The project
The Daman project is one of our newest projects and we have only been operating here since 2012. Daman is very isolated and rural and most people are farmers and live traditionally as they always have done. However, times are changing and the community has a severe lack of funds to keep up with the rapid change that Nepal is undergoing. Knowledge of other cultures and the ability to speak English are vital skills for young Nepalese people. Many face a future in the tourist business, and therefore the ability to communicate with foreigners will increase their chances of having a better life once they leave the village.
We also believe that our volunteers benefit a lot from staying in Daman. Living in a completely different culture with local hosts and adjusting to their conditions is an unforgettable experience. Teaching them to think in new ways is their benefit. Learning from their unique way of living is yours.
Our main aim is therefore to make life easier and more enjoyable for particularly the youth in Daman by giving them better prospects for the future through improving the facilities and the teaching at the local high school.
Tasks
We will mainly be working at the local high school to construct a playground, a tennis court, and a volleyball court.
Besides from this, our volunteers will also teach in such subjects as English, Math, Science and/or Computer Science in the high school.
Location:
Daman is a small village situated at an altitude of 2320 meters and 100 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The village provides a beautiful view of the Himalayas with Mt. Everest in the east. The village lies on the Tribhuvan Highway, one of the most intrepidous highways in Nepal. Since the village lies in the outskirts of Kathmandu, it provides a great opportunity for the people residing in Kathmandu to appreciate its beauty and recreational facilities.
Food and Accommodation:
In Daman our volunteers have the unique opportunity to stay with a local family, but of course they have their private room. Please bring your own sleeping bag and mattress. A (cold) shower will be available at the camp house, but not to the standard of your respective country. You will be served Dal Bhat (a soup of lentil or beans with boiled rice) and Tarkari (cooked vegetables) by the camp leader. This is the staple diet of the Nepalese and most Nepalese people eat it every day. The camp leader will also try to offer some different foods but if you would like to enjoy your native meals, please bring necessary materials. We all take part in the daily routines, so the volunteers will help to prepare meals in turn.
Meeting Point and Orientation Day:
We meet at the Friendship Foundation Nepal (FFN) office (just next to Pilgrims Guest House in Thamel) at 1PM the day before the project starts for an orientation meeting. All volunteers are requested to participate in the orientation meeting. Here we will give detailed information about our organization, the project, traveling arrangements and Nepalese culture. Any updates on the work and work camp due to sudden political changes will also be stipulated here. Therefore, we will ask that you stay updated before you leave your country at our website: www.theffn.org, or at your local embassy.
Where to stay before the project:
Thamel is a popular place in Kathmandu for travelers, as it is home to several economy hotels and guesthouses. Most of our volunteers stay at Hotel Encounter Nepal in Thamel before the work camp. We are unfortunately not able to pick up all volunteers from the airport due to entrance difficulties at the arrival of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. However, we have made an agreement with the hotel that they will pick up all FFN volunteers from the airport according to your arrival information and offer you a decent economy single room for 10 euro. You are also able to upgrade your room for an extra charge. We can help you to reserve your room in Hotel Encounter Nepal or in any other economy hotels if you prefer to stay anywhere else; Moreover please send us your full arrival information promptly. Work camp leader:
Camplader : Mr Salik Ram Bartaula
E-Mail: salikbartaula@radiffmail.com
Cell:+977-9845032447 à HOTLINK
What to Bring:
Seasonal clothes, sleeping bag, working gloves, comfortable footwear, mosquito-net, music player, reading materials or photographs and most of all: GOOD MOTIVATION!
And if our volunteers could bring pencils, pens, books and text-books for the local kids, it would be highly appreciated. These can be bought for a reasonable price in Kathmandu before departure.
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How to travel:
All volunteers travel together from Kathmandu to the camp site in Hetauda, Daman by public bus. A public bus takes between 5-7 hours to get Hetauda. It will be arranged and managed by the FFN. Should anything prevent the volunteer from arriving to Kathmandu before departure for the project, please let us know and we will arrange your transportation accordingly.
Insurance:
FFN will NOT provide any kind of INSURANCE to volunteers during the project period. Please have the necessary insurance to cover your needs BEFORE you arrive. We can assure you that we will make our best effort to create a safe working environment.
Camp Fee: 200 Euros. This fee covers the cost of administration, work, food, and accommodation which includes two-way transportation for the volunteer. It also includes a donation to the local community, pocket money for the work camp leader, and contribution to our emergency fund. The camp fee is collected on orientation day. Please pay the camp fee in Nepalese currency according to the current exchange rate. All major international currencies or travelers' cheques and cash are acceptable in Nepalese banks. We ask that all volunteers read the volunteer guideline and contract carefully before paying the camp fee. If you have not received this, please ask your camp leader or the FFN staff who will be at the meeting.
Extra Activities:
Hetauda industrial city tour. This is an optimal free-day acitivity. Your work camp leader will show you the different factories in Hetauda and it is a good opportunity to see the industrial parts of Nepal.
Trekking to Daman Hill (About 2500 meters in altitude). Here you can see more than 10 peaks of the Himalayan range. It is also a good way to spend your free day while staying at the work camp.
Once you finish your stay, you’ll have the opportunity to visit the some of Nepal’s beautiful spots. We suggest you to:
Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park (about 30km from Bhorle)
The cost for this excursion is 160 euros, which includes the totality of a three day programme, two nights at a tourist resort, as well as food. Chitwan is well known for its beautiful nature, jungle, wild life, and relaxed atmosphere.
How to find Friendship Foundation Nepal (FFN) Office:
FFN is located in Thamel, near Amrit Campus and next to the Pilgrim Guest House on Main Street. You can see our signboard on the left side of the street if you head north. Our office is in on the 2nd floor.