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Hello, from Kathmandu! This email is going out to many of the bicycle
programs and community contacts I've come across in the last few
years. You may have heard from me when we were initially organizing
this project, looking for advice. Now that we're off the ground,
Wrench Nepal is looking for volunteers.
Wrench Nepal (www.WrenchNepal.org) runs a small bike shop here in
Kathmandu, Nepal, that is operated by bike mechanic 'interns'-- Nepali
teenagers who, for any reason, are in danger of entering adulthood
without marketable job skills, or are otherwise at a disadvantage.
There are over 400 homes in Kathmandu alone for children who have been
orphaned or abandoned by their families. At the moment, we work with
kids from a drop-in shelter and a group that supports the families of
those in prison, with a seemingly endless supply of possible new
interns: teenagers eager to learn a useful skill, to practice their
English, and to become self-sufficient. With only one person training
them, however, the shop cannot work with more than 2-3 people at a
time. That's where you come in.
We're looking for two people at a time to act as bike mechanic
instructors and program organizers. Two positions are available to be
filled immediately; the second shift will be open in May, when the
current instructor's visa expires. The requirements are:
- Working knowledge of basic bike mechanics
- Good communication and organizing skills
- Willingness to live in a foreign environment and work with people
from a very different culture
Bike shop or co-op experience is a major advantage, as is experience
in business administration or community activism. Grant writing skills
will be helpful. Each position is for approximately 4 months and
requires that you live in Kathmandu. As this is an all-volunteer
program, there will be no pay, and any profit that the shop raises
will be distributed among the Nepali interns for things that they need
as future bike mechanics. Cost of living is very low, rent in a
comfortable place can be as little as $50 per month. Volunteers can
also pursue part-time paid work to support themselves while in Nepal.
We encourage those of you who are presently enrolled in universities
to consider this as a possible independent study abroad opportunity.
We will work with the administration at your school to determine if
this can be a for-credit internship for you. If you do not have
mechanic skills, we may still be interested in your participation as
an organizer.
If interested, please send a brief resume of your relevant experience
and a short cover letter to tom@wrenchnepal.org. Make sure to
highlight your experience working with bicycles and working in
community organizing positions.
Thanks, and hope to hear from you soon. I encourage you to forward or
re-post this message anywhere you feel is appropriate.
programs and community contacts I've come across in the last few
years. You may have heard from me when we were initially organizing
this project, looking for advice. Now that we're off the ground,
Wrench Nepal is looking for volunteers.
Wrench Nepal (www.WrenchNepal.org) runs a small bike shop here in
Kathmandu, Nepal, that is operated by bike mechanic 'interns'-- Nepali
teenagers who, for any reason, are in danger of entering adulthood
without marketable job skills, or are otherwise at a disadvantage.
There are over 400 homes in Kathmandu alone for children who have been
orphaned or abandoned by their families. At the moment, we work with
kids from a drop-in shelter and a group that supports the families of
those in prison, with a seemingly endless supply of possible new
interns: teenagers eager to learn a useful skill, to practice their
English, and to become self-sufficient. With only one person training
them, however, the shop cannot work with more than 2-3 people at a
time. That's where you come in.
We're looking for two people at a time to act as bike mechanic
instructors and program organizers. Two positions are available to be
filled immediately; the second shift will be open in May, when the
current instructor's visa expires. The requirements are:
- Working knowledge of basic bike mechanics
- Good communication and organizing skills
- Willingness to live in a foreign environment and work with people
from a very different culture
Bike shop or co-op experience is a major advantage, as is experience
in business administration or community activism. Grant writing skills
will be helpful. Each position is for approximately 4 months and
requires that you live in Kathmandu. As this is an all-volunteer
program, there will be no pay, and any profit that the shop raises
will be distributed among the Nepali interns for things that they need
as future bike mechanics. Cost of living is very low, rent in a
comfortable place can be as little as $50 per month. Volunteers can
also pursue part-time paid work to support themselves while in Nepal.
We encourage those of you who are presently enrolled in universities
to consider this as a possible independent study abroad opportunity.
We will work with the administration at your school to determine if
this can be a for-credit internship for you. If you do not have
mechanic skills, we may still be interested in your participation as
an organizer.
If interested, please send a brief resume of your relevant experience
and a short cover letter to tom@wrenchnepal.org. Make sure to
highlight your experience working with bicycles and working in
community organizing positions.
Thanks, and hope to hear from you soon. I encourage you to forward or
re-post this message anywhere you feel is appropriate.
Tom Martin
Wrench Nepal
tom@wrenchnepal.org
