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NEPAL ~ Intern Options

For your remaining time in the Himalayas, choose from three internships.

Buddhist Monastery

Just north of the ancient Buddhist town of Boudhanath is Kopan hill, reaching up out of the terraced fields of the Katmandu valley. Dominated by its magnificent Bodhi tree, it was once the home of the astrologer to the king of Nepal.

Now, appropriately, Kopan is a thriving monastery of 260 Nepali and Tibetan monks, a place of study for the 150 nuns of nearby Khachoe Ghakyi Ling Nunnery, and a spiritual oasis for hundreds of visitors yearly from around the world. It is also the wellspring of the FPMT, a network of some ninety centres and activities world-wide, themselves expressions of the Buddha activity of Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche

It was to this hill that these lamas first came with their first Western students in 1969. Lama Zopa Rinpoche gave his first public teachings at Kopan in 1971 to a group of twelve Westerners, an intensive one-month introduction to Buddhism that became the model for the meditation courses now held throughout the year at Kopan.

Kopan the Monastery
The monastery had its beginnings in the Solu Khumbu region of the Himalayan Mountains. In 1971 Lama Zopa, reincarnation of a yogi of the tiny hamlet of Lawudo, fulfilled the promise of the previous Lawudo Lama to start a monastic school for the local children. Rinpoche called it Mount Everest centre.

The twenty-five monks moved down from the mountain to Kopan in 1971. Monks from the age of seven now come from all over Nepal to attend this Gelugpa monastery, one of the best in Katmandu valley, to receive a classical monastic education.

Nearly half of the 260 monks are now at Kopan, and most of the nuns at the associated nunnery are Tibetans, many of them recent refuges from Tibet. The students study traditional philosophical subjects and debate, rituals such as chanting, religious dances (Cham), they learn how to play various instruments, make ritual cakes (tormas), and sand mandalas. Additionally the monks and nuns assembly every day for prayers, which are dedicated for sick and dying people, and to overcome personal and spiritual problems. People from all over the world request recitation of prayers and performance of special ceremonies from the monastery's special prayer project A Gift of Prayers.

Not all monks are interested to pursue a scholastic career. After finishing grade ten, some of them continue their monastic life working for the monastery in a variety of ways; those who wish to dedicate their life to the pursuit of religious activities may do so under the guidance of qualified teachers and meditation masters.

In 1979 Lama Yeshe invited nuns to study at Kopan, an uncommon practice in Tibetan monasteries. There are now 150 nuns, mainly Tibetans living in their own monastery nearby, who participate fully with the monks in their schedule of philosophical studies and debate. They also following their own set of practices in addition.

The facilities at the monastery are for monks and nuns, an opportunity to all those who wish to follow the religious life. This is financed through the program of meditation courses for foreign visitors as well as through a sponsorship scheme in which people who are supportive of the goals of the monastery sponsor a Tibetan monk or nun in their studies.

Location
Located outside of Katmandu in the Tibetan community of Boudanath, our Buddhist Nepal Internship celebrates the best of Vajrayana Buddhism against the backdrop of one of Asia’s great religious study centers. In contrast to the Theravada forest tradition as taught in Thailand, our Nepal Buddhist inquiry is centered in a semi-urban area and within a vibrant Tibetan community.

Accommodations
Kopan is truly an oasis for the thousands of foreign visitors, who, tired of their materialism and hungry for something more, have made the place their home for weeks, months, even years. Since the '70s the Kopan lamas and monks have managed to live their monastic lives and at the same time find space for these many visitors, who also come from parts of Asia. They have taught them the Lord Buddha's Dharma, counseled them, served them, cooked for them, and even learned their languages. The first 'One Month Meditation Course' was held at Kopan in 1970 with approximately 12 people attending. Since then up to two hundred visitors come every year to participate in the annual one-month meditation course.

The meditation courses throughout the year provide an opportunity to "taste the Dharma", to facilitate reflection about living a meaningful life. Kopan offers an extensive library with books in several languages as well as an audio and video library, and Tibetan as well as Western sangha (monks and nuns) are available for private talks and advice.

From the beginning Kopan has managed to be many things to many people, sometimes uncomfortably for the traditionalists, but always successfully, blessed by the practice of holy and ordinary beings.

Job Description
During the internship, students will apprentice under a world-renowned Tibetan monk and leader. Weekly dharma talks will initiate students into an evolving Buddhist practice. The traditional form of sitting meditation, as learned in Thailand, will be contrasted with a more physical approach that includes chanting, circumambulation and bowing practices.

Complimenting the study of Buddhist principles will be a living opportunity to practice the dharma. Specifically, students will donate their time to selected projects aimed at temple restoration, as well as education of the monks in residence. Tutor sessions in the English language and world geography will be held for monks within the temples.

During our third and final week, students will embark on a pilgrimage to a temple located high in the Himalayan Mountains. Against the dramatic backdrop of elevation and Sherpa communities, our inquiry into Buddhism will be as near to the heavens as one can get.

Days will be spent among Sherpa peoples, and Buddhism will be observed from an anthropological perspective at the village level. Through participant observation, you will have the opportunity to learn about the practical and sometimes magical aspects of folk religion.

Chitwan Orphanage

For a child to develop and learn in a healthy way, it is important to meet the basic needs of education, nutrition, and medical care. A holistic approach to child development offers opportunities that promote creative thinking in children. These help to build a strong foundation for children. Therefore, the major focus of Seto Gurash Bakbikash Sewa (Chitwan Orphanage) is to support deprived and orphaned children.

