RCDP-Nepal is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious volunteer organization registered with the Social Welfare Council of the Government of Nepal. Since 1999, RCDP has been running volunteer programs in Nepal for community support and cultural exchanges. Programs are available year-round in the areas of English teaching, orphanage, conservation work, health, and many more as per the interest of volunteers.

RCDP offers volunteer programs in diverse areas through the collaboration with local partners; therefore volunteers can choose an area of work according to their interest. Since its inception in 1999, RCDP has conducted some of the most innovative and successful volunteer programs in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka and Tibet. Almost 500 volunteers become a part of our programs every year and they come from US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Brazil, Taiwan and various other countries, making us the largest volunteer operating organization in Asia. In the last 8 years, we served more than 6,000 international volunteers.

RCDP volunteer programs are not only based on volunteer placement, we also customize the programs in accordance with the need, taste and interest of our volunteers. And, we offer rigorous and amazing one-two week long cultural and language immersion program before the start of volunteer program. Our volunteer opportunities that start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month run throughout the year for a period of 2-12 week.

RCDP-Nepal is an associate member of the International Federation of National Representations of the Experiment in International Living (Federation EIL) and as such is a partner within a network of autonomous Experiment Representations around the world. Federation EIL holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) as a non-governmental organisation in Category II, and with The Council of Europe. The United Nation's Secretary General has recognized Federation EIL as a Peace Messenger organisation.

Besides, RCDP has been working in collaboration with renowned international volunteer promotion organizations such as International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA), the British Trust for Nature Conservation (BTCV), Aid Camp International, Youth Enhancement and Training Initiative (YETI) etc to maintain the quality of its programs and to ensure the safety of its International Volunteers.

Mission and Vision

The mission of RCDP-Nepal is to encourage and invite international volunteers to contribute in the community development, and nature conservation activities of the Nepalese people. Through work camps and village-based programs, international volunteers promote mutual friendship and solidarity in addition to enriching their own experiences and making meaningful contribution to Nepalese Communities. RCDP-Nepal offers significant abroad opportunities for volunteers to boost significant knowledge, experience and expertise in education, health, conservation, and community development issues through international volunteering. We hope to achieve this goal by offering community orientated volunteer programs where the efforts of our volunteers go directly to the underprivileged people and their communities.

RCDP-Nepal works with many international organizations to promote and inspire for volunteering, cross-cultural experience and community development. The largest volunteer operation in Nepal, RCDP receives more than 300 volunteers each year.

Our volunteers are supposed to be active community workers who support the programs and activities of the organization by undertaking a variety of jobs and responsibilities such as working in orphanages, teaching English, working as community health workers, working in conservation sector etc.

Other Service Programmes Offered by RCDP-Nepal

Internship program – In collaboration with local partners, RCDP can offer internship in almost any topic related to Nepal. Areas of internship may include Sustainable Agriculture, Environment Conservation, English Teaching, Health, Culture and Religion, Traditional Nepali Arts, Natural Medicine and Ethno botany, Journalism, Human Rights, Women's Studies, Development Studies, Buddhism, and Handicrafts. Interns engage in the daily activities of the project and, in most cases, develop a report on an area of particular interest. Generally, the director of the project serves as the supervisor for the intern.

International Work Camp Programs - For two weeks volunteers work 20-30 hours per week either physically or technically depending upon the nature of the work. In many programs local villagers will work alongside international volunteers. Approximately 5-15 international volunteers from different countries will work and stay together. This program is ideal for college and university students but is open to anyone with an adventurous soul. There are nine work camps available for 2007.

Our commitments

RCDP is committed to provide our volunteers the best volunteer programs in terms of price, quality, volunteering environment and services. We would like to ensure the volunteers that the volunteering experience with us would be momentous, invaluable, knowledgeable, skillful, contributing, and ever lasting. Few things that you will experience and achieve when you become a part of RCDP programs:

• The opportunity to leave permanent and positive impacts in the lives of the less fortunate when you work with orphan children, disadvantaged local community, disabled people and rural women's groups.
  
• Meaningful volunteer abroad opportunities, caring host family, and the strong field support of a local in-country coordinator and professional staff members.
  
• The opportunity to travel, participate in cross-cultural learning, to be part of an exciting expedition, and learn and earn through our paid English teaching placements.
  Highlights
  
• RCDP's program is more than simple placement in volunteer projects. Cultural immersion, traveling, cross-cultural experiences and volunteering abroad are important components of our each and every program.
• RCDP supports volunteers throughout their placement. Our staff visits you periodically, and our services are available 24/7 to support you in the event of an emergency.
• RCDP volunteers live and work in rural settings immersing themselves in the local culture and customs of village life, experiences beyond the possibilities for travelers and tourists.
• RCDP has year-round and immediate volunteer opportunities, allowing you to volunteer for 2-12 weeks in four amazing countries of South Asia.
• RCDP program fees are 60% - 80% lesser than any other volunteer organizations.
• RCDP believes in high professional service and exceptional program standards. At no cost do we comprise the quality of our programs.
• We are committed to ensuring the safety, flexibility, professionalism, transparency, and excellence of our programs.

We believe our programs will grow only if our volunteers are happy and pleased with their experiences with us and our programs.

RCDP Objectives

The primary objective of RCDP is to offer meaningful volunteer abroad experiences to international volunteers in Nepal, India, Tibet, and Sri Lanka. We place our volunteers in projects where they can make a real difference in the lives of orphans, underprivileged people, exploited women, and those who are languishing in the poorest communities. To the volunteer it offers safe responsible travel experiences, exceptional training and career development opportunities, and the ability to make a real difference.

The secondary objective of RCDP is to initiate and promote grassroots community development programs. In collaboration with our volunteers and many international partners, we have constructed and renovated many schools and orphanages in different parts of Nepal.

RCDP Achievements

• Construction and renovation of 10 elementary schools to offer educational opportunities to rural children of Nepal.
• Development of the first volunteer-supported eco-tourism project on 750 hectares of land in Chitwan in collaboration with British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), UK.
• Development of two small village-based nurseries and distribution of thousands of seedlings to local villagers to support the conservation efforts in Nepal.
• The first Nepali organization to run youth exchange programs in Nepal, Asia, and Europe.
• Association and collaboration with more than 12 international volunteer organizations, conservation groups, universities, and colleges.
• Construction and conduction of an orphanage in Chitwan where RCDP, in an assistance with international volunteer organizations, has been taking care of helpless and poor children of the country.
• Volunteer placements and service project arrangements for more than 2,000 international volunteers, 10 international development groups, and 15 college student groups since 1995

RCDP Services to Volunteers

RCDP has been extending all possible services to our volunteers in our effort to meet our goals of volunteers’ satisfaction, to ensure the safety of our volunteers, and to maintain the highest quality of programs possible. We offer the following services to our volunteers:

• Airport pickup and transportation to accommodation.
• Manage clean and safe rooms with a local host family.
• Conduct language and orientation programs for our volunteers to obtain a high level of understanding of local culture, language and customs before beginning their volunteer programs.
• Assistance with in-country transportation and travel suggestions.
• Facilitate with visa extensions.
• A high level of program quality through thoroughly researched projects, defined program itineraries, and regular supervision.
• Services from full-time experienced and qualified staff.
• Highly affordable and low-cost program fee with no hidden expenses.
  
• 24-hour emergency hot lines and off-hour services if needed at no extra cost.
• Independent travel advice and services and, most importantly, a team member with the experience to answer all your queries and inquisitions.
• Advice and suggestions on fundraising and other issues such as health, culture, excursions, travel, safety, and special events.