How Does Volunteering work at VIN?

VIN’s inductions start every 1st and 15th day of the month.
The induction period is part of your placement and it will provide essential information about VIN, the project, our culture and customs.
So please arrive one day BEFORE to the induction date.
The induction will last 2 to 3 full days. During that period, accommodation and food is provided) and on arrival orientation / induction includes the following topics:

• Introduction to the organization: A brief history of VIN, its projects and working sites.
• Sightseeing: It’s important for us that volunteers see sites of cultural importance, such as Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Patan Durbar Square.
• Cultural Tips: Nepal is a diverse country. We have 123 different ethnic groups. We have lots of different festivals, rules and regulations in our culture and these tips will help volunteers to adapt into Nepali life style.
• Health, Safety and security: We also provide information about how to stay safe whilst being in Nepal. This includes health, safety and security tips, information about foods and travel tips. VIN has its own doctor so if you have any concerns whilst on placement, you can get help right away.
• Nepali Language Classes: Each volunteer receives two to three Nepali language classes from one of VIN’s staff members. This will help with basic communication.
• Placement Information: All volunteers receive a support pack with detailed information about the placement, host family and a daily schedule.
• Project Orientation: Volunteers meet their supervisors who will spend time with each volunteer, explain the projects and create a plan and schedule together.

Each volunteer has a project supervisor. In addition, the volunteer coordinators will help with logistics, including host families. Some of our projects are in remote areas so we also expect volunteers to be creative, patient and keep a high level of independence.

All the formalities such as signing the volunteer agreement and paying the placement fee will be done during your induction and before you’re going on your placement.

We need a copy of your passport and visa and ask you to bring 2 passport sized photos with you so that we can issue you a volunteer ID card.

All the registration formalities will be completed in the first three days during the induction period. This will consist of understanding and signing a contract and paying the project fee. Please note that the entire project fee will be collected during the induction days.

You will have to produce a photocopy of your passport and of your visa as well as a passport photo. VIN will issue a volunteer identity card for you.

After your induction, you will be taken to your host family. A VIN staff member will come with you to help you settle in.

The program fee includes accommodation and food for the duration of your volunteering or internship.

VIN has a hostel which can accommodate up to 35 people, with up to five bunk beds per room.

During the volunteer induction, volunteers will share these rooms.

If the hostel is unavailable, VIN organises accommodation close-by in a hotel or different hostel.
During your stay at the host family or monastery/nunnery your sleeping arrangements may be private to shared. Bathroom and toilet facilities are shared with your host family or monks/ nuns.
Hygiene standards vary from family to family/place to place. Sometimes it might be very basic and hot water might only be available sometimes.
We kindly ask volunteers to be flexible and be prepared to cope with non-western standards.

In regards to food, volunteers will receive three meals a day, in Nepali standard.
The main dishes are rice based and daal bhat (lentil soup and rice), vegetables and curries are staple foods.
Nepalese people rarely eat meat or fish and have a mainly vegetarian diet. Eating bread is also uncommon.
If you wish to supplement your foods with more variety (such as types of vegetables, eggs or fruits) then the cost lies with you but host families are happy to prepare the extra food items for you.

In the host families and monasteries/ nunnery you will share their food and please inform us if have any specific allergies or dietary requirements.