I volunteered in Nepal for five months, and spent the entire time with VSN. I found them to be a helpful and reliable organization that was quick to accommodate me if I had concerns or any special needs. I was picked up and dropped off at the airport successfully by VSN Nepal staff members, they helped me to acquire bus tickets to Pokhara, drove me to the office for Thai airlines when I had trouble with my ticket and were willing to make a few other special trips for volunteer projects and such.

For housing, I stayed with a family from VSN Nepal and was given a large bedroom, then shared the rest of the family room space. I really liked my situation because it was set up so that I was given time alone, but also really got to know and love the family that I stayed with. Just as a side-note: the food was EXCELLENT (dhal bhaat might become a new favorite for any volunteers).

VSN Nepal is organized in such a way that they are very flexible in how they accommodate their volunteers. Once you choose a volunteer focus, they will be willing to help you if you have any special ideas or projects in mind, which I and other volunteers I worked with found very helpful.

The orientation I was given lasted approximately two weeks, although a VSN Nepal staff member was willing to give me a weekly language lesson when I wanted to improve upon my Nepali later in my stay. The orientation can basically be broken down into a morning of language classes (which does come in handy, although many Nepali people speak English) and then an afternoon of sightseeing and learning about Kathmandu valley. I found the whole of the orientation to be helpful and also very fun! I liked the sightseeing.

The area where VSN Nepal headquarters is located is a very safe district, that is a little outside of the main hustle and bustle of Kathmandu (which is nice because Kathmandu can be a little overwhelming). It’s called “Pepsi Cola,” (so named because of the Pepsi Cola factory), and even though the name is a little funny, the people around there are very gracious and helpful, and the buses run right through the area pretty frequently, so it’s also a good place in terms of getting around the city easily.

I loved Nepal and my stay there, and I wish I could go back sooner!

Volunteering in Nepal has been one of the nicest experiences I’ve had, mostly for what I’ve learned. I volunteered in Kaskikot, which is a town near Pokhara, helping in a little Health Post, and this way I’ve been able to see how different Medicine is practised there from what I’m used to, here in Spain.

There, people go to the doctor only when they are really ill, and they trust the doctor completely. They hardly complain. Instead, they try their best to get over it and, if they can’t, they accept the situation without mourning.

However, I was surprised with the shortage of some medicines and materials of the public medical system. For some problems, people have to pay the whole of the treatment and, because of this; they have to take out a loan that lasts for the rest of their lives. Not everyone can afford to pay the little money required to get certain medicines, and many medical instruments we had had been donated by charities.

Besides the volunteering, I got to know the charming character of the Nepalese: they are always helping each other (as if they all were a big family), never in a hurry and always looking calm. On the other hand, in Kathmandu, shopkeepers can be very annoying; they pursue you everywhere, trying to make you buy their goods. I think the nicest thing was to live life as they do; to take it easy and face things as they come, never losing one’s temper, and with a big smile whenever possible.

Of course another important thing I learned with this experience is Nepalese itself: Rupa and Matrika are the teachers at VSN Nepal who taught me the “survival course” on arrival. Later I thanked them about 20 times per day in my thoughts for all the practice…It was very useful and much easier afterwards to catch new words and sentences while volunteering. I stayed one month in Nepal, but still I was able to have a -short- conversation in Nepalese when I came back. It is an easy language to learn, except for some grammatical structures. I believe learning the language is a great idea when trying to get into a foreign country’s culture.

Looking back, it would have been better to stay at least for 2 or 3 months rather than 1 because, just when it was time for me to go back, was when I was best prepared, to handle work at the Heath Post. And it was then that my Nepalese was starting to become “good”…

Nevertheless, this has been one of the best experiences I’ve had. I think the programs VSN Nepal are carrying out are really useful for the local people, and I’ve liked the Nepalese way of life very much, so, when I finish my medical studies I may be coming back to stay a bit longer…

Kaskikot – little village somewhere near the Annapurna

Children’s singing voices. “Namaste, newmiss, namaste!” Children’s big eyes and millions of questions. Children grabbing my hands. Me feeling so… surprised and happy? And speechless.

