A significant proportion of female-headed households fall below the poverty line in comparison to male-headed households, mainly due to the income gap between men and women. Concerning, the ratio of estimated female to male earned income in Nepal is 0.51 for the same amount of work done.
While it is estimated that 40% of Nepali women are engaged in economic work, their roles as mentors and laborers are not recognised. They are often denied education and ownership of property and business enterprises, remaining confined to menial jobs within agriculture. They cannot change their circumstances without access to relevant training and recognition of their potential and achievements. In the area of microcredit, with reference to the Government’s Policy of ‘one credit per one (poor) family’, micro-finance institutions and cooperative support programs have not been able to reach approximately 66% of poor households.
The Microcredit Cooperative Support project aims to provide women of underprivileged communities access to cost effective and sustainable financial services. The approach VIN takes to the delivery of microfinance training is very different from other providers. We do not own the cooperatives and the women of the community are the shareholders and owners. Instead, VIN provides training and facilitation to establish women’s cooperatives and fund their staff and processes until they are able to sustain their own operations.
VIN is looking for volunteers and interns who are interested in women’s empowerment, gender issues and micro-finance. The role of the volunteer is to support the continued work of the women’s microcredit cooperatives and to help drive them towards sustainable autonomy. Volunteers will support this through training cooperative staff and board members, assisting the microcredit cooperative in developing financial strength, educating and empowering the board members to take over the cooperative and helping the board to locate and pursue networking opportunities.
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:
- Motivate women through promoting the principles of microcredit cooperatives and the micro-finance benefits associated.
- Support group formation and teach accounting skills to female participants.
- Provide training on business management and book-keeping.
- Enhance the capacity of women in cooperative management.
- Support to audit financial transactions with accounting skills.
- Analyse data to establish the financial status of the cooperative and check whether the cooperative has followed relevant financial policies.
- Establish if any back dated loans exist and their conditions of repayment.
- Support women to increase their income levels by investing in both farming and non-farming enterprises.
Project Specific Skills
- Knowledge and experience of business development, accounting and micro-finance
- Proficient in accountancy and bookkeeping
- Research and report writing skills
- Able to give clear instruction and direction
- Lateral and creative thinking
- Proficient in conducting training and delivering workshops
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.
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