Volunteer from Germany:
Project Planning and Management: Improvement of the KfK Medical Clinic and support of the establishment of The Mountain Fund Volunteer Visitor Center in Kathmandu (10 weeks) June - August 2007:
“A few months before the start of my Master in Project Planning and Management, I was traveling in Nepal and decided that I wanted to gain working experience Nepal. However, it was not easy to find an organisation where I could do my own project and not have to pay at least US $ 500 per month. When I went into the office of The Mountain Fund in Kathmandu and expressed my wish for my own project, I got told that basically anything I wanted to do was possible. When I also realized that The Mountain Fund was not interested in making money from me I started with an assessment at the KfK-Medical Clinic in the beautiful Langtang mountain area. I enjoyed my time and gained important working experience up at the KfK-Clinic as well as working on the improvement of the clinic from Kathmandu. Because I agree with the genuinely non-profit ethos of The Mountain Fund I also volunteered in the office helping with the establishment of The Mountain Fund Visitor Center in Kathmandu. I love Nepal and its people and can definitely recommended The Mountain Fund.“
Friday, September 19, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Volunteer in Nepal with The Mountain Fund
Nobody in Nepal is as prepared as we are to make your volunteer visit a complete success. Our Volunteer Visitor Center (aka “The Clubhouse”) is a great hang-out provided only for our volunteers. Here you can hang out and take a break; use the free internet cafe to check e-mail; watch some TV or a DVD; have Kul Bahadur the famed porter fix you a cup of real coffee; learn some Nepali and ask our dedicated and professional staff about any aspect of life in Nepal.
“The Clubhouse” is professionally staffed, with a bilingual staff, that’s here to help you with your every need in Nepal. In addition to your volunteer placement needs, we will take you on city tours, show you where the locals shop and help you learn all about life in Kathmandu.
To make your stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, we have our own clean and comfortable house for you to live in while in Kathmandu. Located in a real Nepali neighborhood, with open-air markets a block away, as well as a grocery store, and the bus stop, this home has many Western comforts like a large living room; an 11 seat dining table; and even an oven (rare here) for heating up that take-home pizza !
The home is owned by our Founder, Scott MacLennan, and his wife, Sunita. Scott is an accomplished trek guide and works with a number of non-profits in Nepal and abroad. He splits his time between Nepal; Peru; and New Mexico, USA.
Scott’s wife Sunita, is a native of Nepal, and will be your “housemother” during your stay. They have two children: 1 girl and 1 boy. This is a great way to learn about the local Nepali lifestyle. However, they also have a young live-in assistant, Sushila, who can help with any English translation, if needed.
In addition to our own volunteers, who find placement through us, we do offer homestay for volunteers from other organizations. You can see their photos HERE.
Your Placement Fee of $300 USD includes:
Pick-up and drop-off at airport. Travel advice and assistance. Introduction at your volunteer placement. Full use of “The Clubhouse”. We will even accompany you on site-seeing around Kathmandu, show you where the locals shop, and provide any other support possible to make your stay a really great experience.
Affordable Homestay: You're welcome to stay in our own volunteer house in Kathmandu. You will have a shared bedroom (up to 3 per persons per room); Western-style bath with solar hot water; 2 Nepali meals each day (breakfast and dinner); and free use of the internet at the house. We also have a guest-house attached, and it can sleep 1-2 people; has hot water and an Asian-style toilet. The cost of this program is $10 USD per day.
EXTRAS: For extra fees, we can arrange remote village placements for you if you wish. We can also arrange trekking in any area of Nepal for you.
NOTE: Hospitals in Kathmandu charge a fee for volunteers. This fee of $90 USD is not included in your placement.
Click HERE to visit our website for more information.
“The Clubhouse” is professionally staffed, with a bilingual staff, that’s here to help you with your every need in Nepal. In addition to your volunteer placement needs, we will take you on city tours, show you where the locals shop and help you learn all about life in Kathmandu.
To make your stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible, we have our own clean and comfortable house for you to live in while in Kathmandu. Located in a real Nepali neighborhood, with open-air markets a block away, as well as a grocery store, and the bus stop, this home has many Western comforts like a large living room; an 11 seat dining table; and even an oven (rare here) for heating up that take-home pizza !