My school. So tiny, surrounded by snowy mountains, full of impatient kids, so eager to learn, yet both curious and concerned of who I was and what weird things I wanted… “Why should we answer in whole sentences, why is she correcting us, why can’t we simply write down few words and go home.. and look she is not beating us..can we get REALLY noisy then?”…these inner questions were obvious. Me – often doubting if I can make any change.

And then – as the days went on, I realized it’s silly to try to “change” things, but it IS possible to influence them. I wasn’t able to teach them all the English I wanted to. But I could better it a bit. I could treat the kids as their friend, I could give them my attention and love, something that they were obviously so lacking, and I could receive theirs. “We have no elder sister in our family. So now YOU will be our elder sister, didi. And you have to call me bhai, younger brother, remember!”

Nepal is a beautiful Tolkien’s Middle-earth like country…breathtaking ancient temples, amazing nature, wide opened smiling kids’ eyes and deep wrinkled old men’s faces and…contrasts. Wonderful people, and few bad ones. Joy, and sometimes sadness. Both hope and hopelessness around. And the magic thing about Nepal is that the joy and hope always prevail.

During my month with VSN I’ve realized many things, many things became clearer. I gained new friends, both Nepali and other volunteers from different parts of the world, I got to know many things about Nepal, about children, and – about myself. I’ve experienced the real local village life, I’ve learned not to be afraid of buffaloes and I was playing with little goats all around, I became more open to new things and cultures, I’ve learned that I can do more things than I would ever assume.

This whole experience gave me many things, and I hope I gave something to “my” kids, too?. Before I came here, I was very nervous, scared, asking myself every day if this was really a good decision. Now I know it was. “Will you remember us sometimes when you return to your country, Hanamiss?” Yes, I will remember every single one. I know this, too. And I also know that I will come back.

I left England a little apprehensive as I had never spent more than three weeks away from home, never mind selling my flat and giving up my job to volunteer in Nepal! I had no idea what to expect, but as soon as I arrived I felt welcomed into the VSN Family. I spent the first 10 days living with Rupa, Tej and their gorgeous daughter Riza. During that time I had Nepali lessons and went sight seeing around Kathmandu.

I had chosen to volunteer in a school for a deaf as I had worked with Deaf Children in the UK for 8 years. The school is on the hillside in a town called Banepa. When I first arrived I wasn’t sure if I would like it, but I soon came to love it there, How could I not, beautiful countryside to walk in and great people to become friends with. My time at the school for the Deaf in Banepa was fun and informative, I learned so much from the students and the staff. The students were eager to learn and very helpful and patient with me while I tried to learn Nepali sign language. I looked forward to smiling faces everyday. During my time in Nepal I also had a chance to be a tourist and went to Pokhara for New year. I watched the first Sunshine of 2007 from a 1892m/5500ft high viewing platform at Sarangkot which has a superb view of the Annapurna range.

My time at the school seemed to go too quickly. I was very sad to leave. I had a special leaving ceremony with many gifts, malas and thanks from the staff and students. I had many thanks for them too, for making my time such a wonderful experience. I hope to return very soon. My thanks go to VSN once again, I am very glad I found them an the Internet. They made my time in Nepal very easy.

Leaving friends and family behind I boarded a plane to Nepal to meet my “new family” for the next 8 months. Moving to a developing country across the world can be a daunting experience. However, upon arriving at VSN I was openly welcomed into the VSN family. VSN offers a unique experience to become part of the VSN team as well as a Nepali family. Although I was away from people I knew back at home, I never felt alone because I was surrounded by the warm, caring, and delightful people at VSN.

Before I left for Nepal many people asked why I was going to such a dangerous place. My response was a quote from The Shawshank Redemption, “Get busy living, or get busy dying!”. Going to volunteer in Nepal is what felt right in my life. It felt like it was something I needed to do in order to feel like I was living my life to the fullest. Although I was able to witness, and in a small way take part in the wonderful changes that happened politically, I never felt in danger. Instead I highly value the experience of watching Nepal change and grow, and I look forward to the exciting upcoming developments as Nepal reinvents itself as a democratic country.

