To Kathmandu Post, re: The Expat Factor

I am writing in response to Sumit Sharma Sameers’ article, ‘The Expat Discourse’, published in the Kathmandu Post on Thursday 16th February 11. This article raised some interesting questions about the role of expats in the management of NGO’s in Nepal. I welcome this debate as I think it is much needed. Whilst expat workers in NGO’s usually get paid at an international rate, rather than local salary it could be assumed that their motivations for working for a Nepali NGO is partly financially motivated, I would agree that this is an area that needs to be scrutinised. However if you are going to question the expat motivation for working for NGO, it would only be fair to question that of Nepali’s aswell. Could all NGO job vacancies be paid at a local rate? If there are Nepali’s that have the expertise in NGO management, then they should be employed and if they don’t have the expertise, then this issue also needs to be addressed. In terms of sustainability of NGO projects, if local people are employed to develop and deliver projects then the knowledge and skills gained will stay local and the local economy will benefit from the employment. But if expat workers are employed for a specific period of time, they will take the skills and potentially some of their income will not be spent locally. However the expertise that they bring could be invaluable to the development of Nepal and have multiple benefits including economic.

There is in fact another aspect to add to this debate, which is the role of expat volunteers in the management of NGO’s and other development aspects, such as education. There are many expat volunteers from developed and developing countries volunteering throughout Nepal with organisations like Voluntary Services Overseas. The motivation of volunteers is quite different from expat NGO workers, as volunteers want to share their skills whilst volunteering with NGO’s in a shared process of learning and respect. Volunteers are not motivated by financial benefits, otherwise they would not be here and receive only a small living allowance. Volunteers also undergo Nepali cultural orientation and language training, which means they are more able integrate into the community and cannot afford a luxurious lifestyle . Volunteers also bring impartiality and a different way of thinking which can be effective in improving the development and management of NGO’s and their ability to deliver effective development within the country.

Expats workers and volunteers both offer objectivity when dealing with the administration of funds to other NGO’s, I have heard from many Nepali NGO workers that Nepali led NGO’s often favour their friends and families when it comes to funding applications, which of course is not the best way of administering funds. And then there is matter of Nepali time, as time moves slowly in Nepal and a meeting arranged at 10:00 may not happen to till 13:00, if at all. The presence of expats can surely only encourage a more efficient work ethic. I am not suggesting that Nepali’s adopt the rat race lifestyle of western countries, which needs to change, just a more efficient method of working, then surely all Nepali’s could have Sunday off too!
Lula Belinfante
VSO Volunteer, UK