Why volunteer with VIN?
VIN doesn’t just serve the community, it is a part of the community, often for many years. We are dedicated to our work and are committed to excellence in everything we do. This is the approach and attitude we practice in serving the local communities in Nepal. There are many, many reasons to choose volunteering projects with us. Some of the reasons why you should choose us to volunteer are listed below:
Affordable:
We offer the most affordable volunteer program fees for this type of volunteering. The volunteer and internship programs you choose have value for money. There is no hidden cost added. No expensive premises to maintain or high management overheads.
Inclusive:
Everyone can volunteer – yes, everyone. All age groups, from students to retired, illiterate to university degree holders, unskilled to skilled. We don’t discriminate against volunteers on account of age or ability.
Sustainable:
We are the pioneering organisation for the holistic approach of community empowerment through the deployment of volunteers. All our projects are developed based on the community needs after a thorough baseline assessment. We create local organizations like women, children, youth clubs, schools, cooperatives, and community centers and work together with them to develop their financial and operational capacity. We do not leave them until they are fully functional. (VIN have worked in JitpurPhedi for over 10 years). The projects are developed to meet local needs; volunteers choose what project they best fit. The projects continue whether there are volunteers or not – by our permanent local staff. So as a volunteer, you complement our project, and you won’t replace our staff.
Local Initiative:
VIN is 100% local; we don’t have expensive headquarters in London or large cities. We founded VIN to give back to the community we belong to. The organization is a result of a long working experience in the development field. So the money you donate / pay goes 100% to VIN-established projects. No middleman, no cut in between. So you will always see a value for your money.
Trustworthy:
VIN was founded in 2005. Over 5000 volunteers have participated in our projects from all over the world. Our happy returned volunteers have also legally registered Friends of VIN in the Netherlands, USA, UK, and Australia. We are a member of ALLIANCE of European Voluntary Service Organisations, CCIVS – Coordinating Committee of International Voluntary Service, NVDA (Network for Voluntary Development Asia), and the only certified volunteer hosting organization by the European Aid Volunteers Initiative. VIN partner with hundreds of other local organizations.
Health, Safety and Security:
We care about our volunteers. That’s why our past volunteers call Nepal their second home. Volunteers’ safety and security are our highest priorities which is reflected in our outstanding safety record. Assessment of the risks volunteers may encounter is a standard procedure for all projects, with strict adherence to established guidelines for risk management.
Comprehensive coverage of volunteer health, safety, and security is ensured during the mandatory induction process. Audits of health, hygiene, safety, and security conditions are conducted regularly at our hostels, homestays, and partner institutions. Despite these measures, it is highly recommended that volunteers travel with a valid insurance policy.
Support system:
From your first inquiry to the exit and even after the exit, if you need any recommendations or other support, VIN staff are always there to help you. We have a very clear support system. You will be guided to choose the best project of your interest and matching skills. As soon as you book your placement, we send you pre-departure preparation documents which will explain how to get ready for your volunteering placement in Nepal. Our staff will receive you at the airport.
You will be provided with their contact details. Once you arrive at VIN, you will receive a thorough on-arrival orientation covering your project, health and safety, cultural tips, and Nepali language, and our staff will take you sightseeing and take you to your placement. We provide 24/7 emergency support. VIN program and volunteer management staff will provide onsite support. We also provide you with follow-up support via email, phone, and WhatsApp and are always accessible to you while staying open to your feedback! It is strongly advised you to follow our guidelines. Apply today itself.
Quality:
To ensure high-quality volunteering, we apply standard codes and protocols. From recruitment to exit, we strictly follow our volunteer deployment process. We deliver a thorough on-arrival orientation (Induction) before we place our volunteers at their project sites. Every volunteer should plan their activity, keep a log of daily activities, and report. The program and volunteer management teams are always in contact to ensure quality control.
Transparency:
VIN is very accountable and transparent about our finances and activities. Your fees are spent on your lodging and food, staff and projects. You can check in detail in our fees section. You can ask any questions you have before you come or while on the project.
Responsible:
The matter of responsibility and accountability for you to our project beneficiaries. We expect the same from you. We have used volunteerism as a responsible act of giving back to the community we work for! So all our behaviors must adhere to the project guidelines. The culture of respect for our children, women, and all other community beneficiaries and stakeholders is solely there to measure the long-term impact of our programs by organizing social auditing conferences for the project stakeholders.
We work all year round:
Our volunteering projects are available around the year. As mentioned earlier, the projects are designed based on the community’s needs. We always need helping hands. There is always something useful to do with us. So you can choose VIN any time to volunteer.
Why volunteer with VIN? – Wide range of Program/projects
VIN offers 56 highly rated long and midterm volunteering (LMTV) projects under 12 categories. We also organise fixed-term camps, and group and family volunteering. This wide range of projects gives you options to match your interests, educational background, and working experiences. You will always find us suitable to choose from meaningful projects. All programs are under the umbrella of these 6 major categories:
- Women’s Empowerment Program,
- Children’s Development Program,
- Youth Empowerment Program,
- Public Health & Medical Program,
- Environment Conservation Program, and
- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Program
Explore Local Culture:
The best part of our volunteering project is cultural immersion. Most of our volunteers reply extensively to Why volunteer with VIN are accommodated at a homestay. Working with our local staff, and living with a local family, you will learn about their day-to-day life, language, food, and culture and there are always some festivals to celebrate. So you will feel you have learned different ways of living, different perspectives of life.
Explore Natural Beauty:
At VIN, we understand you come from thousands of miles away. You may have a passion for exploring the natural beauty of the country.
For this, we organize weekend sightseeing, jungle safari, short hiking, mountain trekking, rafting, and much more at an affordable price.
Friendship, Fun, and Future:
The best part of volunteering is Friendship, Fun, and Future. Nepalese people are very friendly. Living with a host family in a working community, you will interact with many local people, staff, and fellow volunteers. We also organize monthly volunteers’ meetings, excursions, etc. which will create you an opportunity to share your ideas and also make friendships. This friendship will be useful for your future network and career. So volunteering with friends can be fun and leads to future networking.
Stop dreaming of the adventure that awaits you! Apply Now to know in practice why volunteer with VIN.
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