As one of the world’s poorest countries, Nepal faces many challenges related to health and wellbeing. People are struggling to fulfill their daily needs rather than thinking about improving their health. In the rural communities, the government is not able to install basic facilities to support health, hygiene, wellbeing of the people.
Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of mortality in Nepal. In 2015, over half of the country’s death and disability was triggered due to non-communicable disease. Alcoholism is a major problem to their physical and mental health. Almost everyone, from small children to old people, drink home brewed alcohol. It seems drinking alcohol is only form of entertainment there. Many young deaths are mostly related to the alcoholism. The alcoholism has also created mental health issues and there are no mental health services in rural communities.
People have very limited knowledge about health. This is exacerbated by access to social media and information technologies spreading misinformation.
The health of a person is not solely determined by physical well-being alone, rather mental status, socio-economic, psychological and behavioral factors. Economic and social inequalities, rapid urbanization, climate change and pollution are the major challenges on people’s health and wellbeing.
Our goal of Health and Wellbeing Project is to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages of the people at our working communities – Okhaldhunga, Kathmandu and Nuwakot. Through the health and wellbeing volunteering project, we provide alternative ideas for their health, engagement, entertainment and socializing like yoga, meditations, mindfulness exercises, arts, sports, dances, music, movies and much more. When there is a platform to share and act, more people will have opportunity to explore their innate talents.
As a health and wellbeing volunteer, you will educate the community people in our working sites about all the factors that contribute to a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing. The health and wellbeing of the people is only possible through education, activities related to physical, mental and emotional health and healthy life style. Health and wellbeing for all people in the marginalized communities is an important part of their sustainable development. Malnutrition, stunted growth and under-nutrition is still common in some communities where people lack awareness regarding healthy and balanced diet.
During the placement, the volunteer will be based on in one of our working sites namely Kathmandu, Okhaldhunga and Nuwakot and conduct activities through community learning centers (CLC) that VIN has established. You will either be living with a Nepali host-family or the CLC itself, allowing you an insight into Nepali culture and assisting you to get immersed in day to day Kathmandu life.
The health and wellbeing volunteer will do one or more of the following activities:
- Facilitate workshops / sessions on healthy living, such as foods, diet and nutrition.
- Reach out to different groups of children and women to facilitate dance, music, arts sessions.
- Teach Yoga, meditation and other mindfulness exercises.
- Invite community people and play inspiring documentaries / movies followed interactions on the lesson.
- Conduct focus group discussions to learn the challenges and solutions of health and wellbeing.
- Develop tools for engagement and to support positive behavioral change.
- Create awareness among the public regarding the relationship between sanitation and wellbeing.
- Introduce mental health as an integral part of human life among different communities and people.
- Conduct awareness raising sessions on the alternative ways of their physical and mental health wellbeing.
- Create short movies on the community issues with their solutions.
- Create an environment to share success stories to inspire other participants.
- Conduct interactions, discussions on the importance of balanced diet.
- Prepare cookery recipes based on the ingredients found in the communities and practice cooking lessons
- Prepare / revise health and wellbeing project manual based on the implementation practices.
Project Specific Skills
- Knowledge and skills on health and wellbeing
- Proficient in conducting workshops and awareness camps
- Ideas on engaging people on mindfulness activities
- Looks issues from positive perspective
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 |
| 10:00-13:00 | Deliver training sessions/Workshops to students |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch (Packed lunch) |
| 15:00-17:00 | Deliver sessions/Awareness to community people |
| 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- € 350
3 weeks – 450€
4 weeks – 550€ (after 4th week, for each additional week €85)
University Internships:
4 weeks minimum stay- € 650 (for each additional week – €95
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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