The home is owned by our Founder, Scott MacLennan, and his wife, Sunita. Scott is an accomplished trek guide and works with a number of non-profits in Nepal and abroad. He splits his time between Nepal; Peru; and New Mexico, USA.
Scott’s wife Sunita, is a native of Nepal, and will be your “housemother” during your stay. They have two children: 1 girl and 1 boy. This is a great way to learn about the local Nepali lifestyle. However, they also have a young live-in assistant, Sushila, who can help with any English translation, if needed.
In addition to our own volunteers, who find placement through us, we do offer homestay for volunteers from other organizations. You can see their photos HERE.
Your Placement Fee of $300 USD includes:
Pick-up and drop-off at airport. Travel advice and assistance. Introduction at your volunteer placement. Full use of “The Clubhouse”. We will even accompany you on site-seeing around Kathmandu, show you where the locals shop, and provide any other support possible to make your stay a really great experience.
Affordable Homestay: You're welcome to stay in our own volunteer house in Kathmandu. You will have a shared bedroom (up to 3 per persons per room); Western-style bath with solar hot water; 2 Nepali meals each day (breakfast and dinner); and free use of the internet at the house. We also have a guest-house attached, and it can sleep 1-2 people; has hot water and an Asian-style toilet. The cost of this program is $10 USD per day.
EXTRAS: For extra fees, we can arrange remote village placements for you if you wish. We can also arrange trekking in any area of Nepal for you.
NOTE: Hospitals in Kathmandu charge a fee for volunteers. This fee of $90 USD is not included in your placement.
Click HERE to visit our website for more information.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Teach English at a School in Chabahil, Nepal
Gargy Shiksha Sadan School, (primary)
Location: Chabahil, Ganesh Marg, Kathmandu
Message from the school Director:
"To provide primary education in lovely and affectionate environment, the Gargy Shiksha Sadan is established by a group of well educated and trained female teachers in 1961. Gargy Shiksha Sadan is an English medium school located in Chabahil, Kathmandu,Nepal. The school is registered in government office.
The major objective of the school is to provide an Educational Excellence in Homely Atmosphere with Affection to each individual student on personal basis, so as to develop full of self confidence and nurtured to be an excellent human being. There are presently, over 107 students and running classes up to grade III. Most of the students are from neighbourhood. However, some of the students are also from far western region like Kalikot district as well."
Ian R. is our volunteer, from United Kingdom, who's teaching at the school from April thru Nov 2008.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Volunteer at a Women's Awareness Center in Nepal
Elaine L.
from United Kingdom
Volunteered for 6 weeks at the "Women’s Awareness Centre Nepal"
"It was good to know that the work I was helping with really made a difference; it was a real eye opener, you hear about trafficking and organ selling, but you’re so far removed from it, it doesn’t register. Although my work was office based, I visited a field office and stayed with a Nepali family. I got to see their work in action and the difference they were making. The women I worked with were extremely friendly and looked after me like I was family."
"While I was there, I helped with the following:
Corrected their English on reports, funding proposals, and articles for newspapers.
They helped me learn Nepali in exchange for some conversational English lessons.
There was some opportunity to impart computer knowledge. Eg shortcuts to the desktop, cut and paste using ctrl + x / v, etc.
When I visited their field office, I stayed with a Nepali family. I saw the cooperatives in action, they showed me the tourist sights, I visited a school and visited a lady who’s life had been changed by the loan they were able to give her. I saw how she had put into practice the farming methods she was taught. She is now able to earn money and is not poverty stricken."
About The Women's Awareness Center:
Location: Gyaneshwor, Nepal
WACN was established by a group of women who were interested in rural women’s development. WACN is run entirely by women. WACN’s programs enable women to participate in the decision-making process of the family and to join all levels of development activities. WACN’s activities are geared toward realizing our vision of creating a just and equal society by reawakening women's inherent power. WACN has found that as local women become involved in development projects they begin to gain a voice within their families and communities.
WACN’s objective is to improve the socio-economic status and self-development capacity of disadvantaged people, especially women. We accomplish this primarily through women’s savings and credit co-operatives that provide women with the opportunity to work together, and to run a “formal” financial organization. The women’s savings and access to loans often provide them with greater voice in family decisionmaking.
WACN reinforces the lessons learned through the co-operative activities with training on a variety of issues of interest to women, from income generation skills to health and gender relations.
