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| Volunteering with NSI |
| Information While Volunteering |
Background
Travel To / Living in Nepal
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Background |
Nepal/ Politics/ Patan
The kingdom of Nepal lies between India and Tibet (China). It rises up from tropical jungles in the south through mountainous middle hills, into the world’s highest mountains. Mt. Everest and seven other 8000-meter peaks are in or shared by Nepal. The geography of this land-locked country, while it provides breathtaking scenery, makes transportation and development difficult. With an average per capita income of $210, Nepal is reckoned to be one of the 20 poorest countries in the world. 25Twenty-five million people live in Nepal. Most are farmers living in rural areas. More than 90% are Hindu. The language is Nepali, though some people only speak their tribal language. Only the most educated people of Kathmandu can converse in English.
Until the return of King Tribhuvan in 1951, the country of Nepal was secluded in a medieval state. In the last 50 years there has been a gradual opening of opportunities for commercial enterprise, tourism, development and mission work. Democracy came to Nepal in 1990, and the country is now governed by a house of representatives, a system similar to England’s. Members of Parliament are elected by popular vote and the majority party chooses the Prime Minister. Since a popular uprising in April 2006, the King's powers have been greatly diminished and a political transition is taking place.
Since 1996, a Maoist insurgency has grown to control wide areas of rural Nepal. This group initially aimed to overthrow the government by military means, but since the 2006 uprising the Maoists are in the process of entering the political mainstream. A cease-fire was put in place in 2006. We hope that this peace will hold and lead to the formation of a new constitution. Even during times of civil war, foreigners have not been targeted and Kathmandu itself has been quite safe. One can stay safe in Kathmandu by simply avoiding any street demonstrations.
Patan is one of the three ancient city-kingdoms of the Kathmandu Valley, the others being Kathmandu and Bhaktapur. Temple-palace squares form the center of each of these cities, ancient Newari architecture contrasts with concrete buildings, and the streets are a buzz of activity. The sights, noise, and smells take some getting used to, but a walk through town can be quite fascinating.
Urban sprawl has essentially transformed Patan and Kathmandu into one city, separated only by the sacred (though filthy) Bagmati River. It takes about 45 minutes to drive around the entire Ring Road which encircles the two cities. The NSI offices are situated in urban Patan, at the crossroads known as Jhamsikhel.
Nick Simons Institute
Nick Simons Institute (NSI) is an organization with a mission to train and support health care workers to be employed in for rural Nepal. This takes place through a network of affiliated hospitals – some mission, others government and NGO. These hospitals are located across the width and breadth of Nepal, many in lovely locations. NSI coordinates its work through a headquarters located in Patan.
NSI is a charitable company, registered in Nepal. It is governed by a 10-member board of distinguished Nepali citizens. The principal donors are Jim and Marilyn Simons, through the Simons Foundation in New York, NY.
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TRAVEL TO/ LIVING IN NEPAL |
Getting to Nepal
Most visitors travel to Nepal by air, arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Flights from eastern United States and Europe usually come via the Middle East or Delhi (India); flights from western United States come via Japan and on through Thailand or Singapore, through which Australian/New Zealand flights also come. The Indian cities of Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Bombay and Bangalore are all linked by air to Kathmandu. It is also possible to travel overland from India, crossing Nepal’s southern border and coming by road up to Kathmandu.
Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA)
Arrival: Arriving at TIA you will pass through immigration where you can purchase a tourist visa (see below). At this point there is also an exchange counter where you can buy Nepali rupees – at present this is the only place in the arrivals section where you can change money. After this you will proceed to baggage reclaim and customs clearance. People meeting travelers are generally not allowed inside the arrivals area, so proceed to the exit, watching out for a tourist information steward or desk where you can collect a free map of Kathmandu. We will arrange for someone from NSI to meet you with a vehicle; if you miss this person, please call us at 5013502, or take a taxi to your hotel. You can use the pre-paid taxi service at the exit of the arrivals area, or take your chances haggling with a driver yourself…you should not pay more than 300 rupees (500 at night) for a ride to Jhamiskhel if making the arrangement yourself. If you allow young fellows to help with your bags or lift them into a vehicle they will expect a tip; 10 to 20 rupees is sufficient.
Departure: Air tickets should be reconfirmed 72 hours in advance of your departure. Note that some airlines require you to present your ticket and passport in their Kathmandu office for reconfirmation.
Before checking in at the airline desk, you must pay a departure tax of 800 rupees if traveling to another destination in South Asia, or 1650 rupees for international destinations; the desk for this is inside the main door on the right. After checking in, there is a waiting area with some refreshment facilities, a small gift shop and toilets.
