to Kathmandu. Travel insurance is compulsory for all programs. Contact WYI for its recommended travel agent and insurance company. Vaccinations As WYI is not a registered medical organisation, we can only recommend that you book in to see a travel doctor in your city and direct you to www.tmvc.com.au (Travel Doctor) or www. drsref.com.au/travel.html for uptodate region specific advice and general travel health. Visas You are required to enter all destinations on a tourist visa. WYI will provide you with the application form and instructions to guide you through the process. Police Check You are required to provide a National Police Clearance Certificate (NPCC) from within your state. Please visit your local police station and request the appropriate forms. Medical Examination With the assistance of your regular doctor, you are required to complete a WYI medical form that determines you fit to travel. Personal Items You must supply your own clothing, traveling equipment (backpack, sleeping bag, walking boots etc), toiletries and personal equipment. You will require personal spending money for activities undertaken on free days, small trips, souvenirs you may wish to purchase, and other personal expenses. First Aid Kit We strongly recommend that participants take a personal first aid kit that includes antibiotics and other travel sickness medications. We encourage you to visit a travel doctor to fill your first aid kit with personal medications. St. John First Aid Kits can vary from $20 -$150. Information on these can be found at www.stjohn.org.au. Transport to Adelaide for the optional four day Personal Empowerment Program. 4
Standard Program Itinerary World Youth International requires all volunteers to arrive in Kathmandu on the advertised commencement date of each month so that orientation can begin effectively. Although programs vary depending on the style of placement undertaken, itineraries are based on a structure similar to that outlined below. This example is based on a standard 3-month placement. The Overseas Service Program in Nepal commences on the first Friday of each month. Participants are required to arrange their own travel to Kathmandu and to notify the Overseas Service Program Coordinator of their flight details in the lead-up to their departure. WYI will arrange for participants to be met at the airport upon arrival and will look after all participants from that point on. Accommodation expenses will be covered by WYI from the official start date of the program. Day 1 Participants will be collected from the airport by WYI s local In-Country Partner and transferred to their accommodation in Thamel, the central tourist district of Kathmandu. A short familiarisation of Thamel and dinner with the In-Country Coordinator will follow. Day 2 A morning welcome, general program introduction and sightseeing tour around Kathmandu will occur on this day. A trip to the markets will also be a highlight, giving participants the opportunity to purchase a kurta (traditional Nepali dress for females only). Nepali language training will also commence. Day 3 Participants will be given an overview of Nepali culture by the In-Country Partner. This includes a combination of cultural talks, health and safety briefings and a further familiarisation tour. A welcome dinner will take place on this night. Language lessons will also continue. Day 5 - Onwards Participants will spend the next few days settling into their placements and life with a Nepali host-family, with the help of the In-Country Partner who will be there throughout the duration of the program for guidance and support. Living with a family, participants will experience the traditional Nepali lifestyle and will eat most meals with their host family. This is without fail the highlight of most participants time in Nepal - bonds are formed that last a lifetime! All placements are within walking or cycling proximity of the host family locations. Participants are expected to work at their placements 5-days per week although you can work more if you wish. Partway through the program, participants can choose from a variety of Rest and Relaxation packages, which provides a fantastic opportunity to experience greater Nepal. Day 4 Participants will spend the morning in Thamel in preparation for their departure for the foothills of the Kathmandu valley, where they will be based for the duration of their placement. Upon arrival, participants will be introduced to their host family and welcomed into the community. 5
Getaway Activities Included in your program fee is an allowance for a getaway package. Midway through your placement, you will be given the option to take a few days off to rest up and recharge your batteries in a stunning location of your choice in Nepal. This is the perfect way to re-energise and prepare yourself for the rest of your program. Work with the in-country coordinator to create a package that suits you! Options to choose from include: A 3-day all inclusive package in Nargakot, located 32kms from Kathmandu... and renowned for its panoramic views of the Himalayas! Accommodation, meals and transfer to Pokhara, Nepal s second largest city and the gateway to the Annapurna Mountain Ranges. A 3-day all inclusive package to Chitwan National Park. For the truly adventurous, there is the option of a package at the Last Resort, three hours out of Kathmandu and close to the Tibetan border (bungee jumping, kayaking and canyoning available). A basic Annapurna Ranges trek (some additional expenses will be incurred) Your Nepali coordinator also owns a qualified and reputable trekking company so you will be guaranteed a reliable and affordable service. You are welcome to take a break during your program and trek the Himalayas or you can wait until your program has completed. We would suggest that you wait until you are in Nepal to arrange your adventure activities. This will allow you team up with other participants and share the journey together. Discount rates will be offered for larger booking numbers! For example, if we have 6 participants or more travelling together, the following package can be offered for around AUD$750. Your 13 day adventure program will include: Accommodation, transportation and meals 2 day/1 night Trisuli River white water rafting trip 2 nights in Pokhara with sightseeing activities prior to your trek A 7 night tea-house trek in the Annapurna Ranges (Guest house accommodation provided) 2 nights in Pokhara at the completion of your trek Return transportation to Kathmandu 6
