Volunteering Abroad!

Volunteers’ Responsibilities

As a volunteer in Nepal in the Healthcare project, you will be placed in local health posts, clinics or hospitals and treat mainly those from underprivileged backgrounds. Depending on your individual interests and skills, and on the needs of the local staff, your daily activities involve, but are not limited to:

• Assist with general check-ups and examinations of patients
• Observing and supporting healthcare professionals by shadowing doctors
• Public outreach and education
• Supporting healthcare professionals (as dictated by individual experience/qualifications)
• Organizing and developing educational seminars
• Educating the general population on topics related to healthcare
• Assisting pre-established healthcare programs (health clinics, non-profits, NGOs)

Medical volunteers will shadow local doctors and learn mostly from observation. Due to the increased risks involved and raised medical regulations, volunteers cannot treat patients or become involved in surgery during the project.

How You Can Make a Difference

By volunteering in the Healthcare project, you’ll be working with local organizations who are striving to make health treatment possible to impoverished communities. Local health professionals are working their hardest to treat as many patients as they can, but the number of patients received is always overwhelming.

Your role as a volunteer is to lighten their burden and assist with routine tasks. Depending on your experience and interests, there are various fields in healthcare in Nepal that you can assist with. The healthcare understanding and practical experience that you take away from this project will undoubtedly be eye-opening.

Skills and Qualifications

Applicants interested to join this program must possess healthcare certification, such as: ID as a medical student, EMT, paramedic certification, nursing, physical therapy, midwifery or physician’s credentials. We do not permit volunteers without medical credentials to participate in this program due to the potential risk.

This project also requires a copy of the volunteer’s resume which clearly documents the education and/or professional credentials, prior to arrival. The projects will also require an official copy of the credentials. Depending on your specific placement and host institution, additional application materials may be required.

Your understanding of the Nepali culture and language can help improve the experience for you and the patients. Consider enrolling in our one-week Language & Cultural Immersion program.

Project Location

This project is located in Kathmandu and Chitwan. Nepal is a country of matchless beauty. On the northern borders of Nepal, the majestic mountains of the Himalayas draw visitors in the thousands every year.

As you travel south from there, you’ll pass countless snow-fed rivers, deep ravines and gorges, green valleys and a gorgeous panorama of overlapping hills. Nepal eventually ends on the flat plains that border India. In these varied terrains, countless ethnic groups thrive with their multitude of languages and unique cultures.

Kathmandu: Kathmandu is the capital and the largest city in Nepal. The city is known for pagoda style temples dotted around the city and the half a dozen ancient historical places and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

During your free time, volunteers can do many things in Kathmandu like visiting Buddhist temples of Swayumbhunath and Bouddha or Pashupatinath, one of the holiest Hindu shrines.

There are also many fine restaurants and bars in Kathmandu and you can also visit mountain top retreat of Nagarkot for a one night sojourn. One a clear day, sunrise from Nagarkot has been described as spectacular and you can also see clear views of Langtang Himalayan range.

Chitwan: Chitwan lies about 4-5 hours drive from Kathmandu. Chitwan is a regional hub that connects the flat region of Nepal with the hilly region.

While the main town itself lies in the flat region, you can see the hills start from the Chitwan. Volunteers to Chitwan can enjoy traditional Nepali hospitality. During your free time, you can visit Chitwan National Park, one of the best parks to see Bengal Tiger, one-horned Rhino and ride on the back of the elephants. The Park also attracts plenty of birdwatchers.