Health and Medicine Volunteer

Are you looking to make a difference in the developing world? Find affordable and structured medical and healthcare volunteer projects which are open to students, graduates and medical professionals. There are short and long term placements in hospitals, clinics, outreach centers and remote community projects Nepal.

The mission of this essential program is to simply provide medical care to those in need in Nepal. Facing a multitude of health issues, the people of Nepal are suffering. Volunteer placements on this program are based at health posts or hospitals or clinics, and are either Government-run or managed by the local community, in rural and urban areas. Volunteers will be working in the cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara and Chitwan as well as other rural locations within Nepal. They will also work closely with Nepalese doctors and nurses in pre-arranged Health Camps managed by the Government or the community. Among the most impoverished groups within Nepal’s population, there is a continual need to mobilize health workers.

Goals of this Project:

Provide essential medical care to the most vulnerable people of Nepal
Improve the health and wellbeing of some of the poorest people in the world
Enable international volunteers to spend time working with those who need it most
Expose volunteers and children to different people and cultures

Typical day
While volunteering in Nepal medical program, you can expect to have exciting experiences everyday. You will get to fulfill your passion of making a difference while gaining medical experience in a developing country.

You will work with different hospitals and clinics in Nepal, and each of them has its own needs, programs and activities.

Here is a sample daily schedule:
8.00 AM – 8.30 AM – Enjoy delicious breakfast and get ready to start your day
8.45 AM to 10:00 Am– After breakfast, you will head to the hospital to gain hands-on medical volunteer experience, assisting patients, doctors and nurses
1:00 pm – And you will enjoy the lunch with the doctor or nurse at the hospital canteen
4.00 PM– You will complete your medical program at this time. Now you can free to explore nearby places
7:00 to 8:30 PM– A great time to enjoy delicious traditional Nepalese meal with your host and other fellow volunteers

Weekend:
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually relax or take the opportunity to explore other parts of their local town and Nepal. Known for being home to the world’s tallest mountain, Mt Everest, Nepal is an adventurer’s paradise. It has a vast selection of exceptional hikes in the Himalayas with arresting views in every direction, white-water rafting, canyon swings, paragliding and scenic flights. It also has a rich multicultural heritage and a huge collection of temples, pagodas, shrines, carvings and ancient architecture, not to mention an astonishing array of wildlife and an interesting cuisine influenced by its many ethnic groups and cultures.

Free-time activities
Are you worried if you will have enough time to travel and explore while volunteering in Nepal? Are you concerned where you can travel while working with underprivileged communities in Nepal? No need to be concerned! WVN’s programs in Nepal are designed to allow you enough free time to explore and experience the culture while you volunteer.
There are plenty of tourist attractions in Nepal for you to bask under. This extremely diverse and picturesque country has some of the greatest things and places to visit for every one regardless of interest and taste. You get to experience majestic Himalayan views, ancient temples, charming hill villages, and diverse wildlife watching and river adventure as well.

Free time: Kathmandu , Chitwan and pokhara

Kathmandu: You will explore Kathmandu while your free time or in weekend such as; Pashupatinath hindu temple, Swyambhunath (monkey temple), Bouddha, Kathmandu durbar square, Pagan durbar square, Bhaktapur durbar square (Bhadgaun).

Chitwan: Chitwan is the place of wild where you can see in the chitwan national park you will have 1 or 2 days trip to see the national park. The Chitwan National park is a UNESCO world heritage site, with over 68 species of mammals, 544 species of birds, 56 species of herpeto fauna and more than 126 species of fish live in this park. Agriculture farming is the main activity in Chitwan, with huge plantations for mustard oil production and rice.

Pokhara: This city is a nature’s lover paradise. Located west north of Kathmandu where is in central Nepal, Pokhara is a gateway to the Annapurna Circuit, a popular trail in the Himalayas. Phewa lake is the main attraction of the city The Lakeside district is best known for international yoga centers and restaurants, including the International Mountain Museum with displays on the history of mountaineering and the people of the Himalayas.

Requirements
Minimum Age: 18 years
In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

What’s Included
Services by WVN
Your programme fee includes;
Safe accommodation in a host family or volunteer house
meals (breakfast & dinner) at the accommodation
airport pickup (24 hours)
In-country orientation
Ground transport to projects
24 hour in-country support
Government tax and administration
Salary to WVN staff
Project contribution

Airport Pickup at Tribhuvan International Airport
We will well organize airport pick up by personal car either comfortable transportation to our hostel. On receipt of your flight details, WVN will organize an airport pick up and drop off to your accommodation in Kathmandu (this will not exceed 2 nights). This is covered by your program fee and as such there will be no charge and we will endeavor to be on time. We cannot be held accountable for problems such as traffic jams but we will do our best to meet you punctually. Also please note that we are not allowed into the Arrivals Hall of the airport so we will meet you just outside the main EXIT Hall with a name plate with WVN logo. The area is not big and it should be easy to find each other. Please note that any offers to carry your luggage will come from outside parties (not WVN staff) so if you are approached and accept, you will be expected to pay a tip. We strongly advise not to accept those services as it encourages begging. Should you leave the country immediately after the volunteering / internship, WVN staff can drop you at the airport.

Accommodation
Volunteers will live at the host family or volunteer house near the project. Accommodation is basic but comfortable. The accommodation are more simple and with the western style toilets and hot showers in the winter we request to volunteer can not expect the luxury accommodation in the project. Accommodation in Nepal is comfy but generally very basic. Particularly the accommodation will have western style toilets however some options only have Indian style squat toilets so be prepared.

Food & Beverages
We only provide food when they are in the accommodation. Two meal of day with tea and coffee. We do not provide hard drink and no allowed to hard drink at the accommodation site. Food is very simple and extremely delicious. Food during your placement is included in the program fee. You should receive two meals a day throughout the placement, which will be of a Nepali standard, usually Daal–Bhat (lentil soup – rice), vegetable curry, pickle etc. If you wish to supplement your diet with other food, these expenses are yours. We will only cover food and accommodation for the period agreed for your placement and only at your placement.

If you go trekking or wish to stay in Nepal after your agreed period of placement, you will be responsible for your own expenses. If you decide to go away during your placement we cannot refund you any money and you do this at your own cost. In most cases you will be staying with a host family after the program orientation and will share the same food with them. Should you have any dietary conditions, you should let us know before your arrival in Nepal. Should you wish to return to the city at the weekends, you must cover your food and accommodation costs yourself. In case you want to make any trips during your placement, the period is still counted within regular placement time and that time won’t be extended to your date.

Details on arrival
The program orientation begins on any of suitable date of volunteers and volunteers can arrive in Kathmandu on their suitable date our program and date are flexible.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the WVN team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Kathmandu. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are traveling in Nepal prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a prearranged destination in Kathmandu on the day before your program orientation.

Orientation is hosted by WVN in Kathmandu and runs over the course of two days. Orientation begins on the morning of your chosen start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Nepal – an introduction to Nepal, Nepalese customs, language training details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Nepal, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to visit local temples, sample authentic Nepali food, meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.