Computer Science

Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN) established Teaching Computer Science in recognition of Information Technology as an essential source of information and efficient means of communication. If marginalised communities can learn some basic Information Technology (IT) skills, they can connect with the rest of the country and even the world.

Nepal’s people are inexperienced in Computer Science.  The majority of public and community schools do not have access to computers.  In those few schools that have IT centres they are often resourced from obsolete computer systems and software and the teachers unqualified and untrained.

VIN’s overall objective is the empowerment of marginalised rural communities.  We have been working with Jitpur Phedi community since 2007 and have begun work with a new community, Okhaldunga.  Education is one of the cornerstones of our work.  IT is now an essential tool for producing and obtaining information and staying connected to the world.  For the long-term success and empowerment of a community basic Computer Science knowledge is critical.

Volunteers will teach IT skills to students in community schools.  The students will be between 9 and 15 years old.  Each class will be 45 minutes long and you will teach three to four classes a day.  Experienced volunteers will be invited to share your knowledge with the teachers.

Nepali community schools can be unpredictable.  It is not uncommon for them to be closed due to holidays, exams and other circumstances, e.g strikes.  During these times volunteers can teach in the community, focusing on youth and women.  You may also work at the VIN offices, sharing your IT skills with our staff and working with our web team.  Any hardware expertise you can offer is also welcomed.

During your volunteer placement you will live in the community with a Nepali host family, offering you the chance to become immersed in Nepali culture and language.

A Small Plea

VIN are always need the donation of computer hardware and never more so now that the work in our new community, Okhaldhunga is in its early stages.  Therefore, any disused, refurbished laptops you, your family or friends could donate would be greatly received.

Your Experience

You will work six days a week, up to six hours a day, either in the schools, community or at our offices.

Throughout your placement you will have the full support of VIN.  Your safety is our highest priority.  On arrival you will be greeted at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport and transported to your hotel (alternative arrangements can be made for those already in Nepal prior to the start of their placement).  You will then receive a comprehensive three-day induction, during which time you will be provided with information about your particular placement as well as general information, including basic Nepalese language and culture.  This is also a good time to mix with other volunteers or interns who may be great sight-seeing companions and a source of support during your volunteer placement.

During the induction you will be accommodated in a hotel.  However, a large part of the VIN experience comes from the immersion of a home stay with a Nepalese host family.  While this is an essential part of the experience we also recognise that it can be a challenging one, becoming part of a new culture and becoming accustomed to facilities that will be more basic than those you are used to.  However, all our host families are experienced in accommodating volunteers – although their ability to speak English will vary – and you will have 24 hour access to contact and support from our staff members during your placement.