Spiny Babbler emphasizes the importance of including the arts as an important part of life at every level of Nepal's society. It runs several programs with people at risk, educational institutions, communities, international audiences, artists, and festivals. It is frequently necessary to form partnerships with other organizations related to these programs, giving volunteers the opportunity to work in association with them. To find out more about the Spiny Babbler establishment click on the "ESTABLISHMENT" tab on the home page.

Volunteer Involvement

There are currently over one hundred youths involved in the volunteer program ranging from grade eight to those completing master's degrees. They take part in workshops and training at Spiny Babbler that they can apply while at work in the field. Volunteers are involved in annual festivals, the multi-national program, and the high-priority area dealing with the underprivileged, as well as the support creators program and the exchange program. They use the arts as a medium to make positive impacts on human lives by encouraging their confidence, expression, awareness, and education.

Volunteer Requirements

Spiny Babbler is looking for a minimum commitment from Nepalese volunteers of three months, preferably six months to a year. They need to have an active interest in the arts and be willing to contribute a significant amount of time and energy to their work. Nepalese volunteers need to be leaders in their communities, taking personal interest in their work. They are encouraged to independently organize programs in their own schools and in the community to educate people about the arts. Spiny Babbler will provide technical and advisory assistance to volunteers who take it upon themselves to be independent leaders. They should have good communication skills and practice creative thinking.

A Nepalese Volunteer's Voice
- Sudeep Prajapati

Spiny Babbler has been a great opportunity for me to learn so much that I did not gain in my school life regarding the arts and culture of Nepal, particularly as they relate to the country's past. Learning about these aspects of Nepal has enabled me to put my life and surroundings in a clearer perspective.

My research on the traditional arts of Nepal has been the greatest of my achievements here. It helped me learn the basic elements that compose our society, culture, arts, and the deities in Hindu and Buddhist religions. I had the opportunity to interview representatives of different arts organizations and politicians discussing their views and actions within the present scenario of the traditional arts of Nepal. After my research I started noticing the Nepalese traditional arts in a different way as an amateur scholar and a person who will be responsible for their preservation in the future, recognizing their importance. I can now name the different types of windows in a traditional Newari house, different postures in which deities were depicted to signify their character, and the sequence in which the arts developed over the history of Nepal.

Besides research I was also involved in conducting community arts festivals and development programs at Thaiba and Sankhu. These two programs developed my involvement on social levels, working with local organizations, teachers and students. The children who partook in these arts festivals helped me understand how the arts can enhance the learning ability of a student as he or she grows up. The idea behind volunteering at Spiny Babbler is to learn about the country's arts and culture as well as how to educate others and then apply that knowledge in society.