Programs: Community-Based Development Program; Women's Saving and Credit Co-operatives; Sustainable Agriculture; Community Centers; and Networking and Advocacy.
from United Kingdom
Volunteered for 6 weeks at the "Women’s Awareness Centre Nepal"
"It was good to know that the work I was helping with really made a difference; it was a real eye opener, you hear about trafficking and organ selling, but you’re so far removed from it, it doesn’t register. Although my work was office based, I visited a field office and stayed with a Nepali family. I got to see their work in action and the difference they were making. The women I worked with were extremely friendly and looked after me like I was family."
"While I was there, I helped with the following:
About The Women's Awareness Center:
Location: Gyaneshwor, Nepal
WACN was established by a group of women who were interested in rural women’s development. WACN is run entirely by women. WACN’s programs enable women to participate in the decision-making process of the family and to join all levels of development activities. WACN’s activities are geared toward realizing our vision of creating a just and equal society by reawakening women's inherent power. WACN has found that as local women become involved in development projects they begin to gain a voice within their families and communities.
WACN’s objective is to improve the socio-economic status and self-development capacity of disadvantaged people, especially women. We accomplish this primarily through women’s savings and credit co-operatives that provide women with the opportunity to work together, and to run a “formal” financial organization. The women’s savings and access to loans often provide them with greater voice in family decisionmaking.
WACN reinforces the lessons learned through the co-operative activities with training on a variety of issues of interest to women, from income generation skills to health and gender relations.
Programs: Community-Based Development Program; Women's Saving and Credit Co-operatives; Sustainable Agriculture; Community Centers; and Networking and Advocacy.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Teach at a School in Thambuchet, Nepal
Manuella R., from France, volunteered at Believer's English School in Thambuchet, Rasuwa for 3 weeks in June 2008 ~
“It was a really interesting and enjoyable experience living and teaching in this small and remote village. The people in the areas are Tamang and still live and dress traditionally. Everyone was very friendly and welcomed me warmly. The surroundings are amazing with high mountains, rivers, and terraces all around. I stayed at the village lodge which is very comfortable. I taught different ages; students in class 2 and 3 spoke good English which made teaching easy. It would be helpful to know some basic Nepali when teaching young students. All the children were keen to learn. I would encourage anybody to go and support the development of this small community.”
Manuella and her homestay family in Nepal
Friday, June 27, 2008
Volunteer at an Orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal
Jason T. (Canada) and Sanya K. (US) both volunteered at the Social Development Centre orphanage in Kathmandu for 2 and 4 weeks respectively in May/June, 2008. The Centre is currently home to 12 orphans. Jason & Sanya helped the kids with their homework and organized after school activities and games for them
Jason – “I felt I was to contribute to the children’s learning of the English language in addition to being a positive role model. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the children, and seeing their academic growth. I gained a further appreciation for the life I live back home and the opportunities that may or may not be available to others in less fortunate circumstances.”
Sanya – “Usually the day consisted of arriving around 8am at the Social Development Centre and helping the kids get ready for school. This entailed helping them put on their uniforms properly and walking them to school. Also, I would sometimes stay and watch their morning assembly. Then around 3.30pm the kids would come back from school and work on their homework. I would assist those that needed help and afterwards we would play soccer or basketball.
I felt that just spending time with the kids and helping them out with their English I contributed somewhat to their education. I felt that I gained experience working with kids and I now know what great responsibility one has to be a good role model when children are involved. I was always interested in specializing in pediatrics so it definitely helps to have experience working with kids. I definitely felt that my help was needed at the Social Development Center. Even though it is a small orphanage the children really craved attention and it was nice to have one on one time with the kids that really needed it.”
Jason – “I felt I was to contribute to the children’s learning of the English language in addition to being a positive role model. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the children, and seeing their academic growth. I gained a further appreciation for the life I live back home and the opportunities that may or may not be available to others in less fortunate circumstances.”
Sanya – “Usually the day consisted of arriving around 8am at the Social Development Centre and helping the kids get ready for school. This entailed helping them put on their uniforms properly and walking them to school. Also, I would sometimes stay and watch their morning assembly. Then around 3.30pm the kids would come back from school and work on their homework. I would assist those that needed help and afterwards we would play soccer or basketball.
