Nepal is the birth-place of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Buddhism is practiced throughout the land and there are countless wonderful Buddhist monasteries scattered all over the country. Furthermore, many exiled Tibetans have inhabited Nepal as well as India & Bhutan. About 20% of them live in Nepal; though they are free to practice their religion, there still are many obstacles to overcome especially in Nepal. Since monks living in such monasteries never get to learn English; they have been experiencing difficulties in interacting with their western disciples which has noticeably increased in the present times. The ‘Rinpoche’s’ (monk of the higher stand) have realized this fact and realized without knowing English there will be some kind of barrier in further spreading the teaching of the Buddha. Thus volunteers can help-out and teach English, especially to these monks. Monks can be extremely eager to learn as well as very much well-behaved. There are also primary schools established by the Tibetan community in Nepal which provide education schooling in Buddhism as well as English & computer skills. Volunteers can work in such schools too, giving Basic English lessons plus organizing other curricular-activities like sports, painting etc.
Project Info:
Your role as a volunteer: Your role as a volunteer for teaching in the monastery requires providing the basic conversational English to these monks as well as the children. Depending on need, volunteers will also be involved in organizing other curricular-activities like sports, drawing, painting and other inspirational/creative activities. You will witness/participate in the Buddhist rituals too in these monasteries.
Basically, the duty will be conducting English classes (2-3 hrs. each day). Running/organizing extra-curricular activities like games, drawing, singing, dancing or other creative educational classes for the children. You will be also involved in operating educational-tours, assist children with their homework, check their academic progress etc. You can help-out the administration too if needed.
Required Skills or Qualification: No such teaching skills or experience are required, but you should have good level of English, both written & spoken. You should obey all the existing cultures/rules inside the monastery and respect the monks.
Location of the project: Teaching in monasteries projects is available inside Kathmandu as most of these monasteries and Tibetan Children school are located in Kathmandu. Kathmandu is a lively city and also the capital of Nepal; it’s the prominent tourist-destination, too where modernity & traditional culture have blended together perfectly which can be seen in places like Patan, Bhaktapur, Thamel etc. During free time, volunteers are free to explore the city where a choice of restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, shopping centers, cyber-cafes can be located almost anywhere nowadays.
Orientation & Language classes: An option of a week’s long orientation class related to the language & culture of the Nepalese society can also be obtained to understand the country & the people much better as well as to make things easier. This class is intended to provide necessary & basic language skills, cultural knowledge plus safety & security tips before you can actually start-up your assignment.
Accommodation & Supervision: During the project period, volunteers will stay at our hostel. A separate room will be provided but you need to share the bathroom, kitchen, restroom. Our field-staff will pay a visit once in every 2 weeks.
After your arrival, you will stay at our hostel in Kathmandu and also during the orientation & language class. The hostel is located in a prime location in Kathmandu and easily accessible to most parts of the city. We have our own cook and a Nepali meal (close to Indian food and include wheat bread, rice, curry, dal, chapatti, pickle) will be served. During your host family stay, they will provide you the daily food.
