INFO NEPAL TERMS & CONDITIONS
Interpretation
In this document, the following words shall have the following meanings:
'you' and 'your' means the volunteer who applies for a placement through us.
The volunteer must be over 18 years old. we', 'us', 'our' and `INFO Nepal
means INFO NEPAL P.O. Box 19531, Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal (Tel: 4700 210)
Terms and
Conditions
By accepting our Terms and
Conditions on the web site and/or signing the INFO Nepal Application Form, you
agree to be bound by it's terms. If you are uncertain as to your rights under
these conditions, or you would like an explanation of any part of them,
please contact us. You can also obtain your own legal advice on them,
should you wish to do so.We honestly believe that all statements made in
our brochure or website are factual and correct.
Every reasonable effort has been made to describe the placement and to provide
the amenities described. We cannot therefore be held responsible for any
changes that become known after the brochure was produced (up-to-date
information can be found on the website), nor can we accept liability
for happenings outside our reasonable control. We undertake to advise you of
any material changes known to us prior to your departure.
Accommodation
Details of whether accommodation (if any) is provided as part of each placement
are set out in the brochure, on the website or are available from
us when you book.
In placement accommodation, your sleeping arrangements may be private or
shared, and in most cases you will be required to share a bathroom and toilet
facilities. Due to the villages that the placements are located in, it
is important for you to realise that bathroom and toilet facilities and
standards of hygiene will be in accordance with local standards. These
facilities and standards may sometimes be very basic.
Travel
You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own travel (including
your air fare) to the airport closest to your placement, and for your
return journey at the end of your placement. We will not plan a program
until you have sent us your flight details. We are unable to reimburse
or otherwise be responsible for any flight, travel or other costs
or expenses of any nature, for example if your flight is cancelled.
Collection from the Airport
On receipt of your flight details we will organize for you to be picked up
from the airport and transported to your accommodation in Kathmandu.
This is covered in the cost of your volunteer fee and as such there
will be no charge, We will
try our very best to be on time. We can not be held accountable for problems
such as vehicles breaking down, but we will do our best to meet you punctually.
Also please note that we are not permitted to enter the arrivals hall of the
airport so we will meet you just outside with a name plate. The area is
not big and it should be easy to find each other.
Expenses
You are responsible for all of your personal expenses during your training
and placement , which includes the cost of transport from your placement
to other activities such as trekking or checking email. This is not
expensive and we can provide approximate costs if you request them from
our office. As a volunteer, you agree that you will not request
any payment from
INFO Nepal the organisation responsible for your placement.
Travel Insurance
You will take out your own insurance cover for the period of your placement.
You are responsible for ensuring that the amount and type of cover
is sufficient and appropriate for the nature and location of your
placement. You must provide us with a copy of your certificate of insurance
as soon as possible. This insurance should at least cover; the cost
of cancellation of the placement by you; the cost of assistance including
repatriation in the event of accident or illness; legal liability
and expenses; lost baggage; cancelled flights; medical expenses; kidnapping;
liability arising due to personal injury to you or a third party;
cancellation of your placement for any other reason including our
liquidation or any other reason beyond our control.
We advise you to have adequate
Travel Insurance, however, if you choose not to do so, please remember that
INFO Nepal accepts no responsibility for any claims made by you.
Problems during your Placement
You are responsible for trying to sort out any problems that may arise during
your placement, however, in the event that you experience any difficulties,
your Coordinator will be available and will do his/her best to assist
you. He/she may also be able to provide practical help should you need to
return to your country of abode before completion of your placement as
a result of illness or other personal reasons (although you are financially
responsible for the costs of this, either under your insurance policy
or otherwise). It is imperative that if you do leave your placement,
for example due to serious medical problems, then we will either hold
your money in credit until you can resume your placement for a period up to
one calendar year, or at the discretion of INFO, we may be
able to refund you an appropriate amount, for example minus the training
fees and administration costs.