Due to my extended stay in Nepal, I was able to have an array of volunteer opportunities. At VSN it is important for each volunteer to make the most and get the most out his/her experience. Right from the beginning it was evident that the VSN staff not only supports their volunteers, but also helps them to create individualized opportunities. When I came to VSN I was to teach at a monastery and go to an orphanage for 1 month. Again, I was welcomed with warm smiles and hearts at the monastery. The monks and novices took me to other temples, cultural programs, and helped me learn more about Buddhism. I was invited to join them for thier prayer and meditation time each evening, as well as their alms trip to Hetauda. Because I enjoyed my time at the monastery so much, we decided to extend my time there for another 3 months. At this time I also worked at an orphanage with 40 children aging from 1 month to around 13 years old. There are so many orphans in Nepal right now due to the political situation, poor economic status of most of the community, and poor family planing. At my orphanage I was amazed to see the older children caring for the younger ones, even if the older child was only 1 year older. With only 3 women to care for all these children, the kids desperately wanted to be loved. Even some of the older children would come and rest their heads on my shoulders or hold my hand. I learned about the current and future situation (or lack there of) for the children and grew aware of the incredible needs these children have for love, education, and help for the future.

After taking a break in the middle of my volunteer time to go to India with my family, go on a Vipassanna meditation retreat, and go trekking with one of the other volunteers (Yes, it is possible to take some time off!), I decided I wanted to try something different. Working with the deaf community has always been an interest of mine. On one of my trips with the monks I went to visit a children’s home and monastery in Banepa. I also learned that there was a school for the deaf just next door. So, this was an obvious next choice for me as it combined 3 joys: learning about Buddhism, working with disadvantaged children, and working with the deaf community. At the Kavre Deaf School I was greeted with beaming smiles and an eagerness to learn. The students helped me learn Nepali Sign and were eager to learn some American Sign. They took me to local health camps where volunteer doctors screen people with disabilities, which turned out to be a very unique experience and a chance to see more closely the health care system at work. I also learned some Buddhist chants at the Metta Center while getting to know the 12 delightful girls that live there.

Spending 8 months with VSN gave me the opportunity to see many different sectors of Nepal. It was hard to leave my “new family” in Nepal. It felt as though 8 months was not long enough. VSN is a wonderful group with a positive outlook on the future of Nepal. The staff, programs, and overall experience with VSN all provide a chance to find your own niche and get to see the real Nepal first hand.

VSN Nepal is an amazing NGO that deeply cares about its volunteers and the Nepali people that they serve to assist. They offer numerous volunteer options and your program can be tailor-made to suit your interests. Regardless of your selection, your involvement in any of these volunteer options provide a valuable service to the communities they aim to help.

I chose to volunteer as an English teacher and I was impressed with the receptiveness and eagerness of the students,who offered endless smiles and laughter. On my last day of teaching, the school held a farewell ceremony in which I was treated to numerous tokens of gratitude from the students and the school. These are just a couple examples from a list of experiences that lead me to believe that I have received much more than I could ever give to the people of Nepal.

An advantage of volunteering with VSN Nepal is their language training that thoroughly prepares you for your active participation in Nepali culture. This training works to enrich your interactions and exchanges with the Nepalese people, creating unforgettable cultural experiences.

Having a Masters in Anthropology, I was very impressed with the emphasis that VSN Nepal places on cultural exchange. My trip to Nepal was rich with culture. Volunteers are privy to a number of cultural festivals and even intimate ceremonies such as weddings. With volunteers from around the world, you are given an opportunity to learn from both the friendly Nepali as well as from the other volunteers you encounter. For instance, although Canadian, I celebrated my first American Thanksgiving here in Nepal with the other volunteers and many Nepali friends in an enjoyable cultural exchange.

