EHN booklet DRAFTehn-nepal.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/EHN-Volunteer-Booklet.pdf · sanitizer...

EHNNEPAL

More than just a Volunteer Organization!Certificate of Social welfare Council Registration No 38964

District Administrative Office Kathmandu Registration No: 604

NAMASTE,THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO VOLUNTEER WITH EHN.

THE FOLLOWING BOOKLET WILL PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR JOURNEY TO NEPAL. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY, IF

YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT US, WE LOOK FORWARD TO

SEEING YOU IN NEPAL!

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Education & Health Nepal. Bhatbetini, Kathmandu, Nepal Web: http://www.ehn-nepal.org/ Email: [email protected]

Phone: 977- 9803719037

http://ehn-nepal.moonfruit.com/#


mailto:[email protected]


TRIP DETAILS PAGE 3

• Who are EHN?• Cost Inclusions and Exclusions

TRAVEL INFORMATION PAGE 4-6

• Flight and Visa Information• Customs• Airport Pickup• Travel Insurance• Money

HEALTH AND FIRST AID PAGE 7-8

• Personal Hygiene and Water• Medical and First Aid Supplies• Vaccinations• Health Insurance• Medical Facilities

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS PAGE 9-10

• Language and greetings• Clothing• Religion• Photography• Begging• Tips

EQUIPMENT / CHECK LIST PAGE 11

• Volunteer Checklist

IMPORTANT INFORMATION PAGE 12

• Safety

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Phone: 977- 9803719037

TABLE OF CONTENTS





TRIP DETAILS

WHO ARE EHN?

Education & Health Nepal is a Non-profit Organization based in Nepal set up to provide help and support to various placements across Nepal as well as our own projects. All of the people who work for EHN work for free so all of the money raised can be sent back to Nepal where its needed the most. It’s a joint English/ Nepali organization which takes Western ideas and adapts them into the Nepali environment for maximum success.

INCLUDED IN COST:

• Transport to and from the placement

• Accommodation and Meals (Nepali Standard) with host family during placement.

• 24 hour Support at Placement

• Guided City tour in Kathmandu

NOT INCLUDED IN COST:

• Insurance (Medical, Travel, Personal Belongings, trip cancellation)

• Flight or land Transport from your country to Nepal.

• Personal expenses (i.e. gift items, snacks between meals, water)

• Visa Costs

• Medical and Doctor Expenses

• Accommodation en-route to Nepal (E.g. stay overs between connecting flights)

If there is any sightseeing / tours / trekking that you would like to incorporate with your placement with EHN please let us know, so we can try to organize this for you. (Please note any extra activities will incur additional fees which can be paid directly to EHN if needed.)

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Phone: 977- 9803719037





FLIGHT INFORMATION

• When booking your flights we can help assist you by making a recommendation to on-line ticketing sites ( Please be aware EHN will not be held responsible for any flight cancel-lations or delays). When booking your airfare please keep in mind that Nepal Airlines is known for regular flight cancellations and delays.

• Once you have booked your flights please send a copy to EHN so we can arrange yourpickup time / track any delays you may come across en-route to Nepal.

• When flying we recommend that you hand carry any important / irreplaceable items. It’salso a good idea to take a photocopy of your passport and airline tickets as a backup.

VISA

Visas can easily be purchased on arrival in Kathmandu for US $25-$100 (depending on du-ration of your travel). You will need a Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date you apply for your Visa and Two 2x2 inch passport photos.

Please find up to date information on visas for Nepal, for volunteering all you need is a stan-dard tourist visa. (It’s a good idea to have the correct change in cash to obtain your Visa.)

Visa Duration Fee

Multiple entry 15 days US$ 25 or equivalent convertible Multiple entry 30 days US$ 40 or equivalent convertibleMultiple entry 90 days US$ 100 or equivalent convertible

Tourists can stay for a maximum of 150 days in a visa year (Jan 1 to Dec 31) extending the visa at the rate of US $2 per day. However, a minimum amount of US $30 has to be paid for a period of 15 days or less. (For further information, please, contact Department of Immigra-tion, Maitighar, Impact Building, Kathmandu, Tel: 00977-1-4221996/ 4223590/ 4222453 or visit there website: http://www.immi.gov.np).

