Care & Community - NEPAL Project Information for Care & Community in Nepal

Our Care & Community Placements in Nepal

Projects Abroad have links with a number of orphanages in and around Kathmandu, which aim to improve the lives of some of the 5,000 street children which Nepal is home to. Volunteers are extremely valuable to their host community, and their help is always greatly appreciated. Most volunteers work in orphanages where they get especially involved in sports such as football and basketball, as well as helping with English classes and generally looking after the children.

Volunteers at the Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children work with children who have physical disabilities. In order to receive corrective surgery, children have to spend extensive periods at the centre, away from their homes and family. They need the interaction and support provided by volunteers on a day-to-day basis. You will also be working with children who may have been shunned from society as a result of their disfigured limbs, and by befriending the children you can work towards raising their self-esteem. The centre is set on a hill overlooking a quaint village outside Katmandu - with a view of the High Himalayas.

Some volunteers help with specialised or general care work at the Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre, which was set up to provide a stable, nurturing environment for impoverished children suffering from varying degrees of malnutrition. Volunteers take care of the children, feeding them, cleaning them, playing with them, changing their nappies, and taking them outside into the sun. Volunteers also follow doctors on their rounds, and help in the kitchen.

The Life Development Centre is dedicated to caring for children with mental disabilities. The children and youths that the Life Development Centre works with are mentally challenged. They are neglected by society and even by their parents. There are not many centres like Life Development even though the need is so high. There are around 33 children at the centre and there is a great need for volunteers to take care of individual kids. At least one volunteer can take care of three to four children or youths. This work is very challenging but volunteers can do many outdoor activities to make them busy and also active. Also, volunteers can take basic classes on vocabulary, or teach simple songs or games. Mostly volunteers do work keeping the kids busy, taking care of them, teaching different exercises and so on.

The thing all the care placements have in common is that they are designed to help children who have precious few other people to whom they can turn. This work can be challenging, but it is also fun and enjoyable, and greatly appreciated by the children and staff. Probably the greatest value of a volunteer is to bring some fun into the lives of these children, many of whom are from difficult backgrounds. Simply by being there, playing games, showing affection and providing some much needed love and attention you will be making an important contribution.