Seto Gurash, or “white rhododendron,” is the symbol of deprived rural children. Seto Gurash blooms in difficult mountainous regions of Nepal, a symbol for the children living under difficult circumstances. The orphanage stands for social justice and compassionate development among the many children and their mothers.

Seto Gurash's aim is to promote overall development of all children and their mothers, particularly those from disadvantages families of the society. The orphanage is the pioneer organization in the Chitwan district to develop programs for the early childhood education. It also supports and encourages other individuals and organizations to develop programs for young children and their mothers.

Chitwan Orphanage implements a variety of activities, including:

Entry point home based program
This program is designed for children ages 18 months to 3 years. It develops Mothers' groups and works to promote physical and emotional development of the children during these early years.

Early Childhood Development Centers
This program focuses on the educational opportunities for children ages 3-5. Trained teachers and facilitators organize classes and other instructional program for the children.

Street Children Program
Here we focus on the street and orphaned children, who are deprived of basic needs such as food, home, cloth and education. Different need-based programs offer support and care. Educational classes, health and hygiene-related programs, advocacy, and exposure trips are organized for these children.

School Going Children Program
This program focuses mostly on female students that are of a marriage age. These girls are recognized as future mothers so training program are organized to teach them about the importance of health, hygiene, and nutrition for children.

Child to Child Program
Energetic volunteer children are selected from a school and training is given to them about ECD and their role in the family. They act as catalyst not only in their family but also in their society.

Parenting Education
Various educational programs including folk songs and plays are prepared and presented in different communities to disseminate information about health, hygiene, the environment, child development, child rights and early childhood development in villages. This has been a very exciting opportunity for interns in the past, as a meaningful and creative endeavor.

Location:
The Chitwan Orphanage is located in Bharatpur Municipality Ward No. 6, Narayanghat, Chitwan. It is located 69 miles northwest of the Katmandu valley. Narayanghat is a small town with the population of 30,000. This is the capital city of the Chitwan valley, with full access to major roads and telecommunication. The main office of the Chitwan Orphanage is located in the Narayanghat Bazaar where the many educational programs for orphaned children are conducted.

Accommodations:
We will be staying with a host family near to the orphanage. A separate room will be given throughout the internship period, wherever possible. The host family offers Nepali food (three times a day) which includes rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, meats (occasional) and pickle. Your instructors will work with RCDP and orphanage staff to provide you with any help and materials that you might need for your internship.

Job Description:
Most of the activities of Chitwan Orphanage focus on educational training. We feel that education is the root of any meaningful service, and can enable children to challenge a life of further poverty and exploitation. An important component of the education you will provide the children will be classes in the English language.

Besides teaching, Chitwan orphanage operates several creative programs, as mentioned above. They welcome your active participation in all areas of operation. Interns can participate in health education, games, drawing and painting. With such a variety, the Chitwan Orphanage allows and encourages interns to explore a meaningful approach to service.

Every year, hundreds of children leave their poor villages and arrive in small and big cities, in search of work. Most of these children are deprived of educational and other opportunities. After coming to cities, most of them work as child laborers in restaurants, hotels, and factories.

Sustainable Agriculture

Established in 1994, the Ecological Service Centre (ESC) is one of the premier sustainable agriculture projects in the Mid-Hills of Nepal. The main aim of the eco-centre is to promote sustainable agriculture and conservation-related activities in the region. Presently, more than 20 agricultural staff members are working with the eco-centre, and more than 1000 local farmers are directly or indirectly involved in the project.

The Devghat Village Development Committee has been running programs for the past four years on its farm in Kaphaldanda village, located in the Tanahun district. The ESC covers about 40 hectares of land for its activities, while many activities also run in the local villages. ESC works with rural people to conserve traditional organic farming systems and erosion control. They also organize training programs for farmers on different areas of environmental protection, organic farming, permaculture, apiculture, soil and water management, community forestry and biological pest control. The main aim of ESC is to create awareness about ecological farming among the local people, placing an emphasis on traditional organic agriculture research and extension activities.

Location
The Ecological Service Centre is located in Bharatpur Municipality Ward No. 6, Kshetrapur, Chitwan. It is approximately 60 miles northwest of Katmandu valley. The major working site of the ESC is in the Kaphaldanda Village, located in the Tanahun District. The climate, the landscape, and the cultural fabric of the place will be like nothing you've experienced before. Though you will find diverse ethnic groups in Kaphaldanda, the Mongolians (Gurung and Tamang) are the most dominant.

Accommodations
During your stay with a local host family, it is important to recognize that the hospitality provided will encompass all of Nepali culture and traditions. Therefore, when offered chai, sweets, or other Nepali gifts, you must accept them with your utmost grace. The family will be offended if you do not accept their gifts of hospitality, as part of the Nepali tradition is to give.

Job Description
During your internship, you will participate in sustainable agriculture or conservation programs by working on the farmer’s fields and generally encouraging their important efforts. Your activities include sowing, mulching, watering, weeding, and farming. Local villagers or volunteers also work with international volunteers. You will assist in farmer training activities, and teach environmental studies (periodically) to local villagers. ESC has groups in several villages. Therefore, volunteers will travel to these other villages to teach local farmers about sustainable agricultural practices. You will attend occasional meetings at the eco-centre, and your ideas for additional activities or programs are encouraged. Volunteers generally work 5-6 hours a day, 6 days a week. The eco-centre requests that volunteers also become involved in different development programs that are run in the Tanahun district. Critical to your contribution in the villages will be a free exchange of ideas and experiences with villagers.