Where
Kathmandu, Nepal
When
Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)
Duration
From 2 weeks
Accommodation
Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included
Language
Basic English is enough
Ideal for
Anyone with a feel for education, who likes working with children with additional needs and wants a grounded human and cultural experience in Nepal
Project details
In Kathmandu, this project supports specialist schools for children with additional needs, offering attention, continuity and an inclusive setting.
In Kathmandu, many families face the daily challenge of finding the right kind of education for their children with disabilities, in a setting where they feel welcomed. The specialist schools do important work, but often run on limited resources and need real human and educational support. The project is here to back up that everyday work alongside the teachers.
As a participant, you'll step into the school routine, working with children and young people of different abilities and adapting educational, creative and physical activities to their needs. You'll work alongside the teachers and therapists, helping create a setting built on trust and encouragement, where every small step counts. It's a grounded experience, built on relationship, listening and presence, that shows how inclusive education comes mostly from time and shared attention.
As a participant, you'll step into the school routine, working with children and young people of different abilities and adapting educational, creative and physical activities to their needs. You'll work alongside the teachers and therapists, helping create a setting built on trust and encouragement, where every small step counts. It's a grounded experience, built on relationship, listening and presence, that shows how inclusive education comes mostly from time and shared attention.
Teach with care, in the heart of Nepal
In Kathmandu, this project supports specialist schools for children with additional needs, offering attention, continuity and an inclusive setting.
In Kathmandu, many families face the daily challenge of finding the right kind of education for their children with disabilities, in a setting where they feel welcomed. The specialist schools do important work, but often run on limited resources and need real human and educational support. The project is here to back up that everyday work alongside the teachers.
As a participant, you'll step into the school routine, working with children and young people of different abilities and adapting educational, creative and physical activities to their needs. You'll work alongside the teachers and therapists, helping create a setting built on trust and encouragement, where every small step counts. It's a grounded experience, built on relationship, listening and presence, that shows how inclusive education comes mostly from time and shared attention.
As a participant, you'll step into the school routine, working with children and young people of different abilities and adapting educational, creative and physical activities to their needs. You'll work alongside the teachers and therapists, helping create a setting built on trust and encouragement, where every small step counts. It's a grounded experience, built on relationship, listening and presence, that shows how inclusive education comes mostly from time and shared attention.
Why participate
Make a real difference
You support the development and growth of children, with attention, continuity and steady educational support each day.
Why participate
Make a real difference
You support the development and growth of children, with attention, continuity and steady educational support each day.
Build human and professional skills
You learn to work in inclusive educational settings, building empathy, adaptability and people skills that come in handy in your career.
The Weekly Program
Weekdays
From Monday to Friday, the days follow a structured but flexible routine, designed to fit the school's rhythms and the needs of children with additional educational needs. Activities mostly take place in the morning and early afternoon, between classroom support, learning sessions and hands-on activities.
Part of the time is for prepping activities and chatting with the teachers and local coordinators, adapting methods and content to each student's level and abilities.
07:30Breakfast and getting ready for the day
09:30Arriving at school and prepping the activities with the teachers
10:00Educational activities in class: one-to-one support, learning games and sensory activities
12:30Lunch break and time with the children and staff
13:30Hands-on and creative activities, or support for educational and physical sessions
16:00Back at the centre, free time, a chat with the coordinators and prep for the next day
Weekend
Weekends are free of set activities. You can explore the area, plan a short trip, or just take it easy with the other volunteers.
Take it easy and explore the cafés in Thamel
Try Nepali food, browse the craft shops and soak up the lively buzz of the area.
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FAQs
🏠 Your home in Kathmandu
For your stay you'll be at the Program House in Dhapasi Height, around 5 km from central Kathmandu: a quiet, well-connected area, ideal for settling into local Nepali life. The house hosts volunteers and interns from all over the world, with a friendly, collaborative feel.
Inside, you'll find a mini library, a lounge area to relax in, a garden where the cultural evenings often take place, and a shared dining room where meals and stories from the day are passed around.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (4–6 people) or private rooms (1–2 people) on request
• Shared bathrooms with hot showers
• Bed linen provided (towels not included)
• Fan and mosquito nets available
• Lockable rooms and a personal safe for your valuables
• Wi-Fi in the common areas
• Laundry available for a fee at the house or nearby
🍛 Meals & daily life
Each day, 3 meals on weekdays and 2 at weekends are prepared by the local team. The food is simple and homemade, with Nepali dishes and a few Western influences, mostly vegetarian (rice, vegetables, pulses, occasionally chicken).
