Volunteer Programme

The Umbrella Foundation has grown in size, strength and potential over the past five years and a lot of this growth is thanks to the dedication and hard work of our constant stream of volunteers. 

The Umbrella Volunteer Programme has many aims and ambitions. We see the volunteer programme having three main goals      

1.Developing the Children

The volunteers play a very important role in the lives of the children. The children in our care have had very tough childhoods; some would argue that they have had no childhood at all. The volunteers are a much needed insurgence of energy, life, fun and creativity into their lives and show them the attention and love that they deserve. 

Volunteers are invaluable tools for the children's studies. Many volunteers help teach in the in house schools and all volunteers are encouraged to help with homework and studies. Volunteers are the role models in many of these children's lives. This brings a lot of responsibility but it also affords an amazing opportunity. Volunteers can teach by example, showing the value of education, the respect shown to each sex and how to be responsible and contributing citizens.

2.Developing the Organisation

Many volunteers spend some of their placement working in the Umbrella office. They can help with some of the daily administrative work, supplementing the current staff's workload and generally helping with the running of the office.

Umbrella now has a presence in seven countries. This network is growing around the world thanks to the work of volunteers returning home and spreading the word of Umbrella's work.

The funds that the volunteers raise before coming to Nepal are a huge help in the development of the organisation. Without a guaranteed income to the organisation it is extremely hard, if not irresponsible to plan for the future and develop new ideas and growth plans. 

3.Developing the Volunteer

Volunteering in a developing country is a rewarding experience and it is an experience that will help the volunteer mature, develop a sense of the challenges facing development and learn to work in new, challenging, cultures.

At Umbrella we don’t think it is enough to just see the challenges facing Nepal and development in general. We hope that our programme can encourage volunteers to take a more proactive approach to understanding development. Monthly seminars will be held where volunteers will be encouraged to have open debates on topics such as; the ethics of aid, the progress of the Millennium Development Goals or what is the future for Nepal. We will have guest speakers from other NGOs and INGOs and hopefully by the time the volunteer has finished his or her placement in Umbrella they are returning home with a more global view of development, its challenges and its goals.

As with any experience you get out what you put in, the more a volunteer brings to the programme in the sense of dedication, imaginations and sense of humour the more the volunteer will get out.

If you are interested in coming to Nepal and trying a new challenge then apply now!