Menu
Nepal Standard Time (NPT) is the time zone for Nepal. With a time offset from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) of UTC+05:45 all over Nepal, it is one of only three time zones with a 45-minute offset from UTC. NPT is an approximation of Kathmandu mean time, which is 5:41:16 ahead of UTC.
The official currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee. 1 Nepalese Rupee equates to 0.008 euros.
Cooperating Volunteers collaborates with various projects located in different parts of the country:
The stay begins as soon as the volunteer is picked up at the destination.
The meals included in the project/destination will be provided at the accommodation. Meals will not be included for the journeys to the destination, the excursions undertaken by volunteers, etc.
The stipulated pick-up times for each destination/project must be respected. Volunteers who arrive outside of this day/window will have to pay an additional cost, depending on the destination.
Cooperating Volunteers collaborates with various projects located in different parts of the country:
Some volunteer programs take place in different parts of the country. When choosing the program that they would like to work on, the volunteer must choose their preferred location.
Volunteers are responsible for arranging their own transportation to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (airport code KTM) . Upon arrival at the airport, locally-based staff will be there to greet them and facilitate their transfer to their designated accommodations.
Flights are a punctual and safe way to travel between many of the country’s destinations, although this form of transport can be somewhat expensive. Buses are another good way to get around Nepal. In fact, they are the most common form of transport, as the country runs a regular service of tourist buses that connect many different destinations. In general, the routes and timetables are geared towards daytime traveling, as it is safer to travel during these hours. For shorter journeys within a town or village, the volunteer can choose between a bike (offering greater comfort and independence), a motorbike or simply walking.
In Kathmandu, you can also use taxis or barouches, which are cheaper and can take you to any point in the city. In general, the programs in urban or semi-urban areas are usually located a 10-20 minute walk from the volunteer’s accommodation. In rural programs, it may take up to 40 minutes to walk from the accommodation.
Nepal is unquestionably a magical country. Its outstanding beauty makes it the perfect destination for hiking and walking. During October and November, Nepal is notable for its clean air and green landscapes. Nepal is also brimming with temples and other buildings of unique architectural styles.
Volunteers who are based in the capital city of Kathmandu can make the most of their free time by visiting its various temples and strolling along the city’s bustling streets. Volunteers based in more rural areas will have the opportunity to discover a wide range of small Nepalese villages that are hidden behind every hill.
Similar to Indian cuisine, Nepali cuisine is renowned for its extensive use of seasonings and spices. While the dishes are typically straightforward to prepare, they are elevated by the addition of various spices to enhance their flavors. The primary ingredients commonly found in Nepali cuisine are rice, corn, and lentils. In fact, volunteers in rural areas may have the opportunity to participate in tasks related to corn, including tasks like drying the grain with women and collecting it, among others.
Nepali dishes typically feature a substantial portion of rice, which is combined with a variety of vegetables in a flavorful sauce and complemented by a liquid element, often in the form of lentil soup.
One of the most quintessential Nepali dishes is “Dal-bhat-tarkari,” consisting of lentil soup, rice, and a vegetable curry.
The objective of the project is to train young people to be social leaders. The volunteers live in a multicultural environment, work as a team to develop tasks or institutional projects, accompany the beneficiaries in their daily lives or through workshops, and collaborate with the needs of the centers and homes.
Social Inclusion of children, young people and grandparents in situations of social risk.
Attention to Centers and Homes for the protection and restitution of rights of socially vulnerable children, adolescents and older adults.
Social Action The volunteers committed to the project will work alongside the community, involving different actors in society and allowing the full fulfillment of the rights of all people.
In this program, volunteers are engaged in childcare centers where they care for children ranging in age from four to fifteen. The main objective is to provide these children with nurturing, education, and pedagogical support.
The volunteer’s general role is to serve as a positive role model and teaching, akin to a big brother or sister. Volunteers play a pivotal role in encouraging children and young people to aspire to a meaningful future. Cultural exchange is a vital component of this program as it helps establish a meaningful connection between the volunteers and the children in the orphanage.
Some of the typical tasks involved in this program include:
Available locations: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan.
This project involves teaching in different daycare centers and primary schools, primarily focused on serving children from underprivileged communities. Your role will include assisting teachers in kindergarten settings with extracurricular activities and inspiring children to reach their full potential by providing creatively structured lessons.
