Nepal is one of the world’s poorest countries and access to education is limited by poverty and gender discrimination, meaning women are often confined to menial jobs, typically within subsistence farming and without sufficient knowledge or skills to allow for their economic development. Whilst it is estimated that 40% of women are economically active in Nepal, at present only 2% of the total GDP is accounted for by women entrepreneurs. Traditionally, in Nepali culture women are left exclusively to do the work, both in the house through caring for the family and in agricultural work providing the food to feed the family.
Due to the low level of technology available in rural communities the agricultural work is labor-intensive. Furthermore, the women are not paid and they will be fortunate if the yield from the farming will feed their family. Women remain trapped in this system and the social and cultural barriers that exist in Nepal which, unsurprisingly, greatly affects their self-confidence and self-belief in their potential.
VIN’s Business and Management training and Entrepreneurial Development ventures serve as an effective way to empower women and make them financially independent. This in turn brings women into the mainstream of the economy and enhances their life as a whole.
The goal of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Project is to support the women of marginalized communities to generate sustainable income through entrepreneurship development. VIN has been implementing women’s income generative and entrepreneurship projects in various rural communities of Kathmandu and Okhaldhunga since 2006. During this time hundreds of women’s groups have been formed, ensuring a sustainable source of support for the women.
Through the women’s groups, VIN provides a variety of trainings designed to help the women learn the skills they need to change their economic situation. Among the list of training VIN has provided are enterprise development, seasonal and off-season vegetable farming, basic livestock management, account keeping, mushroom cultivation and sewing and embroidery classes.
We are looking for volunteers and interns to continue to support the Entrepreneurship Development Project, helping VIN staff to train the women, work with them on their farms and explore possible markets for the women’s products to be sold at. Previous cases studies and success stories from the program are used as examples of what can be achieved.
During your volunteer placement you will live in the community with a Nepali host family, offering you the chance to become immersed in Nepali culture and language. Depending upon you interest and expertise, you will be involved in one or more of the following activities:
- Conduct research into the scope of entrepreneurship in local communities.
- Conduct baseline surveys to identify motivated women to run enterprises.
- Help facilitate and deliver the entrepreneurship development course to local women.
- Help the women draw up a business development plan.
- Facilitate agro-based enterprises training and workshops.
- Organise different forms of learning / sharing opportunities between experienced and new entrepreneurs.
- Conduct workshops on business development plans including marketing strategies, financial development, account-keeping etc.
- Provide mentorship to the entrepreneurs.
- Identify resources and challenges necessary to implement entrepreneurial initiatives.
- If you have the relevant skills and experience, facilitate vocational training sessions, such as sewing, knitting, jewelry making etc.
- Fundraise to run the entrepreneurship development project.
Project Specific Skills
- Knowledge and experience of business development and entrepreneurship
- Excellent inter-personal communication skills
- Interview and research skills
- Able to give clear instruction and direction
- Lateral and creative thinking
- Proficient in conducting training and delivering workshops
- Relevant vocational skills would 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 |
| 10:00-13:00 | Deliver training sessions/Workshops |
| 13:00-14:00 | Lunch (Packed lunch) |
| 15:00-17:00 | Deliver interactive/extracurricular sessions |
| 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.
Gallery
Member of