Volunteering
Overview
Our Volunteer Program is designed specifically for individuals interested in meaningful community service in a country that is known for its pristine beauty, its commitment to environmental preservation and its unique approach to development that measures its success in terms of Gross National Happiness. This volunteer program is a means to gain deep insight into a unique country undergoing dramatic transition.
Volunteers will be placed in a governmental, NGO, local civil society organization or service agency that focuses on topics such as environmental, political change, community development, youth activities, media and women and children’s issues. A partial list of volunteer placements is given below, however, placements can be arranged to fit with volunteer’s interests.
Locations in Bhutan:
Paro
Thimphu
Program Categories:
Volunteer Abroad
Adventure Travel
Cultural Immersion
Program Details:
Timeframe: 1 week, 10 days or 2 week program
Accommodation and meals will be arranged.
Mini-excursion and field visits to nearby places to visit will also be arranged along with a local
guide.
Cost: $450 per day, per person
Included in Cost
Personal Guide
Personal Driver
Transportation
All Meals: Locally Sourced Organic Cuisine
Hot Stone Bath
Personal Session with Monk
Airport Pickup and Dropoff
Charities
Ability Bhutan Society
Ability Bhutan Society: is a public benefit organization founded to serve persons living with moderate to severe diverse abilities, primarily children and their families that require special needs. Volunteers can engage in the organization’s many programs
RENEW
Founded in 2004, RENEW (Respect, Educate, Nurture and Empower Women) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to empowerment of women and girls in Bhutan, especially the victims and survivors of domestic violence. Counseling, temporary shelter, legal assistance and need-based provision of vocational training in selected skills and micro-enterprises as a way of providing opportunities to help transform lives of many women, are some of the core services that RENEW currently has on offer to its beneficiaries. Volunteers can work with women and children in the shelters that RENEW provides.
READ Bhutan
READ provides literacy, health education, and empowerment classes for the mostly poor and migrant women who populate Changjiji. The READ library houses a wide variety of books for adults and children. READ also conducts programs for children and young adults in the neighborhood. Volunteers can work with children in their after-school program, and lead empowerment group for young women.
Nazhoen Lamtoen
A civil society organization serving children and youth living in distressing situations, Nazhoen Lamtoen supports youth released from juvenile centers, prison and rehabilitation through its reintegration programs. Volunteers can engage in a range of programs for the betterment of underprivileged children.
Royal Society for Protection and Care of Animals
Ensuring the welfare of animals in Bhutan. Volunteers can help care for the dogs in the shelter and help create awareness about RSPCA’s work through social media.
Bhutan Broadcasting Service
The national radio and television service. A public service corporation, it will fully funded by the government and it is currently the only service to offer both radio and television, and is the only television service to broadcast from inside the Bhutanese border. Volunteers can assist in developing news stories and assist in other required tasks.
Bhutan Center for Media and Democracy
One of the first registered Civil Society Organization in Bhutan which works with a cross section of society on issues that concern youth, environment, society, governance and education.
Jigme Dorje Wangchuk Public Library
The only public library in capital city of Thimphu hosts reading class for the members (mostly children). Volunteers can assist in reading classes, and assist in overall management of the library.
Karma Academy
Karma Academy is a co-educational high school located in Paro. The school offers rigorous academic opportunities as well as experiential learning opportunities for students. Volunteers can teach classes, mentor student-run clubs and organizations, and assist teachers and the administration in school management.
Kuzoo FM Radio
Established by His Majesty while Crown Prince, Kuzoo is a youth radio station, and seeks to have young people provide much, if not all the programming. Privately funded, it has been autonomous since 2008. Two stations, one in English and one is Dzongkha. Volunteers can work as DJs for the station.