Volunteer in a medical centre in Nepal

Nepal has always been a country which has a unique Geographical land mass ranging from the highest mountain regions in the world down to the flatlands of Chitwan and the Teri. In just a couple of hundred miles you can experience snow-capped mountains to tigers and Elephants in the jungle. In this breathtakingly beautiful landscape many unique cultures have survived and even thrived creating a magnet for thousands of visitors every year.

But behind the scenes of this truly wonderful place lies a country where development is slow and people still suffer high levels of illiteracy, malnutrition and environmental degradation.

Our aim is to target the poorest of these areas and work alongside communities to develop without losing the unique qualities that make Nepali some of the warmest people around.

One of these areas is the foothills of the Himalayas in a place called Gerkhu, North of Kathmandu by around 60 kms or three hours on a very narrow road. In 2011 EHN and Building bridges World Wide spent a few months building a medical centre which serves the surrounding areas. It's a place where without basic medical care people die from the most basic of ailments.

With the nearest of hospitals being miles away across the foothills of the Himalayas it was decided that Gerkhu would make the perfect place for this centre. Thanks to Building Bridges Worldwide a Non-profit organization who funded and came to Nepal to help build the centre. EHN then arranged for the Nepali government to staff and fund the centre on a daily basis meaning the best possible service the people of Gerkhu could have.

What difference does this project make?

How many times have someone heard that its makes the difference between life and death, well the saying is true for the medical centre. In a place where people below the age of 40 have died from something as simple as a broken leg it will provide the basic care needed before arranging transportation to the hospital at Trisuli.

Serving several thousand people it provides a new life line for the people and hopefully a sign that better things are to come in an area where life is hard.

Highlights of the Placement.

The main highlights of the placement are the chance to meet and live among the rural Nepali where very few travellers actually go. Because Gerkhu isn't on one of the main trekking routes or near a big city the Nepali there still look in the old ways of all visitors are honoured guests and instantly welcome in the family. Be prepared to become part of the community and feel free to take part in festivals, day to day life of the families and to make friends that will last a lifetime.

Add this to the genuine welcome you will receive and the warm hospitality from all of the locals it will make your placement one you will never forget.

Description of duties at placement- Help alongside the Nepali staff at the centre, talk with the patients and see how rural life works. No day will be the same here so be prepared to test your first aid knowledge to the limits. Ideally this placement is for medical students who want the experience of working in basic conditions in a very remote place.

Placement Location- The Medical centre is situated north of Kathmandu approx 60 kms. It's near the main town Trisuli (home of some of the best rafting in Nepal) in a village called Gerkhu, Set in the countryside there are some great walking and site seeing available. The weather is varied so please ask for details depending on time of year you wish to volunteer.

Accommodation- Will be provided by the local families near to the school, each one carefully selected so at least one member of the family speaks good English in order that you can communicate effectively. Also you will find that the local families in the home stay programme have been chosen because they also have good standing in the community and can introduce you to the traditional Nepalese life.

Extra Information-

Fees: In £

2 Weeks 140
3 Weeks 210
4 Weeks 280
5 Weeks 350
6 Weeks 420
7 Weeks 490
8 Weeks 560

Each Additional Week £50

+ £80 admin charge to cover, admin, airport pickup, hotels stay, taxis, food sightseeing, transfers to and from placement.

The program fee covers
1. Transport to and from the airport to the placement.
2. Meal and accommodation (Nepali standard) with host family during placement.
3. Accommodation and main meals during placement.
4. Sightseeing in Kathmandu.

5. 24 hour support in Nepal in Kathmandu and at the placement.

The fee does not cover
1. Insurance (medical, travel, personal belongings)
2. Flight or land transportation from your country to Nepal.
3. Personal expenses (i.e. gift items, food in between meals, water)
4. Trekking, rafting, other adventure activities.
5. Visa costs.
6. Medical and Doctor Expenses

www.ehn-nepal.org