Overview

Real Journey Nepal arranges volunteer placements for both qualified and unqualified teachers. From teacher training in schools to teaching English in a monastery…

1. Volunteer in schools in Nepal

Unfortunately, for most children in Nepal the quality of education received is very poor. Government funded schools are dismissed by the majority as ineffective due to untrained and unmotivated teachers, overcrowding, lack of building space and unfordable resources. Therefore charitable organizations like Volunteer Society Nepal have started to set up schools in Nepal to help children get a head start. These schools offer a much better education for children at affordable fees for the parents. Private schools are also legally obliged to take in children from local orphanages, who would otherwise get no schooling.

Real Journey Nepal places volunteers in government schools that are in desperate need of support, and also in their own charitable private school that has been recently set up in Kathmandu.

English language ability is a vital component to a good education in Nepal. Volunteer to teach English in a school and you will give your pupils a huge head start in life

What work does an English teacher volunteer do?

Depending on your experience you may run English language classes on your own or act as a teacher’s assistant. Either way, we encourage you to think of creative ways to teach the children and to bring in new teaching resources where appropriate. The age of the children varies from 4 – 16 years old and you can decide which age group you would like to teach. Volunteer’s spend up to 6 hours a day at the school. On arrival you will have a meeting with the principal to discuss your ideas, aspirations and experience. At all times we ensure the volunteer is comfortable with their level of commitment and involvement. Don’t worry, you won’t be thrown into a classroom of 60 children on your first day… unless you want to.

Do I need any qualifications or skills to do this work?

You do not need any qualifications for this placement, but you do need to have a good command of the English language. It helps if you have had experience of working with children in the past, but if you have not then being a confident and enthusiastic person is important. There will be basic support materials to use but these are always in short supply, and so anything you can provide to help will always be appreciated. In the past volunteers have brought photos, videos and items from home to share

2. Volunteer in monasteries

This volunteer program acts like a cultural exchange. International volunteers leave with a better understanding of the religious practices of Buddhists in Nepal and the monks gain a better understanding of spoken English. Some of the monasteries are very isolated and so this program provides monks with valuable contact with the outside world. It is equally important for the outside world to understand the religious culture and practices of the monks. The placement is designed for people who are interested in religious culture and are willing to commit to teaching English in a challenging cultural environment.

Many of our volunteers come to Nepal to teach English. The schools throughout Nepal are in desperate need of extra help with their English language classes. As English increasingly becomes the language of business and opportunity, fluency creates many more opportunities for children when they leave school at 16. These schools need native or nearly fluent English speakers to encourage and support English language learning. Volunteers that participate in this placement may also get involved in extra lessons for struggling children or lead recreational activities in schools.

Volunteer to teach in a Buddhist monastery and learn about ancient religious practices while providing a valuable international experience to the otherwise isolated monks

This program remains one of our most popular at Real Journey Nepal. Few other placements in the world offer the chance to work alongside Buddhist monks and observe their unique monastic environment while also helping them communicate with the outside world. However, this is also one of the most challenging for us to arrange. All we ask is that if you choose to volunteer in a Buddhist monastery you ask yourself the following questions:

1. Are you prepared for the significant culture shock of volunteering and living with Buddhist monks?
2. Are you happy being isolated from other volunteers and Westerners during your placement?
3. Do you have a real understanding of what life in a Buddhist monastery is like?

We just ask these questions to ensure you get the most out of your volunteer placement. For those who are keenly interested in the monastic life and learning more of the meditative techniques and Buddhist teaching, this is an incredible experience. If you are just curious, then the longer term nature of this placement warrants consideration.

What work does a monastery volunteer do?

Volunteers in our monastery placements teach English to the monks, both young and old, for around 3-4 hours per day. In turn, the monks will share their knowledge and culture with the volunteers. If requested by the volunteer, they may get the chance to learn meditation techniques and receive an in depth knowledge of the Buddhist culture here in Nepal. This is one of our most popular volunteering posts due to the unique way it allows you to truly become involved in the life of a Buddhist monastery.

Do I need any qualifications or skills to do this work?

No you not need any specific qualifications for this work but a good command of the English language is vital. You must also be a very culturally sensitive person because you will be working in a religious environment that is likely to be very alien from your own. Volunteers tend to get more from this placement if they are willing to take the initiative where necessary.

Where in Nepal can I volunteer in a monastery?

Volunteering in a monastery is available in Kathmandu and in the towns of Salleri and Charikot in the Himalaya Region of Nepal. In Kathmandu volunteers may work in a monastery with an attached school that teaches boys and girls, not only monks. However in the Himalaya region volunteers are more likely to be placed in a poor monastery where there is no outside schooling. This can therefore be more of a challenge. Please note that if you want to volunteer in a Tibetan Monastery you must be willing to stay for 3 months or more.

What accommodation will I be living in?

Wherever you choose to work in Nepal you will be placed in a homestay with a local Nepali family. By living with a family you will gain a greater insight and understanding of Nepali culture. The standard of lodging will depend on whether you are in a rural or urban area. In a rural area the facilities will be basic with minimal running water and a squat toilet. However, in an urban placement you will most likely have a flushing Western style toilet and a shower. All of your food will be provided for you at your homestay and you will never be more than 30 minutes from your place of work.