CUSTOMS

Customs in Nepal are generally very lax, however customs officials may inspect your bags. You may not bring in Nepalese currency. There is no restrictions on bringing cash or travel-ers checks so long as amount taken out on departure does not exceed the amount you brought in.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

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Phone: 977- 9803719037

http://www.immi.gov.np

http://www.immi.gov.np





TRAVEL INFORMATION

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Phone: 977- 9803719037

AIRPORT PICKUP

The EHN team meet every volunteer at the airport, when volunteers arrive in Nepal they will come through Tribhuvan International Airport. There is only one arrival gate and exit so when you get here you will be greeted by an EHN representative holding an A4 piece of paper with your full name and the Education & Health Nepal logo and name on it as featured below.

To date we have never missed a pickup but weather in Nepal can be bad so in case your flight is delayed or rerouted due to bad weather or Kathmandu has strikes or protests and we are not at the airport to pick you up please use the numbers below and we will get to you ASAP.

Name: Phil Palmer : Name: Sunju Palmer :Name: Sagar Moktan:

(EHN) 977- 9803719037(EHN) 977- 9811341211 (EHN) 977- 9840067182

You will be staying at Hotel holy temple tree so if you are unable to contact an EHN person please contact the hotel directly and they will arrange picking you up with EHN covering the bill. Pacific Guesthouse,

: Phone: 977-1-4411864 Lainchour, Kathmandu, Nepal 977-1-4424913





TRAVEL INFORMATION

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover you for trip cancellation, general travel and any medical costs (Including medical evacuation) while traveling abroad. Please ensure that your insurance covers you for the full duration of your stay. Its also a good idea to check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Here at EHN we are not experts on Travel Insurance so we kindly ask you con-sult your Insurance company directly for any specific questions about your policy. If you choose not to take out any travel insurance please be aware EHN will assume no re-sponsibly for any expenses incurred in the event of a medical emergency/ evacuation, trip cancellation, lost baggage etc.

MONEY

Before your trip please make sure you organize a way to access your money overseas. Cash and Travelers Cheques are widely accepted, however both will need to be converted into lo-cal currency. The Nepal Rastra Bank determines the value of the Nepal Rupee against other currencies and also fixes exchange rates. You will be able to change your money officially at banks and authorized exchange counters. When exchanging money be sure to get a receipt stamped by the bank- most places will not volunteer this, however it is necessary to have this if you plan to exchange money back to your currency ( You will need to have your pass-port handy in order to get a receipt.)

Credit Cards will only be useful at large organizations (such as hotels and some large stores in Kathmandu), or for large purchases (Eg. Carpets, paintings and Thangkas). ATM’s are available in Kathmandu but can sometimes be difficult to access funds. If you plan of with-drawing money from an ATM we strongly recommend you also carry some backup funds in either cash or travelers checks. Please note that Credit Cards will be of no use anywhere outside the major cities.

Your fee paid to EHN will cover your accommodation, meals (Nepali Standard) and local transport during your placement. However it is essential you bring extra spending money to cover you for the following:

• Snacks in-between meals provided by EHN

• Bottled drinks

• Souvenirs

• Visa expenses

• Personal items ( Laundry, phone calls, internet etc)Page 6


Phone: 977- 9803719037






Phone: 977- 9803719037

HEALTH AND FIRST AID

PERSONAL HYGIENE AND WATER

Once you arrive in Nepal its vital you maintain your health. The best advice is to watch eve-rything you put in your mouth, especially your hands! As you will be traveling in a developing world anything you come into contact with or touch is fair game for carrying contaminants. Make sure you are thorough when washing your hands (Its also a good idea to bring hand sanitizer for this purpose), and its great practice to keep your hands away from your face.

