Company : Love Volunteers
Location : Nepal, Pokhara
Duration: 1 week to 1 year
Approx Costs: 500 to 2000 $ Dollars (US)
This wonderful project was created with the goal of helping to improve the education of Nepal’s Buddhist monks.
Love Volunteers works with a local organization that offers free programs involving teaching in monasteries, held in Pokhara (around 200kms west of Kathmandu). The students are Nepalese monks and nuns of all ages, as well as Tibetan monks and nuns who have taken refuge from persecution in Tibet. Many of the monks and nuns volunteers teach would have lived relatively sheltered lives, having joined the monasteries at a young age.
They do have a thirst for education and learning, and are extremely willing students. Volunteers fulfil these people’s desire to learn English, but are also valued for their ability to impart knowledge and insights of first aid, environmental issues, health and hygiene, as well as political issues and human rights. Volunteers generally have the opportunity to teach a range of age groups, from children through to adults, and have the ability to open up a whole new world to these gentle people.
This project is available year-round and programs start every SATURDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 12 weeks. Longer stays can be arranged directly with the local team, but will be subject to availability and individual visa conditions. Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over who wish to help create a brighter future for children through the power of education. This project best suits those with experience and/or qualifications in the field of childhood development and education, though volunteers who simply wish to explore an interest in this field are also welcomed as there are many ways you can assist in the classroom. Whist not mandatory, completing a TEFL course prior to joining this project would prove to be highly beneficial. Ideally, volunteers on this project will have at least a basic knowledge of the local language in order to communicate effectively with staff and students, though this is not a pre-requisite. Importantly, all applicants must first and foremost have a genuine willingness to help, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
I had an incredible time in Nepal; teaching English to Buddhist monks in a monastery in Pokhara - it has changed and formed my life in so many ways, and the experience still reflects in my day to day life all these months later and I'm sure it will continue to do so!
I cannot thank love volunteers enough for all the help and support prior, during and after my placement and for giving me the opportunity to have one of the most wonderful and unique opportunities.
I have gained so many memories and skills, explored boundaries I never thought I would and met incredible humans who without this opportunity it wouldn't be possible.
The monastery was so beautiful and so peaceful and the boys I was teaching and the rest of the people living at the monastery were so kind and welcoming.
It was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life; the Nepalese people are incredible, so warm and so genuine, and I hope some day I can go back there as they remain forever near and dear to my heart.
Now I've returned home it gives me such happiness being able to tell others of all the amazing stories and even the challenges along the way that made it all that more rewarding and again I just cannot thank love volunteers enough for this.
The first day I got here it was a massive culture shock, Kathmandu airport was absolutely chaotic along with all the streets in Nepal so I was really starting to think 'what have I got myself into'! I was genuinely worried that I wouldn't be able to make it through my placement because of the difficulty I was having settling into the new culture. However, after the first few days you realise that it really is the charisma of the country and all the little glitches along the way that make you love the experience even more.
The placement is far from easy, but the challenge makes it all the more rewarding. I think anyone that goes into a volunteer placement will have made assumptions before they get there but I think any volunteer can tell you that it'll be nothing like you expect. Everyone who resides at this monastery has been amazing and so kind; the Nepalese people are so unbelievably welcoming and friendly and eating Dal baht everyday, having to take cold showers and crossing the crazy roads is all part of the experience!
