Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Nepal
- Around 25% of the population in Nepal are living below the poverty line.
- Malnutrition is particually evident in children under 5, with 36% enduring stunting.
- Children from poor families have low attendence at school, with 1 in 4 of the poorest not going to school at all.
- Nepal can experience natural disasters, such as earthquakes. This can severly impact the local structures and roads.
- Much of Nepal's population lacks access to basic medical care.
HOW can you help?
- Work with children with special needs in a supportive and inclusive environment
- Gain valuable experience in special education and disability support
- Assist teachers with lesson planning, classroom activities, and student engagement
- Help develop teaching methods, assist in therapy sessions, and support parents
WHAT you can do?
- Make a real impact by helping children gain confidence and independence
- Preparing lesson plans tailored to students' learning abilities
- Engaging in activities that support cognitive, social, and motor skills
- Helping with therapy sessions (depending on your skills and experience)
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 35+ Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: SPECIAL NEEDS TEACHING
LOCATION: KATHMANDU, NEPAL
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE (SHARED ROOMS)
MIN DURATION: ONE WEEK
MIN AGE: 18+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required, Qualification in Special Education/any field of therapy
Overview
Join a meaningful volunteer program in Kathmandu that focuses on supporting children with disabilities. You’ll work in schools dedicated to providing care, education, and encouragement to students with a range of physical and intellectual challenges, including autism, cerebral palsy, and other conditions. This is your chance to make a positive impact on young lives by offering support, creativity, and compassion.
As a volunteer, you’ll interact with students of various ages and abilities, helping them learn, grow, and build confidence. Whether you’re assisting in the classroom, leading fun and educational activities, or offering emotional support, your contribution will help create a nurturing and inclusive environment where each child feels valued.
This program is ideal for volunteers who are patient, empathetic, and ready to bring energy and warmth into the lives of children who need it most.
Program Highlights
- Work directly with children with special needs in a caring, inclusive setting
- Gain hands-on experience in special education and disability care
- Assist local teachers with lesson planning and classroom activities
- Support therapy sessions and help create new teaching tools and methods
- Help children develop confidence, life skills, and greater independence
Your Role as a Volunteer
- Prepare and adapt lesson plans to meet diverse learning needs
- Facilitate activities that promote cognitive, motor, and social skills
- Support teachers in managing the classroom and engaging students
- Develop creative teaching strategies tailored to individual abilities
- Offer guidance to parents on ways to support their child’s development
- Assist in therapy sessions when appropriate, based on your experience
Location
Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is an incredible place! The contrast of decaying buildings, smell of incense, street sellers, historic temples and incredible mountain views will invigorate your senses and keep you inspired to learn more about the amazing history and culture. For several hundred years, Kathmandu was one of three rival royal cities, along with Bhaktapur and Patan. The highlight of Kathmandu has long been Durbar Square, the largest of the palace squares in the three royal cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Temples and monuments of varying shapes, sizes, styles, and faiths can be found here. This small, mountain-sheltered valley is the historical centre of Nepal, a place where kingdoms rose and fell, where palaces and temples were built and rebuilt, and where Nepali art and culture was developed and refined.
Project Tasks
- To help the kids grow in their confidence and provide opportunities to receive proper education through special attention and guidance so they may better prepare themselves for mainstream education.
Food & Accommodation
Located in the heart of Kathmandu, about 1 hours drive from the airport, with 4-6 people sharing one room (single gender rooms). They have modern bathrooms; a modern kitchen and dining room, mini library, a fully furnished living room, wifi, TV, computer, DVD player, fans, live-in staff on call 24/7, a garden complete with a comfortable covered area and 24/7 security. Centrally located, there are several gym’s nearby as well as local supermarkets, ATM’s, mobile phone shops etc.
*For couples or those wanting more privacy, there are upgrade accommodation options available for an additional cost. This must be booked well in advance and is subject to availability.
You will be provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Nepalese food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about once per week. You can also choose to eat out at any of the local restaurants.
*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.
Standard
Projects
- Primary School Teaching Kathmandu
- Woman's Empowerment Kathmandu
- Kindergarten Kathmandu
- English Teaching Pokhara
- Kindergarten Teaching Pokhara
- Special Needs Teaching, Kathmandu
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1 Week - $450
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2 Weeks - $570
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3 Weeks - $720
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1 Month - $860
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2 Months - $1,840
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3 Months - $2400
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
Testimonials...
