Make a positive difference to people's lives in disadvantaged areas of Nepal.
Guaranteed lowest Nepal program fees in the US – starting at $100.
Fees paid directly to host families and projects – no middlemen.
Life-changing experiences for volunteers AND aid recipients.
Go beyond your borders and volunteer in Nepal to expand horizons for both you and for those you help! Nepal is a perfect destination to volunteer and travel. With picturesque mountainous views of the Himalayas, colorful festivals and diverse flora and fauna, you will surely have the experience of a lifetime. For mountain lovers, Nepal boasts eight out of ten of the highest mountains in the world. Nepal also has a remarkable number of ethnic groups who have settled and created a kaleidoscope of fascinating cultures. As a volunteer in Nepal, you will be able to immerse yourself in these unique and enchanting cultures, enjoy breathtaking panoramic views and ultimately, enrich the lives of others.
Global Crossroad Volunteer is focused on enriching the lives of impoverished Nepalese by partnering with a variety of local schools, orphanages, clinics, non-profit organizations, hospitals and monasteries. Regardless of your individual skills and interests, there is a project for everyone. Volunteer in Nepal and gain professional experience while growing personally and helping Nepalese.
If you're looking for an adventurous and rewarding experience in Nepal, contact us now for more information! You're only an email away from beginning one of the most unforgettable journeys of a lifetime.
All volunteer programs start on the first and third Monday of each month.
If you are tired of expensive volunteer programs but want to make a positive contribution in the world, look no further! Global Crossroad is dedicated to offering high quality, well-organized and meaningful programs at the most affordable price in the United States. We work hard to keep costs as low as possible, focusing on the effectiveness of our projects, the safety of our volunteers and the quality of participant experiences. We currently offer the most competitive price possible in today's market including an application fee (of $299) AND a small weekly fee as follows:
| Weeks | Orphanage/ School/ Nature Conservation (Kathmandu or Chitwan) |
Medical (Kathmandu or Chitwan) |
Monastery (Kathmandu) |
Photo Journalism (Kathmandu) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Week | $100 | $185 | $175 | $225 |
| 2 Weeks | $200 | $260 | $295 | $400 |
| 3 Weeks | $300 | $385 | $415 | $575 |
| 4 Weeks | $400 | $460 | $535 | $750 |
| 5 Weeks | $500 | $585 | $655 | $925 |
| 6 Weeks | $600 | $660 | $760 | $1,100 |
| 7 Weeks | $700 | $785 | $865 | $1,275 |
| 8 Weeks | $800 | $860 | $970 | $1,450 |
| 9 Weeks | $900 | $985 | $1,065 | $1,625 |
| 10 Weeks | $1,000 | $1,060 | $1,160 | $1,800 |
| 11 Weeks | $1,100 | $1,185 | $1,255 | $1,975 |
| 12 Weeks | $1,200 | $1,260 | $1,350 | $2,150 |
Mandatory comprehensive travel insurance $3.49 a day
Language and Culture Program fee $250
The volunteer trip to Nepal program fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your programs last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses.
Due to rampant poverty and poor economic conditions, the Nepalese government is incapable of providing adequate assistance for orphaned children. As a result, many orphans lack basic necessities and the chance at the childhood they deserve. Many orphanages are doing their best to feed, house, clothe and educate these children, but sadly lack resources and are short staffed, making their job a daily challenge. As a volunteer in the orphanage project in Nepal, you can provide assistance to these orphanages and improve their quality of life. Through your support, you can help the orphanages bring education, friendship, basic care and smiles to the children. Travel to Nepal now and make a difference in the lives of these children, as well as your own!
As a volunteer/traveler in Nepal working in an orphanage, responsibilities will vary depending on individual skills and interests and the needs of the orphanage, but may include:
There are no skills or qualifications required to volunteer in the orphanage project in Nepal. However, you should have a passion to help the children and be flexible, responsible, open minded, caring and patient.
In Nepal, without knowledge of the English language, there are low chances of admittance into respected universities or obtaining high-spaying jobs. For this reason, schools and parents are putting tremendous pressure on young ones to improve their English skills. Unfortunately, it is often unattainable for poorer children to improve their English skills because most public schools lack qualified teachers and resources to properly teach the language. Only high-income families can afford private lessons and/or quality education. Global Crossroad Volunteer is attempting to open doors for poorer students and provide the children with the opportunity to learn from native or fluent English teachers. As a volunteer teaching English in Nepal, you will teach in schools in a low-income area and help children develop their English skills. Global Crossroad Volunteer invites you to volunteer teaching English in Nepal now to immerse yourself into Nepalese culture and instantly brighten the futures for your students.