Please keep in mind that the water in Nepal can be the number one cause of an upset stom-ach. When showering or brushing your teeth do not allow the tap water to enter your mouth - even during your hotel stay. We recommend that you only drink water that has been boiled, treated or is bottled.

MEDICAL AND FIRST AID SUPPLIES

We strongly recommend that you come to Nepal prepared with adequate medical supplies incase you have a basic illness or minor injury. If you take any regular medications please ensure you bring enough for your entire trip as they will not be available for you to buy abroad. If you have any allergies or dietary requirements please let EHN know so we can ca-ter to your needs.

It is highly recommended that you should bring medication to cover yourself for the follow-ing: ( Please note this is only a recommended list and all medications and first aid supplies should be discussed with your local physician)

Medical Supplies for:• Mild pain, Fever, Headaches Etc,• Bacterial Diarrhea• Upset Stomach• Colds and allergies• Any regular medications

First Aid: • Band-aids / bandages• Alcohol or Betadine swabs for small abrasions• Small roll of medical tape• Insect repellant / Stingose for relief of insect bites.






Phone: 977- 9803719037

HEALTH AND FIRST AID

VACCINATIONS

Before traveling to Nepal, we strongly recommend a trip to your local physician for vaccina-tions. You should do this at least 2 months prior to your departure. Your doctor will have an up to date list of recommended immunizations as well as specific information relating to your needs and your medical history. At this stage there are no compulsory vaccinations needed but situations can change. For more information please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Website:http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/nepal.htm

HEALTH INSURANCE

We suggest that you check that your travel insurance has adequate medical and accidental illness coverage to protect you from the unexpected.

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Medical facilities in Nepal are very limited, particularly outside Kathmandu. In Kathmandu, treatment at international clinics is expensive and up-front cash payment for services is gen-erally required. In the event of a serious illness or accident, medical evacuation to a destina-tion with appropriate facilities would be necessary. Again, please make sure that your health insurance is adequate in case of an emergency.





http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/nepal.htm

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/nepal.htm

CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

LANGUAGE AND GREETINGS

The Nepalese are generally very friendly and will always make you feel welcome. Rather then greeting someone by shaking hands, they will say, “ Namaste” and put their palms together in front of their chest. The formal translation is “ I acknowledge the divine light which shines from within you.”

While most young Nepali can speak English very well, learning a few of the basics can really go a long way. Some basic knowledge of the language can help you get around, to meet people and really deepen your experience of the local culture. Below is a link to help you with some of the basic greetings and pleasantries - give it a go!http://www.learnnepali.com

CLOTHING

Nepal remains a rather modest country, and their dress is still quite conservative, please try not to wear anything too revealing. When sightseeing in Kathmandu, especially in and around temples, wear pants or a skirt that goes past the knees, tops should cover the shoulders and upper arms. For women its always a good idea to keep a scarf handy in your bag just incase you need to cover up. Always be sure to take your shoes off when entering houses, temples or shrines. If you see anyone wearing all white, it means they are in mourn-ing the death of a family member and as a part of many purifying rituals he should not be touched for any reason.

RELIGION

While officially Nepal is a Hindu country, it practices an unusual blend of Hindu and Buddhist beliefs. Religious tolerance and harmony such as is found in Nepal, is perhaps a unique ex-ample to the world. You will find religion everywhere in the Nepali culture - from prayer flags flying between buildings to the shrines and temples that lace the streets. The country em-braces its two major (and several minor) religions as a party of daily life. When visiting a stupa or Hindu temple always walk in a clockwise direction, as it is apart of both the Hindu and Buddhist customs. And Please show your respects to your host in a holy place.

