Long Term Volunteer Projects

GET: Volunteer APPLICATION FORM

The ideas/suggestions for volunteers listed here are in no way exhaustive. They may also apply to areas other than where they are suggested. Our suggestions are intended to give you some ideas about what we feel could be useful, or what has been done successfully in the past. Please don't be limited by our ideas; feel free to suggest your own!

Residential women's shelter

Volunteers with experience in social work and teaching can be of assistance at the shelter. The residents of the shelter are there due to extreme circumstances of violence, abuse, poverty, etc. Working with these women in any capacity thus requires a high degree of respect and care.

Maheela Shop

There are many ways volunteers could assist in making our shop a fantastic success! Those who are trained in running small businesses are encouraged to offer training, and work with us in determining how we could improve our shop functioning. We are always in need of extra marketing, so poster makers, print makers, brochure designers and distributors are always welcome. Writing articles for the tourist market is another idea. Our shop staff are eager to develop their English skills, so working in this capacity is also a possibility.

Legal Assistance, Education and Awareness

Legal education programs are an integral part of our effort to teach women their human rights and responsibilities.   Volunteers with legal experience are appreciated in this area. A range of roles are possible, be they research oriented or practically driven. However, the scope for international volunteers is somewhat less in this area, primarily due to language difficulties - for e.g. working as a legal counselor would not be possible. Similarly, the amount of time necessary to familiarize yourself with Nepali laws would be prohibitive for all but the most dedicated!

We have had volunteers undertake studies in the field of abused women, discriminatory laws etc. Researching and drafting petitions would be valuable work, and gaining signatures. Designing posters to raise awareness about legal inequalities faced by Nepali women is another option.

Human Rights

We organize seminars, workshops, street theatre, rallies, and interactive programs on human rights. Volunteers with specific skills/knowledge in this area are welcome to offer ongoing workshops or classes to increase the skills of the women, or introduce new skill areas. For example, volunteers have developed and facilitated street theatre training and performed with the women in street plays. Volunteers are also welcome to work with us, or initiate actions appropriate to what is happening at the time (for e.g., developing actions, workshops, or discussion groups on International Women's Day).

Non-Formal Education (NFE) programs

WF conducts non-formal literacy programs for women, men, and children. We also offer post-literacy classes, which ensure greater retention of skills over time. NFE includes all of our skill training, income generating and other programs. Each program undertaken by WF combines education and literacy.   English teachers, people skilled in leading groups or those interested in literacy programs may work with us in this area. Developing new class curriculum at different levels of proficiency is an idea. New games, songs and fun, interactive methods of teaching are always enjoyed! Documentation in this area is also a much needed activity. This could include what we have already done in this area - assessing how many groups are still meeting together, and recording their concerns, successes and challenges.

Community School

The shelter is connected to a community school, which has been running for 3 years and now has 350 students and 24 teachers. Qualified teachers with proficiency in English are appreciated, as are teachers in health education, games/songs/dance and stories or any other skill. We recommend a stay of at least a month in order to make the program worthwhile.

Organic Farm

The shelter also manages an organic farm, where we aim to produce the bulk of the food for the shelter. Here experienced permaculturists/agriculturists are needed. We would like to develop sustainable methods for improving our soil vitality - including composting systems and worm farms. We are yet to develop specific beds for a crop rotation system, and would like to encourage the practice of seed saving for selected species.

Clear documentation of how and why such methods are beneficial is also needed. Offering short term skill training is also a possibility at the shelter. Many women are involved in longer term training, but there are also women who are free to take part in short courses. Skills such as small business training, crafts or other income generating skills are particularly appreciated.