I felt that just spending time with the kids and helping them out with their English I contributed somewhat to their education. I felt that I gained experience working with kids and I now know what great responsibility one has to be a good role model when children are involved. I was always interested in specializing in pediatrics so it definitely helps to have experience working with kids. I definitely felt that my help was needed at the Social Development Center. Even though it is a small orphanage the children really craved attention and it was nice to have one on one time with the kids that really needed it.”
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Volunteer Visitor Center in Kathmandu - A rewarding experience!
After coming to Kathmandu, Nepal with an expensive Volunteer Placement Agency and being totally dissapointed, Rebecca was sent to The Volunteer Visitor Center which is provided by The Mountain Fund. The center is in in Thamel across the street from KEEP and from Hotel Dynasty. Our center helped place her with a pleasant and rewarding volunteering experience. Here is her response:
"Hi there!
I just wanted to send a another big thank you to all of you (Scott, Sunita, Kath, Sushila, Bibu and Krittan) for your hospitality and all of the help, work and kindness you showed me in Nepal. It REALLY made a huge difference to my entire experience in Nepal and it is making me more inclined to visit once again. I am really inspired by all the work Mountain Fund is doing in Nepal and I have a huge amount of respect for each and everyone one of you. In the beginning of my trip, I never thought I would ever hear myself saying that I would come again to Nepal, but after meeting all of you I would be silly not to come again. Hopefully we will all see each other soon until then, I hope everything will work out, and I hope the monsoon season will not be too wet this year! Take care!-Rebecca"
Click HERE to check out a list of our current volunteer opportunities.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Volunteer at our Health Clinic in Thulo Syabru, Nepal
Ross Campbell is from Scotland. Ross decided to take some
time off after college, and before starting a career in alternative energy engineering, to travel and volunteer. Ross came to Nepal with the idea of installing a solar lighting system, which he paid for out of his own pocket, in a school or clinic. Ross came to The Mountain Fund’s Volunteer Center in Kathmandu to see if we could help him find a location to install his solar lighting system. When we told Ross about the clinic we were starting in Thulo Syabru, he decided that his lighting system would be perfect for it and set off for Thulo Syabru to install it. Four of the rooms at the clinic now have solar powered lighting thanks to Ross.
Ross at the new clinic in Thulo Syabru, with a local Nepali.
Ross wasn’t content to install a lighting system. Once he saw the incredible project underway in the village to build a new school he jumped right in; grabbed a shovel and went to work digging dirt and hauling rocks. The school is really an incredible story. This school sat on ground that was about fifteen feet higher than surrounding buildings. As a result, the soil was continuously eroding away from the structure and following every rainy season the villagers had to work hard to reverse the erosion damage. In a display of unbelievable tenacity, the village raised the money for a new school then took apart the old school stone by stone and removed fifteen feet of earth to create a level site on which to build a new school. Construction of the new school is now underway and progressing well. It’s a real community effort to get it finished and ready for students.
Scott & Nima at the Grand Opening of the new clinic.
time off after college, and before starting a career in alternative energy engineering, to travel and volunteer. Ross came to Nepal with the idea of installing a solar lighting system, which he paid for out of his own pocket, in a school or clinic. Ross came to The Mountain Fund’s Volunteer Center in Kathmandu to see if we could help him find a location to install his solar lighting system. When we told Ross about the clinic we were starting in Thulo Syabru, he decided that his lighting system would be perfect for it and set off for Thulo Syabru to install it. Four of the rooms at the clinic now have solar powered lighting thanks to Ross.
Ross at the new clinic in Thulo Syabru, with a local Nepali.
Ross wasn’t content to install a lighting system. Once he saw the incredible project underway in the village to build a new school he jumped right in; grabbed a shovel and went to work digging dirt and hauling rocks. The school is really an incredible story. This school sat on ground that was about fifteen feet higher than surrounding buildings. As a result, the soil was continuously eroding away from the structure and following every rainy season the villagers had to work hard to reverse the erosion damage. In a display of unbelievable tenacity, the village raised the money for a new school then took apart the old school stone by stone and removed fifteen feet of earth to create a level site on which to build a new school. Construction of the new school is now underway and progressing well. It’s a real community effort to get it finished and ready for students.
Scott & Nima at the Grand Opening of the new clinic.
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