As a volunteer teaching English in Nepal, you will most likely teach in a government school. Besides following the official curriculum, you’re encouraged to hold debates and discussions as well as engage the children in creative activities that will increase their capacity to comprehend and speak in English. Daily activities may include:
*if school is closed, volunteers will work in orphnages
You should be fluent in English, both spoken and written, although you may be a non-native English speaker. You should also have a passion to teach and help your students. Volunteers should be good role models, flexible, patient, caring, creative, responsible and open-minded.
Though Nepal has made rapid strides at improving the healthcare of the country, the system is still short of desirable. In remote and poorer areas, many people have no access to healthcare and those with access receive substandard treatment. Unfortunately, there is an extreme lack of doctors, nurses and medical facilities and as a result, Nepal has one of the lowest life expectancy rates. In addition, many people suffer from preventable and treatable diseases. If you are a medically trained professional or a student, volunteer in the medical/healthcare project in Nepal and provide proper treatment to locals, drastically changing their lives for the better. This is the perfect project to gain international and professional experience while providing you and those you help with an enriching, productive and meaningful experience.
Each volunteer in Nepal working in the community health/medical project will have varying responsibilities and tasks and volunteer projects will depend on one’s qualifications and certifications as a medical professional. Duties may include:
Global Crossroad Volunteers/travelers interested in joining the volunteer health program must possess a health care certification such as an ID as a medical student, EMT or paramedic certification, or nursing or physician's credentials. Medical volunteers without credentials are not allowed to work in this program because of the potential risk. The hospitals require a copy of your resume, clearly stating credentials and education before your arrival to the project.
Due to winter activities, the monk teaching project is not available from the last week of December to 2nd week of February. Please confirm this with us before applying for the program.
Nepal is home to an array of Buddhism practices. You can find beautiful and serene monasteries built by Tibetan refugees and other ethnic groups in Nepal. Many monks, both Nepalese and Tibetans, live in the monastery and learn Buddhist scriptures in the Tibetan language, resulting in the seldom opportunity to learn English. However, as interactions with English speaking people have increased, the Rinpoches (higher monks) have realized that without learning English, the monks will not be able to interact and spread the teachings of the Buddha.
Volunteer in the Teaching Buddhist Monks English in Nepal Project now and immerse yourself into Nepalese culture, monastery life and the Buddhist religion. As you help these monks gain invaluable skills, you will learn from them in return. This is the perfect project for those looking to learn more about the Buddhist religion, traditions and practices.
As a volunteer in Nepal teaching English to Buddhist monks in a monastery, you will primarily work as English instructors to the monks. You’ll teach English to monks for 2-4 hours a day. You are encouraged to hold discussions and debates as this will greatly increase the ability grasp and speak English. Daily activities may include:
Note: in addition to teaching, you’ll also be allowed to sit, observe and learn about the rituals, prayer ceremonies and meditations inside the monastery and learn about Buddhism from the monks.
No teaching experience or skills are required, but each volunteer in the teaching English to Buddhist monks project in Nepal should have strong English skills, both written and verbal. You should also respect the monks at all times as well as the prevailing culture inside and outside the monastery.
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world and most Nepalese energy and construction requirements are met by cutting down trees for firewood, building houses and construction work. Because of this, huge swathes of forests disappear daily. Most Nepalese lack education to realize the long-term damage this may cause. As a result of deforestation, landslides and flooding occur due to the lack of trees to protect the soil, affecting the lives of many. Global Crossroad Volunteer is now partnering with local nonprofit environmental organizations to promote conservation and improve Nepal’s environment. As a volunteer in the conservation project in Nepal, you’ll work in a community nursery by planting seedlings, nurturing their growth and distributing the trees to the community for no cost. This is a perfect project for environmentalists and those who are committed to conservation.
As a volunteer in the conservation project in Nepal, you can participate in a variety of projects to help improve the environment and Nepalese villages. Activities may include:
Global Crossroad Volunteer presently supports a small orphanage and a school in Chitwan. So, volunteers working in the conservation project can teach English or work in the orphanage in their free time. This can be arranged upon your arrival to Nepal.
