Qualifications

We do not attach great importance to certificates, school grades or letters of recommendation from employers. Our criteria for selecting volunteers are personality, interpersonal skills, an open-minded attitude towards other cultures and ethnic groups, and the ability to work independently. You do not have to have all of the following qualities, but you should be able to identify with a majority of them. Our volunteers should have the following characteristics:

Age
We can only accept volunteers over the age of 23 due to the need for independence in the field, the high degree of personal responsibility and management, and a necessary degree of self-confidence and problem-solving skills. Since life in these remote regions is often very demanding and we cannot guarantee that there will be a second volunteer in your area with you, we cannot take responsibility for younger applicants (with only limited experience in such situations and countries like Nepal).

Minimum stay
Please consider that the organizational and administrative work behind your project will take some time, so we can only accept volunteers for a minimum duration of 4 weeks, preferably 6 or more weeks. We strongly believe that staying longer will lead to a more sustainable result of the project, for the community and also for yourself.

Strong English skills
It is very important that you have a very good command of the English language. Communication with members of the organization and the local population will be mainly in English. We don’t expect you to learn Nepali, but a few phrases will be very useful. In most cases, however, English will be your only source of communication.

Work-specific qualifications or previous volunteering experience
In certain areas it is a prerequisite to have qualified knowledge and corresponding education. In all other areas, it is very useful if you already have experience in volunteering, as the projects are very independently structured. In addition, everyone will benefit a lot if you can pass on your profound knowledge acquired through training. Nevertheless, we do welcome newcomers in the field of volunteering as well.

Open to new cultures
You will be immersed in a completely new culture, with new customs, traditions and behaviors. Many things run differently in Nepal than we are used to from our western world. In order not to feel lost, it is essential that you have an open and flexible mind. Some things you will have to give up, some habits you will have to change. You should be aware of this from the start and approach these new experiences with a positive and inquisitive attitude.

Independence
In Nepal, a lot of things simply need to be done and put into operation by someone. In most cases, there is not much time to prepare. What your volunteer work looks like is up to you. You’re in charge of trying out new things, implementing them, taking a new direction or starting a project. You should have an eye for what is needed in your situation and be able to find solutions on your own.

Flexibility
As mentioned in the previous points, flexibility is a crucial point in managing daily issues. Every day is different, many things are not as predictable as in our latitudes. The school you work in can announce exams or close at short notice, public transport can suddenly declare a strike for two days, monsoons can block roads and make it impossible to get to or back from a project. You should be able to adapt quickly to new situations and cope with a constantly changing environment and schedule.

Reliability and Independence
We will provide you with all the information you need to get started in Nepal and we will help you find accommodation and make important contacts. Beyond that, we encourage our volunteers to work reliably and independently, as we will not be permanently present at your place of work.

Goal-orientation
Some of the work can be stressful and time-consuming, highly independent and physically demanding. However, you should never forget your goal, be it a weekly goal at school or a final project in permaculture. Stay alert and keep track of your achievements.