Background/Project: 

The protection of the environment is a major challenge today. Solid waste management in the Garbage Management Campaign should be an urgent action to protect the environment. Solid waste is a by-product of human activities, which tends to increase with rapid urbanization, improved living standards, and changing consumption patterns. Management of increasing amounts of solid waste has become a major challenge in many communities in Nepal. If solid waste is properly used it can be a valuable resource, but if it is not effectively managed, it can result in serious adverse impacts on the environment and public health.
The problems associated with the disposal of waste in public places in VIN’s working communities, including schools, are numerous and they include littering of food remains and other waste materials.

There is a potential health risk associated with the poor management of solid waste and Garbage Management Campaigns. Children are particularly susceptible to respiratory problems caused by dust from dumping sites and also to diarrhea, skin disease, and eye infection amongst other diseases.

Non-biodegradable waste (NBW) is common in communities that are urbanized or within the vicinity of an urbanized environment.  Nepal has a huge challenge of NBW visible to the naked eye. This NBW phenomenon is a much larger issue in rural communities such as Kavresthali and Okharpauwa communities located beyond the outskirts of Kathmandu.  Preventing the build-up of NBW in communities becomes a top priority as diseases derived from NBW increases the prevalence of disease related to sanitation and consumable products.  Furthermore, NBW causes the degradation of the land. The majority of farmers use to grow local products to feed their households and farm stock. This project of Garbage Management Campaign is designed to generate a change in the community with the theme of “Better Environment – Better Tomorrow”.  

Objectives:

Prevent and control water, land, and air pollution through environmental education and cleaning activities.

Works/Activities:

• Organize the waste management /Community clean-up campaign involving community people.
• Train local people on garbage management (segregation, disposal, domestic methodology to make compost fertilizer, etc.)
• Develop the concept of a kitchen garden and train the households to implement it in their homes.

Placement Support Process:

The first day is an arrival day and each volunteer is greeted and received by VIN local staff at the airport and taken to a local host family.  On the second day, volunteers will receive a full-day orientation at VIN offices in Kathmandu. The placement orientation will cover cultural tips, survival phrases in the Nepali language, health tips, preparation for project activities, and an introduction to VIN. Volunteers will always be guided by a Nepali camp leader and VIN supervisors will visit them from time to time for follow-up and support. Should you have any concerns about the work camp, you may always call VIN for immediate help. During or after the work camp, our staff will take volunteers on a half-day sightseeing tour of a cultural heritage site. On the last day of the work camp, volunteers will submit a detailed work report, fill up an exit form, and sit with VIN executives for an exit interview and feedback session.

Location:

Tarakeshwor: Tarakeshwor municipality is situated on the outskirts of Kathmandu District. It is around 10-15 km from the main ring road to Balaju, Kathmandu covered with hills, fields, and woods.

Accommodation:

The volunteers will stay with the host family/hostel identified by VIN.  The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms.  The volunteers sleep on simple beds/mattresses. Please bring your sleeping bag.

Language:

Basic English should be spoken among the participants

Participation Fee:

The participation fee is 200 Euros (+30 Euro for transportation), which is to be paid on arrival at the VIN Office, or upon booking the placement by PayPal or bank transfer before the placement.

The Participation Fee Covers:

• Food and Accommodation: Nepali Standard at a local host family – 3 meals a day
• Transportation: Airport pick up and pick up and drop to the working community site
• A half-day guided sight-seeing to the world heritage site of Kathmandu
• Materials for the work camp and community development projects support
• Local volunteers’ support cost
• VIN T-shirt, and certificate of participation
• 24-hour emergency support
• VIN admin cost. 

What’s excluded?

Airfare, VISA, Travel medical insurance, return airport transfer, entrance fees on the world heritage sites, Personal travel and weekend activities expenses, etc.

Meeting point:

VIN staff will pick up each volunteer from the airport. The volunteers are requested to send their flight details to VIN on time so that we can send our staff your name card and VIN’s Logo.
If you want to come earlier and explore the country more, you may find a pre-paid taxi at the airport or VIN may help you with that.

Airport:

Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu

Leisure Activities:

VIN will take you to a half-day cultural sightseeing. Either before, during, or after your work camp.  VIN also organizes weekend travel tours to Chitwan Jungle Safari, Pokhara, and Nagarkot at an additional cost if you are interested.

(The detailed info sheet and acceptance letter will be sent from VIN after we receive your Complete Volunteer Exchange Form (VEF) from the sending organization)