To volunteer in this project you should feel passionate about saving the environment. You should also be flexible, patient, hardworking, caring, motivated and open minded to new cultures. You’ll also have to be in physically good condition, as the work can get physical. Other than that, no specific skills or qualifications are required.
Global Crossroad Volunteer now offers a unique, creative and culturally eye-opening photojournalism project. This is an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring photographers to gain professional experience while fully experiencing a beautiful country. As a volunteer in the photo journalism project in Nepal, you will have the chance to work alongside an experienced professional, enhance your skills and truly learn about Nepal’s beauty and culture. If you have the time, resources and dedication to finish a final report, you may also participate in this project as an intern.
As a volunteer in the photojournalism project in Nepal, you can snap your way through the country as you capture panoramic mountainous views, colorful festivals, daily Nepalese life, local markets and fascinating culture. Volunteers can creatively document the magical beauty of Hindu and Buddhist temples, the Kathmandu Valley and the traditional on-goings of Nepal’s capital city. Not only will you completely immerse yourself into Nepal’s culture, you will help to share the stunning characteristics of the country with others.
The aim beyond pictorial documentation of Nepal and the project is to develop volunteer skills as photojournalists. An experienced professional who works for a respected local newspaper will mentor each volunteer/intern. Volunteers will work with their supervisor to agree on a schedule and travel to photo locations. Most volunteers will use a motorcycle to navigate through the streets of Kathmandu and its surroundings. A typical day may include:
Global Crossroad Volunteer presently supports a small orphanage and a school in Chitwan. So, volunteers working in the conservation project can teach English or work in the orphanage in their free time. This can be arranged upon your arrival to Nepal.
Please note: cameras are not provided..
Volunteers must bring a camera, know how to use it and be familiar with modern photojournalism. Volunteers must be easy going, motivated, flexible, open-minded, creative and ready for anything.
Global Crossroad Volunteer arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field supervision for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Nepal, most volunteers stay with a host family. Host family accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. Host family stays are a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange.
Accommodations could also be with a home base or a hostel. Our home base is a permanent home established for our volunteers in Kathmandu. Our home base in Nepal is located in a very safe and clean neighborhood. There are internet cafés, restaurants, local bus stations, a police station and supermarkets near our home base. The home base provides a comfortable place to relax after a long day. There are several bedrooms (which may be shared with a same-gender volunteer) and community areas. There is a shared kitchen, television and shared bathrooms, which have running water and "western-style" toilets. Hostels are located in safe and secure neighborhoods and are chosen for their proximity to projects.
Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.
Global Crossroad offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. There are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families and/or a home base staff. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.
Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.
Global Crossroad Volunteer projects are available in Kathmandu (capital city of Nepal with places of great tourist attractions like Thamel, Patan, Swaymbhu, etc.), Chitwan (Royal Bengal Tiger and the Great One Horned Rhino) and Pokhara (a small valley that is famous for lakes, spectacular views of Himalayas and for a starting point of many famous treks). All towns have shops, banks & internet cafes nearby. Nepal is renowned for its spectacular landscape and deep, exotic culture. It's full of contrasts: from traditional culture and history including houses made of bamboo, mud and cow-dung to modern infrastructure and much of the amenities you would expect from a city.
Please read Global Crossroad Volunteer's 5-step application
Arrival Point: Tribhuvan Airport , Kathmandu
Airport Pick-up Upon the receipt of your flight information, our in-country coordinator or other project staff will greet the volunteers in the airport and take you to your project site. The address and telephone number of the local contact hotel will be given before departure just in case volunteers miss our representative in the airport. Please make sure to e-mail your flight information to both the USA office and the local in-country coordinator's office.
Departure Point: Tribhuvan Airport , Kathmandu
Airport Drop: Rarely, a few do request an escort back to the airport; this is an extra expense of about $75. Most are very familiar and comfortable with their stay and have great ease taking their own taxi or bus back to the airport.
Transportation: Global Crossroad Volunteer manages one-way transportation to project. Volunteers will be responsible for their own personal and return travel. We do not cover daily transportation from host family/hotel to the project. Our program is designed to save you the volunteer as much as possible.