It is important to remember that your Coordinator will be available at
limited times only and will be able to provide limited support. The nature of
your placement is that you are
required to show a high level of independence, flexibility and initiative
in dealing with problems yourself as they arise. Your Coordinator will take
all reasonable steps to arrange a safe placement with a consistent level
of work throughout, but as neither we nor your Coordinator have any direct
control over your placement we/your Coordinator cannot guarantee your
level of work. You are responsible for taking all common sense steps
as an independent traveller to protect your safety on a day to day basis.
Your Obligations
You must comply with any reasonable request by your placement Coordinator.
This may involve being transferred to a site in the locality provided,
that would not place you in any danger, and that the travel to the
appropriate site is reasonable, or that suitable accommodation is provided.
(You are responsible for any reasonable travel costs incurred in doing this).
You must not enter into any direct negotiations or contractual arrangement
for employment during your placement.
You must take care of and be responsible for any materials provided for your
use by your
placement, You are responsible for any damage or loss you cause to such materials
(directly or through neglect). You are responsible for any damage to your
accommodation caused by you or any guest(s) of yours at your accommodation
(directly or through neglect). You must dress appropriately for interviews
and work. You must behave appropriately in accordance with locally accepted
behaviour and custom during your placement. We/your Coordinator do not
accept responsibility for failure to secure work or dismissal from such work due
to inappropriate dress or behaviour.
Cancellations and Refunds
If you need to cancel your trip prior to training, please contact our office.
The amount of your refund will depend upon the date and conditions
of your cancellation. Once you have started training there will be
an agreed refund depending on the circumstances, however, once you have traveled
to your placement there will be no refund.
Program Dates
Dates of your program are agreed prior to training in Kathmandu. You may
leave your placement early with agreement of INFO Nepal but no refund will
be granted. You may extend your volunteer period at the discretion
of and with prior agreement of INFO Nepal provided monies for the
extra months are paid in advance. When your placement is over you must
leave your host family's residence.
Food
Where meals are provided, you should receive at least two meals a day throughout
your training and placement, which will be of a suitable quality or
quantity by local standards. If you wish to supplement your diet with
other foods the responsibility of these expenses are yours. We will
only cover food and accommodation for the period agreed for your placement
and only at your placement and training, also for return to Kathmandu
for Visa renewal if your placement is for a period of more than two
months . For example if you go trekking or wish to stay in Nepal after
your agreed period of placement you will be responsible for your own expenses.
If you decide to go away during your placement we cannot refund you
any monies and you do this at your own cost.
Signature
I have read INFO Nepal's General Terms and Conditions included with this
application and agree to my participation on an INFO Nepal Volunteer
Program. |
We planned the classes the day before. The kids were very eager to learn, especially the second class. The teaching at the primary school seemed much needed, as they lacked teachers and as the kids really benefited from having English speaking people around. They were so eager to learn! I would recommend any volunteers going to Thulakhet to consider teaching at the primary school. 
We did full medical checks at the school and at the orphanage a total of one hundred children, the local doctor at a near by health post came also to prescribe any medication the children needed. We also took some of the children from the orphanage to the dentist in Narangard.
Last year I left Gatlang at the end of winter determined to return the next year. It may be a few months later than I'd hoped, but I did return this year to spend the month of May teaching at Gatlang Library and school. I had suggested last year that INFO give Tamang language training to Gatlang volunteers since they don't speak Nepali. When I arrived, I was happy to find out that Durga (the Gatlang host father) was in Kathmandu to give me just that. It was difficult, but the even the few words I remembered helped control the kids and helped me relate better to their very curious parents. 
Take lots of things to do and read, as in the mountains there are less people to talk with, and if there is no school the days can be long. Be prepared to take the initiative and get involved. And be prepared with lots of ideas and resources at all sorts of levels as the children vary from no English to pretty good basics.
And so my placement comes to an end…
The main issue was obviously the language barrier, especially when teaching in the primary school as you were trying to teach them from the books they were given and the exercises were far too hard for them. The books were also outdated and often had mistakes in them, which the teachers would never realise, and therefore the teachers would have already drilled this into them.
I loved the variety that volunteering in different parts of Nepal offered. It exposed us to various health conditions and circumstances which gave us a wider perspective on healthcare here. It also allowed us to practice the clinical skills we've gained thus far and allowed us to see conditions that we may not normally see in the States. 