ABOUT US: Volunteer Nepal National
Group (Volnepal, VNNG) is a local, independent,
non-profit organization. VNNG was founded in 2000
and registered with the Chief District
Administration Office and the Social Welfare
Council; it was formally established in Kathmandu in
2004. VNNG was created to implement new initiatives
that could better answer the need for communication
between volunteers and community groups with NGOs
operating both locally and internationally. Our
model is an adaptable approach to community
building. We examine community resources, develop a
community vision, and take action to create
meaningful change. We work to assist and improve the
welfare of the underprivileged in our society. Our
work includes community rural sustainability
development, education and capacity building,
technology, literacy, economically self-sustaining
activities, women, children and gender issues.
VISION AND MISSION:
To help promote and create a healthy
community, which is economically and socially stable
and has a restorable, sustainable environment for
future generations. Our mission is to fortify the
efforts of grassroots nonprofits and NGO's and to
coordinate these organizations' efforts to alleviate
or eliminate the causes of poverty. We do this in
communities through the implementation of ideas,
funds and volunteers.
BACKGROUND:
Nepal is a country of amazing extremes. There
are the world's highest mountains including
Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest--8848m) towering above
populated valleys and forested plains in which the
lordly tiger and trundling rhinoceros live.
Enchantment is everywhere, be it on the shoulders of
high mountains, on terraced farmlands meticulously
carved like stairways out of hill ridges and rushing
rivers, or in forests full of wildlife, flowers and
bird songs. Something for everybody: tourist,
trekker, river runner, mountain biker, wildlife
enthusiast, poet, artist, writer, scholar, or the
weary in search of a personal Shangri-La. In
Kathmandu, the capital or in its suburbs, to cross a
street is to travel across centuries. Shrines,
temples, palaces, palace-squares, ageless sculptures
and legends that are parts of every brick and stone
and gilded masterpiece, make Kathmandu Valley a
verifiable museum.
HISTORY:
Nepal has a long glorious history. Its
civilization can be traced back to thousands of
years before the birth of Christ. Modern Nepal is an
amalgamation of a number of principalities which had
independent entities in the past. Before the
campaign of national integration launched by King
Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Kathmandu Valley was ruled
by the Malla kings, whose contributions to art and
culture are indeed great and unique. As the popular
legend goes, the original settlers of the Kathmandu
Valley were the Gopalas, the Abhiras and the Kiratas,
later succeeded by the Lichchhavis, who in turn
where succeeded by the Thakuris and Mallas. In 1768
A.D. the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the
unified Kingdom.