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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 WangIn-Country Support For Volunteers in Nepal
Deciding to volunteer in Nepal and arriving here is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming with new food, a new language, a new family, and a new way of life.
Who will you meet at the airport? What happens when you get sick? Or homesick on day four?
That’s exactly what our in-country support for volunteers is for. You are never alone from the moment you land in Kathmandu to the day you fly home; a local RCDP Nepal team is only one phone call away. Our in-country support for volunteers in Nepal is designed to help you settle in, understand your surroundings, begin your project with confidence, and have someone local to turn to when you need assistance.
What Is In-Country Support for Volunteers in Nepal?
In-country support is the on-the- ground team that looks after you while you volunteer. They are the local safety people who know the roads, the families, the projects, and the hospitals, and who answer when you need any help.
Volunteering in Nepal is undoubtedly a life-changing experience, but small challenges come with any new country. Maybe your program placement isn’t what you expected. Maybe you are struggling with the meals your host family in Nepal serves. Or maybe you want to explore a part of the country and have no idea where to start.
That’s where RCDP Nepal’s in-country support team comes in. You can count on our local staff to support you and make your volunteer experience in Nepal more comfortable, meaningful, and rewarding.
How Does In-Country Support Work for Volunteers Abroad?
Most volunteer abroad organizations use one of the two models:
- Their own field office in the destination country: A team of local staff such as coordinators, drivers, and cooks, who looks after the volunteers directly, This team is your in-country support.
- A local partner organization: The particular organization acts as a middleman, and the head of the local partner becomes your main point of contact.
Whichever model an organization uses, our commitment is the same. At RCDP Nepal, we take full responsibility for your comfort, well-being, and safety while volunteering in Nepal, so you can focus on your project and enjoy a hassle-free volunteering experience. RCDP Nepal is based in Kathmandu and has its own in-country team.
What Does In-Country Support for Volunteers in Nepal Include?
In-country support means having a local team available to help you navigate your volunteer experience after you arrive in Nepal, and depending on your volunteer program, support will:
- Pick you up from the airport in Kathmandu and take you safely to your accommodation.
- Arrange your accommodation and meals, and support you whether you are staying with a Nepali host family or in the volunteer hostel .
- Lead a detailed orientation covering Nepali culture, local customs, project rules, your host family, and life in Nepal.
- Introduce you to your project team and key people in the community.
- Check in with you daily and weekly to see how you are adapting to the culture and your project.
- Give advice and solve problems quickly, whether it’s a concern about your placement, food, health, or safety.
What Happens Before and When You Arrive to Volunteer in Nepal
Before your travel
Once you book your place, we confirm your volunteer project and host family in Nepal and send everything in writing. Before you fly, you also receive:
- Visa guidance for Nepal
- A packing list for your volunteer trip
- Your host family details
- A cultural briefing, so you know what to expect
And if you have any questions at any point, our team is happy to answer them.
The Day You Arrive in Kathmandu
Once you arrive in Kathmandu, our team will be there to pick you up at the airport and meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu. Do not forget to share your flight details in advance and inform us immediately if there are changes in your flight.
Your Volunteer Orientation
Before your project starts, you will attend an orientation that covers:
- Nepali culture and local customs
- Project rules
- Your host family
- How to stay safe and healthy while getting around
Settling In with Your Host Family and Project
Now, it's time to introduce you to your host family and your project colleagues, and important members of the community. All these tasks are done by your coordinator and checks in regularly while you settle in.
Support While You Volunteer in Nepal
Your RCDP coordinator is there! Yes, they are available to support you throughout your volunteer experience in Nepal. Whether you need help with your project, accommodation, health, travel, or an emergency, you can contact the local team for guidance.
Project or Program Issues
If your project is not what you expected or your tasks and working hours are unclear, then immediately speak with your coordinator. They will discuss your issues with you and also with the project team and will help you find a suitable solution.
Accommodation and Meals
Sometimes small misunderstandings can happen when living with a host family or in the volunteer hostel. In such cases, whatever concerns you have whether its about your meals, room, or house rules, your coordinator will help communicate with your host family. You can also read our 12 tips for enhancing your cultural experience with host families.
