Nepal country information: Volunteer work in Nepal

 
Openmind Projects currently has eco and village development projects, orphanage projects, and health projects in Nepal. Our projects focus on education and the development of vocational skills.
 

Nepal is a relatively small, landlocked country in South Asia tucked in between China (Tibet) to the north and India to the south. Though it is small, it is a breathtakingly beautiful country set amid the soaring Himalaya Mountains falling away to lush plains on the southern border. Known by outsiders primarily for its mountains, Nepal contains eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest mountain, Mount Everest. Nepal's history, people, languages, and geography are highly diverse.
 

Just under 30 million live in Nepal, including over 100 different ethnic groups. The capitol and largest city, Kathmandu, holds about 4 million people. The population is overwhelmingly young: fifty percent of the population is under 22!
 

Although there is heavy urbanization in the capitol and a few other cities, 90% of Nepali people are still living in rural areas, many in rugged mountain valleys, where there they have little access to adequate healthcare and education. Poverty, illiteracy, and disease are the greatest dangers faced by Nepali children today. Furthermore, the number of street children is increasing, exacerbated by the past conflict between the government, king, and Maoist rebels. It is estimated that one in three Nepali children are involved in child labor (60% are girls), some as child slaves. Of the sex workers in Nepal 20% are under 16. Illiteracy among adults stands at two thirds for women and one third for men.

Nepalis share many culture traits with its neighbors in India and Tibet, particularly in their clothing, food, and languages. Traditional Nepali folklore retains a strong presence in Nepali culture, and its stories are acted out in dance and music to tell tales of heroes and gods, much as they are in India, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.

Over 80% of the population are Hindus and it's officially a Hindu kingdom. Hundreds of temples and a wide variety of other religious buildings dot the landscape and attract great numbers of pilgrims annually. UNESCO has recognized eight of them as world heritage sites as well as the Mt. Everest and  Royal Chitwan National Parks.
 

Food

A very typical Nepali meal is dhal bhat, which is boiled dhal (lentils) served with rice, vegetables, and a spicy relish. This is usually consumed twice daily. Meat, eggs, and fish exist as well in Nepali cuisine but are too expensive for most Nepalis to eat on a daily basis. In the mountainous regions, the staple diet includes wheat, maize, millet, and potatoes. Locally-made alcoholic drinks are popular.
 

Links to some Nepal projects where volunteers can help: Click here for more Nepal projects
 

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