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Phone: 977- 9803719037

http://www.learnnepali.com

http://www.learnnepali.com





CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

PHOTOGRAPHY

Nepal has much to for the photographic traveller. Be respectful of the locals, it is always po-lite to ask before taking pictures of an individual and inside places of religious significance. Some people believe bad luck will be brought upon them by the “evil eye” and others do not want their face to end up in magazines- so please be respectful. It is also a good idea to be discrete in taking photos of individuals, you will find a zoom lens can come in handy. You will find some people will dress in their traditional clothing and pose in public areas and popular tourist destinations. Please be aware these people are “at work” and in this situationit is appreciated if you give a small amount of money ($1-2 is sufficient).

BEGGING

In Nepal you will find young children begging in the streets is a very common site. They will frequently chant for money and milk. When giving children milk please be aware of the run-ning scams, many parents have deals with the local stores - the tourist buys the milk at a hefty price to give to the child, then the parent will sell the milk back to the shop and keep some of the cut. So please if you want to give milk to street beggars - open the bottle first.

Its a good idea to bring small gifts for the children. Good presents are pens, pencils, crayons and candy. If you’re giving gifts to a group of children, small gifts that everyone can enjoy are great, more expensive gifts that only one child can enjoy may cause some jealousy.

TIPS

As in many parts of the world, tipping is a symbol of a job well done. In Nepal you should plan to give small tips to everyone that helps you. Taxi drivers will generally expect a tip of around 10% of the fare. At restaurants check the bill to see if the tip has already been in-cluded, if not about 5-10% is usually paid. When you arrive at the airport, someone will most likely offer to push your baggage for you, and will expect a tip in return for their services. Its also a good idea to keep in mind the strength of the dollar and be careful not to over tip.

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Phone: 977- 9803719037





EQUIPMENT / CHECK LIST

VOLUNTEER CHECK LIST

Here at EHN we know a lot of you are travel gurus and know exactly what to pack for each trip abroad! However just incase you need some tips we've formulated a check list with items that will make your trip abroad much more comfortable!

• Head torch ( Wind up is best to avoid battery usage)

• Backpack (not suitcase) as you may be trekking for a few hours to your project

• Water bottle to reduce plastic waste

• Small first aid kit ( See page 7)

• Good walking shoes or hiking boots to explore Nepal

• Sandals or flip flops

• Mosquito Net and Insect repellent spray

• Sun cream and hat

• Water proof jacket

• 2x Passport photos and $25- $100 USD for your visa ( See page 4)

• Padlock for your bag

• Face mask or buff is highly recommended as their is a lot of pollution (These are readilyavailable to buy in Nepal)

• Sleeping bag

• Swimming costume (For rafting, kayaking, elephant bathing)

• Swiss knife

If there are any items that you are unsure about please do not hesitate to contact any of the staff here at EHN and we can help you with further recommendations. If you forget anything you will have the chance to pick up any items you may need for your placement in Thamel. Please keep in mind that a lot of items purchased in Nepal can be counterfeit or low quality.

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Phone: 977- 9803719037





IMPORTANT INFORMATION

SAFETY

Nepal is relatively safe for tourists, though the political situation is always in flux as Nepal is still recovering from a decade of civil war. Spontaneous uprisings, riots, protests and brutal police crackdowns are frequent affairs, please be sure to avoid any public demonstrations or rallies, and stay indoors during strikes.

As with any time you wander abroad, you need to make sure you are a smart traveller and you will minimize the chance of issues arising. Kathmandu is a poor city and as a result has plenty of beggars and thieves. After dark is when most of the crime takes place, and tourists are generally on the receiving end. Be cautious when waking around Thamel at night and when taking taxis in a remote part of town. Pokhara has similar theft problems.

Don't flash large amounts money around as this makes you a good target to thieves, it is a good idea to carry a money belt around your waist, and keep only small amounts of cash in your wallet or purse. Wearing expensive jewelry may also make you a target, so keep jewelry modest and to a minimum. Make sure you don't put your bag or camera down, even for a second, and be aware of your surroundings.

On a whole, Nepalese are friendly and hospitable people. A little common sense goes a long way and will enable you to better enjoy the people and culture of Nepal.


Phone: 977- 9803719037

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