Health and Illness
If you feel unwell during your volunteer program, contact your coordinator as soon as possible. They will help you reach a clinic or hospital and stay in touch with you until you recover.
Homesickness and Culture Shock
You don’t need to worry because it is completely normal to feel overwhelmed in the first week or two weeks. You can share with your coordinator, and they will help you to adjust to Nepali culture and your new environment.
Travel, Free Time and Weekends
Thinking of exploring Nepal during your days off? Yes, it’s possible. Consult with your coordinator and ask them where to go and how to get there safely. Letting the team know your plans will help them stay updated on where you are. You can check our guide to free time and weekend exploration in Nepal.
Safety and Emergencies
With RCDP Nepal, you needn’t worry about safety because every placement is visited by our staff in Kathmandu and every host family is screened before a volunteer is placed. Still, if anything feels unsafe, contact your coordinator immediately. We will also share emergency contact numbers for the RCDP team in Nepal. For more information, read about volunteer safety and in-country support in Nepal. Furthermore, we recommend that you register with your embassy in Kathmandu when you arrive and leave your coordinator’s number with someone at your home.
Should You Stay in Touch With Your In-Country Support Team in Nepal?
Yes, it is important to stay in touch with your in-country support team. Staying in touch with the in-country support team is one of the simplest ways to keep your time volunteering in Nepal safe, smooth, and stress-free. Additionally, you should ensure you have their contact information with you throughout your volunteer program in Nepal. You may need to contact them if you experience any illness, security concerns, misunderstandings, or an emergency, Build a friendly, open relationship with your in-country coordinator and Nepal volunteer support staff. Let them know what you are doing and where you are going, especially if you are travelling on weekends or days off. The better they know your plans, the faster they can help if anything changes.
Why Volunteers Choose RCDP Nepal’s In-Country Support?
RCDP Nepal is the oldest and first volunteer organization established in Nepal, and since 1998, we have welcomed more than 18,000 volunteers from around the world. Here is a list of reasons why we stand out:
Nepal’s oldest volunteer organization: We have been placing volunteers in Nepal for over 26 years, so we know which projects work, which host families are reliable, and what first-time volunteers need.
A Kathmandu-based team: There are no middlemen and no overseas call center with us; the staff who visit your placement and screen your host family are the same people you call when you need help.
A named coordinator and a 24/7 emergency number: You will receive 24/7 emergency contact, and you can always contact us at any hour of the day or night.
Support included in your program fee : Our in-country support is included in the program fee, and you don’t need to pay any additional charges.
Frequently Asked Questions:
In simple terms, in-country support is the help you receive from a local team after you arrive in Nepal, and here at RCDP Nepal, it includes airport pickup, orientation, help with your host family and project placement, ongoing support, and access to a 24/7 emergency contact.
Your in-country coordinator is a member of our RCDP Nepal in Kathmandu team who looks after the volunteers in your program.
Yes, alongside your named coordinator, you have a 24/7 emergency number for everyday questions and queries or if you need urgent assistance.
Yes, of course. Don’t think you are alone; our RCDP team member will meet you at Kathmandu airport when you arrive and help you reach your accommodation
Don’t panic! You will have your coordinator's contact number with you, so contact your coordinator or the RCDP emergency number as soon as you know about a delay or if you cannot find the team at the airport.
If you face such problems, then tell your coordinator as early as possible. They will discuss the issue with you and also communicate with your host family to help resolve it.
When you realize this or suspect this, speak with your coordinator as early as possible, and they will discuss concerns with you and the project team and help you find a reliable solution.
The first step is to contact the RCDP country team, and they will help you reach a clinic or hospital and stay in touch while you recover.
Yes, travel and medical insurance is required for volunteers and is not included in your program fees. We always recommend arranging appropriate insurance before travelling to Nepal.
Yes, Nepal is a safe country, and it is safe to volunteer in Nepal and RCDP takes steps to support volunteers safely, including screening accommodations and providing local guidance and emergency support.
Yes, we will be glad to hear from you and answer your questions before you arrive and help you to prepare accordingly.
Yes, our local team communicates in English with international volunteers to make it easy for you.
You can give your coordinator or the team the number of an RCDP member before you travel so that, in case of emergency, your family can contact them for assistance.