ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS: PRESERVING OUR COMMON HOME | VINWC26-17 | 2026-08-12 - 2026-08-23 | ENVI,MANU,EDU | Age: 18 - 60

. Rapid urbanization, increased consumption, and changing lifestyles have created significant challenges, especially in waste management. Solid waste management in urban and rural areas is one of the most urgent concerns, as it actively affects the environment, public health, and local communities.In many of VIN s working areas, including schools, improper waste disposalsuch as food scraps and other materials is a serious problem. This leads to littering, health risks, and pollution, especially in vulnerable areas like Jitpurphedi, Kavresthali, and Okharpauwa near Kathmandu. Poor waste management affects urban and rural communities, contributing to environmental degradation, soil contamination, and health issues. Children are particularly vulnerable, suffering from respiratory diseases, skin infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses as a result of exposure to waste.Non-biodegradable waste (NBW) is one of the key contributors to environmental harm. NBW accumulates in large quantities in rural areas, impacting agricultural productivity and local farmers livelihoods. As this waste pollutes agrarian land, it reduces its ability to sustain crops, affecting the food security of families and communities.Why Waste Management MattersAddressing these waste management issues is crucial to preserve Nepal s environment and ensure public health. By adopting sustainable practices such as waste segregation, recycling, and composting, communities can transform waste into a valuable resource rather than a harmful by-product.Under the Environmental Stewards: Preserving Our Common Home project, VIN aims to empower local communities to take action on waste management. By raising awareness and providing practical solutions, the project will help create cleaner, greener environments and improve public health. Key Objectives-Reduce water, land, and air pollution through environmental education and community cleaning activities.-Empower communities to adopt sustainable waste management practices, including reducing, reusing, and recycling.-Raise awareness about the importance of environmental conservation and its long-term benefits for public health and sustainability.

Work: Management and Clean-Up Campaigns-Waste Community Clean-Up Campaigns: Volunteers will work with local communities to organize clean-up drives. These activities will focus on clearing waste from public spaces, reducing litter, and creating cleaner environments.Waste Management Training-3R Principles (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle): Train local communities on effective waste management using the 3R principles. This will include waste segregation, recycling, composting techniques, and proper waste disposal methods.-Composting Training: Volunteers will guide households on creating compost at home using organic waste. This method reduces waste and provides organic fertilizer for better agricultural practices.Sustainable Agriculture Training-Kitchen Garden Training: Promote sustainable farming by teaching local households how to create kitchen gardens. This activity will empower families to grow their vegetables, reduce the need for external supplies, and contribute to better nutrition.

Accomodation and food: The volunteers will stay with the host family/hostel identified by VIN. The living facilities are simple and basic. Male and female volunteers will share the same living area with separate rooms. The volunteers sleep on simple beds/mattresses. Please bring your sleeping bag.

Location: KATHMANDU

Location and Leisure: Jitpurphedi is a community in Tarakeshwor Municipality, located 10-15 km from Kathmandu s main ring road, surrounded by hills, fields, and woods. You can go sightseeing at various sites around the community. VIN also organizes weekend travel tours to Chitwan Jungle Safari, Pokhara, and Nagarkot at an additional cost if you are interested.

Airport: KTM

Train/Bus station: Tribhuvan International Airport

Requirements: -Basic English should be spoken among the participants -Physically sound as per the project requirements.

A VIN staff member will pick up volunteers from the airport. Please send your flight details in advance so we can provide a name card with the VIN logo. If you d like to explore earlier, you can take a pre-paid taxi or VIN can assist you. You can arrive at the VIN office on your first day.

Language: eng,eng

Extra Fee: 30 EUR

The fee for the Workcamp is 270 Euros (30 Euros for transportation), payable upon arrival at the VIN Office.