At a glance
- Put your strength, time and energy into rebuilding schools devastated by earthquakes.
- Help to give young children a chance to learn in a safe environment.
- You’ll work alongside teenagers from around the world along with local engineers, architects and our staff.
- Volunteer Service Hours: 40
- Download a sample itinerary for this project.
Is volunteer construction work in Nepal right for me?
Our building programme for high school students is perfect for any teenager wanting to travel for a good cause. You’ll make a visible difference and give Nepali children the chance to continue learning in safe classrooms.
You don’t need any building experience. We have a team of skilled masons, architects, and engineers ready to assist you. Work is guided, safe, and gives you on-the-ground insight into basic building techniques.
Experience days on a real building site, ask staff questions, and learn from their expertise. Add your volunteering experience onto your CV and talk about it when you apply to university or for a job.
This project is specifically designed for teenagers. We have a set itinerary in place and extra staff support available.
What will I do on this project?
The more willing hands that join us, the quicker we’re able to build more classrooms for young children in Nepal. You'll be working with a group of other teenagers, so you can have a big impact in a short amount of time. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do:
- Build classrooms from the ground up
- Renovate existing classrooms
- Take part in activities with the children
- Experience Nepali culture during excursions and trips
Your work will focus on the following areas:
Build classrooms from the ground up
On arrival in Nepal, you get your hands dirty straight away! Dig foundation trenches, put your strength into mixing cement and concrete, and lay bricks as a supervisor guides you. This is also a great opportunity for you to speak to the experts on site about building techniques and how to pursue a career in engineering, architecture, or as a mason.
Renovate existing classrooms
Learning should be fun, engaging, and take place in a colourful environment. One of your main tasks will be to help renovate new classrooms. Let your creativity shine; paint walls from ceiling to floor or create murals of the ABCs or 123s. This will not only brighten the classroom, but can be used by the teacher for lessons at a later time.
Take part in activities with the young children
Another aspect of this project is being able to meet and play with the children who’ll learn in the classrooms you’re building. Learn some Nepali from the kids and teach them a bit about your home country.
Experience Nepali culture during excursions and trips
Your time in Nepal will be guided by a jam-packed schedule filled with rewarding work and the opportunities to have heaps of fun! Enjoy a weekend trip to Pokhara and visit the ancient temple of Changu Narayan. Also use your time in Nepal to shop for traditional clothing and souvenirs, or learn Nepali during language classes.
Where in Nepal will I be working?
Kathmandu
During this Building High School Special, the bustling city of Kathmandu will be your home. Take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity to live and work in Nepal, home to the Himalayas.
Most of your short term project will see you working at school building sites to rebuild and renovate classrooms. You will stay in safe and comfortable accommodation organised by Projects Abroad.
Eager to experience the cultural and tourist side of Nepal during your volunteering trip? Your schedule is loaded with quiz nights, a chance to souvenir shop, a weekend trip to Pokhara, and so much more!
What are the aims and impact of this project?
The aim of this project is to build classrooms for schools destroyed during the earthquakes that struck in 2015. By May 2017, we had rebuilt 96 classrooms with the help of more than 500 volunteers. Because of these efforts, more than 2,000 children were able to resume schooling in safe classrooms. What a feat!
We continue to send volunteers to Nepal to build classrooms which will become places where young students learn and thrive. Your short building project will leave a visible and positive impact in the local Nepali community and in the lives of the young children long after you’ve left.
“I felt so grateful to all Projects Abroad volunteers for helping out our school during such a difficult time. I also don’t have a word to thank them. I have seen them working so hard in the heat and rain to complete the school. I will always be grateful for all the volunteers of Projects Abroad,” said Sunrise School Principal, Mr. Surendra Maharjan.
Lastly, this project is also about giving you the opportunity to travel safely to a unique destination and make new friends from other parts of the globe. Come and join us this summer!
Management plans
We set out the aims and objectives of our projects in documents called Management Plans. We use them to properly plan the work you’ll do. They also help us measure and evaluate our achievements and impact each year.
Ultimately, our Management Plans help us make our projects better. This in turn means you get to be part of something that makes a real impact where it’s needed. Read more about our Management Plans.
Measuring our impact
Every year, thousands of High School Special volunteers and interns actively make a difference around the world. During their time abroad, they contribute towards achieving long-term goals and make a long-lasting positive impact on the communities where they work.
We produce an annual High School Specials Impact Report, which documents some of these achievements. Find out more about the impact of these projects, and read the latest report.
Food and accommodation
You'll stay in a hotel with other Projects Abroad volunteers and interns during your stay in Kathmandu. This is a great way to get to know your fellow volunteers and interns, share experiences, and explore your surroundings in your time together.
On our High School Specials, we will always try to have you share a room with at least one volunteer or intern of the same gender and approximate age. Your room will be modest, but comfortable, clean, and safe.
Your programme fees include three meals a day.
Find out more about our accommodation.
Safety and staff support
Your safety and security is our prime concern. We have many procedures and systems to ensure you have all the extra support you need as a young person travelling abroad. Our Projects Abroad staff are there for you 24 hours a day during the week and over weekends to provide constant support and guidance. Our staff also make sure you feel comfortable and safe at your placement and accommodation. If you encounter any problems, they will be available to help at any time.
Find out more about safety and backup.
Meet the team in Nepal
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