Q: Could you give us a short background on Hands for Help Nepal:
A: Hands for Help Nepal is a non-profit non-governmental social development organization formed in1996. This organization is officially registered under society act with the district administration office Kathmandu. Also this organization is affiliated with Social Welfare Council. This organization is a forum of development practitioners and professional.
Hands for Help Nepal also offers a unique opportunity for those who wants to enjoy tremendous beauty of the Himalayas. They will experience the pristine nature, the rich and culture, and life in one of the most beautiful countries of the world. Its volunteer programs are located in beautiful valleys and villages all over Nepal, where volunteers contribute towards the Nepalese community with in their capacity and enjoy a unique opportunity of travel, adventure and exploration.
Since its inception Hands for Help Nepal has been deploying yearly70 volunteers in respective projects. H for H has been to running volunteer program in Nepal for teaching, environmental awareness, helping deprived children, community support, cultural exchanges and youth empowerment. Hand for Help Nepal believes that volunteering can help to set up a foundation in organization’s efforts. This organization has been mandated by the Nepal government to mobilize community towards sustainable development.
Objectives
• Promote voluntarism and voluntary efforts in social and national development and strengthen the voluntary development organizations on their capacity, skills and knowledge
• Provide support and create opportunities to the poorest communities of Nepal.
• To preserve the cultural and environmental values; and social and economic well being of Nepali communities by utilization of local and national resources through peoples’ participation.
• To encourage international and local youth towards volunteerism to contribute in the community development.
Q: What are some volunteer opportunities you offer? Do you have any volunteer opportunities you are particularly proud of?
A: We are currently offering volunteer opportunities in the following fields:
1. Teaching English
2. Environment Awareness
3. Health & Sanitation
4. Working in an Orphanage
5. Community Infrastructure construction
We are proud of all our opportunities cause each one is unique in it’s own way hence the entire program are equally important to us.
Q: What kind of daily life should prospective volunteers expect?
A: Volunteer stay and eat Nepali food in host families who have served their hospitable service for long time. Almost all volunteer had very rewarding experience with host families. During their placement volunteers find different kinds of entertainment in village they involve in local festivals, public event, learning and singing Nepali folk song and dance with locals. Also they enjoy with Nepali traditional instruments.
Q: What is the most important piece of advice you can offer future volunteers?
A: Please come and do something different in this beautiful country. Do not get shocked regarding the safety, as this land is a peaceful country where Buddha was born. You don’t need to spend huge amount of money and to be a skillful person to enroll volunteering in Nepal.
Q: What is the biggest challenge while volunteering abroad?
A: It depends upon volunteering location. In rural location the cultural adjustment and language barrier are the biggest challenges but in urban location public are not enough interested to help volunteer.
Q: On the flip side, what is the biggest reward?
A: To experience other’s culture and lifestyle with helping brotherhood feeling in this planet.
Q: Why should they pay to volunteer with Hands for Help Nepal? How is the money used?
A: This organization does not get any financial support from government, any other organizations and individuals too. So, to cover some major expenses we charge very nominal fee to volunteer.
The money that we charge goes
- 15 % volunteer food and housing
- 15% official office expenses (telephone, office space rent, electricity, advertisement, stationeries, government taxes, etc)
- 40 % to social fund (building or renovating community infrastructures, scholarships or sponsorship for intelligent deprived group children etc)
- 12% for staffs salaries
- 10% basket fund (it will be spent by volunteer for their placement and community support)
- 8% for transportation
- 5% for training for volunteer, work shop, seminar, symposium, demonstration
Q: Do you have any advice on funding a volunteer experience abroad? (Fundraising, Budgeting, Scholarships etc…)
A: In comparison to other international organization we are providing budget program and opportunities. Currently we are not able to provide any funding support to anyone due to the financial constraint. We have produced a fundraising kit that can be sent to volunteer if they require it.
Q: How does volunteering abroad fit into the bigger picture of aid and development?
A: Volunteering is a kind of aid given to the country in which the volunteer renders his/her service. It may be in the form of technical help/aid given to a country by a volunteer by teaching or imparting his/her technical know-how which in course of time will supplement the process of development as it will help to develop skill and technical know how of the people.
Q: Why should someone volunteer with Hands for Help Nepal?
A: Because local professionals govern our organization so we are really concerned about volunteer placements, programs and situation of the country. Also this organization is cheaper and easy to enroll for volunteering.
Q: How can someone get in contact with Hands for Help Nepal and learn more about your volunteer abroad opportunities?
A: Certainly interested one can get information about us via web site. Also they can contact us vial telephone, email, post, faxes etc we are always happy to answer any questions.
To contact us one can simply write a mail to us at hforh@ntc.net.np and call us at 977-1-4362648. The best way of communication is to email us.
