The Legal Aid Consultancy and Centre, (LACC), has developed into a nationwide networking agency over its 26 years in existence; dedicated to the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women.
LACC’s core services are the provision of free legal aid comprising of: phone counselling, initial-psycho-social counselling, legal advice, mediation, para-legal services, case representation and the covering of court fees for clients in need. LACC would appreciate volunteers who would participate in the promotion of their Centre and their causes.
Grant writing volunteers would be expected to research the history of Nepali women in society and their human rights in general, as well as their legal rights; its impact on the Nepali women of today; challenges that need to be addressed including types of social barriers to women of Nepal and what changes need to be initiated.
Volunteers would be expected to write proposals under the assistance and guidance of the local staff of the organization, as well as participate in IT and fundraising activities.
Grant writing volunteers who have had experience in drafting proposals and working in this type of endeavour are preferred but it is not mandatory. Volunteers who are willing to work hard; do any research necessary; are able to work independently and have a keen interest in the organizations causes would be most welcome and appreciated.
A grant writing volunteer would need to research and learn to understand Women's rights in Nepal and where changes are needed. This would include talking to groups of Nepali women who are actively involved in this endeavour. After understanding some of their dilemmas the volunteer would be expected to draft proposals to be submitted to respective donor organizations. These proposals would first be reviewed by the staff concerned to assure that all pertinent data had been addressed.
LACC needs to submit reports to various organizations and write articles to be published in newspapers that raises the voice of concern for women's rights in Nepal. A grant writing volunteer can play a vital role in writing such reports and/or editing reports for grammatical errors written by local staff.
A grant writing volunteer may be asked to write proposals advocating for the legal rights of Nepali women. These proposals would be developed with the assistance and guidance from the staff of the organization.
LACC needs to update their social networking site, as well as their website. Grant writing volunteers who have IT skills may be asked to update their website and teach staff how to continue this process. Volunteers may also be asked to make suggestions to the management committee on how to make their website more dynamic looking.
The Legal Aid Consultancy and Center, (LACC), is an independent non-profit, non-governmental organization. A pioneer in the field of promoting women’s human rights. Established in 1987 by like-minded women lawyers, attorneys and teachers of law. Initially the common aim was to promote easy access to justice for poor marginalized women, (who suffered injustice and oppression in society), by providing them with free legal aid and counseling. Today within the span of over 25 years in operation, the organization has developed nationwide networking with multiple purposes dedicated to: eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and to elevating the legal, social, economic and cultural status of women and children. Hence, the organization strives constantly towards their ultimate goal of equality for women and children.
The organization is closely connected to its founding President, Prof. Dr. Shanta Thapalia, who after relinquishing the Presidency on 17th August, 2009 to Ms. Shashi Adhikari, became an active trustee member. Dr.Thapalia's contributions over the years has helped to nurture not only the organization but also inspired the whole LACC team to motivate a new generation of dedicated women lawyers to work together to achieve the organization's objectives. Likewise, a major role, has been and is, conducted by its executive board in the overall management of the organization that is persistently engage in activities that strive towards the improvement of women's fundamental rights.
LACC's approach is comprehensive and interconnected. At the macro policy level, it lobbies government and policy bodies for legislative changes and for the proper implementation of laws; at the meso level, it organizes capacity building training for law implementers; and at the micro level, it provides free legal aid and awareness programs for women and children. By combating injustice on all three fronts, LACC strives for a just and equitable society in Nepal in which women and children can enjoy their rights and freedoms.
LACC’s CORE SERVICES are the provision of free legal aid comprising of: phone counselling, initial-psycho-social counselling, legal advice, mediation, para-legal services, case representation and the covering of court fees for clients in need.
LACC has been in the forefront of the women’s property rights movement in the 1990s which culminated in the 11th amendment of the Muluki Ain (Country’s Civil Code) in 2002. The 11th amendment significantly improved the legal situation of women in terms of their property, inheritance and adoption rights and increased the minimum age of marriage.
Currently LACC is strongly involved in the implementation of the newly enacted Domestic Violence Act (2009) through capacity building for law implementers, advocacy, lobbying and networking with policy makers and lead NGOs, as well as, awareness building measures at the community level.
The Legal Aid Consultancy and Center was established in 1987 by like-minded women lawyers, attorneys and teachers of law, initially with a common aim to promote easy access to justice for poor marginalized women, (who suffer injustice and oppression in society), by providing them with free legal aid and counseling. The founding President was Prof. Dr. Shanta Thapalia.
During the last 20 years, LACC has implemented a huge number of programs with NEDA, DANIDA, USAID, Foundation Open Society Institute, Asia Foundation, Action Aid, UNICEF, German Development Service, ILO/EPEC and many other international organizations for women’s and children’s rights, legislative reforms, legal aid, women empowerment and gender equality. Currently LACC’s major partners are Foundation Open Society Institute, The Asia Foundation and German Development Service. To increase its outreach and impact, LACC is highly interested to join hands with further partners.