Kindergartens typically have 35 to 45 children aged 3 to 12 years old. They are staffed with teachers and support personnel to aid the educators. Children in these settings learn fundamental English, including alphabets, numbers, rhymes, and names of various objects, among other things. A majority of these children come from families living below the poverty line.
The primary objective of this program is to boost children’s confidence and enhance their English language skills, which will greatly benefit them in various ways in the future.
*Location: Chitwan and Pokhara.
There are two types of medical volunteer programs in Nepal: one aimed at volunteers with real medical experience, and others geared towards medicine students. The volunteers are not actually required in the hospitals or medical centers—they simply attend the program to gain an insight into Nepali medicine and interact with it. Graduate volunteers who already have medical experience are able to work in a hospital. The tasks commonly carried out by volunteers include:
AVAILABLE LOCATIONS: Chitwan and Kathmandu *
IMPORTANT: the volunteer must present a copy of his/her study diploma or academic certificate.
This volunteer program is conducted at a care center dedicated to providing support for individuals with special needs. The primary objective of this program is to enhance the efficiency of the daily activities performed by the local staff at the care center. The most common cases among the individuals served at the center include those with psychotherapeutic needs, spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy. Physiotherapy, nutrition, and psychology (applied both to the staff and the individuals under care) play a crucial role in this program. Therefore, we strongly encourage students and professionals in these fields to participate in this volunteer program. Additionally, volunteers with backgrounds in medicine and nursing are warmly welcomed at the center. Most importantly, we are seeking volunteers with prior experience in caring for individuals with special needs. It is also essential for volunteers to understand the circumstances of the local staff, gradually building trust and fostering a spirit of kindness and daily motivation. Volunteers are encouraged to promote improved hygiene practices and patient care techniques among the staff. Tasks to carry out:
Location: Kathmandu and Chitwan
The aim of this program is to provide young people in the community with the opportunity to enhance their English language skills, equipping them with a valuable tool for their educational development, which they currently lack. Volunteers may be placed in local schools to offer support to teachers who often lack the necessary knowledge and resources to teach the language effectively. It’s essential for volunteers to be aware that many of the children and even the teachers possess only a basic level of English proficiency. Therefore, volunteers are encouraged to develop alternative communication methods to facilitate their work during their stay. Additionally, volunteers should understand that the Nepali education system differs significantly from the European system, often lacking structured learning monitoring and motivation, relying heavily on repetition. Volunteers are encouraged to prepare some teaching ideas before the program’s start. If possible, bringing educational materials can be beneficial. However, it’s important to note that such materials are readily available and affordable in Nepal, and purchasing them locally also contributes to the local economy. Volunteers are expected to participate for 3-5 hours a day, from Sunday to Thursday, or in some cases, from Monday to Friday, depending on the location’s schedule requirements. Saturday is designated as a day of rest, while Sunday is a working day. Given this schedule, we recommend that volunteers take Fridays and Saturdays off. The program is conducted in urban, semi-urban, and rural areas. Some of the tasks that are often carried out include:
*Available destinations: Kathmandu.
* NOTE: The volunteer should be aware that school holiday dates are often confirmed with very short notice. The school calendar typically doesn’t include long holidays, as there are numerous days off scattered throughout the year. Religious holidays in Nepal are determined by a lunar calendar, which differs from the conventional European calendar. These religious observance days are recognized as public holidays, and other non-school days may be decided upon with little advance notice. Occasionally, when there are several consecutive days off, volunteers will follow the weekly school timetable (Sunday to Friday) and take two days off between Saturday and the bank holidays. In instances where there are multiple bank holidays, the volunteer is always welcome to participate in their host family’s celebrations.
Example of a day on the English teaching volunteer program: 9:00 AM: the volunteer has breakfast. 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: the volunteer will be at school. Typically, the volunteer will spend 3-5 hours delivering classes during this time. There is also a mid-morning break provided. During this break, the volunteer can use their free time to have a meal or snack in the vicinity of the school. 6:00 PM: the volunteer will have dinner with the family. * The times given are to be used as guidelines.