Another one of the cultural highlights from my volunteer experience was my family stay in Sunakothi, a quaint and beautiful village in Kathmandu Valley. This stay provided me with the opportunity to gain familiarity with village life and the agricultural activities that sustain it. My host family welcomed me as an additional “chhori” (or daughter) and their hospitality was endless. I especially enjoyed the food and the opportunity to offer my assistance working in the field with my Nepali “ama” (or mother). The close family relations that are central to life in the village will leave a lasting impression on me. I describe my stay at both VSN Nepal and with my Nepali family as a home away from home and I plan in anticipation my next visit.

My five weeks of volunteer teaching in Kathmandu was an experience like no other for me. I had the opportunity to learn the local language, create many lasting relationships, teach in different areas, travel and see the beautiful land, and give back to the children I have gained so much from. A typical day began at the orphanage a 2 minute walk away from where I was staying for about an hour of an English lesson and reviewing the children’s homework with them. I would arrive at one of the two schools I was placed in around 11 and taught anywhere from 2 to 4 classes on a given day. With the children so eager and interested to speak with me teaching was really fun.

I was even able to teach multiple subjects and especially enjoyed those of great interest to me in science and health. After the school day and a rest I spent evenings at the orphanage playing, relaxing, and practicing English.

From my first day in Nepal I felt so welcomed and comfortable. It took less than a week for me to feel like I was walking home from the school 15 minutes away to the wonderful family I stayed with. I recommend VSN Nepal to anyone looking for an amazing experience.

To look at the cloudy horizon and to lose yourself there a little… A smile which crosses the linguistic barrier in an impressive way… Nepal welcomed me, touched me and even more, continues to touch me… Here is in some words an outline of what was my environment and my daily activities for the few months spent in this beautiful country…

The introduction in the community made possible with the help of VSN Nepal, and the NGO (non governmental organisation) was always there during key moments of our volunteering project, although not overprotective, leaving place for us to organise our activities. We were lodged by a family which was very much involved in the community for the total duration of our training course. Dimension of the family life was if not more important as much as the activities we had during our stay. Since the family and community values are very present and strong within the Nepalese culture, living with people of the community enabled us to be an integral part of the village and thus made the meeting and development of relationships easier. The contact with the culture itself, the life habits, traditions, festivals, etc was thus very strong. The exchanges with the members close to the family were particularly interesting and advantageous to the comprehension of the culture and especially pleasant and new, certain situations helping us to develop personal skills. To play with the children who were always around and felt like they were at home even if they were from different houses, to discuss the differences of preferences and models towards the teenagers regarding their culture with my host sister or simply to learn how to cook with the Nepalese…

My experience with VSN Nepal is unforgettable. My friend and I were living With a family, in a village south of Kathmandu. Everyday, we were teaching English language to two groups of approximately 10 students. Students were job-holders or college students who wanted to improve their English skills. The great thing about teaching to adults is that you can really have interesting discussions, debates, and talk about more concrete topics in class, such as politics, environment, culture, etc.

We were also working in the local health post. Even if our practical Medical knowledge was limited when we arrived, the nurses and assistants were really kind with us, teaching us what they knew. From patients’ examination to injections, we learned to do everything that can be done in a health post!

People from VSN Nepal were really supportive too. before beginning, they gave us Nepali language classes, introduced Nepali culture and showed us important places around Kathmandu. During our volunteer work, they were always present and supportive, giving us teaching materials for our classes and more.

I will never forget what I learned in Nepal, and will always remember My nepali friends and family.

I arrived at VSN Nepal full of anticipation. After two weeks of trekking, I had learned a little Nepali and was ready to start my volunteer placement. Nepali language classes began the following day, and it felt good to be able to put the language to use right away. At that time, the Tihar festival was just beginning, and the volunteers were welcomed into the home of one of the language instructors to observe the festivities. What a great way to jump into life in Nepal.

