Introduction for Prospective Volunteers

If you are thinking of doing volunteer work in Nepal, YAUC is one of the most exciting, rewarding organizations in the Kathmandu valley. Of the over-1,000 orphanages in the valley, YAUC stands out as a remarkably small, accessible organization where you can truly make a difference in each child's life. We are not a large, overcrowded, or greedy organization, and each volunteer works one-on-one with our founder and director, Tej Prasad.

We feel strongly that volunteers are NOT workers, and NOT money makers. As such, you will be offered a room (if available) for free, and will never be asked to give us money. We see ourselves as volunteers to the community, and as fellow volunteers, can appreciate that you are willing to give your time to such needy children. Also, while we operate solely on donations and many volunteers like to make contributions of some kind, we never ask volunteers to solicit, or by any means get donations.

Since volunteers are not workers, and we understand that Nepal is a new and exciting place for most, plenty of personal time is given each day to explore Kathmandu. If a volunteer wants to come to YAUC everyday, that's great, but any amount of time volunteered is appreciated. Many volunteers choose to come every other day, or just once a week. Again, we appreciate any time a volunteer chooses to spend with us, so each person can design their own schedule. We have plenty of work to do, so feel free to volunteer as much or little as you like.

While we are a professional organization, our small size allows us to offer an unusually self-directed program. Other organizations have every moment of a volunteers day planned out for them before they even know who the volunteer is. We recognize that every person has his or her own skills, interests, and reasons for volunteering. So instead of assigning you tasks and time limits, we have a list of things to be done; you may choose to work off that list, or you can discuss the possibility of a new project with the director. In this way, our volunteers can maximize their experience by drawing on their individual skills and volunteer an amount of time that fulfills their goals.

Applying:

If you are thinking about volunteering, please fill out the Application Form. Please supply as much information as you feel comfortable with so we can answer questions appropriately and understand your needs. We will reply by 9:00am (Nepal Time). We will carefully walk you through each step, and prepare you for your stay. Here are some frequently asked questions:

Chris takes the children to the Kopan Monastery

Preparing:

We will stay in contact via email in the upcoming months and weeks before your arrival. Depending on your plans we will advise you and prepare you for your stay in Nepal. We have lots of contacts in Kathmandu if there's any special interests you have (language courses, etc), and our Volunteer Coordinator, Chris, will be happy to advise on packing, best routes, and everyday life for a foreigner in Nepal. Most visitors to Nepal use the Lonely Planet guide book to Nepal. It will answer most questions you may have about your visit to the country.

Visas - All nationalities can get the regular 60-day Tourist Visa at any border crossing or airport. It takes just a couple minutes to fill out the form. Bring US$30 and a passport-sized photo. That's it!

Duration - You can only legally stay in Nepal for 150 days per calendar year. The longest time a volunteer was with us was 5 months. Many volunteers have only stayed 2-4 weeks. It's up to you. Just remember, you can not volunteer or even stay in Nepal for more than 150 days per calendar year. It's not our choice - it's the law.

Safety - If you have already researched Nepal, you know that since 1990, there has been political strife in the country. The group called Maoists are a major concern for tourists thinking of visiting Nepal. However, we are located in Kathmandu. Though Maoists have caused a lot of problems in the countryside, they don't attack within the Kathmandu valley and are extremely unlikely to do so. Furthermore, they do not, and never have targeted tourists. They want tourists happy. Most recently (July 2006) they have joined the government as a legitimate party, and have pretty much called a truce. Though the political system (of little relevance to tourists) has been rocky. If you have any hesitations, or questions, please feel free to ask. We are more than happy to answer any questions and direct you to up-to-date articles on the issue.

Arrival:

We will arrange to personally meet you and pick you up at the airport in Kathmandu upon your arrival. If you arrive overland, we will meet you at your drop-off point. There is a currency exchange counter on the left just before exiting the airport. If you are coming from India, remember 500 rupee notes are not legal outside the country and will not be accepted in Nepal. If you are coming from Tibet, exchange your RMB before you cross the Chinese border for considerably better rates (haggle!). No, there is no rail system in Nepal, so don't be fooled into buying a train ticket in Varanassi, India.

If you will be staying in a hotel, all hotels (and everything of note, for that matter) is in the neighborhood called Thamel (pronounced tah-MEL). Every taxi and tuk-tuk driver knows it. Once in Thamel you will have no problem finding a hotel, food, and anything else you need. To get to Chabahil (YAUC neighborhood) it will cost approximately 100 Nepali rupees for a taxi, or 9 NR for a micro-bus from "Jamel Crossing".