Volunteering

The children at the Happy Home orphanage, as well as at the other homes where Happy Home oversees the well being of the children, are always thrilled to have visitors. Whether you want to visit for one day, or stay for a week or a month, the children will welcome you with open arms.

If you are interested in volunteering, please read the Volunteering Activities and Volunteer Information and Policy below and then fill out and submit the volunteer form. You may also contact us via phone or email. Our contact information is at the bottom of the page.

Read our volunteer testimonals and see what our past volunteers have to say about their experience volunteering at Happy Home.

Volunteering Activities

If you are visiting the orphanage for a day you can help the children with their homework, engage them in an art or musical instrument of your choice, teach them a new skills or just play games with them. If you plan to stay longer, you will have the opportunity to engage closely with them in their daily routines, including walking them to and from school, sitting with them at meal times, reading books, helping with their homework and simply sitting and chatting. There is no fixed schedule on our volunteers. You are free to choose which activities you want to be involved in.

Volunteer Information and Policy

Namaste! And welcome to Happy Home Nepal.

If you wish to volunteer some of your time working alongside our team and with our children at the Happy Home orphanage Kathmandu, or wherever else our program is running, you will be made most welcome.

We do not expect everyone who visits our orphanage to be a trained and qualified teacher, nanny or nurse. Anybody without such qualifications wishing to invest their time into working alongside our children, who are receptive and grateful for anything you can them, are very welcome to help out at our orphanage.

The only criteria we require from volunteers is set out below:

• You must be 18 or older to work with our children in the orphanage.
• Proof of age and identity is required and we will need to take a photocopy of your passport and visa upon arrival at the orphanage.
• You must be fluent in the English language.
• You must have the ability to work calmly and patiently with our children.
• To protect our children from abuse - you must have no criminal record, history of pedophilia or warrants issued for your arrest in any country you have visited or lived in.

Volunteers can offer their services for as few or as many days as they wish; however, those who wish to reside in a home-stay pre-arranged by Happy Home are expected to help out at the orphanage and/or school for a minimum term of one month.

Please be aware that you are visiting a country where strikes, lockouts, power cuts and sometimes natural disasters are seen as commonplace. In such cases, transportation and the children's schooling may be affected. Check online with your country's government to find the most current information and situation about Nepal.

Lodging

We like to ensure all our volunteers are catered for comfortably. We can arrange for you to stay with a host family in the Kathmandu valley area close to our orphanage. Alternatively, if you can only offer a few days of your time and wish to travel independently, you can arrange your own hotel accommodation in the central Thamel area of Kathmandu or in Patan which is nearer to our orphanage. We can provide you with a list of hotels in the area which are safe, comfortable, inexpensive and come recommended by previous volunteers.

If you volunteer to work with our children in the villages outside Kathmandu, a place to stay can be provided for you.

Duties

Duties will depend upon your length of stay, your individual skills, qualifications and experience. We expect everyone (staff and volunteers to be flexible, so please be aware that certain schedules may change at short notice from time to time.

The children residing at Happy Home attend school Sunday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and public holidays are not school days. We are always happy to assist you if you wish to plan an activity or fund a field trip for the children on these days. You are welcome to teach at the schools which the children attend which include private and government schools in Kathmandu. If you wish to visit or teach at that school you are most welcome.

If you volunteer at the Happy Home Orphanage, we would require you to help the children practice their English and offer help with their English homework when they come home from school.

After homework the children are free to engage in any activity you may wish to arrange, whether this is a team related activity or simply working in a one on one basis with one or two children. These activities can include; reading, singing, dancign, board games, arts and crafts, outdoor ball games, or you may wish to devise your own activity...so long as it involves learning and is fun. You can also help our children by teaching the importance of hygiene, such as brushing their teeth, washing their hands, etc.

If you have previous experience of working with aid organizations, your knowledge is vital to our future. We are always in need of people who have experience in obtaining small grants from other established organizations, know how to set up fundraisers, networking or who can give advice on administrative and other issues related to running our orphanage. Administration is a core we all share but we sometimes need professional help in this area.

It is recommended that you view our website as it provides additional important information about Happy Home. Also, if you have experience in web designing and can offer your expertise and give suggestions on improvements, we will greatly appreciate it.

You must help the orphanage in one or more of the ways listed above and offered by Happy Home. Doing nothing will not be acceptable. You must contribute.

Expenses

Volunteers are expected to meet their own costs of: airfare, visas, accomodation and transportation within the country. You may now obtain a visa when you arrive in Nepal but check online with the department of immigration as changes may occur.

Food and drink will be provided during your time spent at the orphanage. If you are creative in the kitchen, our onsite volunteer cook would love to take a back seat and watch you whip up a new culinary delight for the children.

Health issues

Please have appropriate vaccinations, doctor visits and dental checkups beofre you arrive in Nepal. Please tell of any special medications, medical conditions and/or allergies you may have. Vaccinations can include but are not limited to: tetanus, typhoid, Hepatitis A and B as well as Malaria medication.

Code of Conduct - expected of all volunteers

• Respect the Nepalese beliefs and culture.
• Volunteers are not allowed to preach or teach any religious doctrine or agenda to the children.
• Never physically or verbally discipline the children. If you witness or become involved in a conflict, advise the head of the house immediately.
• Illegal drugs, alcohol and tobacco are prohibited at all times.
• Volunteers must use appropriate language - swearing on or off the premises will not be tolerated.
• Sexually explicit or inappropriate behavior or discussion is not permitted.
• Do not invite any visitors into the orphanage without prior permission from the head of the house.
• Dress code around the children should be modest and clean. Men and women are advised not to wear any revealing clothing. Please show respect to our culture by covering legs and shoulders at all times.
• Be honest and responsible.
• And most importantly, make sure the time you spend with our family is fun.

Failure to adhere to the code of conduct may or will result in immediate deportation; in extreme cases the tourist police will be asked for assistance.

If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out and submit the volunteer form. You may also contact us via phone or email. Our contact information is at the bottom of the page.

Thank you!