Although secondary education is compulsory for all children in Nepal, actual attendance rates from primary through to the end of secondary presents a very different situation. The 2008 Nepal Labour Force Survey (NLFS) identified that, for children aged 5 – 17, 9% of children had never attended school, the majority of whom are girls. Furthermore, 59% had not progressed onto primary education and, for the 21% who had completed primary education, only 3.4% of children went on to start their secondary education.
Barriers to education include the cost of sending children to school, with many families unable to afford education for their children, instead these children are working and supporting their families through employment. There is also a gender gap between education rates for boys and girls, with girls statistically far higher to not complete their primary education, start the secondary education and go on to complete it.
The Child Sponsorship Facilitation Project is designed to end the problems of accessing education, addressing children’s educational and physical needs, as well as supporting their emotional development and promoting their self-esteem and self-worth.
Our goal is to support education programmes for poor and marginalised children by enrolling them in schools via the support of sponsors.
VIN believes that equal access to education, protection and promotion of children’s rights and the holistic development of children are essential. We therefore aim for every child in the communities we work with to be able attend school and have access to quality education.
The Child Sponsorship Facilitation Project allows people from all around the world to make a donation to help a child from a poor family background to access school and education. It is important to us that, as an organisation, we encourage children to go to school, to develop skills for life and learn about their rights as children, through the work of our volunteers, interns and staff members
Participating in the Child Sponsorship Facilitation Project provides volunteers with a unique opportunity to directly support Nepali children, by creating a positive and constructive learning environment. Such opportunities will ensure a better future for every child who has been brought to our attention.
During your volunteer placement you will be based in one of the VIN’s working communities of Kathmandu, Okhaldhunga or Nuwakot. You will be accommodated with a Nepali host family, providing you with an insight into Nepali culture and immersing you in day to day Nepali life.
The Child Sponsorship Facilitation volunteer will do one or more of the following activities:
- Identify barriers to learning for the children who receive sponsorship for their education, through visiting them in school and identifying their educational difficulties and progress
- Prepare and submit a report for each child to the relevant child education sponsors. These reports will outline their academic, life skills and emotional progress and propose solutions to the problems faced
- Support the Child Sponsorship Facilitation Project through conducting special tutoring, mentoring and counselling classes on a cluster basis
- Conduct baseline research on children referred from schools or local government identified as requiring support in their education provision
- Plan and deliver creative art expression and life skills classes
- Maintain and update the database of children receiving educational sponsorship on relevant websites and VINs internal records
- Identify and approach potential new sponsors, contacting individuals, organisations and companies who are interested and able to contribute to sponsoring children identified as in need of financial support, before confirming their commitment to sponsorship
- Prepare promotional materials in order to attract new sponsors, through videos, testimonials, success stories, interviews and articles which illustrate the need for financial sponsorship in support of the project.
- Visit partner schools and communities supported by VIN through Child Sponsorship, developing and building strong partnerships and understanding with these organisations
Project Specific Skills
- Proficient in conducting interviews
- Familiarity with children’s rights
- Report writing skills
- Knowledge of research methodologies and experience of undertaking different forms of research
- Good facilitation and presentation skills
- Video shooting, editing and production
- Previous experience working or volunteering with children could be an added asset
Desirable/ Common Skills
- Excellent communicator with good interpersonal skills
- A team player with good workethics
- Time management and leadership qualities
- Adaptable, flexible and able to work under pressure
- Accepting of different ideas and culture
- Problem solving: always be part of solutions than part of a problem
- Creative
- Positive attitude
Requirements
- Gender: Female / Male
- Minimum Age: 18+ years (16-17 years old person can volunteer but need to present parents’/ guardian’s consent letter)
- Language:English (Intermediate)
- Educational:High School Graduate
Your Experience/ Setting
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), you will receive a warm welcome and be transported to your hotel or hostel. If you are already in Nepal before the start of your placement, we can make alternative arrangements for you. You will undergo a comprehensive two- to three-day induction program after arrival. This induction will provide valuable information about your project and general information about the Nepalese language, culture, health, safety, and security. It is also an excellent opportunity to connect with fellow volunteers and interns who can become your companions for sightseeing and a source of support throughout your volunteer placement.
During the induction period, you will be accommodated in a budget hotel or hostel arranged by VIN. However, most of the VIN experience involves living with a Nepalese host family. While this immersion is essential for a complete experience, we understand that it can be challenging as you adapt to a new culture and adjust to facilities that may be more basic than you are accustomed to. Don’t worry; all our host families have experience accommodating volunteers, although their English-speaking abilities may vary. Also, you will have 24-hour access to our staff members for support and assistance throughout your placement.
Volunteers will be assigned to one of VIN’s working areas, which include Tarakeshor Municipality in Kathmandu, Taluwa, Thulachhap, and Bhadaure in Okhaldhunga, and Okharpouwa and Kaule in the Nuwakot district. While at the working site, volunteers are requested to bring their lunch box, water bottle, safety gear, face mask, and any other essential belongings. We advise volunteers to dress comfortably and modestly, preferably with long sleeves. Please get in touch with us for guidance and support if you want to raise project funds or collect project-specific resources. This will help the community a lot.
Schedule and Commitment
You will work five to six days a week, up to six hours per day. You may propose your preferred time and hours; however, the working time period will be dependent on the institution you have been placed. A minimum of 2 weeks’ time commitment is expected of a volunteer. The longer you commit; the better impact you can make. You should be willing to commit a certain amount of your free time and energy, show a lot of commitment and be a good listener. You are expected to work constructively and co-operatively maintaining good reputation and standards at all times. Volunteer should abide by relevant security concerns and access procedures. Moreover, you should be receptive and positive to performance appraisal, advice and feedback. Throughout your placement, you will have the full support of VIN. Your safety is our highest priority.
Your typical day might look like this:
| 07:00-08:00 | Tea/Leisure Time |
| 08:00-09:00 | Breakfast/Brunch (Nepali meal – Daal-Bhaat) |
| 09:00-10:00 | Preparation for sessions/Visit to the student |
| 10:00-13:00 | Deliver training sessions/Workshops to students on cluster basis |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch (Packed lunch) |
| 15:00-17:00 | Deliver sessions/Extracurricular activities with children |
| 17:00-20:00 | Preparation for next day/Leisure time |
| 20:00-21:00 | Dinner (Nepali meal – Daal-Bhaat) |
You will receive a clear and concise on-the-job instructions, course of action, context of work and policies/strategies before your placement begins. You will be provided with ample of guidance and support throughout the placement with trainings / onboarding sessions incase necessary. You will be in a constant communication and regular check-in with the VIN volunteer coordinator. VIN aims to maintain a culture of continuous feedback between the volunteer supervisor at the placement to monitor the performance of the volunteer and ensure the project delivers desired outcomes.
In case of an emergency, you may contact one of our Volunteer Coordinators who will be available anytime for your assistance and support.
Click here to Learn more on how volunteering works
Mid and Long Term Volunteers:
2 weeks minimum stay- € 380
3 weeks – 480€
4 weeks – 580€ (after 4th week, for each additional week €95)
University Internships:
4 weeks minimum stay- € 680 (for each additional week – €105
Click here to Learn what’s included and excluded in our Fees Section
Click here to Learn recruitment process on how volunteering works
Our projects are open year-round, and our inductions begin on the first and third Mondays of each month. We would like to ask that volunteers arrive one day before the start of the induction. You can choose the duration of your participation based on your available time. However, so that you know, our volunteering placements are limited. We highly recommend booking your placement in advance to secure your placement. Click here to apply.
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