Asia Horizon is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious volunteer organization (NGO) registered with the Social Welfare Council of the Government of Nepal. It has been running volunteer programs in Nepal for community support and cultural exchanges. A group of social activists and experts in culture and tourism founded this organization. Programs are available year-round in the areas of English teaching, orphanage, conservation work, health, and many more as per the interest of volunteers. By joining our program, you are investing for your future and making difference in the life of needy people of rural communities.

Once you think about volunteering, your mind may be full of questions, doubts and excitements. We hope to provide satisfactory answer for most of these initial queries in this part.

1. Why do I choose Nepal?
2. Is Nepal safe?
3. What is the program duration?
4. What age do I have to be a volunteer?
5. Do I have to speak a foreign language?
6. Why should I pay for registration fee?
7. How could I make my payment?
8. Is the program fee tax-deductible?
9. Are Master, Visa and other cards accepted?
10. Who organizes my flights?
11. Do I need travel insurance?
12. What Should I bring for myself?
13. What should I bring for kids in project?
14. Will there be any volunteers present during orientation time?
15. What are the existing conditions of my placement?
16. Will there be someone to pick me up from airport?
17. Will I have time to explore Kathmandu during my language and culture program?
18. How much extra money do I need?
19. Will I have communications access?
20. Can I bring my cell phone from my home country?
21. Can I accompany with other volunteers?
22. Is it possible to change placement if I get dissatisfied?
23. What happens if I decide to return home before the placement is over?
24. Vaccinations and Medication
25. Are Asia Horizon programs only for International volunteers?
26. Visa
27. Visa Extension
28. Traveling
29. Where is the arrival and departure point?
30. What is the best time to travel in Nepal?
31. Clothes and Climate in Placement Areas
32. Emergency Contact
33. What are the characteristics of good volunteer?

Why do I choose Nepal?

Humanity breaks the fences of countries and cultures. Almost 50% of Nepali people live under the poverty line. The education and health facilities in rural areas are insufficient; and the rural schools lack trained teachers, as well as a sufficient number of teachers in general. Due to poverty and insufficient educational facilities, hundreds of children in rural areas dropout school and leave for cities in search of work. In cities, they work as trash collector, child laborers in restaurants, hotels, and factories. Your small effort may help to see them brighter future.

Is Nepal safe?

Asia Horizon always ensures you that you are placed in safe environments while volunteering in Nepal. There are no cases of serious security threats for foreigners in Nepal. Nepal is a very poor country; however, unlike many developing countries Nepal is quite safe. There are some instances of petty crime in Kathmandu; however, in the rural areas crime is rare. Nepal receives more than 400,000 visitors per year. Maoist party of Nepal has come to the mainstream politics. None of foreigners have targeted in the past years.

What is the program duration?

Our volunteer opportunities start on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month run throughout the year for a period of 2-12 week.

What age do I have to be a volunteer?

You must be at least 18 years old to be a volunteer and you should be in good health; there is no upper limit.

Do I have to speak a foreign language?

Volunteers on our short-term (2-3 week programs) do not need foreign language skills. Those volunteers interested in participating on one of our long-term programs need to have intermediate language abilities in the spoken language of the program country. Orientation will include an intensive introduction to Nepali language and you will learn Nepali language quickly.

Why should I pay for registration fee?

The registration fee is required to run the organization (office space, computers, Internet, supplies and Staffs). Asia Horizon maintains one central office at Kathmandu and field office at Chitwan. It has international office in USA to run the coordinated program. Part of the fee goes to maintaining these offices. Furthermore, we have been running school construction and renovation project in Chitwan to offer more schooling opportunities for children of Nepal. We are also developing some conservation projects. The remaining money of the program directly goes to support these programs.

How could I make my payment?

All payments have to be done at the beginning of the volunteer program in Nepali currency. We do not accept monthly installments. If you want to stay longer than your committed period, you have to inform us and pay accordingly.

Is the program fee tax-deductible?

Asia Horizon is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The program fees and all expenses related to your volunteer program, including airfare, are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. However, any amount given by donors for your specific volunteer program is NOT tax-deductible for the donors. Please consult a tax professional regarding your individual tax situation.

Are Master, Visa and other cards accepted?

