Volunteer's Experience 2023-2024
Name: Luz del Carmen López
Gender: female
Country: Mexico
Program: Future Nepal (teaching english)
1, What did your average day look like?
In avarege my day was in the school all day, then in the evening enjoying with the family I was living with.
2, Other things I did on my placement.
Hiking and some relax time too.
3, What are some of the issues or challenges you faced?
The use of the toilet, but it was fun.
4, Advice to next volunteer going to your placement?
Bring a raincoat and if the family tell you to use sandals for hiking, no please, use your hiking shoes.
5, Would you volunteer at this placement again?
Absolutely YES!!
6, Would you volunteer at this organization again?
Absolutely YES!
7, Suggestion or problem?
My suggestion is to enjoy the moment, time goes so fast and Nepal its a beatiful place, make space to travel all around this country. Defenitely some day I will come back. The family where I stayed was great people, Ispent an extraordinary stay with them. Also Durga, Raju and Prem made my stay so great at Katmandu.
Aleksandra Krupa (Poland)
Program: Monastery
Duration: 6 weeks
19th Dec. 2023
1. What did your average day look like?
There were a lot of volunteers so I spend my time with them. I would wake up around 6 :30am go to morning puja(Praying) and take breakfast at 7:00am. Then we had classed with monks till 15:00 and after tea time. Then we rad free time so we could go sightseeing, playing with monks or help them with preparing for exams.
2. Other things I did on my placement.
I went hiking 3 times and to Chitwan to safari we organize trip with others volunteers.
3. What are some of the issues or challenges you faced?
Sometimes is hard to communicate because of the larg age learner. But it’s not a big problem.
4. Advice to next volunteer going to your placement?
It is nice to learn few Nepali words and to bring something from home like candy to give it to the kids.
5. Would you volunteer at this placement again?
Yes.
6. Would you volunteer at this organization again?
Yes.
7. Suggestion or problem?
No.
8. Please write a Journal-type entry of your whole experience now.
My experience in Nepal was very eye-opening and exciting I saw a lot of new places, meet a lot of new people and get to know their culture. I feel like I helped a lot of people as well and made an impact. I especially enjoyed teaching English to monks and children and see them progress.
Name : Ng Cheu Yu
Country : Hong Kong, China
Program : Homestay/ Cultural Exchange
Durgation : 2 Weeks (21th Feb 2024 -6th March 2024)
1. What did your average day look like?
Eating breakfast on a sunny balcony, hike, lunch, sightseeing, watch a movie, dinner, sleep
2. Other things I did on my placement.
Yoga, play chess, play card.
3. What are some of the issues or challenges you faced?
Not much, the family is very warm and welcoming.
4. Advice to next volunteer going to your placement?
Enjoy the stay.
5. Would you volunteer at this placement again?
Yes. Definitely.
6. Would you volunteer at this organization again?
Yes.
7. Suggestion or problem?
No.
8. Please write a Journal-type entry of experience now.
Overall I have had a great stay. Everyone in the family is so nice and thoughtful. I had lots of Nepali food, hiked and experienced the cultures here. It is different from what what I imagined at the stay. I’m glad I got to be a part of it for two weeks.
Name : Melodie Nos
Country : Canada (Nationality- French)
Program : Teaching at Monastery
Durgation : 2 Weeks (9th May 2024 -23rd May 2024)
1. What did your average day look like?
I got up early at 6 a.m. to eat breakfast with the kids and spend some time with them before school. Most of the time, I managed to teach a morning class with the younger children by myself, where I had the freedom to create a program of my own. The afternoon was less busy, and at the end of the day, I was able to assist teenagers with their homework and small talk in English. During my free time, I visited the surrounding area, many temples, and observed several Buddhist prayers at the monastery.
2. Other things I did on my placement.
Playing with children, exchanging with older monks about their culture, meeting and spending time with other volunteers
3. What are some of the issues or challenges you faced?
The communication could be sometime complicated with children. As I spent the majority of my time teaching younger students, it was useful to know some Nepali words to keep their attention.
4. Advice to next volunteer going to your placement?
It is important to complete the short Nepali course with Durga; in my case, knowing phrases such as “listen to me,” “what’s that?”, “write,” and “wait” in Nepali was extremely useful, particularly in the nursery and classes 1–3. Don’t be afraid to bring images/flashcards or playful games; they enjoy seeing new tools, and it’s best to communicate and transfer new knowledge. When there is no teacher in a group, it is the opportunity to create a new lesson to teach something different (geography, sciences, new English vocabulary, etc.).
5. Would you volunteer at this placement again?
Yes I would like to visit the monastery again, as I want to come back to Nepal in the future.
6. Would you volunteer at this organization again?
Yes, I was also interested in other projects (teaching and women’s empowerment).
7. Suggestion or problem?
No issues
8. Please write a Journal-type entry of experience now.
I spent two weeks at the monastery, and it was one of the most meaningful experiences I have had. Durga and the people in the monastery were welcoming and friendly. Children were so adorable, and it was a pleasure to teach them my knowledge. Sleeping in the same place, sharing the same meals, and spending time together allowed to form a strong bond and friendship. It’s the best way to deeply understand a new culture. They deserve to be happy, both boys and girls. In return, I learned a lot about human relationships.