LACC would appreciate any donations such as: Books Of Law, Stationary supplies Computers Laptops Women oriented books Human right books Meditation DVD's Scholarships for victims children Small Portable Projectors
The Legal Aid Consultancy and Center is located in Manbhawan, near the Adharsa Vidya Mandir in the Lalitpur District. This placement is near a school, in a quiet area surrounded by other non government organizations.
LACC is in a rented two story building. The ground floor is used as a residence for any victims in need of shelter, as well as an information counseling center. The first floor houses the director's office, program office, library and meeting room. There is a washroom on each floor.
The placement has computers, internet access and telephone services. But it is also a good idea to bring your own laptop, so if there is anything you need to search, you do not have to wait for the others computers.
This place is quite with easy access to good restaurants and a few handicraft shops. For good tea and coffee there is a nice place within walking distance.
This placement is easily accessible by taxi and local bus.
From the BaseCamp house in the Naya Bazaar district of Kathmandu, walk five minutes to Sorakhutay and get a local bus to Jamal. It takes around 15 minutes and once there walk for two minutes to Ratna Park. Catch another bus to Lagankhel, and it will take around 20 minutes to reach at Jwalakhel or central zoo, and from there walk straight for two minute, take the second right and cross the road. Walk straight for 5 minutes and you will see an iron arch saying Adarsha Vidya Mandir in black. Continue walking straight then take a left and you will see the LACC building in front of AVM.
Distance from BaseCamp: 7km
Travel Time from BaseCamp: 1:0
Lalitpur has very hot summers, with an average temperature of around 30 degrees Celsius. They have very mild winters with temperatures rarely dipping below zero degrees Celsius at night. However, the fog makes the winter nights and mornings feel very cold and damp.
The lack of central heating requires warmer clothing than you would expect. Afternoons warm up to an average of 15-20 degrees Celsius. During monsoon season, which is late June to late September it becomes extremely wet, rainy and humid.
Lalitpur, a beautiful medieval city of art and culture is situated in the south-eastern part of the magnificent Kathmandu Valley.
The altitude of the city varies from a minimum of 1266 m. to a maximum of 1366 m. above sea level, which shows the relative flatness of the ground on which the city is located.
The city is located over a plateau like area with its outer edges fanning out in gentle slopes towards the rivers that form its boundaries. The reason they were located in this area was because the land was on relatively high ground and therefore good land to use for farming purposes.
Judicious planning efforts assured the optimization of the use of urban space and the farmlands have been carried out in a responsible manner, to economical, as well as environmental significance to the urban residents.
Lalitpur has some sections of the city that are considered to have semi-urban infrastructure. However, there is a large part of Lalitpur that has not been developed, as well as other surrounding cities such as the major city of Patan under similar condition.
Because of its rich cultural history and the fairly recent rise in tourism, Lalitpur is an interesting mix of old and new with areas of narrow cobblestone streets that feel unchanged since the middle ages. Lalitpur is also known for its ancient and intricate architecture and has numerous beautiful Hindu temples and Buddhist shrines.
There are two other cities located in the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu and Bhaktapur which have rich architectural and cultural heritages. Both cities are accessible from Lalitpur and offer good options for day trips.
CIWEC Travel Medicine Center
Lazimpat
Kathmandu
TEL 1: 4424111
TEL 2: 4435232
Legal Aid Consultancy and Center
Manbhawan
Lalitpur
Nepal
All of our volunteers begin their stay in Nepal at our BaseCamp Center in Kathmandu. Given that this placement is less than a 1 hour and 15 minute commute from BaseCamp, volunteers working here will have the option of living with us at BaseCamp or living with a host family.
The following information outlines a brief description of life at BaseCamp and also what someone can expect living with a host family in Nepal. Once you have completed our application, you can let our staff know if you would prefer to live with a host family. Otherwise, your application will default to having you live with us at BaseCamp.
If you have any questions about the difference between life at BaseCamp or life with a host family in Nepal you can always give us a call or send us an email. Our contact details are listed in the footer of every page of the site.
Uttam Chowk, Ekikaran Road
Ward No 16
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: (977) 1-438-9397
Mobile: (977) 980-314-1173
BaseCamp Nepal is located in the Naya Bazaar district of Kathmandu just a few minutes walk from the popular backpacker district of Thamel. We are situated in a beautiful four story building, with nine rooms and a capacity for almost forty guests. Each level of the house has four balconies, plus the hostel has two roof top patios. Pillows, sheets and blankets are provided.
The second and third floor of the hostel each have a spacious common area. The kitchen and large dining room are on the fourth floor. A fire pit and plenty of seating make the roof top patio a favourite gathering spot. Great for viewing the rising or setting sun, planning your next adventure or relaxing with a cup of chiyaa.
Back on the ground, there is an organic community garden in our courtyard in which interested guests are always welcome to help tend. Wireless internet access is available throughout the house, making it easy to stay in touch with friends and family back home.
