Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does "BIKASH" stands for?
   Building In Knowledge Attitude & Skills for Health. BIKASH is a Nepali word which means "Development". BIKASH, formerly known as Green Pastures Training Center is a non-governmental organization which became independent from International Nepal Fellowship (INF) in 2005.
   
   
2. What is BIKASH Nepal?
   BIKASH Nepal is a non-profit NGO providing training to the service providers involved in health care and rehabilitation services. BIKASH exists to provide appropriate health care and rehabilitation services to people living with leprosy, tuberculosis, disability and HIV/AIDS through developing high standard skills and knowledge of service providers.
   
   
3. What is BIKASH Nepal's vision?
   BIKASH Nepal aims at developing human resources to serve people living with severe forms of ailment affecting physical, mental and socio-economic aspects of human life.
   
   
4. What are the objectives and goals of BIKASH Nepal?
   
   

   Develop professional skills and knowledge of government, non-government and private organization's staff through training. Organize training to develop knowledge and skill about the diseases seen as public health problem. Provide income-generating training for disabled people for their rehabilitation. Conduct public awareness program to clear the misconception about Leprosy, Disability and HIV/AIDS. Work in order to raise public awareness in the field of education, health and environment. Work in partnership with other organizations to provide better health care services in the community.

5. What kind of training does BIKASH Nepal run?
   
   

   HIV/AIDS Basic and Refresher Courses Comprehensive Leprosy Training (CLT) Basic and Refresher Course Medical Officer’s Leprosy Course Rehabilitation & Prevention of Disability (RPOD) International Course Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) International Course Training and Communication Skills International Course Training and Orientation in Leprosy, TB and HIV/AIDS Basic TB training for grass root level health workers and volunteers

6. Where is BIKASH Nepal located?
   BIKASH lies in the beautiful city of Pokhara, Nepal. It is situated in Green Pastures Complex, Naya Gaun, Ward –15, Pokhara Municipality.
   
   
7.  How can we obtain visa for Nepal?
   Traveling to Nepal doesn't require a prior visa. You can get visa after the arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport Immigration Office. You will be granted 30 days visa at a charge of USD 40. You can extend your visa each time to 30 days by paying an extra charge of USD 30.
   
   
8. What is the process of travelling to Pokhara?
   There are several daily flights operating from Kathmandu to Pokhara. You can book your ticket from any local travel agency or contact directly to the airport office. However we have few travel agencies in contact and we can help you with getting your tickets. Besides that, you can also travel the distance of 200 km by bus in six hours. The most efficient and reliable means is the Tourist Bus. Tickets are easily available at local travel agencies.
   
   
   
9. Where can we stay while we are in Pokhara?
   There are many hotels and lodges in Pokhara. Best place for visitors to stay is in Lakeside (approx 2 km from the airport; 5 km from BIKASH). It is mainly a tourist spot and finding hotels is not a problem. We also have few hotels in our contact, which we can recommend or help you with reservation.  
   
   
   
10. Does BIKASH Nepal provide accommodation and food for its trainees?
    Yes, we provide food and accommodation for our trainees. BIKASH Nepal has a well-facilitated guesthouse able to accommodate 16 people at a time. There are 4 guesthouse buildings including a cafeteria that provides delicious meals round the day.  The cost for full board is USD 15 per day. For international course participants, the food and lodge services are included in the course fee. Apart from guesthouse, BIKASH Nepal also has a hostel able to accommodate 20 people. The cost is USD 5 per day.
    
    
    
11. What other facilities does BIKASH Nepal have?
    BIKASH Nepal has two well-equipped halls suitable for seminars, workshops, meetings and training. Each hall is equipped with necessary resources such as LCD multimedia projector, Over Head projector, Slide projector, Video player, Whiteboard etc. It also has large area for conducting outdoor programs. Specified cost is charged on the use of the resources. Since BIKASH Nepal is a non profit making organization, the income generated by the organization is used to fulfill its objectives and goals.
    
    
    
12. How do I get to BIKASH Nepal - Green Pastures Complex?
    After the arrival at the Pokhara airport, you will find prepaid taxi which you can hire. It costs around USD 4 on a taxi ride. You can ask for "Hariyo Kharka Hospital" rather than “Green Pastures Hospital”. If you are traveling by road, the first stop in Pokhara is Amarsingh chowk. You can get down there and hire a taxi. The distance and the fare is the same as from the airport. 
    
    
    
13. How is the climate like in Pokhara?
    Pokhara experiences humid sub‑tropical to warm temperate climate. The climate of Pokhara valley is basically the influence of topography. Yearly mean temperature of the city (827m) is 20.80C whereas monthly averages are ‑ maximum 25.50C (During July and August) and minimum 13.20C (during January). The deviation of temperature from mean value is also interesting: absolute maximum temperature is 37.40C and absolute minimum temperature 2.40C. Average annual rainfall recorded in Pokhara city is 3,755mm while 5,337mm is recorded in Lumle (a village nearby Pokhara city). Pokhara receives both monsoon and winter rains. It is important to note that profound effect of micro‑climatic elements on climatic parameters is clearly observable around Pokhara. Sunshine hours in Pokhara is estimated to be nearly six hours a day on an‑annual average. From June to August, monsoon clouds may create problems to view and photograph the mountains. Rest of the months are almost cloud free but November to March is the best time to avoid this problem. The annual average high wind speed recorded at Pokhara is 4 km per hour from February to June. The air is generally humid throughout the year with 80.16% relative humidity on yearly average. The relative humidity is found to be low in March and high in April.
    
    
    The climate 'is neither too cold nor too hot Hence, from climatic point of view, Pokhara is enjoyable all year round. However, to visit higher Himalayas northern of Pokhara, especially for trekkers the best period is February to
    
    
14. How do I pay the course fee?
    You can pay the fee through our bank account as detailed below:
    
    

Name of the account: BIKASH Nepal

Account no: 11-24-524-016744-01-1

Name of the bank: Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited

Bank address: PO Box: 41, Pokhara, Nepal

Tel: 00977 61 530900

Fax: 00977 61 530500

Telex: 6008 MBL PKR NP, 2850 MBL KTM NP

URL: www.machbank.com.np

E mail: machbank@mbl.com.np

Swift code: MBLNNPKA

Please use our corresponding banks as far as possible in order to prevent extra bank service charge which is sometime very high. The corresponding banks for remitting US$ are:

1. Standard Chartered Bank
   
2. American Express Bank
   
3. Mashrequbank PSC
   
   

  If you find difficulty in transferring money to our bank account then you may pay the course fee in cash upon your arrival.