Teach English to children from the poorest communities in Rural Nepal.

Living in rural Nepal allows volunteers a chance to experience first hand one of the world’s most dramatically beautiful countries. And working in the village school projects here offers them an opportunity to make a real difference to the education of children who come from poor and under-resourced farming communities. Volunteers will be based near Dhulikhel, a small town where ancient Nepalese culture is still very much in evidence. Although travel into Kathmandu only takes about an hour and a half by bus, the villages retain their unspoilt, rustic charm, and offer stunning views of the Langtang Himalayas on the horizon.


Your role: Volunteers are expected to teach English and can incorporate other subjects according to their own areas of interest, including sport, music or drama. Children are aged between 4 and 16 and class sizes vary depending upon the school.

Resources are minimal and sufficient numbers of teachers are often lacking. Consequently, there is a great need for support and input from GapGuru volunteers who bring energy, English and fun to the schools. They compensate for deficiencies in basic resources and can make a real difference to the quality of the children’s education.

Previously, volunteers have found themselves involved a number of extra-curricular activities at their schools, as well as providing personal language tuition or teacher training for local staff.

The projects are well organised so that volunteers can make a good contribution in a relatively short amount of time. Pre-departure briefings and continuous support by the locally based manager helps with preparation and enables volunteers to maximise their contribution as well as their own enjoyment.

What you gain: This is fantastic opportunity to gain insights and experience of Nepalese schools and to make a difference to the education of genuinely needy and disadvantaged students. The physical conditions at the schools are often basic and it can be challenging to teach without much equipment! However, the children are eager to learn and volunteers comment on the rewarding and enjoyable experience of providing English language classes and interactive, fun-based learning activities for the children.

Requirements/eligibility criteria:

• Energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
• An interest in helping children with education.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
• Empathy and understanding.
• Patience in dealing with children and staff who may not understand your language or accent.
• Proactive in relation to your work.
• Must be over 18 by the date of departure

Prior teaching experience is not essential. Enthusiasm, energy, resourcefulness and an open mind are crucial, however, as are an interest in education and an affinity for children. Volunteers should be prepared to immerse themselves in a new culture and a different way of life.

Living in the area [incl accommodation] While one of the delights of living in the villages is clearly the mountain views, another is the Nepali villagers themselves. They are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality, and volunteers (who usually stay with local families), and are often struck by the welcome and generosity of their hosts.

The lifestyle is understandably simple, and volunteers should obviously be prepared for a more basic level of accommodation than they are used to in their home countries. Kathmandu is not far away, though, and it is quite easy to combine the simple village life with visits to the city at the weekends.

And for those who want to escape the buzz of the city, weekends offer the chance to head for the hills and mountains amongst the worlds’ highest peaks.