Future plans: Water tank, two classrooms, toilet and more has been done so far
We have been operating in Banepa since 2001 aiming to improve the basic infrastructural, agricultural, sanitary and health conditions of the village and its inhabitants. So far we have made a community house, fire lines, water drains and much more, but many things still need to be done. We therefore engage in many different types of work in Banepa. Volunteers aren’t expected to partake in each individual task, and will solely invest their energy in their strongsuits.
Main tasks
The main project is our environmental and agricultural program in association with Shree Saradadevi Community Forest Consumer's Group. Together with the community you will help plantation, maintenance of forest, making fire lines, removing unnecessary grass, and other like chores in the local forest. We maintain and dig water drains to prevent the road from flooding during the monsoon. The volunteer will also be involved in seasonal agricultural work to assist local farmers in planting and harvesting crops.
We are also currently constructing a community house for the locals. In collaboration with skilled constructors, we carry bricks and sand and survey their construction. In the nearby school, we are planning to construct a toilet and two more classrooms.
You may also work at the school to assist in construction or painting of the school. We will explain details about the objectives and activities of the work camp project during the orientation meeting.
Additional tasks
We arrange health orientation meetings with the village inhabitants where we stress the importance of hygiene, sanitation, and health.
Location:
Kavre, Banepa is situated at 1800 meters of altitude and located about 30 KM east from Kathmandu. This is a beautiful town surrounded by green hills and panoramic views of the Himalayan range from the window of the camp house. Banepa is one and half-hour journey by local bus from Kathmandu and then half an hour walk to reach the camp house situated in the middle of the mountain.
Food and Accommodation:
We stay in a camp house where we all stay together. The house has got three rooms, two sleeping rooms and a kitchen.
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.
During your stay, the local villagers who really appreciates your help and company always invites our volunteers for dinner at their house and even for you to stay in their house one night. This is a highlight and a golden opportunity to experience true Nepali village life.
Culture Exchange and Home Stay programme:
The Banepa community will arrange a Home Stay program. On this day, they will invite you to the village, serve you food, and introduce you to the Nepalese culture. This is a unique experience to meet and interact with the local people. After the event, it is also possible to stay with a local family for the night.
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:
Nabin (hotlink)
Maheswor (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.
How to travel:
All volunteers travel together from Kathmandu to the camp site in Banepa. It normally takes a bit more than an hour by public bus. 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:
There are many ways to explore the surrounding area during your free day. You can visit the many temples in Panauti City which is listed as one of the World Cultural Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Or visit Bhaktapur, Dhulikhel and many other surrounding places.
Another opportunity is to take a two day trekking trip to Namobuddha and
Nagarkot. It will approximately cost around 50 euros including food and accommodation, but will of course be done after the work camp.
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.