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Host is looking for help immediately
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21 Apr 2025
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Description
Namaste from Bhaktapur!
We are the Malla family, living in the heart of the historic and vibrant city of Bhaktapur, Nepal. Our family consists of Yogendra, a community-minded individual dedicated to making a difference, his wife Anita, who brings warmth and care to our home, their lively children Arya and Aayusri, and Yogendra’s mother, whose wisdom and love fill our space with joy.
For nearly ten years, we've had the privilege of welcoming volunteers through the Workaway program. This unique opportunity allows volunteers to support local schools, particularly public institutions, while also engaging with the community in meaningful ways. Whether it’s through teaching, helping with community initiatives, or offering support at local hospitals, volunteers can make a real impact. Anita, who works at a nearby hospital, also offers opportunities for volunteers to assist in the medical field. In addition, there are several local associations and schools where volunteers can contribute, each with its own set of criteria, allowing for a variety of experiences.
Our home isn’t just a place to stay—it’s a welcoming space for cultural exchange, personal growth, and deep connection. As part of our family, you'll get to experience the warmth of Nepali hospitality, participate in vibrant local festivals, and enjoy delicious homemade meals. You'll have the chance to learn about our traditions, share stories, and become a part of our community.
Join us in Bhaktapur, where you’ll not only help make a difference, but also immerse yourself in a rich cultural experience, all while building lasting memories with a local family eager to share everything we hold dear.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Teaching
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Help around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Vegetarian or vegan
Technology
Pets
Farming
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Performing arts
Photography
Music
History
Drawing & painting
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Nature
Mountain
Hiking
Fitness
Cycling
Adventure sports
Videography
Self development
Languages
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Outdoor activities
Yoga / Wellness
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The Benefits of Cultural Exchange in Bhaktapur: Religious & Spiritual Practices (Depending on the Volunteers)
Traveling is more than just sightseeing—it’s about experiencing a new way of life, and there’s no better way to do that than through a cultural exchange. By staying with a local family in Bhaktapur, travelers will not only have a comfortable place to stay but will also gain a deep, immersive experience of Nepalese culture, traditions, and daily life.
What You Can Learn from Cultural Exchange
1. Authentic Local Traditions – Living with a host family allows you to witness and participate in traditional Nepalese customs, from daily rituals to festive celebrations.
2. Traditional Nepalese Cuisine– Learn how to cook dal bhat, momos, roti, and Newari specialties while enjoying home-cooked meals with your host family.
3. Local Language & Communication – Pick up basic Nepali phrases and experience the warmth of local hospitality.
4. Art, Dance & Music – Engage in local dances, traditional music, and ancient craftsmanship, such as pottery and wood carving.
5. Religious & Spiritual Practices– If volunteers are interested, you can visit temples and learn about Hindu and Buddhist customs, prayers, and festivals. Your involvement in spiritual practices will depend on your interest and willingness to engage.
6. Community Life & Values – Understand the simplicity and richness of life in a Nepalese community, where people value togetherness, respect, and kindness.
Bhaktapur – A Living Museum of Culture & History
Bhaktapur, also known as the City of Devotees, is one of Nepal’s most well-preserved heritage cities. With its ancient temples, royal palaces, and intricate wood carvings , every corner of Bhaktapur tells a story of its rich past.
- Explore Bhaktapur Durbar Square , a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with historic monuments.
- Witness the making of traditional pottery in Pottery Square.
- Experience Newari culture, famous for its vibrant festivals, unique architecture, and delicious cuisine.
- Walk through narrow alleys lined with centuries-old temples and courtyards , where locals continue to live as they have for generations.
- Participate in traditional festivals like Bisket Jatra and Indra Jatra, experiencing the energy, music, and spiritual significance of Nepalese celebrations.
Living with a Local Family in Bhaktapur
Your stay with a local Nepalese family will be an unforgettable experience. You’ll be welcomed with open arms, treated like family, and fully immersed in daily life. Sharing meals, stories, and traditions will not only give you a deeper understanding of Bhaktapur but will also create lifelong friendships.
Through this cultural exchange, you won’t just be a visitor—you’ll become a part of the community, learning and growing alongside the locals while leaving with memories that will stay with you forever.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Since March of 2013 we are looking for volunteers to help us in our Government schools and Schools for disabled people here in Bhaktapur! ). The Government schools are completely public and totally free of charge for students and this is precisely the reason why they only assist the poorest people in the city. They always need and appreciate any help they can get, these are some ways you could help them:
!!! Ways to Help Schools
1. Teaching & Academic Support
- Teach English to kids (priority subject)
- Help children with their homework
- If volunteers are comfortable, they can also teach other subjects like , Mathematics, Science, Geography, and more
- Give creative lessons (painting, decoration, dance, singing, extracurricular activities)
- Provide computer lessons (if you have the knowledge)
2. Renovation & Maintenance
- Assist in fixing damage from the September 2024 floods
- Help with ongoing school renovations
- Support in cleaning and maintaining school spaces
3. Engaging with Children
- Play with the kids and entertain them
- Organize fun activities and local games
- Spend time with them to build confidence and social skills
4. Cultural Exchange & Community Involvement
- Join school celebrations and local festivals
- Visit the city with students and learn about the local culture
- Learn local dances, traditional games, and customs while interacting with the children
- You can help drawing nice paintings on the walls of the school
- You can help by teaching English to the kids (their level is not really good)
- There is no hardware equipment in the school so if you have any old computer and you can bring it here it would be perfect for the kids to acquaint them with computer science and technology
- If you have any musical instrument you could show them it would be very useful for the kids to learn music from other cultures.
