Public Interest| Volunteers Initiative Nepal

Why the Public Interest Programme?

Nepal has been a Federal Democratic Republic since 2008, having emerged from 10 years of civil war and abolishing its monarchy. Yet, four coalition governments consistently failed to write a meaningful constitution and much of the country remained in a state of instability. The issues of health, welfare, lack of infrastructure and susceptibility to natural disaster still overshadow the country, demonstrating the overwhelming distance that developing Nepal has yet to travel. It wasn’t until the year of the devastating earthquake in 2015 that a constitution was drafted by the Second Constituent Assembly following the failure of the First Constituent Assembly to produce a constitution in its mandated period.

Different rural communities in Nepal are still deprived of basic life facilities like electricity and access to drinking water. They have to walk hours to reach to a health post which is not well equipped with either medical equipment and medical personnel. As a result, they face a disproportionate burden of chronic diseases in comparison to the general public due to restricted access to quality health care. Access to education and employment is also limited. Social problems like inequality, caste system, untouchability, child marriage etc. have been constantly destroying the lives of many. Poverty, as prevalent as it is in rural Nepal, only continues to grow.

The Government of Nepal has not been able to address the needs and concerns of every section of the population depending on their nature of problems. The government currently provides a sum of Nrs. 2,000 monthly to elderly people aged 70 and above. However, this mere sum is not enough for a person to fulfill all their basic needs like food, shelter, health facilities and more. They ultimately become burden to a low income household and end up either on streets or old age homes.

Mental health is yet another Public Interest area that is least prioritised requiring immediate attention. It is still a taboo and anyone suffering from mental health conditions is considered unfit for the society. As a result of stigmatism and discrimination, people prefer to stay home and keep a low profile rather than get professional help. In 2013, a study showed that 37.5% of Nepal’s population suffer from mental disorders which is only increasing. Less than 1% of health care expenditures by the government are focused toward mental health. And, out of 75 districts, only 7 district hospitals in Nepal provide mental health services. As astonishing as it may sound, there are only 1.5 beds per population of 100,000 for mental health patients. There isn’t any form of advocacy from the government’s side regarding mental health. As a result, people are unaware and ignorant. Eventually, many individuals with mental health conditions end up on the streets with escalated suffering, being abused and exploited.

What’s the goal of the Public Interest Programme?

The major goal of Public Interest programme is to contribute towards the betterment of the different vulnerable sections of people by catering to their immediate needs. Volunteers Initiative Nepal is looking for committed volunteers or interns to join our diverse Public Interest Program operating in and outside of our focused communities. Whether your talents are in manual labor, planning, motivating or research, you can help VIN to make significant changes in Nepal’s challenging public landscape. Help local people to build vital village structures, such as schools and toilets, or pass on your skills and help develop a culture of care for the elderly in Nepal.

What areas does the Public Interest Programme focus?

The Public Interest Programme has put a major focus on the following areas via our diverse programmes:

Elderly care – Care for the aging population is vital for their overall well-being and development. Hence, through Care for the Elderly project VIN aims to enhance and improve the everyday life of elderly population who are under the care of old age home.

Animal care – Volunteers are placed in animal shelters where they engage in the day-to-day grooming of the rescued animals. They interact and engage with animals providing love and support for their successful reintegration.

Life skill development – Various life skill development projects are conducted for the women, youth and children in marginalised communities. These skills are customised according to their need and demand of the situation.

Health care – VIN focus on both physical health and mental health via its projects under Public Health and Medical care Programme. Volunteers work with doctors assisting them treat a patient. At the same time, they conduct awareness sessions on public health and one-to-one/group counselling session to enhance the mental health of community people.

Construction and Manual work – Reconstruction and Sustainability project focuses on the building of community centers and houses that were destroyed by the massive April 2015 earthquake. Volunteers contribute their knowledge and skills in building environmentally sustainable structure to avoid future climate risks.

Emergency Relief and Disaster Management – Emergency relief activities are conducted by VIN via its Disaster and Risk Reduction (DRR) Programme. The projects focuses on communities that have been hit by any natural disaster and aims in restoring their life back to normalcy.