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VOLUNTEER IN NEPAL
Legitimacy of RCDP
Why thousands of volunteers
trust RCDP?
' I LOVE this experience in chitwan for though short period! '
Xue Ying Fiona WangVolunteer Fee in Nepal: How is Your Money Allocated?
When you pay a volunteer fee in Nepal, you are not just giving your time; you are investing hard-earned money into a community. And it's completely fair to ask: where does that money actually go? Ethical volunteering has come under scrutiny in recent years, and responsible volunteers deserve a clear, honest answer, not vague promises.
At RCDP, we have run community-based volunteer programs in Nepal for over 26 years, and our fee structure is built on one principle: full transparency and accountability. So, every volunteer, whether flying in from New York, Sydney, London, or anywhere else with RCDP knows how their volunteer program cost in Nepal supports local communities.
Understanding RCDP Volunteer Fees: A Two-Part Structure
Volunteer fees in Nepal with RCDP have two components, and they are:
Registration Fee: $279
This is a one-time payment, and it covers RCDP’s administrative costs incurred to arrange your Nepal volunteer trip and supports the organization, including:
- Advertising and volunteer recruitment
- Office utilities and rent
- Head-office staff salaries
- General business expenses that keep the organization running
Weekly Program Fees
This is another fee paid weekly, directly to your in-country coordinator, and this is the core of your volunteer program cost. It varies based on your location, program type, and length of stay, and it’s the portion of your volunteer fee in Nepal that goes straight into your host community.
Volunteer Fee Allocation: Where Does Your Weekly Fee Go?
As the local living costs and project needs differ by region, RCDP doesn’t apply one fixed formula across the country. Here’s how RCDP volunteer fees are typically allocated and what they cover:
| Allocation | Percentage | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Host Families | 60% - 80% | Room, board, and direct family support |
| Project Donation | 10% - 20% | Funding for the local project or NGO you support |
| Local Country Office Expenses/Staffs | 10% - 30% | Local staff salaries, communication, transport, and office costs |
Local staff are paid professionals, not volunteers, and they check in on your placement, coordinate logistics, and ensure the program is running safely. This is standard practice among ethical volunteer abroad organizations and isn’t a hidden overhead cost.
Additionally, the weekly fee itself varies by the program. However, here is a reference for the starting rate; it gives you a general idea of the fees you may expect before requesting your personalized breakdown.
| Program | Weekly Fee Starts From |
|---|---|
| Teaching | $150 |
| Childcare/Orphanage | $150 |
| Monastery | $200 |
| Disability Centre | $225 |
| Medical | $255 (+$50/week supplement) |
| Dental | $255 (+$50/week surcharge) |
Frequently Asked Questions
RCDP's fee has two parts: a one-time $279 USD registration fee, plus a weekly program fee that varies by program type and length of stay.
Typically, 60–80% goes to host families, 10–20% goes to project donations, and 10–30% covers local office and staff expenses. The exact volunteer cost in Nepal depends on the project and length of your stay.
Yes, RCDP has operated transparent, community-based volunteer programs in Nepal for over 26 years and provides an exact fee breakdown to any volunteer upon request.
Local cost of living, host family arrangements, and project needs are different across Nepal, so a single fixed percentage wouldn’t accurately reflect the cost, and it varies by location.
The $279 registration fee covers advertising and volunteer recruitment, office utilities and rent, head-office staff salaries, and general business expenses that keep the organization running.
Your $279 registration fee covers RCDP’s operating and administrative costs as mentioned above. Similarly, the weekly program fee starts at $150 and is paid directly to your country team after you arrive in Nepal. It goes toward your accommodation, meals, and the community project you support.
Placing volunteers responsibly requires careful planning and support, including reviewing projects and host families, arranging placements, providing pre-departure guidance, and maintaining an office to assist when needed. And the $279 registration fee helps cover all these essential services.
No, you don’t need to pay it all at once. You can pay $99 to reserve your place when you apply, and the remaining $180 before you travel.
The weekly fee varies depending on the type of program because each program may differ in factors such as duration, level, resources required, and the amount of instruction or support provided.
No, RCDP does not use recruitment agents or commission-based intermediaries, and your program fees are directly sent toward the people and resources involved in hosting and running your project.
Many volunteer organizations combine all the costs into a single fee, and it is difficult to see how the money is allocated. What makes RCDP unique is that we keep the fees transparent and separate. The registration fee covers RCDP’s services, and all your weekly program fees go directly toward the local costs of your project, with no additional markup.
Refunds are subject to RCDP’s refund policy and depend on when you cancel. Please check the current refund policy before booking, or you can contact our coordinator for clarification.
Whatever you plan, the registration fee remains the same, and your weekly program fee changes based on the number of weeks. So, extending the stay means paying for the additional weeks directly to your host family or coordinator, and shortening means paying for fewer weeks.
Yes, you need to bring extra spending money for your personal expenses; the money you pay is only for the program. Besides that, you need to pay for it on your own.
No, the fee you pay covers your placement, accommodation, and meals only. International flights, your Nepal visa fee, and travel and medical insurance need to be arranged separately.
The volunteer program fee in RCDP is affordable for everyone, and there are no standard discount programs.
Any unused portion of your program fee is used to support RCDP’s community projects in Nepal, including its orphanage and school construction and renovation programs.
Yes, additional voluntary donations are welcome and can be used to support the project or host community you are working with. Once you are in Nepal, you can arrange this with your coordinator.
The $99 deposit and $180 registration balance are paid online to RCDP in advance by PayPal or card, and the weekly program fee is paid in Nepal, directly to your coordinator. The method of payment is CASH.