Get Involved: Himalaya Volunteer

Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.
We have an excellent long-term relationship with the local operator who employ and train all leaders. We provide refresher training with a focus on Responsible Tourism, so our local leaders can educate our clients locally on helping to preserve the way of life in their area.
We ask that you use environmentally sound practices whilst in Nepal.
Please try not to buy mineral water. You can buy boiled drinking water on trek but it is advisable to bring water purification such as Biox Aqua to treat any non boiled water. Burnable rubbish can be left in rubbish bins to be burnt. We ask that each trekker keep a rubbish bag for non-burnable rubbish and that you take it back to Kathmandu or your home country.
Please note that many Nepalis are still traditional in the way they dress. Out of respect for the country we ask you to dress conservatively ? no sleeveless tops. Although shorts are acceptable on trek only they should be very modest and reach the knees and for women a skirt or trousers are preferable especially in Nalbung.
Please bring bio degradable soaps and shampoos and do not pollute the rivers.
Monasteries/temples are places of worship. Please be respectful when visiting them and whilst taking photographs. Your leader will brief you on appropriate local behaviour.
Over the last few years we have set up many projects in Nepal. Details of all the projects and our latest newsletter can be found here on the Project page.

EXODUS HIMALAYAN COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROJECTS

Your leader will have up to date information in Kathmandu so please do ask him if you would like more information. We also have printed copies of our newsletter available in Kathmandu.
Some of our most important projects are:
Nalbung Kalika School
We have been helping this school for several years now and have bought land for the school and helped to build classrooms and toilets. We have given water pipe to the school and sponsor a teacher there. During this trip you will help with one of our projects in the village. We hope to donate smokeless stoves to each family and also to give the village enough water pipe to bring enough water direct to the village.
Nava Kiran Orphanage Kathmandu
In March 2006 we opened a new home, which we built for the children. Since then we have been funding the children's educational needs (school fees, books, uniforms etc). Although we will still continue to monitor the children's educational needs we are gradually reducing our involvement there, only providing extra support where needed. In 2011 there was a fire in the kitchen and dining area. It was badly burnt so we are currently raising funds to help build replacement facilities. If you are travelling with Exodus to Nepal and would like to see the orphanage, please ask your leader who will be delighted to organise a visit.
Esther Benjamins Trust
The Esther Benjamins Trust focuses on improving the lives of Nepal's most vulnerable children and young people. The Trust provides full time care for children who are at risk of being trafficked or of domestic or sexual abuse - an indispensable safety net. The facilities cater for 140 children (boys and girls) at three centres; Kathmandu, Hetauda and Bhairahawa, south Nepal. Since 2010 we have been helping them raise money for the full time care and education of their children.
Solar Cookers and Smokeless Stoves
Our solar cooker project is now up and running in the Everest region. By spring 2011 we had installed 50 solar cookers in the Everest region in the lodges we use. If you are trekking in the Everest region you will see these in most of the lodges where you stay. Your leader will have details of how to sponsor a cooker.
In 2010/11 Exodus donated 89 smokeless stoves to Thulopatel village. These stoves use less wood but more importantly, they provide a safer and healthier alternative for the women to cook on. The smoke leaves the kitchen through a chimney thus preventing eye and lung problems caused by a smoky fire.