The Government provides them with some course books and some simple clothes but they have no games and they only have very basic and rudimentary school material like pencils or reference books.
You also can help for baby caring and
farming too with local families
Every Contribution Matters
No matter how big or small, your help will make a difference. Whether you teach, play with the children, or simply share a joyful moment, your presence alone will have a lasting impact. The students, teachers, and the entire school community will be deeply grateful for your kindness and dedication.
Even simple acts—helping with homework, painting , or joining a local dance—can bring happiness and inspiration. Your efforts will not only support their education but also create meaningful connections beyond the classroom.
By giving your time and skills, you’re not just helping—you’re becoming a part of their world and making a real difference in their lives.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Hindi: Fluent
Nepali: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Your Home Away from Home 🏡
We are happy to welcome you into our family home, where you’ll experience warm hospitality and share in our local culture. Our house has two rooms with large beds and one room with two single beds, all decorated with beautiful antique designs. Each room has a fan, and during winter, we provide extra blankets to keep you warm.
Comfort & Facilities
- Accommodation: Private room in a family home
- Bathrooms:Two shared bathrooms & toilets (with hot water showers)
- Toiletries: We provide toilet paper, soap, and laundry services
- Food & Dining
- Breakfast and dinner at home, lunch at school
- Traditional local dinnerslike dal bhat, roti, Newari foods
- We all eat together as a family, sharing stories and moments
- If you want to cook food from your country, we would love to cook together!
- Good drinking water, tea, coffeeav ailable anytime
- Snacks, juices, soda, beer, and other drinks are available at local prices
Additional Perks
- Rooftop access with stunning Himalayan views, perfect for breakfast, yoga, meditation, or simply relaxing
- Spacious terrace or outdoor activities
- Free internet to stay connected
- A friendly pet dog who loves meeting new people!
To help us maintain everything, we kindly ask for $5 per day for your accommodation. We can’t wait to welcome you into our home and make unforgettable memories together!
What else ...
Getting to Bhaktapur from Kathmandu
There are frequent buses from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur, available every hour. You can choose between:
- Local Bus – An affordable option, costing around 35 NPR, though it may be a bit crowded.
- Tourist Bus – A more comfortable option, slightly more expensive, but still reasonably priced.
The journey takes 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.
Planning Your Journey
If you're traveling from another part of Nepal, we are happy to help you plan your route and transportation. Whether you need directions, bus schedules, or travel advice , we are here to assist you to make your journey smooth and hassle-free.
How to Contact Us
We are always reachable through:
- Email
- Nepali mobile number
- WhatsApp (if not available on the Nepali number at the moment)
Thank you very much,
Yogendra and the Family
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (32)
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These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(4.5)
The family was welcoming, Aayushri in particular. Anita's food is delicious (especially the achar). They also included me in their Dashain celebrations, giving me tikka and including me on their 5:30am walks to the temples.
In terms of volunteering, I… read more
I spent two weeks with Yogendra’s family in August, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. They welcomed me warmly, my room was comfortable and I had all the privacy I needed. I was travelling alone and meeting two other volunteers who were staying at Yogendra's at the same time made the stay even more enjoyable.
The school I… read more
We can surely rate this experience as amazing!
Yogendra’s family is very kind and welcoming, we tried typical food and we had dinner with them every night eating on the floor with our hands like in real Nepali culture.
They gave us a private and… read more
Kids are really grateful to have volunteers there at the school, younger children don’t speak much english, but I didn’t find many problems for breaking the language barrier that divided us, also with games… They’re so sweety and I already miss… read more
I'm really grateful for their kindness.
We have chatted, we have shared meals and moments together.
The volunteering at the school has been a good experience for me.
It's not super easy to be a teacher of kids, they are really energetic and it's not easy all the time to communicate in English, but… read more
After this project I know for myself that teaching doesn't belong to my skills. They have enough… read more
The family is kind, I felt comfortable and the room was really good. The school was okay but the kids don't speak English so teach them is not easy and the teachers (that are so kind) were a little bit unorganized.
Bhaktapur is a really beautiful and small city, so I think that is perfect to stay there for… read more
Yogendra is such a generous person who share all this culture with you, Anita (his wife) is an amazing woman, a harworker and the sweetest person I have ever met ! I love their two children, Aria and Ayusree, they made me… read more
Thank you again and see you soon :)