Drinks like water and tea are always available, and any dietary needs can be flagged in advance. For activities outside the house, you'll get a packed lunch or eat at trusted local restaurants.
🤝 Common spaces & services
• Lounge and study area with desks and power points
• Outdoor garden for group activities
• Shared fridge for food and drinks
• ATMs, mini-marts and restaurants within walking distance (≈15 minutes)
• Daily support from the local coordinators and the international team
💛 More than just a place to stay
The Dhapasi Height house is at the heart of the experience: a place where cultures meet, and where you learn not only to teach, but also to share daily life with people from different countries and backgrounds.
For your stay you'll be at the Program House in Dhapasi Height, around 5 km from central Kathmandu: a quiet, well-connected area, ideal for settling into local Nepali life. The house hosts volunteers and interns from all over the world, with a friendly, collaborative feel.
Inside, you'll find a mini library, a lounge area to relax in, a garden where the cultural evenings often take place, and a shared dining room where meals and stories from the day are passed around.
🛏️ Rooms and comfort
• Shared rooms (4–6 people) or private rooms (1–2 people) on request
• Shared bathrooms with hot showers
• Bed linen provided (towels not included)
• Fan and mosquito nets available
• Lockable rooms and a personal safe for your valuables
• Wi-Fi in the common areas
• Laundry available for a fee at the house or nearby
🍛 Meals & daily life
Each day, 3 meals on weekdays and 2 at weekends are prepared by the local team. The food is simple and homemade, with Nepali dishes and a few Western influences, mostly vegetarian (rice, vegetables, pulses, occasionally chicken).
Drinks like water and tea are always available, and any dietary needs can be flagged in advance. For activities outside the house, you'll get a packed lunch or eat at trusted local restaurants.
🤝 Common spaces & services
• Lounge and study area with desks and power points
• Outdoor garden for group activities
• Shared fridge for food and drinks
• ATMs, mini-marts and restaurants within walking distance (≈15 minutes)
• Daily support from the local coordinators and the international team
💛 More than just a place to stay
The Dhapasi Height house is at the heart of the experience: a place where cultures meet, and where you learn not only to teach, but also to share daily life with people from different countries and backgrounds.
🛡️ Safety and support
Kathmandu is a welcoming city, full of contrasts and culture. The areas where we work are safe and well connected, with ongoing support from our local coordinators. All programmes are run by experienced staff and overseen by the local partner organisation, which works closely with the authorities and communities in the area.
🔹 Background checks
To keep everyone safe, every participant is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send you clear instructions to make the process quick and easy.
🔹 Safety standards
• Accommodation in quiet, easily reachable areas
• Local coordinator on hand at the centre
• Access checks and daily monitoring of participants
• Activities only in supervised, safe settings
• Emergency phone lines active 24/7
🔹 Ongoing support
From your arrival to your return, you can count on the local team 24 hours a day and on ongoing support from our UK team, always reachable on WhatsApp for anything that comes up.
🔹 Sensible habits
✔ Avoid walking alone at night or in quiet areas
✔ Always keep the emergency numbers we share to hand
✔ Let the coordinators know if you're heading off on your own
✔ Stick to the house and programme rules
✔ Don't leave valuables unattended
💡 Our aim
To give you a grounded, safe experience, so you can focus on what matters: meeting people, getting to know Nepal and growing as a person.
Kathmandu is a welcoming city, full of contrasts and culture. The areas where we work are safe and well connected, with ongoing support from our local coordinators. All programmes are run by experienced staff and overseen by the local partner organisation, which works closely with the authorities and communities in the area.
🔹 Background checks
To keep everyone safe, every participant is asked to provide a criminal record check (DBS or equivalent) before travelling. We'll send you clear instructions to make the process quick and easy.
🔹 Safety standards
• Accommodation in quiet, easily reachable areas
• Local coordinator on hand at the centre
• Access checks and daily monitoring of participants
• Activities only in supervised, safe settings
• Emergency phone lines active 24/7
🔹 Ongoing support
From your arrival to your return, you can count on the local team 24 hours a day and on ongoing support from our UK team, always reachable on WhatsApp for anything that comes up.