The meal plan at BaseCamp is a 14 day rotation of various dishes from around Nepal. The idea behind our plan is that volunteers will familiarize themselves with local dishes and meal table etiquette before moving on to a host family. For the volunteers who stay in BaseCamp throughout their program, the meal plan offers a diverse and authentic diet.
BaseCamp Nepal is also where language training and orientation workshops take place. We have a classroom area for the more formal parts of our orientation and each day we will visit various parts of Kathmandu as volunteers become familiar with life in Nepal.
Living with a host family in Nepal is a fantastic way to gain a deep understanding of and appreciation for the people and customs of the country. Each home-stay will provide a bed and three meals per day for our volunteers. The majority of host families offer private rooms with only one or two volunteers living with the family.
Living with a host family can greatly enhance your performance at your placement. For one, it will have a huge influence on the speed with which you gain familiarity with the local language. This, along with your deeper understanding of cultural practices and beliefs that you are likely to gain in this environment, can go a long way to improving or strengthening your relationships with your team mates at work. Furthermore, a significant percentage of our host families are closely affiliated with the organizations with which our volunteers work. As such, even the evening meal or hanging out around the house can become valuable time during which volunteers can share their ideas and continue their support of their host organization.
All of this being said, living with a host family is not for everyone. It is very important for volunteers to honor the house rules in their host family and to be punctual. Also, depending on how remote your placement location, host families can be very rustic. Our staff in country can give you a better idea of what exactly you can expect from a host family in any particular community. However, in general, if these things sound like they might pose a challenge for you, we strongly suggest that you look at a placement within commuting distance from BaseCamp Nepal.
Our program structure and costing is completely flexible which lets our volunteers ensure that they only pay for exactly the degree of support that they want.
Some volunteers prefer to coordinate their own accommodation, meals and other support while overseas.
Anyone is welcome to use our volunteer placement search tool to help in finding a placement that is well suited to their interests. Once someone finds a placement that they wish to work with, they are welcome to make all the rest of their arrangmeents on their own.
As well, our team of staff overseas are often able to offer a few helpful pointers for volunteers 'doing it on their own'. Just send us an email with your questions and we will put you in touch with our team abroad. We only ask that you keep your requests fairly general, as this type of advice is exactly how our team earn their living. :)
Other volunteers would like assistance in selecting and confirming their placement, but they plan to manage their own accommodation and other expenses on their own.
These volunteers have the option of choosing to only have our assistance with selecting and confirming their placement. This option also includes ongoing placement support while abroad, so a volunteer would be able to ask our team for help if things at their placement were not working out.
In providing Placement Support, our team works with each volunteer through email, telephone and either Skype or Google Hangouts, to ensure that each volunteer has a clear understanding of their placement options. Our in-country staff will put together a custom list of placement options for each volunteer that they believe are the most appropriate matches with the volunteer's background, skills and interests. Then each volunteer can work with our team both in Canada and abroad to go through each of the options and narrow-down their selection.
For most volunteers who are volunteering for less than a year, they are looking for an option that includes their accommodation, meals, airport reception, country and program orientation and placement support. This is what our Program Fees are designed for.
We are proud of how over the years we have ensured that our program fees are amoungst the most reasonable of any program in the world while we continue to provide exceptional volunteer support both at home and abroad.
Our Program Fees and listings of what these do and do not include are listed below:
| Registration Fee | 250 |
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| 1 Week | 295 |
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| 2 Weeks | 400 |
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| 3 Weeks | 505 |
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| 4 Weeks | 610 |
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| 5 Weeks | 715 |
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| 6 Weeks | 820 |
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| 7 Weeks | 925 |
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| 8 Weeks | 1,030 |
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| Additional Weeks | 95 |
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| All program fees are listed in US Dollars. | |||
Our regularly scheduled program start dates are the first Friday of each month, every month of the year. We strongly recommend beginning your program on one of these dates as this will allow you to go through our orientation alongside other international volunteers.
If you would prefer, our application will also allow you to select a custom start date for your program. Keep in mind that there is an additional fee for a custom start date which ranges from 50 to 75 USD.
| Jul 01, 2022 | Aug 05, 2022 | Sep 02, 2022 |
| Oct 07, 2022 | Nov 04, 2022 | Dec 02, 2022 |
| Jan 06, 2023 | Feb 03, 2023 | Mar 03, 2023 |
| Apr 07, 2023 | May 05, 2023 | Jun 02, 2023 |
| Jul 07, 2023 | Aug 04, 2023 | Sep 01, 2023 |
| Oct 06, 2023 | Nov 03, 2023 | Dec 01, 2023 |
| Jan 05, 2024 | Feb 02, 2024 | Mar 01, 2024 |
| Apr 05, 2024 | May 03, 2024 | Jun 07, 2024 |
These dates are the day that volunteers should plan to arrive on the ground in country. We can accommodate arrivals in-country at any time day or night on these dates.
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