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Women's empowerment in Kathmandu

Teach English and practical life skills to women who want to build more independence for themselves and their families. A trip into the heart of Kathmandu to settle into Nepali culture up close and support real, lasting change.

Where

Where

Kathmandu, Nepal

When

When

Departures every week, all year round (excluding holiday closures)

Duration

Duration

From 2 weeks

Accommodation

Accommodation

Shared or private rooms in the volunteer house, with meals included

Language

Language

Basic English is enough

Ideal for

Ideal for

Anyone who wants to teach, share ideas and see daily life in Kathmandu through the eyes of Nepali women

Travel destination

Project details

About section

A project born from a wish to make education open to women who never had the chance.

 

"In Kathmandu, many women come from rural areas looking for work and stability, but often they've never been to school. The lack of education limits opportunities and feeds a sense of dependence, both economically and socially.

To respond to this, some local organisations have set up community schools for adult women, where they can learn English, maths and practical skills for everyday life.

By taking part in the project, you'll support that path towards independence and confidence: teaching small groups, adapting lessons to each student's needs and sharing genuine moments of cultural exchange."

Why participate

Support women's independence

You help adult women build practical skills and confidence, opening up real chances of independence.

Support women's independence

See Nepali culture from the inside

See Nepali culture from the inside

The Weekly Program

Weekdays

From Monday to Friday, your days are split between lessons with the women's groups, conversations, and hands-on activities.

Each day looks a little different: you might teach English, maths or practical life skills, always alongside the local coordinators.

Afternoons are for prepping the next day's lessons and swapping ideas with the other participants, in a friendly, collaborative space.

07:00Breakfast and getting ready for the day
08:30Lessons start: English, maths or practical skills with the women's groups
11:00Tea break and informal chat with the participants
14:00Afternoon teaching session or workshop activity (art, computers, life skills)
17:00Back at the house, free time or prepping the next day's lessons
19:00Shared dinner and a cultural evening or downtime with the other volunteers

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

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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Cost calculator

Weeks:
2
Total cost:
£0
🍽️Accommodation, meals and daily essentials included
🚫No group kitty, no add-ons, no hidden fees
🫶Your fee directly supports our local partner

What's included

What's not included

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.
🛡️ 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.
🧭 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 for “Women's Empowerment” with the local coordinators


📌 After orientation

From Tuesday you'll start the educational activities, working alongside the local staff and joining the lessons and conversations with the women on the programme.
✈️ 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.
Still have questions?

Book your spot

Booking
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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18+ confirmed participants in the coming months