International Volunteer and Intern Programmes
Introduction
The Institute of Cultural Affairs Nepal is one of 35 national members of ICA International which is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. ICA Nepal was established in 1998 and focuses its activities on training and community development projects. Philosophically, the group concerns itself with the factor of individual involvement in community development. ICA Nepal has already hosted more than a dozen international volunteers to various development projects across Nepal.
For the volunteer, volunteering will help the individual broaden and develop better communication and group participation skills in addition to enriching their overall life experience. While working with several volunteers, ICA Nepal has realized the benefits offered by volunteers from abroad who could introduce new knowledge and skills which help community development.
Objectives of the Program
The objectives of the volunteer support program are to:
- Bring freshness and new energy into the organization and the project.
- Provide alternative cultural perspective and life experience for the volunteer.
- Bring practical training in the application of participatory methods in development
- Enable local people to work alongside each other to share their skills, building capabilities and promote international understanding and action.
Volunteering for and through ICA Nepal
Nepal is one of the unique and richly diverse countries. ICA Nepal also works in finding the appropriate placement for incoming volunteers. Since, ICA Nepal is working closely with a number of nongovernmental organisations and private and public institutions in Nepal, many of the volunteers will be sent to them. The duration is 1 to 10 months.
ICA Nepal has also been undertaking ‘Development Study Tour’. Along with ICA Japan, ICA Nepal organised such tours several times for Japanese students. The participants of the study tour spend time in the rural areas where ICA Nepal or other partner organisations have community development works.
Types of Programs
1. Volunteering Support Program
The duration of volunteer work can range from one to six months in length. ICA Nepal can also provide accommodations for longer volunteer work if desired. Depending on the duration of stay and the opinions of the individual volunteer, there will be a one or two week long training for the volunteers run out of the ICA Nepal main office and hostel in Kathmandu. The main objective of the training will be to acquaint the volunteers to local language, culture, and development issues. They will also be given training in ICA methods of participation in the development process. Contents such as basic facilitation skills; participatory rural appraisal; participatory strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation are also included.
Through this training the volunteer will be prepared to go into a rural community and see ICA Nepal's philosophy of the human factor in development put into practice. They will participate in community development activities such as: literacy training, income generating training, micro-credit, environmental awareness, health and sanitation, English training, school teaching, etc.
What makes ICA Nepal's volunteer program unique is that each volunteer will be given one staff member of the ICA team to operate as the volunteer's counterpart throughout the day. This person will serve the volunteer in terms of translator and Nepali teacher as well as someone that can answer general cultural and development questions. For those who desire a shorter initial training, this person will be someone the volunteer can heavily rely upon.
2. Internship
Nepal is a place with many opportunities for study. The possibilities of study include Nepalese culture, language, social life style, biodiversity, overall development and more. ICA -Nepal has field offices in several districts across Nepal that will provide the students or researchers a base through which to carry out their work in the project sites. ICA Nepal is affiliated with the 'School of Environmental Management and Sustainable Development' and 'Gauri Shankar College'. Potential programs and fields of study include but are not limited to; Anthropology, Sociology, Environmental Sciences, and Development. Interns or students will have collaboration with the local university through ICA Nepal. The internship program has a minimum of three months.
3. Study Tour
Nepal is a mountainous Himalayan Kingdom with extreme natural resources. Because of it's uniqueness, thousands of tourists visit Nepal every year. The potential developments of tourism in Nepal still exist. A study tour offers the opportunity to learn about the problems and possibilities of Nepal and to explore the various approaches towards development while gaining knowledge by visiting project sites. The participants will therefore gain an experience that provides them understanding of Nepali culture and life style, while participating in voluntary work in the area. The aim of the tour is study and observation in each sector. The participant will have a chance to visit ICA's human development projects in different regions of Nepal including Parbat in western Nepal and the Jhapa district in eastern Nepal. The study tour is organized for a two-week period. Volunteers and Interns also will be given the option of participating in this tour. Contact directly to ICA-Nepal for costs and other details.
Facilities and Procedure:
There will be a nominal charge to participate in any of the above-mentioned programs. For the volunteer and internship programs, the fees are as follows:
- Registration, Administration and Management = $ 175
- Language training and 3 day local visit (Kathmandu) = $ 100
- First month fee = $175
- Second month fee = $ 150 (So, for a 2 month programme = $ 600)
- Each additional month = $100 per month (No counterpart from third month. If counterpart needed, $ 50 extra).
Where do my fees go?
Your fees will go to four main places. The majority goes to the host family and counterpart. Other portions go to the administration and community development. A small portion will go to funding a joint documentary film project in Nepal.
The fees include the following services:
- Training in community development including ICA methods, Participatory Rural Appraisal, Appreciative Inquiry, etc.
- Nepali language training.
- Housing facility (Basic) which includes single room, common kitchen and Nepali cook, and a common toilet.
- A local Nepali counterpart with similar background.
- All domestic transportation costs one time to and from the site and 3 day visit of Kathmandu Valley.
- Free Internet/ E-mail facilities from the head office.
For More-Detailed Information, Please Contact:
Hemant Pokhrel
ICA Nepal
Koteshore (Near Balkumari Bridge), P.O. Box: 20 771 Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-2043024, 6914739
Email: ica@icanep.wlink.com.np
Website: www.ica-nepal.org