Visas
While working with NSI, you will be on a tourist visa. You can purchase this through the Nepalese Embassy in your home country, or on arrival at the airport in Kathmandu. The current cost is US $30 per person for a 60 day multiple-entry visa. You will need a passport photo for your visa. Bring several copies with you if you will need a visa extension.
Your initial tourist visa can be extended by up to 3 months i.e. giving you a total stay of 5 months (150 days) in a calendar year. Visas are extended by visiting the Immigration Office in Kathmandu, and require you to leave your passport there for the day. Note that renewal of your tourist visa for the last 5th month requires special approval from the Immigration Department. Each extension costs US$50 per person for up to 30 days. Children under the age of 10 are exempt from visa fees.
Currency
Nepali rupees can be purchased using sterling or dollar cash or travelers’ checks at a counter near the visa section in the airport, and at most banks and many hotels in Kathmandu. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 10.00 AM to 3.00 PM; the nearest one to NSI is the Standard Chartered Bank near the Jawalakhel roundabout. The easiest way to get rupees is through the ATM machine at this bank or others. Major credit cards are only accepted in larger hotels and restaurants. If you plan to enjoy some holiday travel during your visit, note that visitors staying for less than 6 months must pay for airline tickets and some tourist packages in foreign currency. Nepali rupees can be changed back into dollars at the end of your stay if you have kept your original exchange receipts.
Donations & Customs Clearance
If you are bringing any gifts/donations with you, please keep them in your personal luggage. You are unlikely to be asked many questions during customs clearance, but if you are questioned, just say that they are for mission hospitals in Nepal. You should not pay any duty or other payment to clear customs.
Accommodation
There are several good hotels located within walking distance of NSI that cost approximately $25 per night bed and breakfast. There is also a fine guest house which costs $8 per person per night, excluding breakfast.
Food
There is a good variety of restaurants near NSI, many clustered in the area around the Jawalakhel roundabout, offering Chinese, Indian and Western dishes. Recommendations for a tasty meal at very reasonable prices include The Bakery Café (pizza, hamburgers, ice cream, etc.), Hu-nan’s (Chinese), Family Fast Food Tandoori and Food Mart (full menu including Western and Chinese dishes, but especially Indian) and Downtown Restaurant (Indian).
NSI serves a free lunch each working day at 12:30.
The main tourist area of Thamel in central Kathmandu boasts a huge number of restaurants that cater to every taste and budget.
There are several small supermarkets near NSI, including "Gemini" and "Namaste" near the Jawalakhel roundabout. Along with Nepali foods, almost any Western food item is available in some form here. Quality breads and baked goods are available at Gemini, Namaste, and Hot Breads Bakery in Jawalakhel.
Shopping
As mentioned above, these days many Western items are available in Kathmandu, although if you have a specific brand/product that you like to use (e.g. in toiletries) you may want to bring your own supply with you. Prices are frequently cheaper and never more than what they cost in Western countries.
The number of ready-to-wear clothes shops is increasing rapidly, although you may like to take advantage of the very skilled and cheap tailoring services widely available for either Nepali or Western style clothes. The selection of shoes in larger sizes is limited.
Many trekking items can be purchased, especially in Thamel, but they are frequently poor quality imitations of Western brands. Quality camera film (e.g. Kodak) is widely available and considerably cheaper than in Western countries; films can be processed at Unique film studios near the Jawalakhel roundabout.
There is a small tourist area where souvenirs and Nepali paintings can be found below Patan Durbar Square; for an extensive selection of souvenirs and gifts, it is best to visit Thamel in Kathmandu. The Tibetan area near the Jawalkhel roundabout has many shops selling hand made Tibetan rugs/carpets.
Climate/ What to wear
Average daytime temperatures in Kathmandu vary from 15-20 degrees C (60-68 degrees F) in January to a maximum of 30-35 degrees C (86-95 degrees F) in May-June. In winter, the temperature at night may drop close to freezing; although this may not seem very cold, warm clothing (especially layers that can be removed in afternoon sunshine) is required due to the lack of good heating systems in houses and accommodations. Monsoon rains occur from June to September, when an umbrella or rain poncho and waterproof shoes/sandals are a must. Rain showers can be a feature of spring too.
Ladies: Ladies are advised to wear skirts and dresses that come well below the knee, or loose trousers. Blouses/dresses should be modest. Many ex-pat residents find Punjabi suits (light dress over loose trousers) very comfortable for work; these are widely available in the shopping areas near the hospital. Tight skirts and trousers, leggings and shorts are not acceptable. Please be sensitive to the local culture. This is particularly true if traveling in rural areas outside Kathmandu.
