Help on your favorite project
You can help on any project listed on the Projects page.
If you have any ideas, any wishes, never hesitate to contact us or come directly to do it!
New skills are welcome:)
This website is also a volunteer's project, if you have any knowledge in graphic design or IT, you can ask Ranjan to get the access and update it, it's open ;)
You can also fix spelling and grammar mistakes!
The project needs to be developed on internet, social networks and other volunteer websites.
How to organize to volunteer
by Candice and Heath, volunteers ;)
So as I know from looking at volunteering on the internet myself you will be interested to
know how much this might cost and to go about organizing to visit Ranjan and his family.
Cross Cultural Training
There is no formal cross cultural training included in this experience however Ranjan will provide you with some written information on simple do's and don'ts and I'm sure you can find some general information on the internet about being culturally sensitive and just keep an open mind and gentle footsteps.
Travel Arrangements
Your travel arrangements and insurance will be up to you to organise. It is not likely that you can be picked up from the airport and will need to arrange your own transportation to Chitwan however this means you can spend some time in Kathmandu to settle in a bit first if you choose. Many tourists head from Kathmandu to Chitwan for the Elephant safari so it should be easy to arrange your transport from there or even in advance through a tour company if you wish. It will be up to you to think about what to pack, how to prepare, how much money to bring and all of the usual advice which you should be able to find by searching on volunteering websites.
Emergencies
There is no 24 hour contact as is offered with some companies. However, you are only 15 minutes from the tourist area of Chitwan which has telephones and internet. If you need to visit a hospital or return to the city, Ranjan is able to arrange this for you and his family demonstrated so much care and attention in those few times we were feeling unwell that we felt like our own Mum's were looking after us! There is an excellent international clinic in Kathmandu called the Ciwec Clinic if you are concerned about any medical issues. It is best to take your own medical kit as many things we are used to, are not available locally.
Cost
Advantages include that this will be a comparatively low cost volunteering opportunity. Ranjan and his family will advise how much your stay will cost them and it will be your choice as to whether you would like to contribute to his projects. Be prepared to want to do this though because although Ranjan will not give you any sort of sales pitch, I'm sure you will be sold on the idea of contributing once you get there. There is absolutely no pressure put on you to do this other than that which you may put on yourself once you visit. Other advantages include that you can feel more like you are getting a genuine volunteering experience that is certainly not manufactured to take your tourist dollars. What you get out of it is completely up to you. We have not included an amount you will need to pay on this website so that when this needs updating, you are not mislead however you will find it is relatively lower than living at home in a western country and much lower than usual traveling costs once you factor in hotel bills etc.
To arrange your stay
Please contact Ranjan here to begin your arrangements and start your adventure! If you would like to talk to us (Candice and Heath) about our experiences, please ask Ranjan for our email addresses. We would love to talk about it forever because our families have already heard it all too much!
"Just do it! It's awesome!"