Internship in Nepal: Children's Issues (Orphanage project)

This internship is a great opportunity for those interested in studying and improving the lives of deprived orphans and their often poor living conditions. A country crippled by both political instability and poverty, Nepal desperately needs help for these children who have lost their parents and family member in recent wars and associated violence. IFRE presently working with more than 8 local orphanages in different parts of Nepal - supporting their activities by sending interns and making a number of donations. Within this internship, interns will observe and study the issues these abandoned children face on a routine basis while teaching English and organizing extra-curricular activities.

Skills/Qualifications

There are no specific qualifications required for the orphanage project in Nepal . However, interns interested in working for orphans must be patient and flexible as well as have a love for these children and a willingness to share their time, compassion and energy.

Intern's responsibilities

As an intern in the orphanage project in Nepal , you will teach English (3-4 hours a day) in the orphanage or school (when the orphans go to school during the day). You will help the children to maintain their personal hygiene by introducing healthy practices/routines - brushing their teeth, showering, etc. When the children are not in school (usually in the evenings), interns will assist in organizing games, art classes, music lessons, dances, creativity-based activities, etc. Interns will also help the children with their homework assignments; in effect monitoring their academic progress. For interns not interested in teaching during the days at the children's schools, there are a number of opportunities to care for the orphans who are unable to attend school (due to their age). Interns may also be asked to assist in various duties around the orphanage - dressing the children, helping out in the kitchen (preparing, distributing meals), gardening, cleaning, routine maintenance and administrative work.

Internship in Nepal: Internship Project and Role of Supervisor

One of the most distinguished features of IFRE's internships in Nepal is the guidance of supervisors. IFRE will assign a qualified supervisor to provide assistance for all interns throughout the duration of their chosen internship. Individuals filling the role of supervisor are usually either the director or chosen staff member of the project which interns choose. During your time as an international intern, you will be assigned a number of duties which volunteers also perform (in this sense, there are very few differences between IFRE's volunteers and interns). In the internship, you will select a particular area of interest related to orphanages (or children's issues) and explore the issue further with the help of an assigned supervisor. Please note: the project supervisor DOES NOT develop internships as this is up to the intern to get as much or as little out of their projects. ALL participants should be proactive to ensure the ultimate success of their internships. Supervisors will provide at least five (5) hours each week to make certain that interns are adequately guided.

Room/Food

IFRE arranges room, meals and supervision for interns from the very beginning to the end of their internship. During the first week (if enrolled in the culture and language program), interns stay in IFRE's hostel located in Kathmandu - located in the heart of the city providing easy access to all parts of Kathmandu. Within the hostel, there are two experienced chefs who prepare authentic, Nepalese meals (very similar to Indian food) consisting of staples such as wheat breads, rice, curries, "Dal," "chapatti," and various pickles - three (3) times a day. Furthermore, as part of the culture and language program, interns stay with a local host family who will also prepare meals consisting of the local cuisines.

For the duration of the internship in Nepal , interns will stay with a local host family. However, interns in the Children's Issues project (Orphanage) will be accommodated within the orphanage's compound. Regardless of where interns are accommodated, IFRE provides a separate, simple and modest room but with shared bathrooms (with the orphanage or host family members). Details regarding living accommodations/food will be provided to interns in their personalized placement sheets prior to arrival in Nepal .

NOTE: IFRE maintains two (2) offices in Nepal - Kathmandu and Chitwan - enabling improved assistance/supervision for our interns. However, interns participating in projects located in Pokhara will stay in touch with the Kathmandu office by either telephone or email.

Nepal INTERNSHIP Program Fee & Dates:

Start Dates: Internship program starts on the following (first and third Monday of each month)

IFRE is proud to offer all of the services that our competitors offer at a very special economical price (nearly 50-175% less). We here at IFRE do not make 6-figured salaries; and we work very hard and smart to keep costs down especially for you the intern where it counts the most. We remain devoted to maintaining both the quality of the program and the safety of all interns involved. Here is a brief summary of the program fee and services that IFRE offers:

IFRE is a 501 (C) 3 organization so your program fee will be tax deductible as provided by law.

IFRE application fee: US $349. The application fee covers advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries).

Program fee covers airport pickup, comprehensive insurance, room and food ( 3 local meals a day) for the entire project period, donation to project, Nepal office expenses (rent, utilities, salaries, vehicle), communication, and project co-ordination.

Nepal language program fee: US $250 for one week

Language fee covers language and cultural training, food and accommodations for seven (7) days, training materials (books, classroom materials, orientation package, TV, video, trainers), cost of local sight-seeing/tourist site arrangements, recreational activities, village stay/host family, cultural programs and additional activities, travel related expenses (one week orientation), and insurance.

Additional costs

International flights, visa extension, personal expenses on water/soft drinks/entertainment ($1-3 per day), laundry, telephone, immunization costs.

Allocation of program fee