health volunteer Project

 Following the old adage that ‘prevention is better than a cure’, our health project places volunteers in children’s homes and orphanages around Nepal. Through immunizations, regular health checks and education about basic personal hygiene and sanitation, our volunteers make a real and lasting difference to the lives of thousands of people each year.

The Program aims to mobilize foreign volunteers with health backgrounds in rural communities in Nepal where people do not have access to adequate health care.

Our volunteer program makes a very real difference in the lives of rural Nepalese. Not only will you gain the best possible work experience and learn about different cultures as you travel and explore during your own free time, you will be contributing to a much bigger, ongoing humanitarian project.

We believe in quality healthcare for everyone, no matter what social class or status, and by taking part in our health volunteer project, volunteers will be supporting our work to help poor, disadvantaged communities who can’t help themselves. This program is suitable for medical workers from all backgrounds and medical disciplines. If you are passionate about travel and making the world a better place, an elective abroad could be the perfect step forward for your career.

We have a variety of placements you can choose from, either in Kathmandu city or rural Chitwan, including hospitals and rehabilitation centers for disabled children where you will come across injuries and diseases such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and spinal injuries. Our Medical Health & Elective Education Program can last anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks.

 The exact roles of our volunteers in our health projects depend on their previous health care experience. The typical day involves an early start with visits to one or more children’s homes and orphanages. Volunteers will interact with children and staff to help provide the best possible care. This can be a challenging role, but the demands are far outweighed by the rewards.

Volunteers work in a medical department of their choice with full supervision and training. Be warned, the work experience will be extremely hands-on with day-to-day challenges such as cramped or small working environments and limited resources and facilities. You will, however, have the full support of the local team as well as help from your coordinator.

If there is a particular area of nursing you would like to specialize in we should be able to arrange it. Please let us know what your preferences are when you apply and we will endeavor to match you to a placement that will best suit you.

No two health volunteer projects are the same, and can vary significantly depending on location. Typically, volunteers will assist in creating health profiles for each child and recording which medical treatments have been administered. Depending on experience, volunteers may also provide advice on the treatment of minor ailments or research the best treatments for the various problems that arise. Volunteers can also play an important administrative role, setting up appointments, maintaining electronic records and helping with rosters.

While this is one of our more challenging projects, it is also one of our most rewarding. Nepal still struggles with preventable diseases and ailments such as diarrhea, leprosy and tuberculosis, while malnutrition and high infant mortality rates remain serious concerns. Our Nepal volunteers make a real and lasting contribution to the prevention of these problems among Nepal’s most vulnerable, and can see the fruits of their labor first-hand. Participation in our health project is an experience that will stays with our volunteers for the rest of their lives.

Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it. Some health care experience is required to qualify for our health project and applicants will need to submit a full resume with their application. Placement in the health project will depend on suitability, though there are places available for those with little experience. Good computer skills are desirable as volunteers may be required to assist with the upkeep of electronic patient records. If you are unsure about your suitability for the project have a chat with one of our coordinators. For those with very little or no experience our Children’s Home project offers an excellent alternative. This project will require volunteers to assist with minor health treatments and accompany children to medical appointments. Participants in this project must be 18 years of age or older.

Participation in the Health Volunteer Project starts at $799 for two weeks, with each additional week is $99.

Program Fee Includes:  Airport pick up and drop off, accommodation during orientation and entire project time, 2 day orientation, 10 hours of basic Nepalese language lessons, all meals during project placement, 24/7 assistance support. 

Program Fee Does Not Include:  Plane tickets, international medical insurance, cost of transportation to and from work location.

The 1st and 15th of every month are the start / arrival dates for this program. An orientation is provided in the days after arrival, and prior to actual start in one’s service program.

Please visit our Additional Project Info page for more information on this and all of our other Nepal volunteer programs.