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SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATIONꟾ VINWC23- 13ꟾ 2023-09-10 – 2023-09-22ꟾ KIDS/CULTꟾ AGE: 18-99

Okhaldhunga, District of the Himalayas - This small paradise on the earth is in the Everest Region. It is located in the North-East part of Nepal. Okhaldhunga is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. If Okhaldhunga is viewed with sacred vision, it has numerous fascinating sights. VIN's Project site (Taluwa, Bhadaure, and Thulachhap communities) is on the South-East part of the district headquarters, Okhaldhunga. From Kathmandu, the bus route is about 250 km, which is a rough trip that takes one day (9-12 hrs). In Okhaldhunga, VIN implements an integrated approach to community development. Because of the geographical situation, it has limited developmental activities and facilities. Unlike Kathmandu, Okhaldhunga has a number of illiterate people. Okhaldhunga lacks proper education facilities. Due to the lack of education facilities, young people move from Okhaldhunga to other cities like Kathmandu or fly abroad to secure proper education. There are schools, but they don't impart quality education. Not many people complete high school due to poverty, not having good schools, resources, and geographical remoteness. 29 According to VIN's baseline survey, only 91.56% of children have been attending school regularly, but 1.44% of children are not regular in school. Similarly, 10.42% of students drop out of school. 2.99% of families are well aware of child rights, and 20.69% of families know a fair amount about child rights. But, 76.30% of families do not know anything about child rights. Most children who drop out are involved in household work, field/farm work, household plowing, agriculture labor, collecting grass/firewood, grazing cattle, etc. 

 

Work camps will be organized with local community schools and community stakeholders to create a child-friendly teaching and learning environment. Most of the schools lack basic infrastructures like school buildings, education material, playgrounds, and drinking water. Volunteers can make a big difference in the daily lives of these children by providing the necessities listed above and educating children through fun and creative ways. The work camp will also involve teaching children from poor and marginalized communities in formal and non-formal schools about Basic English and Mathematics, Health and Hygiene, and Environmental protection through creative learning methods like art, music, games etc. There will also be house visits and meetings with local people as part of inter-cultural learning and awareness of health and hygiene. In addition, volunteers will also get a chance to participate in simple renovation work at local schools and engage in activities like painting, tree plantation, protection from landslides, etc. As part of the cultural exchange, volunteers will witness and participate in the available cultural programs with the local community. Objectives:  To create a child-friendly learning environment for the children of Okhaldhunga by developing resources and educational activities;  To provide children from disadvantaged communities a unique opportunity for overall development (social, emotional, physical, mental, creativity) & provide a fun time for children aged 6-12.  To promote friendship, understanding, and solidarity among local young national and international volunteers. 

Work: Paint and decorate the classrooms. Renovate school areas, walls etc. Teach students Basic English and mathematics. Play sports, Teach Basic English and mathematics, health and hygiene, and environmental protection through creative learning methods like art, music, games etc. 

Location: Okhaldhunga district, which is 250 km from Kathmandu. It takes one day of travel by bus—a hilly and mountainous region surrounded by woods and fields.

Placement Support Process: The first day is the arrival day. Each volunteer is greeted and received by VIN local staff at the airport and dropped at a hotel or VIN hostel. The second-day volunteers will receive a full-day orientation at the VIN office in Kathmandu. The placement orientation will cover cultural tips, survival phrases on Nepali language, health tips, project activities preparation, and VIN. Then you will travel to Okhaldhunga, the project site, which takes a minimum of 8 hrs. drive. You will always be guided by a Nepali camp leader/VIN staff, and VIN supervisors will visit you from time to 30 time for follow-up support. Should you have any concerns about the work camp, you may always call us for immediate help. On the last day of the work camp, you will submit a detailed work report, fill up an exit form and sit with VIN executives for an exit interview and feedback session.

Accommodation/food: The volunteers will stay in Kathmandu for two nights until orientation. VIN covers two nights' accommodation on sharing basis and simple Nepali-style food. Then they will be with the host family/hostel identified by VIN in Okhaldhunga. The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female Volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms. There will be 2-4 people in one room. Volunteers are required to sleep on simple beds. Please bring your sleeping bag.

Requirements: Basic English should be spoken among the participants and children  The volunteer should be fully vaccinated and should have a certificate against COVID-19 Participation Fee: The participation fee of 250 Euros + 100 Euro for Transportation is to be paid on your arrival at VIN Office. Why Okhaldhunga and extra transportation fee:  The beautiful Himalayan region is close to Mt. Everest.  It lacks development and basic infrastructure.  Very needy local area waiting for development.  Welcoming community and rich in culture.  Simple lifestyle and smiling people.  Lovely environment and up and downhills.  It takes one day (250 km) car/bus rough and paved drive from Kathmandu.  Good and enough support from local staff and community people.  Volunteers will fill they have contributed to the needy and poor community. 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  Materials for the work camp community development projects support  Local volunteer support cost  VIN T-shirt and certificate of participation  24 hours emergency support  VIN admin cost.

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 with your name card and VIN's Logo. If you want to come earlier and explore the country more, you may find pre-paid taxi at the airport, or VIN may help you with that. 

Airport: Tribhuwan International Airport, Kathmandu

Leisure Activities: VIN also organizes travel tours like Chitwan Jungle Safari, Pokhara, Nagarkot for extra costs if you are interested after your work camp. 

Language: Eng

Extra fee: 350 EUR