Nowadays, there are ATM services in most of the cities in Nepal, which will be open during the day. There are also several banks and money exchange services. You can bring Master/Visa card, cash $/ Euro or travelers checks, these all are accepted.

Who organizes my flights?

You will have to arrange your flights to and from Nepal since you are not charged for airfare.

Do I need travel insurance?

As with any overseas traveling, health insurance is recommended. Please obtain necessary health and travel insurance before coming to Nepal. Talk to your travel agent about this or search on the internet to see what offers are available, and make sure you look into the details of the policy. Find out if it covers airfare in case of a medical emergency.

What should I bring for myself?

This will vary depending on what activities you want to participate in and how much you need to be comfortable during your placement. With the exception of medicine, first-aid-kit and high-tech trekking gear, you can buy everything that you would need for your placement in Kathmandu (likely cheaper than in your home country). Here are a few suggestions:

· Sleeping Bag
· Hiking boots
· Waterproof jacket (a fold-away windcheater is fine)
· Mosquito repellent
· Sun cream
· Water purification tablets and/or good quality water purifier
· First aid kit
· Flashlight (torch)
· Penknife
· Books about your country
· Photos of your family / friends / home
· A few examples of your local currency
· Basic Learner's English/Nepali/English dictionary - for simple definitions buy a Nepali dictionary on arrival in Kathmandu)
· Colored pencils and pens, drawing books, stickers

What should I bring for kids in project?

It is not obligation to bring gift for project but they would appreciate, if you bring any gifts. You could bring gifts like toys, books, chocolate, pencil etc.

Will there be any volunteers present during orientation time?

Asia Horizon receives 10-20 volunteers a month (depending on season) most long-term volunteers join the language and culture program. We offer language and culture program in fixed dates to make a small group. Usually there are between 3 and 10 volunteers at the orientation.

What are the existing conditions of my placement?

You are provided with food and accommodations; your program fee covers them. During the training, you will stay at hostel in Kathmandu with other volunteers. We offer food and accommodations from the first day of the program to the last day. Local food trice a day is provided for you while training and volunteering. You are advised to buy your own bottled water once you arrive in Nepal. For the volunteers who arrive earlier or who want to stay longer, it is not possible to offer accommodations and food, but we will help volunteers to find a quality, inexpensive place to stay.

The living conditions of the placement depend on the area. One should not expect luxurious accommodations with cozy bed, hot showers and a bathroom like in your home country. You will be placed within a family setting with your own room. Most placements have electricity. Our host families are mostly educated, well respected in society, and experienced with international volunteers. Some members of host families may speak English.

Will there be someone to pick me up from airport?

You need not be worry about airport pick-up. One of our representatives will be waiting for you at the airport terminal. He will be holding a sign with your name on it. Please do not forget to send your detailed flight itinerary in advance.

Will I have time to explore Kathmandu during my language and culture program?

You will have plenty of time to explore the Kathmandu Valley during orientation. As a part of the language program, we offer full day guided tour of Kathmandu valley.

How much extra money do I need?

We manage food and accommodation for volunteers from the first to last day of program so there will not be need of more money. It depends on how much you want to expend. The things in Nepal are a lot cheaper. You may need some extra money if you plan to take part in activities outside the organization or if you just want to buy some souvenirs. You must also remember the VISA fee, which can range from $30-60 US dollars depending on the length of stay. There is also an airport tax, which you pay upon your departure from Nepal. This can range from $15-25 US dollars.

Will I have communications access?

This all depends on your placement. Almost all placements will have access to a Post Office. If you are in a city placement, you can have phone and e-mail access. However, this information will all be given to you before your departure to Nepal.

Can I bring my cell phone from my home country?

Please bring your cell phone. You can use most mobile handsets with a local SIM card in Nepal. Moreover, cell phones are available in cheap price in Nepal.

Can I accompany with other volunteers?

We allow people to come with a friend or even in a large group. You sometimes may be placed in different location situated within 1-2 miles. We can place any volunteer near to another volunteer already working in the field. Please be reminded that two different genders of volunteers are not allowed to stay in same house unless they are a married couple.

Is it possible to change placement if I get dissatisfied?

Asia Horizon will consider request of volunteer seriously for the change of placement to meet the expectation of volunteers. We cannot change position frequently without genuine reasons.