Placement Information World Youth International has been placing participants in Nepal since 1993 and has successfully facilitated the programs of thousands of participants. WYI has 2 types of placements that we can offer you: Community Placements Many volunteers want to travel overseas and lend a helping hand, but are unsure how. If you want to work with children and be part of their lives, this is the ideal placement for you. We have partnered with 4 orphanages and 4 schools to create a program that will get you involved with the children in a hands on capacity. As the children attend school, we have set up a placement structure that will allow you to work in both a school and an orphanage environment. This will allow you to bond with the children and build amazing relationships! You will become their mentor as well as their friend. This is how a typical day as a WYI Overseas Service Program Volunteer would look: Arrive at the children s home in time to help the children prepare for their day at school. This may include serving breakfast, grooming and helping to pack bags for the day ahead. Accompany the children on their walk to school. Throughout the school day, help out as a teacher s assistant, teaching English and run activites such as sport, art and craft to children of all ages. You will also be monitoring your children and supporting them as needed. Return to the children s home after school to help with homework, dinner preparation, running games and after school play sessions, art and craft workshops. Although children attend school 6 days per week in Nepal, you will only be required to assist for 5. days You are then free to enjoy other activities on your weekends or you might miss the kids and want to head back to the orphanage to help out a little more! Professional Placements This program is for qualified and skilled participants 18 years and over and commences monthly in Kathmandu. WYI will pre-select your placement before your departure. Once your placement has been sourced, a WYI staff member will provide you with a full briefing so you can prepare for your trip away. WYI is happy to investigate a placement that is not listed on our website on your behalf. If WYI cannot source a suitable placement option, your application fee will be refunded. Feel free to call one of our representatives on 08 8340 1266 to discuss your qualifications and determine if WYI can find you a fulfilling placement. You will be appointed an in-country coordinator who also lives in your community. Your coordinator will run your orientation, assist you with your placements and be on hand to help you work through any challenges relating to your placement. The difference between an average experiencing and a life changing experience is often the coordinator leading your pogram so be sure to utilize their skills and local knowledge. 7
Frequently Asked Questions How old do I need to be? You must be a minimum age of 18 years of age to participate on WYI s Overseas Service Program to Nepal. There is no maximum age limit for this program however all participants must be medically fit and undergo a medical clearance in the lead up to their departure. As you will be living in a mountanous region of Nepal, a good level of fitness is highly recommended. Do I need any qualifications? Dependant on the style of placement you wish to undertake, there are no formal qualifications required for the Nepal community. Participants wishing to apply for the Professional program must possess the relevant qualifications. What is the selection criteria? WYI is looking for participants who are flexible, resilient, have a good state of health and have great communication skills. The nature of the Overseas Service Program is highly self-directed so a high level of independence and initiative is necessary. Applicants will be notified of their suitability for the Nepal Overseas Service Program at the conclusion of their phone call. WYI will refund your application fee, should your application be deemed unsuccessful. What will my living arrangements be? During your orientation, you will stay in a hotel in the tourist district of Thamel, Kathmandu. During your placement, you will reside with a host family and live as they do. A truly amazing cultural experience is in store for you! What sort of food will I be eating? During your orientation, you will be eating mainly at cafes and restaurants in Kathmandu. During your time with your host family, you will be shown how to eat in a typically Nepali fashion with your hands!! There is quite an art to eating with your hands so the more practice you get the better. The Nepali diet consists of steamed rice, lentils reduced to a soup (which is poured over the rice) and then a range of delicious vegetables cooked in a variety of ways. This is known as Daal Bhat Tarkari and is loved by all who try it! Do I need to speak the local language? Llanguage can at times be a barrier, especially with host families. Language training is provided upon arrival and you will soon pick up basic words. English is spoken as a second language and is taught in all schools so you will have no problems communicating with the children. However, it is the older generation that struggle with the English language so come prepared! What areas of Nepal do I travel to? You will be based in a community in the foothills of the Kathmandu Valley for the duration of your placement. You will soon see that you don t need to travel far outside of Kathmandu to see remote and rural communities! Additionally, you may choose to travel to regions such as Chitwan National Park, Nargakot, Pokhara and the Annapurna ranges as part of your getaway package. 8
