Nepal is located in South Asia and shares territorial borders East, West and South with India and North to China with an area of 147,181 square kilometers and a population of approximately 30 million. It is the birthplace of Lord Buddha the apostle of peace and compassion. Previously ruled as a kingdom, today it is a Federal Democratic Republic with 7 provinces, 744 local units including 481 Village Municipalities, 246 Municipalities, 13 Sub-metropolis and 4 Metropolis. Kathmandu is the nation’s capital and the country’s largest metropolitan city.
Nepal is known for its exquisite natural beauty, with the iconic Himalayas running across the northern and western part of the country. Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions, offering a wide variety of adventure tourism packages. Of the 14 peaks above 8,000 meters in the world eight are located in Nepal. It is the land of Mount Everest (8,848 meters) the highest peak in the World and other 240 mountain peaks over than 6,000 meters high.
Nepal offers plenty of Wildlife as there are eight National Parks and four Wildlife Reserves and two conservation areas. Pokhara, the city of lakes, provides plenty of opportunities for fishing, boating and sightseeing with the panoramic view of Annapurna range. Kathmandu valley has several historical memorials, old palaces and temples.
Nepal is also a place of festivals with some part of the kingdom or the other celebrating some festival during every day of the year. Festivals may be linked with the remembrance of the departed soul, to herald the different seasons, to mark the beginning or end of the agricultural cycle, to mark the national events, or just family celebrations. On a festive day the Nepalese take their ritual bath, worship different gods and goddesses, visit temple, observe fasting and undertake fastiing. The most important aspect of Nepali culture is the religious harmony and understanding prevailing among the Hindus and Buddhist along with other religion.
Nepal has plenty to offer for tourist including but not limited to mountain flights which fly around the himalaya including Mount Everest and provide a close look of the top of the world. Trekking is the best way to get to interesting and remote mountain villages of Nepal and to enjoy views of the famous peaks together with local people, cultures and their lifestyle untouched with modern civilization. The River rafting, which is known as “White Water Adventure” represents another major attractions in Nepal. One can also enjoy bungee jumping, gliding and many more adventures activities.
Even after a truce between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists in 2005 that ended a decade long conflict, Nepal political situation mostly remained fragile and in turmoil for over next decade due to instable government affecting overall nation development that had kept expectation and aspiration of people always subsided. This had lead the breeding ground for many agitating groups resulting insecurity and threat among people due to frequent nationwide strike and blockades.
However the year 2017 has been marked as the historical event for Nepal that has regenerated the people aspiration and hope for the peace, prosperity and happiness. The Local level election that had been halted for almost 20 years have been conducted along with Legislative elections were held in two phases on 26 November and 7 December 2017 to elect the 275 members of the fourth House of Representatives, the lower house of the Federal Parliament of Nepal. The election was held alongside the first provincial elections for the seven provincial assemblies. Since the people are waiting long for a stable government, they have casted their verdict with vote giving majority to the collated party of CPN (UML) and Maoist Center.
Following the announcement of final result by the Election Commission, K.P. Oli of CPN (UML) was sworn in as Prime Minister on 15 February 2018 by the President according to the constitution of Nepal. He passed a Motion of Confidence on 11 March 2018 along with the formation of new stable government for at least next five years. This has not only calmed the agitating groups and the citizens but also has united them in the nation development process.
Currently the country is on development front with full swing be it in hydropower, socio economic, tourism, communication, health, industries, agriculture, women and youth empowerment, so and so forth. Many international communities are extending their support in the development of Nepal. Similarly your volunteering will be an additional steeping stone in building peace, harmonious and prosperous Nepal ahead.
If you plan to go trekking during your stay in Nepal you are advised to use reputable trekking agencies, to keep to established routes, and to always walk in groups. Trekking alone is not recommended. VIN can recommend a reputable trekking agency to volunteers.
Lastly you should not be involved with drugs. Being found in possession of even very small quantities of drugs can lead to imprisonment.
VIN is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) which was founded in 2005 by a diverse group drawn from development workers, educationalists, social activists and other professionals.Unlike many other development NGOs, VIN serves to directly put efforts for change in the hands of local people. It actively encourages people to volunteer within their communities, aiming to unite all sectors of society in working together to set up and run local projects.
VIN has a board of advisors and a board of directors, of whom Bhupendra Ghimire is the Chief Executive Director. VIN also works in partnership with like-minded national and international governmental and non-governmental organizations.
VIN is officially registered under the Society Act with the District Administration Office Kathmandu (Reg No. 147/062/63), and is also affiliated to the Social Welfare Council Nepal (SWC) (Affiliation No. 20910).
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