Men: Western clothes are more commonly worn by Nepali men especially in Kathmandu. Shirts with collar and ordinary pants/trousers are generally worn during work; shorts and jeans are not appropriate for work times.
Communications (Mail/E-mail/Telephone)
While working at NSI, you can receive mail using the address
c/o NSI
Box 8975, EPC 1813
Kathmandu, Nepal.
You can send mail from NSI through our secretary; mail takes approximately 2-3 weeks to travel in either direction between Nepal and most countries outside Asia. Stamps are available at Everest Postal Care near the Jawalkhel roundabout.
People sending you packages should use padded envelopes, as this avoids a requirement that packages be opened and the possibility of a loss of contents at the foreign post office. Packages sent from Nepal are frequently ‘lost’ and it is better to try to take things with you when leaving.
There are a large number of internet cafes with e-mail and Internet phone services near the NSI and clustered around the Jawalkhel roundabout. International phone calls from a standard phone are very expensive, frequently starting at $3 per minute to most countries outside Asia.
NSI has internet access available for your use; the main address is nsi@nsi.edu.np.
Staying Healthy
We recommend that you arrange medical insurance in your own country to cover your visit to Nepal. You should also make sure you have the following immunizations:
- Up to date Tetanus/Diphtheria, Polio boosters
- Typhoid fever
- Hepatitis A
- Meningococcal
Malaria prophylaxis is not necessary if you are visiting only Nepal, but during the summer months care should be taken to avoid mosquito bites because of the risk of Japanese encephalitis (vaccination not recommended for short-term visitors). Standard measures include covering exposed skin with light clothing or mosquito repellant in the evenings and sleeping with a mosquito net or mosquito-deterrent device (available in most hotels).
Of course, prevention is the best medicine, especially for the most common complaint: travelers’ stomach upset/diarrhoea. Frequent handwashing and the avoidance of untreated water (including ice) are the primary rules. Hot drinks and cold bottled/packaged soft drinks are safe; bottled mineral water is generally accepted as safe. Avoid all unpeeled, raw fruit (including unpackaged fruit juice), vegetables, and salad unless you are sure they have been treated with iodine. In general, hot (or peeled) food is safest.
Enjoying Nepal
Nepal has many delights to offer both the short-term visitor and long-term resident. Popular tourist activities include taking a safari in the southern national wildlife parks, trekking in the hills and Himalayas, and rafting on its rivers. All of these can be arranged in Kathmandu at considerably cheaper rates than from outside Nepal. However, even if you do not have the time for a longer holiday, there are many interesting sights and aspects of Nepali culture to see within the Kathmandu valley, from the traditional farming villages on the edge of the city to the Newari architecture of the ancient temple squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Outside of monsoon season, there are several resorts on the rim of the valley which give good views of the Himalayan ranges to the north. However, the cheapest way to enjoy Nepal is to just sit back, relax and take time to observe and chat with the Nepali people themselves. They are very friendly to visitors, frequently keen to practice their English and, if you would like to have a go at conversing in their own language, Nepali lessons can be arranged.
How to Volunteer
Send an email to the NSI Executive Director, Mark Zimmerman, at markz@nsi.edu.np. He will gladly help you learn more about how you can help and clarify questions you may have.
Registration with Nepal Medical Council
Doctors coming to practice medicine in Nepal must start the NMC registration process as soon as they arrive in Nepal. (This doesn’t apply to doctors who are only teaching or to medical students.) In order to do this, the doctors should bring copies of
- College Diploma
- Medical College Diploma
- Internship/ Residency Certificate
- Specialty (Board) Certificate
- Citizenship Certificate (Passport)
- 3 B/W Photographs with signatures on back
- NMC Registration Fee: NRs.5500 (U.S. $70)
Doctors will be required to go to the NMC office for an interview (mainly a formality). This process must at least be started before a doctor begins treating patients.
Guidelines about Working at NSI
NSI is a Nepali organization, with a name in the local community. As a volunteer, you represent NSI and help to enhance its work and image.
Certain behaviors cannot be tolerated within the Nepalese context in which we live and work:
- Use of drugs of any kind or drinking to the point of intoxication.
- Participation in local politics, including attending street rallies.
- Breaking any laws of Nepal.
The Nepalese are very easy to get along with, so a volunteer usually has a relaxed, enjoyable time here.
Bringing Equipment or Giving Talks
Many volunteers have access to new or used medical equipment in their home countries. Our affiliated hospitals can often use items like this. Before coming, please drop a line to the NSI Director and ask about our needs list. We recommend that volunteers carry equipment in their luggage and if asked by customs at the airport – say that it is “for mission hospitals of Nepal." It will come through easily.
If you have a lecture or presentation you would like to give during your visit, please contact the Director. We are eager to learn from you.
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