Frequently Asked Questions When should I apply for a position on the? WYI recommends that you apply at least 6 9 months prior to the commencement date. Your financial contribution to WYI may take time to accumulate and therefore advanced planning is strongly recommended. We will accept applications up until 60 days prior to program commencement. Can I travel with my partner, friends or family? Yes, yes and yes! You can travel and work with your friends on these programs. We have always opened this program to people in relationship as we believe that travelling with a partner creates a solid support structure allowing you to often achieve greater results. We guarantee that you will be placed together in the same village. You can only share accommodation though if you are a married couple. Over the years, we have created programs for many families who have travelled, worked and lived together. Children must be 10 years of age or older to travel on our programs due to health, hygiene and safety concerns in developing countries. Special family rates are offered so be sure to ask one of our staff about our packages. Is my program fee tax deductible? All donations to WYI and most donations towards your program fee are also tax deductible. ATO tax legislation stipulates that DGR status does not extend to our participants. Any contributions that come from you, your immediate family members, or money raised through general fundraising activities where donors receive goods or services in return for their contributions (such as trivia nights, chocolate drives, raffles or movie nights) are not tax deductible. All other contributions are tax deductible. How safe am I in Nepal? Are there risks I should be aware of? The personal security risk to you in Nepal is low. Nepal is generally a safe and friendly country, with the usual exception of cities late at night. Late night activities are to be avoided for safety and security reasons. The main threat to you will be theft and pick-pocketing in Kathmandu, though reports of these crimes are few and far between. Strikes and political rallies can also occur. For safety and security reasons we now always ensure that our participants are in close proximity to Kathmandu and have a safe pathway back to the city. WYI has a comprehensive Risk Management Plan which is distributed to each participant prior to departure. Incountry staff constantly review and update safety and security measures to ensure we are prepared for any situation. We have extensive risk management plans in place, as well as evacuation and emergency procedures. Our in-country staff are fully trained in these areas, and will be responsible for your safety in the unlikely event of an emergency. Why choose World Youth International? WYI has been offering volunteer placements since 1988 and is proudly a not-for-profit, non-religious and nonpolitical Australian-based organisation. We have sent thousands of volunteers across the globe and have had no major injuries, accidents or deaths on any of our programs. WYI is an approved charity, a signatory to ACFID (Australian Council for International Development) and AusAID approved. We have flourished as an organisation through word of mouth and we rely on our volunteers to share their experiences and outcomes with their peers. Why do you offer only a limited amount of countries to volunteer in? At World Youth International, we focus on quality and not quantity. We ensure that our destinations provide our participants with the greatest possible volunteering experience. We have worked in countries like Nepal and Kenya since 1992 and have a large network of strategic local and international partners. This allows WYI to offer a range of placements options to you and focus more of our efforts into making your experience a success. If your question has not been addressed, please feel free to contact one of our office representatives on 08 8340 1266. 9
Application Procedure You can reserve a position on our Overseas Service Program in Nepal by applying online now at www.worldyouth.org.au, or by downloading an application form and submitting it to our office at: World Youth International PO Box 25, Hindmarsh SA 5007 Our staff will process your application and contact you by phone within three days. You will be required to complete a short Online Interview Form before receiving a personalised, 45 minute information session from the Overseas Service Program Coordinator. This will be conducted by phone unless you live in Adelaide and are able to visit us in the office. The intention of the call will be to assess your suitability, establish a relationship with you, provide you with information about the program and address any of your immediate questions. Applicants will be notified of their suitability for the program at the conclusion of this call. If you have any questions before submitting your application, please do not hesitate to contact us at the office on 08 8340 1266 or email admin@worldyouth.org.au. Fundraising Do you want to participate on one of our overseas volunteer programs but are restricted financially? Perhaps you should consider fundraising! Rally your colleagues and corporate groups and encourage them to make a donation. Get a group of friends together and organise a quiz night, movie night or garage sale. Hold a sausage sizzle or host an informal tea party with a Nepali theme. Encourage your Facebook friends to donate to your campaign via donation websites. You might be surprised by how successful your fundraising efforts could be. Some participants have managed to undraise their entire program fee and have extra remaining to use on projects within the country! Should you choose to fundraise, WYI will provide you with a Fundraising Kit which includes a tax deductible receipt book, fundraising ideas, terms and conditions, an authorisation card, plus handy hints and tips. The donations you receive are fully tax deductible and can be directed towards your program for the sustainable development projects you will workon in Nepal. *A donation requires the donor to receive nothing in return (eg. chocolate bars and raffle tickets are not tax deductible.) Research Links Nepal Country Information and News www.trust.org/alertnet www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ np.html www.worldbank.org www.who.int/countries/npl/en Embassy of Nepal (ACT) www.necan.gov.np Consulate General of Nepal (Victoria) www.nepalconsulate.net.au/index.php First Aid and Medical Sites www.tmvc.com.au www.stjohn.org.au Tourism www.tourismnepal.org www.lonelyplanet.com/nepal www.tourism.gov.np Travel Advice www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files GuideForTravellers.pdf www.smartraveller.gov.au www.casa.gov.au/scripts/nc.dll?wcms:standard::pc=pc_91455 World Youth International Facebook Group www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4753488502 World Youth International Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/wyihome 10