The objective of this program is to facilitate the establishment of essential infrastructure, enabling rural Nepali communities to achieve self-sustainability. Consequently, the program places significant emphasis on developing educational infrastructure. The aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015 is still visible, with clear remnants of this natural disaster evident in the heart of the capital city. Although daily life in the country has largely returned to normal, certain rural areas still necessitate the construction, reconstruction, and maintenance of educational facilities. This program primarily aims to address this need. Nevertheless, it is important to note that related work is also frequently undertaken to enhance other aspects of rural development infrastructure.
Location
: Kathmandu and Pokhara
Gain practical experience by shadowing dentists in dental hospitals located in Kathmandu and the surrounding areas. Throughout the volunteering program, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience and learn by observing the procedures conducted by practicing dentists. Your stay can be arranged in either public, private, or community-based dental hospitals in Kathmandu. This program is primarily designed for dentistry students or individuals with a similar educational background.
Your accommodation will be in a volunteer house located in Kathmandu. Within this accommodation, you will have access to a terrace for relaxation, as well as dining and living areas where you can socialize with fellow volunteers.
In the house, you will share a room with other volunteers, typically accommodating between 4-6 people per room. Additionally, there is a refrigerator available for storing food and beverages. Please keep in mind that as you’ll be in Asia, power outages can occur at any time.
The house offers several amenities, including Wi-Fi in common areas and hot water, which is powered by solar panels. However, please be aware that the availability of hot water may occasionally be affected by the amount of sunlight.
Volunteers usually adapt to the Nepali way of life, often beginning their day with tea. Around 9 AM, they typically enjoy breakfast, which may consist of another cup of tea, occasionally accompanied by an omelette or sliced bread. For those looking to fully embrace a Nepali experience, breakfast may include rice with vegetables. At midday, volunteers have the option to enjoy lunch outside, and in certain programs such as teaching or supporting disabled individuals, the center may provide a small lunch. In the evening, volunteers share dinner with their host family.
For Kathmandu programs, volunteers have two meals included per day, which are breakfast and dinner.
In the construction program, three meals are included from Monday to Friday, and two meals are provided on weekends.
Volunteers in Chitwan will reside in family houses, providing an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture. These families have successfully hosted volunteers for many years. Typically, each family accommodates around 3 to 4 volunteers in shared bedrooms. Staying with a host family ensures a safe and enriching experience during your volunteering program, allowing you to deeply connect with the local culture.
The houses have Wi-Fi and hot water for your convenience.
In Chitwan programs, volunteers are provided with two meals a day as part of their accommodation package.
Your accommodation will be a volunteer house in Pokhara. In the house, you will share a bedroom with other volunteers (from 4 to 6 people per bedroom). Sharing the experience with other volunteers is part of the essence of Cooperating Volunteers.
Bedrooms are divided by gender.
Our volunteer house is equipped with Wi-Fi and hot water facilities for your convenience.
In Pokhara programs, three meals are provided from Monday to Friday, and two meals are included during the weekends as part of your accommodation package.
The total cost of the volunteer program is divided into 2 parts. The inscription fee that is paid to book your placement on the program: 210 euros; and the program fee being paid at a later date (in euros).
The following list gives a breakdown of the program fee costs for each project
240 € 1 week
240 € additional week
420 € 2 weeks
210 € additional week
420 € 2 weeks
210 € additional week
490 € 2 weeks
245 € additional week
225 € 1 week
70 € additional week
275 € 1 week
70 € Additional week
If your currency is not specified in the list, you can convert the costs here.
*** The costs that are given in dollars are estimates, owing to constant fluctuations in conversion rates.
*** Changing and combining projects may entail an additional cost of €30. Please consult the Cooperating Volunteers team before changing or combining projects.
Visas, flights, travel insurance (obligatory), vaccines, return to the airport, food during the 2-3 day stay in Kathmandu after arrival and other personal expenses.
(*** Volunteers in Nepal will generally find that €20 (approx. 25 USD) is enough to cover basic weekly expenses.)
Leave us your information and we will contact you within the next 24 hours
Our volunteers will be able to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
What does volunteering focused on university practices involve?
At Cooperating Volunteers, we make agreements with different universities to validate university credits with the aim of traveling in a more responsible and economical way.
