We have been running volunteering activities for more than a decade now. We have a very high rate of returning volunteers. Many have made Maya their permanent homes also. We have reflections and discussions every evening to prepare for the next day. We also organize free hikes, breakfasts on the hilltop, and local dinners once a week. We have a good mix of support staff including the senior and assistant volunteer coordinators along with academic, construction, and agricultural managers. Most importantly, the school is a huge success with very high demand from the locals. Its also the biggest employment provider in the area. A lot of the graduates work with the school and help in its expansion and volunteers get to experience this grassroots development process first-hand.
How can you get involved?
You can
join us by teaching children from the community for a minimum of 2 months. Volunteers support the classes in English
language, Mathematics, science, music, and arts for children from first to
seventh grade.
You will be able to work closely with the group of
volunteers as well as the permanent teacher from the school.
When teaching, volunteers follow the program given
specifically for each class according to the subject taught. Do not worry
about trying to find what to teach the children each day as it will be given to
you beforehand.
Despite teaching, volunteers learn and
grow from their experience and the children from Maya Universe Academy. They
gain perspective through the differences in language, culture, and way of living
in their own country.
Who lives at Maya
- Hostel Children: Students living at the school. Their
villages are too far away to commute every day, so they live at the school in
their own hostel.
- Permanent Volunteers: Nepali volunteers that live at
the school and help run daily operations.
- Temporary Volunteers: Nepali and international
volunteers who stay for both short-term and long-term periods.
Location
At the
school, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful scenery as it is surrounded by
hills and mountains. By being further away from big cities, the area is more
quiet and refreshing.
Dress code
The dress code is casual. However, girls must refrain from
wearing skirts and shorts above knee level and tight leggings (unless worn with
a long top/dress). The shower area is a public
communal area. Girls must wear a lunghi which can
be purchased from school. Boys must wear loose-fitting shorts.
When coming to volunteer at Maya Universe
Academy, you should bring a sleeping bag ( a light one from April to September is
enough) as well as a refillable bottle of water. Do not worry if you forgot
something at home as commodities are available in the village shop. Further
explanation about what you will need during your volunteering program will be shared
with you once enrolling with Maya.
What to bring
- Two passport sized photos - one for visa, one for local SIM (a few extra are useful if you want to get trekking permits etc).
- Local SIM card* and cell phone - you need a copy passport and a passport sized photo.
- Sleeping bag - from April to September a light sleeping bag is enough.
- Medicines - you need for any chronic illness / usual travel medicine.
- Lice comb - sometimes kids have lice. This will help to comb trough your frequently to avoid having lice.
- Clothes to shower Boys : short (a stretchy waistband is always nice)
- Girl : a «lunghi» - typical dress that can also be bought from the school.
- Sandals / flip flops and towels
- Toileteries - please try to use organics products only as this goes back into our land.
- Laundry Soap Bar - for your clothes washing.
- Foot wear - regular walking shoes are easy for walking up and down the hill, but many walk in flip flops or trekking boots ! If you are doing agriculture/construction you will need closed shoes.
- Jacket and warm clothes - bring extra warm layers between October and February.
- Flashlight - one that plugs in and charges is an added luxury ! Head torch is also popular.
- Toilet Paper*
- Water bottle*
- Clothes for morning assembly
*can be bought from Damauli.
MAYA’S LIFE
Dress code is casual. Girls must refrain from wearing skirts and shorts above knee level and tight leggings (unless worn with a long top/kurta/ dress). Tops should cover the shoulder. Strappy or strapless tops are not ideal. Morning cirlce formals: We make a morning circle every day to start the school where all staff, volunteers, guests, and students participate. Teachers mostly are dressed formally in long pants and shoes. Its important to be neat and tidy during this hour. Vacation Preferably vacation is planned during school holidays (April, October, November). If this is not possible volunteers are expected to handover their duties diligently and “days off” are to be discussed with management.
Vaccinations - Check if you need any vaccinations. See CIWEC Hospital’s recommendation.
Travel / medical insurance - Please make sure you are covered for any accident, hospital treatments, loss or damage. You will be asked to read and sign a service contract including liability, upon your confirmation.
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