After one week, I moved to Sunakothi, a rural village south of Kathmandu, where I volunteered at a secondary school. I had the opportunity to live with a Nepali family, participate in their daily activities, and learn about village life. Sunakothi is very picturesque with a constant view of the snow-capped mountains in the distance. I enjoyed taking long walks in my free time and seeing the harvest in the fields. During this time, I led English language conversation groups in Classes 5, 6, and 7 (10-14 years old students) and conducted a photography project in Class 10 (16-18 years old students). In all, 28 students participated in photography.

Over the course of the project, I taught general photographic concepts and gave various assignments, including taking self, family, and community portraits, making pinhole cameras, and developing black and white photos in our improvised darkroom. For many students, it was the first time they had ever taken photos, and they were very excited. With the help of a translator from VSN Nepal , we analyzed their photos after each assignment. Over time, the students were able to build on their experience and improve the quality of their photos.

On the last day of my volunteer placement, the students and I organized an exhibition of their work. After spending the morning putting up photos and preparing the exhibition room, teachers and students came to see the exhibition class by class. VSN Nepal staff and volunteers and some of the students’ family members also attended to show their support. All day, Class 10 students served as guides for the exhibition. It was inspiring to see the pride they took in their work. Overall, I have had an invaluable experience traveling in Nepal and volunteering with VSN Nepal. I have found the VSN Nepal staff to be extremely conscientious and supportive of their volunteers. The volunteers came together on several occasions to take day trips around the Kathmandu Valley. With a little orientation, the transportation system became relatively easy to navigate. The Nepali people have also been very friendly and helpful. In general, I have felt very safe traveling around the country.

Thank you VSN Nepal for this memorable time!

After graduating as social workers we decided to do volunteer work. Now we just completed our 2-month volunteering experience. As we have so many things it’s very difficult to write in a summary because every day in Nepal was a different adventure! The first few days were a big culture shock! The traffic attacks all your senses, the culture is completely different and the language is hard to understand. Also the poverty which you can see everywhere was hard to take. But, VSN provided enough support with Nepali language and cultural classes, sight seeing, work orientation. All those supports compelled us to take every easily and started loving Nepal and Nepali people. We found Nepali people appreciate it very much when you just say some Nepali words. Everywhere where we went, people treated us as “living gods”: they are so friendly and social! As Western people, we should take an example of this.

Our host family was great: a nice warm family who gives enough space to do the things that you want. All the people are very flexible and open, and they want you to be happy! When we start working in an orphanage with 42 children we felt very uncomfortable because the children didn’t know us, didn’t speak English and we didn’t know what to do with them. So we just find our way observing and playing and one week later it felt like we knew them for months! At the end of this volunteer work the contact with the kids is so warm that they ask us to stay…the baby’s even cried when we said good bye in the evening. Sometimes we go home with mixed feelings because you see that they don’t have much toys, not much food, dirty clothes, no heat, … so we tried, together with VSN, to solve as many problems as we can and give the children a nice home. For example: we provided fruits and vegetables twice a week, we painted all the dorms and the classroom, we put down some warm carpet and decorated the rooms. We saw that the kids love it and that gives so much satisfaction!

In the fall my wife and I, along with our 15 year old daughter, decided to travel to Nepal and spend some time getting to know the people, seeing the country and offering some form of service. After checking into several service organizations on the web, we decided upon VSN Nepal. We had the feeling that we would prefer working with an organization that was totally Nepali based, where all funds stayed in Nepal. From the moment we were greeted at the airport until the day we left, we felt as if we were a part of our VSN family. It was a real pleasure to live with our Nepali family from VSN and we much preferred that compared to staying at a hotel. It was fun to eat the Nepali food, visit with the family and try to learn the language of Nepal. We felt very comfortable in the VSN surroundings and in doing service in the Kathmandu area. VSN was also very accommodating towards us and our desires to see the beautiful country of Nepal while we were there. What an amazing experience it was to also trek in the Himalayas and meet the people in the mountain villages. This is a country that is beyond description. Nepal will forever hold a special place in our hearts