The specialties we work with are extensive: medical volunteering, nursing, education, social work, psychology, physiotherapy, engineering, architecture…
The practices can be carried out in our designated destinations for this purpose, as well as in Spain.
If you choose an international destination, it’s a unique way to live an unforgettable and enriching experience, as you will have the opportunity to continue your education in another country, with a completely different culture.
Stepping out of our comfort zone and being part of the various projects at the destination will allow us to grow both personally and professionally, creating a more extensive curriculum.
And we are fully convinced that this experience will accompany you throughout your life.
You will be able to visit hospitals, schools, centers, orphanages, and participate directly and actively in the daily lives of all those people at the destination, always accompanied by other professionals willing to collaborate hand in hand with you and guide you in daily tasks.
If your university is not part of the agreement with Cooperating Volunteers, you can contact cristina@cooperatingvolunteers.com so that we can get in touch and make this experience a reality.
Corporate volunteering consists of tailored programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills.
It is proven that teamwork directly impacts productivity.
Collective effort surpasses individual capabilities, promotes diversity of skills, stimulates creativity, and facilitates problem-solving in the face of various challenges.
Therefore, it not only maximizes efficiency but also enriches the work environment.
We conduct corporate volunteering programs that consist of customized programs for your company, designed to develop teamwork skills, improve performance, and foster unity among employees.
We tailor projects to the corporate identity and size of the company, and we can adjust them to any destination and time of the year.
The advantages of corporate volunteering include:
The future is aligned with a more responsible society, and participating in social projects positions our company among the list of revolutionary businesses that want to be part of the change.
If you resonate with this message, corporate volunteering is a unique experience both individually and collectively, and at Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the process to make it a unique journey.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members.
Spending quality time with family and being able to disconnect from our hectic routines is not only enriching but also necessary.
Sometimes we forget to communicate, connect, and dedicate time to each other. Each one of us lives focused on our jobs, schools… And it’s necessary to find the opportunity to pause and take care of ourselves.
Quality time spent with family strengthens emotional bonds, promotes communication, and contributes to the emotional well-being of its members. And of course, it creates lifelong positive memories.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we suggest moving away from those ‘more superficial’ trips (which can also be fantastic), but we invite you to live this experience to bring out our most empathetic and humanitarian side.
Family volunteering gives us the opportunity to be part of a positive impact, promoting values of solidarity and social responsibility.
There are many families who choose to experience these trips focused on cooperation and direct involvement with different communities around the world, where living conditions are very different and sometimes entirely precarious.
Projects are tailored to different ages, allowing us to work together.
An incredible way to fill our suitcase with memories, learning, and knowledge.
And although stepping out of our comfort zone often feels daunting, we assure you firsthand that it’s worth it.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we accompany you throughout the entire experience, from start to finish, to make it unforgettable.
At Cooperating Volunteers, we believe it’s never too late for anything, especially for volunteering and living a unique and unforgettable experience.
There are many people, increasingly so, who opt for responsible travel that involves social work.
Accustomed to organized and mostly touristic trips, at Cooperating Volunteers, we want to advocate for a more enriching experience, one that transforms us from within and allows us to be part of the change the world needs to see.
We can adapt both the destination and the duration of our projects to fit your needs.
It’s an opportunity full of emotions that allows us to significantly contribute to different communities and their evolution. And you can participate in different areas such as education, social support, or assistance in different centers.
Some of the benefits include:
Living this experience will undoubtedly be a before and after.
A volunteering initiative with leadership and impact through the educational action program.
When we talk about social volunteering, we refer to all those actions and activities carried out altruistically, selflessly, and with the aim of addressing multiple problems and needs of different communities, always focused on education and self-sufficiency.
Education is essential because it provides the tools and knowledge necessary for personal, social, and economic development.
Our goal is to create self-sufficient communities and provide opportunities for the future personal development of each member. The message is not to ‘give’, but to accompany in the process of training for self-managed provision.
At Cooperating Volunteers, many of our destinations and projects embrace this type of volunteering. Some of our projects include: community programs, education, women’s empowerment…
And although they are completely different from each other, they share a single objective: progress towards a society that can embrace us all in the same way.
If you are someone who is restless, who needs to see a change in the future, volunteering is an experience tailor-made for you.