FAQ
You will need a qualification in Special Education/any field of therapy and be able to provide copies of certificates of qualifications and academic transcripts.
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.
Schedule
- Welcoming Ritual – Puja to the Gods & goddess and name giving ceremony with Ice breaking activities
- Review the schedule,
- Social behaviors norms dos & don’ts in Nepali culture
- Cross culture seminar on eating, drinking, clothing bathing & toileting customs in Nepal
- Lunch
- Talk on safety & security during the program. Signing up the Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy and Release & Waiver of Liability. Collection of passport copies, photos, and police clearance
- Information on placement and visiting the placement site.
- Assignment to find the local civics places in and around the program house neighborhood. Get personal accessories (Photocopy, money exchange, ATM and take picture). Clothing shopping at the local market.
- Dinner
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM). You must arrive between the hours 06:00 to 24:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times, you can book a private transfer or extra night for an additional fee.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From the airport to Kathmandu accommodation, it takes 45 minutes by taxi.
The school timings are from 10.00 am to 03.00 pm. You will be placed in classes according to your skills and knowledge. Various activities which you will be assigned to do in your time will include, preparing lesson plans, engaging in various activities with the children, training and assisting teachers regarding the teaching methods and advising and counselling the parents on the methods to improve the children.
***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***
Special Needs The weekends are always open for your leisure. The local team will assist you in organising additional travel plans with heaps of local knowledge. Shopping in Kathmandu is an experience all its own. Thamel, Kathmandu’s tourist hotspot, is where shoppers can find Nepalese, Tibetan and Indian artifacts, woodcarvings, handicraft and an assortments of unique clothing and apparel. There are also several malls where you can find fashionable clothing and grocery stores, offering everything from wine to breakfast cereals. There are numerous dining options available throughout the city, including Italian, Indian, Thai, Korean and Chinese in addition to a variety of local cuisine.
Required qualification: Qualification in Special Education/any field of therapy
Minimum Duration: 2 weeks
Additional Requirements
Copies of certificates of qualifications and academic transcripts.
Additional Equipment
It’s a good idea to bring posters, pictures, music tapes and so on to brighten up the lessons.
Clothing
- Modest clothing (covers knees and shoulders)
- Comfortable walking shoes, sandals, water shoes
- Sun hat, fleece sweater, windproof rain jacket (depending on weather)
Documents
- Passport
- Flight info, insurance, vouchers, visas, and vaccination certificates (with photocopies)
Health & Safety:
- Hand sanitizer, face masks (if required)
- First-aid kit (medications, sunscreen, insect repellent, rehydration tablets)
Essentials:
- Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc.)
- Day pack, small travel towel, reusable water bottle
- Moneybelt locks for bags
- Personal entertainment (books, cards, music player)
For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: NP – Holidays – All Programs
Nepal is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries in the world. Nepal first opened its borders to outsiders in the 1950s. It is home to Mount Everest, the birthplace of Buddha, and an astonishingly beautiful landscape, ranging from the well-known peaks of the Himalaya to the low-lying regions of the Terai.
The Nepali people are as diverse at the geography, with over 70 languages or dialects and scores of traditional festivals celebrated throughout the year.
However, Nepal is also one of the most under-developed countries in the world, with low rates of literacy, high rates of poverty and a persistent gender imbalance. The government is frequently unable to provide adequate education and health facilities throughout the country and both urban and rural areas are forced to live without necessary resources to promote growth and development of their communities.
Nepal is a year round destination, and the cliate can vary between the North and South regions. The best overall times to visit are during spring and autumn (particually for trekking).
December to Febuary is winter, and it can get extremely cold in the mountains (down to sub zero). Summer in this region has a pleasent temperature but still bring some warmer clothing for the evenings.
Summer in southern Nepal can get extremely hot (plus 40°C) in some areas. Winter temperatures in this area can range from 7°C to 23°C.
Kathmandu has a pleasent climate on average. The monsoon rains start from June to September in Nepal.
The majority of Nepalis are either Hindus or Buddhists, but there are many other religions here too like Islam, Christianity, Jainism and Sikhism. You will find many temples and monasteries around Nepal. The right hand is used for important things such as passing money, eating and the giving of gifts.
Nepalese people love their food and much of it has been influenced by Indian and Tibetan cultures. Nepali people have a lot of respect for elders and will call each other didi (“older sister”), bahini (“younger sister”), etc, even if they are not actually related. The family unit is very strong and having a close knit family is important for the local people.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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