Kathmandu - Construction and Renovation

Kathmandu, the capital and largest city in Nepal, is like no other city in the world. The decaying buildings in the heart of the city are a contrast to the lively atmosphere that permeates the streets. The smell of incense wafts from the stores while street sellers push their wares, and people go about their daily lives, all against a backdrop of historic temples and carved statues.

Kathmandu's Durbar Square was severely damaged in the 2015 earthquake, with many buildings destroyed beyond repair.

To construct and renovate public buildings to create better standards of living for local communities.

Introduction Day
Your project starts with an introduction day on the first Monday including a tour of the area surrounding the accommodation, available facilities, cultural "do's and don'ts", safety concerns as well as some basic local language lessons.

Monday to Friday
Activities vary depending on the needs at the time, but the main tasks are the following:

Bringing down broken structures
Building walls using cement, sand, stone, bricks etc
Painting
Basic carpentry work
Fencing the school premises
Preparing mixture of cement, sand and water
Shift rocks from one place to another

Weekends are free.

This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

This program can also include a Culture Week which is highly recommended but not mandatory - just inform your travel advisor if you wish to include it. Experience and get an in-depth knowledge of the ancient traditions, culture, language, temples, and Buddhist monasteries in this Himalayan country. Our Culture Week will get you kickstarted into this amazing country located at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. Not only will you get to learn about the language and lifestyle, but you will also visit temples, go on a hiking tour and even take part in a scavenger hunt race at a local market!

Aims & Objectives of the Culture Week
During this week, you will learn about Nepalese culture through a series of introductory culture classes which are designed to help you develop your Nepalese language skills and deepen your understanding of the Nepalese way of life complete with details on rituals and customs. You will learn about Nepal's history and the religious influences which have shaped it. Moreover, we will pay a visit to the local shops and markets that will get you learning as you go with the local culture and how to become a part of it. As part of your city tour and orientation, you will also visit some amazing sites such as the temple of Swayambhunath: one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.

Schedule***
Monday
Puja to the gods & goddesses and name-giving ceremony
Go over the week’s schedule and handling of documents
An introduction game to get to know fellow participants
Cultural seminar on social behavioral norms, dos & don’ts in Nepalese culture. Intercultural eating and drinking habits, bathing and clothing customs in Nepalese culture.
A little assignment for you to explore your neighborhood and find local civic places such as banks (ATM), temples, schools, restaurants etc.

Tuesday
A social interactive session to get to know each other and an opportunity to bring out concerns about your health etc so that we will be aware.
Nepali language training
Shopping at the local market
Orientation tour of the city of Nepal with an interesting game called “Scavenger Hunt”, we will tell you more about this when you are here
Movie Night

Wednesday
Yoga and meditation
Nepali cooking session
Cultural as well as historical orientation tour to Sleeping Bishnu, Jamchen Vijay Stupa and ISKON Temple as ISP

Thursday
A cultural as well as historical orientation tour to the famous Swayambhunath temple
A talk on schooling and education system in Nepal and placement sites
Culture Night

Friday
It’s all about hiking today! We will go on a nature trail into the mountains to get a view of Kathmandu valley.
Feedback sharing (evaluation)

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

The project is closed on the following public holidays:

2025
11 January
08 March
06 & 13 April
16 August
06 September
01, 04 & 22 October

Minimum age of 18
Basic level of competency in English
Police Clearance Certificate on sign-up
Passport copy required up on arrival
Travel & medical insurance
4 passport size photographs (that can also be taken locally at the start of your program)

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.