What happens if I decide to return home before the placement is over?

Once the volunteer makes a decision and pays for the program fee, upon receipt of invoice, Asia Horizon does not refund any program fee under any circumstances. Nevertheless, if the volunteer have unavoidable circumstances (such as illness, death of in the family etc) may request to leave the program, we will consider to return 30% of the host family cost, if volunteer are registered for more than 30 days program. No refund will be made if program is less than 30 days and if volunteer leave program in their own decision.

Vaccinations and Medication

This all depends on what vaccinations you already have and what country you are coming from. We suggest that you consult a travel doctor from your country before you arrive. (NOTE: Some vaccinations are needed as much as 2 months before arrival to Nepal). Asia Horizon does not cover liability and insurance of volunteers. Therefore, volunteers must have appropriate insurance before joining the program. However, you should consider the following vaccinations:

• Hepatitis A & B
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Yellow fever
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis
• Malaria tablets

Are Asia Horizon programs only for International volunteers?

We mobilize national volunteers along with international volunteer as their counterparts.

Visa

Any traveler in Nepal can stay on a tourist visa for 5 months each year at $1 per day. You can get the tourist visa at the Nepalese embassy in your country or at the Tribhuvan International Airport upon arrival. A non-tourist visa is difficult to obtain and are twice as expensive as the tourist visa. It is the responsibility of volunteers to manage their own tickets and visa. Asia Horizon suggests volunteers do not stay more than 5 months. Please call the nearest consular or embassy of Nepal to confirm that you can get a visa at the airport.

Visa Extension

Visa extension is obtained from the Department of Immigration in Katmandu or Pokhara. Extensions are valid for 30 days and cost in Nepalese rupees the equivalent of US$50 at the government exchange rate. You must pay for visa extensions. You are allowed to stay up to 120 days on a tourist visa then for any extension up to 150 days total you are required to show an airline ticket with a suitable date on it, with OK status (i.e. not wait-listed). If you overstay your visa, the fine is US$1 a day and US$50 (i.e. for a month’s extension), paid in rupees. For overstay periods of less than a week this can be processed at the airport on departure.

Traveling

If you are planning to travel Nepal after or before work camps or volunteer programs, you will need some extra money. Nepal is a cheap place for shopping and travel. If you want to buy gifts for family and friends, you can buy it in Kathmandu. Please pay Himalayan volunteers in Nepalese currency. It is possible to get $8-$10 hotel room per night in Kathmandu. You can change your major currencies and travelers checks in Kathmandu and at the airport. It is good idea to change your travel check at the airport.

Where is the arrival and departure point?

Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu is the only international airport in Nepal, so all international flights arrive and depart from there. Our representative will meet you at the airport.

What is the best time to travel in Nepal?

Any time of year is a great time to be in Nepal. If you wish to trek, the best times are from September through November and March through May. The summer is the rainy season and as a result trekking is difficult. The winters are mild in Katmandu with no snow. Even though, Nepal is home of the world’s highest mountain range, the country is at warm latitude, the altitude offsets the sub continental heat leaving a very pleasant climate.

Clothes and Climate in Placement Areas

Nepal is not always as cold as people think. The country is geographically divided into three parts. The Himalayan region of Nepal is very cold in winter while the mid hill region (Kathmandu and Pokhara) and mid-terai region (Chitwan) of Nepal have a different climate in different seasons. The weather is cold from December to March but warm and moderately hot in the summer. The spring and fall are cool and very pleasant. Please bring your winter cloths (thick layers!) if you are coming in Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb and summer clothes for the rest of the months. We advise female volunteers not to wear short skirts in villages. Nepalese people dress modestly and girls cover most of their body; it is the Nepalese tradition.

Emergency Contact

You have three parties available to you 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise: Asia Horizon staff, your host family, and your program supervisor. You will have contact information for all three before you arrive. If you failed to get our representative at airport or if your flight changed suddenly, please go directly to hotel Eden located 6 miles from the airport. It is reasonably cheaper hotel with moderate standard. Please call our office from the hotel.

What are the characteristics of good volunteer?

If you have attributes like Independence, Patience, Sense of humor, Tolerance Willingness, Flexibility, Self-motivation and Open-mindedness, you get the most out of your stay in Nepal.