NVDP: Teaching English to Buddhist monks in Monastery

Volunteer to teach young monks and learn about their lifestyle in a fascinating monastery. Nepal has many spectacular Buddhist monasteries. Most of them are Tibetan monasteries opened by Tibetan refugees that fled the Chinese occupation. These monasteries house hundreds of monks enrolled in the life of monkhood from early in their lives. They study and live in the monastery. They mostly use Tibetan language only during their study and their chances of learning English are very limited. The tremendous Buddhist presence has lead to Buddhist monasteries being established in all regions of Nepal. Many of these historically significant monasteries are open to the public and located within the Kathmandu valley and surrounding area. In this project you will be educating Buddhist monks in the age range of approximately 5-16 years old. In the monastery at any given time there around 30 to 40 monks, of which there will be 2 classes, one for seniors and one for junior students. A unique opportunity of this placement is the volunteer will have a rare opportunity to witness and participate in traditional Buddhist rituals. Recently, the Rinpoche or the high lama of the monastery realized that the monks need to learn English if they are to spread the teaching of Buddhist and communicate effectively with outside people. Hence the monasteries are looking for volunteers to teach English to Buddhist monks. Teaching English to Buddhist monks is an excellent opportunity for volunteers who are interested in Buddhism and culture. In the monastery, volunteers will also have wonderful opportunity to learn vahrayana from of Buddhism and witness colorful rituals and prayers. Your activities as a volunteer:- Volunteers will primarily work as English instructors either in the schools of the Tibetan children’s village or children home. The monastery are usually very spacious. A central building will house prayer room and the main altar. There will be other building for accommodation, eating and staying. During the teaching you will be encouraged to converse with monks to improve their speech you can talk about things back home and ask them about their childhood and life as monks Suggestion:- The schools do not have much for you to work with you will basically be teaching in a bare room with monastery 2only a chalk board. We suggest you bring along any teaching supplies you feel will help. Large book stores have a great selection of teaching supplies including Q cards and short stories with related question placed on cards for convenient travel. It is greatly appreciated if you are able to leave any teaching supplies at your project. Requirements:- There are no specific requirements for the programs. However the best things you can have are patience and a genuine desire to teach and help the children, plus a sense of humor! Accommodation:- A simple room with a bed. We advise you to bring sleeping bag and mosquito net with you. Or you can always buy here which is 2-3 times cheaper than back home. Meals:- Breakfast occurs at 7:00 am and consists of a cup of tea and biscuits. Lunch is served at 11:30 am and usually dall/bhat( rice, lentils and vegetable) dinner is at around 7:00 pm and is once more dall/bhat. The food is very simple but also extremely delicious and filling. Start date:- Are very flexible, minimum time of stay in this program is one weeks and the maximum stay is five months.