Start Dates: 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
Start Date: Global Crossroad Volunteers/Travelers coming to Nepal are advised to arrive one day before their program start date. If you arrive more than one day early or stay after the program, you will be responsible for your room and food expenses.
Working Hours: 30- 40 hours per week
Global Crossroad strongly suggest that all volunteers apply for a tourist visa in a timely manner before departing for Nepal. Please call our office or contact the local Nepal embassy to learn more about visas, visa fees, and visa extensions. Getting your tourist visa is your responsibility.
Volunteers should be aware of all health and safety information before traveling to volunteer in Nepal. We suggest you visit some of the websites listed below.
General Health Tips for volunteer/travel in Nepal
Bring drugs you require with you. Although you can find most modern medicines in the drugstores of Nepal, they can be named differently and come with different level of dosage. Carry a health kit and include medications for upset stomachs, some antiseptic cream, mosquito repellant, sun block, band aids, etc.
We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations (www.cdc.gov.) Your travel doctor will know about current epidemics and should be consulted.
The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to South Asia including Nepal.
Nepalese Rupees is the local currency of Nepal.
You can change your money upon arrival to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. There is a bank counter at the departure lounge and three bank counters at the arrival lounge. All transactions are based on the declared amount of the passenger and the currencies permitted by the government, depending on the day's foreign exchange rate. We suggest you change $200 in the beginning as you can change money in any bank (some banks are near our office).
Your credit card information can be stolen and used fraudulently just by making a credit card payment. For this reason, cash and travelers checks are suggested to settle most accounts. You will have trouble paying with traveler's checks, but you will be able to exchange them at local banks. Traveler's checks are recommended as a safe way to carry money with you, make sure you write down the check numbers and contact information you need to cancel stolen checks. Different brands of traveler's checks work better in different countries so consult your local financial institution about which company you should buy your checks from.
Travelers should have a credit card for large and emergency purchases so you won't go broke if something goes wrong. If you've requested a pin number for your credit card, you can use it to get cash advances at the ATM.
You can also carry a debit card that can be used at ATM's to withdraw local currency. When using ATM's, be advised to bring a friend along, travel directly from the bank back to your home and stash your cash. Find a private, well-disguised place to hide any cash. When you are carrying cash, break it up into different amounts and keep it in different pockets so if you get robbed you won't lose everything.
Debit cards are the best way of getting money and ATM vendors are available in major bank and department store in Kathmandu. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are accepted in some of the large stores and hotels in larger cities but not accepted in smaller cities.
How much money you bring depends on your personal spending habits. Thrifty people can get by on less than $10/day. Your budget should also include money to explore Nepal in free time as well as for your personal use. A good rule of thumb for money management is the 1/3 method, bring 1/3 cash, 1/3 traveler's check and leave 1/3 of your money in your account - plus a credit card for emergencies.
Field Support and supervision:
Our local staff (and country coordinator) will keep in touch with your once the program stays. We will also visit you every 2 weeks to make sure you are happy and satisfied with the project. If the project is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by email and phone.
You'll also be provided with the mobile phone number our country coordinator. In case of any emergency, you can contact him directly.
Bring your mobile cell phone with you. When you're in Nepal, insert the local sim card and you'll be ready to receive or call anyone anywhere in the world. Internet cafes are widely available in Kathmandu and Chitwan.
Take advantage of the Web which can bring you current weather and forecasts for your destination:
http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/44454.html(www.wunderground.com)
Nepal has a diverse climate; summer is normally the hot, humid and rainy season. Winter is cold in the morning and warm during the daytime. The temperature drops during winter nights. Volunteers should bring appropriate clothing according to the season and activities. The months of fall and spring are wonderful.
Month
Sept
For working: Feb Winter clothes
For Trekking: Winter Clothes
March
For working: August Summer Clothes
For Trekking: Warm (light winter) Clothes
*Please bring a raincoat in June-July-August
Most of daily use items are available in Nepal at a cheaper price. However, we suggest volunteers pack the following things:
It is a common courtesy to bring a small gift for the family that will be hosting you. You are not required to do so, but if you choose to bring something it can be pretty simple. We suggest a box of chocolates, a t-shirt with a hometown logo or pictures of your family and some local post cards.
If you want to bring gifts for your project (and if you are working for an orphanage or a school please bring pencils, pens and paper, art supplies like markers and construction paper pads, and games. Remember that every child will need these items so you may wish to bring a bunch of one thing.
