As a volunteer, you’ll be working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds, including orphans and children from low-income families.

We collaborate with some orphanages and childcare centers in Kathmandu. The specific project is selected by the country coordinator after receiving the application from volunteers. Regardless of where you are placed, every center offers a rewarding and impactful experience.

Your involvement in the childcare volunteer project has a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of underprivileged children in Nepal. By offering love, care, and educational support, you help create a nurturing environment where children can learn, play, and develop confidence.

Yes! Childcare volunteering in Nepal offers a deep cultural immersion, allowing you to connect with children, project staff, and local residents. You’ll experience daily life in the community, participate in local activities, and gain insight into Nepali culture and traditions.

This is a flexible, open project and we welcome anyone who genuinely wants to support Nepal’s children. A few things are asked of every volunteer. The children look up to volunteers as role models, so please do not drink or smoke in their presence. If you are staying on site, you are expected to be back by dusk and to avoid going out after dark.

No prior teaching or childcare experience is required to participate in this program. Our childcare volunteer program in Nepal is designed for anyone with a compassionate heart, enthusiasm, and a willingness to help. All you need is patience, positivity, and the desire to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged children.

Volunteers with skills in communication, creativity, and teamwork tend to excel in this project. If you enjoy art, music, storytelling, or sports, you can use those talents to engage and inspire the children through fun learning activities.

To participate in the childcare volunteer project in Nepal, you will need a valid passport and a tourist visa for Nepal. Additionally, volunteers may be requested to submit a background check or police clearance certificate to ensure the safety and well-being of the children.

There are no mandatory vaccinations for volunteering in our childcare project in Nepal. However, it is recommended to consult your healthcare provider about routine and travel vaccinations, such as Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, and routine immunizations.

No. Nepali is not required. English is used day to day in our orphanage volunteer projects, and the children are learning it themselves, which is part of why volunteers are useful. Learning a few basic Nepali phrases before you arrive is always appreciated.

You can apply through our online application form. Once your application is in, our program team will confirm your placement and walk you through preparation.

While the program fee covers accommodation, meals, and project arrangements, you should budget for personal expenses such as snacks, souvenirs, weekend trips, local transportation, and optional activities outside the project.

You can join the childcare project for a minimum of one week, which is ideal for short-term travelers, students on break, or anyone testing the experience. There is no maximum duration, allowing volunteers to stay for several weeks or months to make a long-term impact on the children.

It depends on how long you stay. There are two charges: a registration fee of $279, and a weekly program fee that starts at $150 for the first week. The weekly rate tapers after that and each additional week is charged at a lower rate than the first. For the final price quote, please speak to our team and confirm.

You can volunteer year-round. February to May and September to November have the most comfortable weather for travelling. But childcare homes operate continuously and children need support in every season.

Pack modest, practical clothing that covers shoulders and knees, since you will be working in children home. Bring layers for winter months, as heating is uncommon. A reusable water bottle, a basic first-aid kit, a quick-dry towel, and a torch are all worth the space. If you want to bring something for the children, art supplies, story books, and sports equipment are far more useful than sweets or individual gifts.

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our friendly local team will be waiting for you at Tribhuvan International Airport to give you a warm welcome. After your comfortable pickup from the airport, they will take you to our volunteer hostel, where you’ll spend your first night. The following day, after a detailed orientation and introduction to the program, our team will accompany you to your project placement.

In most cases, yes - you will likely be working alongside other international volunteers from around the world. However, even if you are the only volunteer at your placement, you will never be alone. Our dedicated local staff and caregivers will work closely with you, providing guidance and support throughout your stay, ensuring you always feel part of the community.

You’ll enjoy three nutritious and freshly prepared Nepali meals each day, typically including rice, lentils, seasonal vegetables, and occasionally chicken, eggs, or fish. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available upon request.

Yes, your safety and comfort are our top priorities. All volunteer accommodations are regularly inspected for cleanliness, hygiene, and safety standards. Rooms are either private or shared (depending on availability) and equipped with basic amenities such as a comfortable bed, clean bedding, and access to bathroom facilities. We ensure that the living environment is secure, welcoming, and supportive during your childcare volunteering experience in Nepal.

Absolutely! Many volunteers choose to stay together to share the experience, build friendships, and support each other during the project. If there are other volunteers at the same time of your volunteering, we can arrange shared accommodation for you in gender basis.

Yes, you can join our childcare project with a friend, partner, or family member. We can arrange shared accommodation and placement opportunities so you can work together on the same project

Yes, you will receive continuous support from our dedicated local coordinators and project supervisors throughout your volunteer journey. From airport pickup to project orientation and daily assistance, our team will ensure you feel safe, confident, and well-supported at all times.

Yes! Upon arrival, all volunteers participate in an orientation that covers Nepali culture, local customs, project expectations, safety procedures, and communication tips. This ensures you feel prepared, confident, and culturally aware as you begin your childcare placement, allowing you to adapt smoothly and make the most of your volunteer experience.

Yes. Nepal is a safe country for travelers and volunteers, and safety is the part of the program we plan most carefully. You are met at the airport, given an in-person orientation before you start, and placed in accommodation that our team has inspected. You will have the phone numbers of our country team, and you can always reach them 24/7 for any emergency. We also request volunteers to follow local guidance, respect cultural norms, and stay in regular contact with their coordinator.

Yes. Working in an orphanage is ethical when it genuinely helps the children and the people who care for them, and that is how this program is built. Our partner homes are run by permanent Nepali caregivers who know every child; volunteers add extra hands and extra attention to a team that is stretched, supporting the children's education, daily routines, and wellbeing without taking the place of the staff they depend on. RCDP is a registered volunteer organization that has worked in Nepal since 1998, placing over 18,000 volunteers across our programs. We work directly with the homes we support, with no middlemen. Volunteers are asked to provide a background check or police clearance before working with children, and our in-country team stays in regular contact with every home and every volunteer throughout the placement.