🔹 Sensible habits
✔ Avoid walking alone at night or in quiet areas
✔ Always keep the emergency numbers we share to hand
✔ Let the coordinators know if you're heading off on your own
✔ Stick to the house and programme rules
✔ Don't leave valuables unattended
💡 Our aim
To give you a grounded, safe experience, so you can focus on what matters: meeting people, getting to know Nepal and growing as a person.
🧭 Orientation day
Your first Monday in Kathmandu is for orientation: a key moment to settle into the local culture, get to know the area and start with the right basics in place.
During the day you'll take part in different activities run by the local team:
• Welcome ceremony with traditional “Puja” ritual
• Introduction to the programme and the centre's rules
• Session on Nepali culture, customs and social behaviour
• Walk around Dhapasi Height and the main reference points (ATMs, shops, SIMs, money exchange)
• Lunch break with the other participants
• Briefing and project assignment with the local coordinators
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll start the educational activities, working alongside the local staff and joining the lessons and sessions with the children at the specialist school.
Your first Monday in Kathmandu is for orientation: a key moment to settle into the local culture, get to know the area and start with the right basics in place.
During the day you'll take part in different activities run by the local team:
• Welcome ceremony with traditional “Puja” ritual
• Introduction to the programme and the centre's rules
• Session on Nepali culture, customs and social behaviour
• Walk around Dhapasi Height and the main reference points (ATMs, shops, SIMs, money exchange)
• Lunch break with the other participants
• Briefing and project assignment with the local coordinators
📌 After orientation
From Tuesday you'll start the educational activities, working alongside the local staff and joining the lessons and sessions with the children at the specialist school.
✈️ Tips for arrival and departure: Kathmandu, Nepal
We'd recommend booking a flight into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) on a Sunday, between 06:00 and 24:00. That's when the airport pickup and transfer organised by the local team is running.
📍 Official meeting point
Program House, Dhapasi Height The coordinator will be waiting with a sign at 16:00 on Sunday. Please don't leave the meeting point until the staff has reached you.
🚗 Transfers
• Free transfer included on Sunday (06:00–24:00)
• Private pickup available at other times or days (extra cost)
• Travel time airport to accommodation: ≈45 minutes
• Return on Saturday: check-out by 12:00 and help with taxis or shuttles (not included)
📱 Connection and comms
We'd recommend picking up a local SIM during orientation, or activating an eSIM before you travel (e.g. through Airalo). That way you'll always be connected with the team and your family back home.
💡 Before you travel
Once your booking is confirmed, we'll email you a pack with coordinator contacts, maps, emergency numbers and all the practical info for a smooth arrival.
We'd recommend booking a flight into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) on a Sunday, between 06:00 and 24:00. That's when the airport pickup and transfer organised by the local team is running.
📍 Official meeting point
Program House, Dhapasi Height The coordinator will be waiting with a sign at 16:00 on Sunday. Please don't leave the meeting point until the staff has reached you.
🚗 Transfers
• Free transfer included on Sunday (06:00–24:00)
• Private pickup available at other times or days (extra cost)
• Travel time airport to accommodation: ≈45 minutes
• Return on Saturday: check-out by 12:00 and help with taxis or shuttles (not included)
📱 Connection and comms
We'd recommend picking up a local SIM during orientation, or activating an eSIM before you travel (e.g. through Airalo). That way you'll always be connected with the team and your family back home.
💡 Before you travel
Once your booking is confirmed, we'll email you a pack with coordinator contacts, maps, emergency numbers and all the practical info for a smooth arrival.
Book your spot
1
Send your application (free)
Pick the project you like the look of and tell us when you'd like to travel. No commitment, the application is free and non-binding.
2
Meet your coordinator
After your application, we'll put you in touch with your dedicated coordinator. They'll walk you through everything and answer your questions.
3
Confirm your spot
When you're ready, pay the deposit to lock in your spot. You'll get everything you need: local contacts, a visa guide and your pre-trip pack.
4
Off you go
Pack your bag and travel. On arrival you'll find other travellers like you, a welcoming local team, and a trip you'll be talking about for a while.
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