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We already had altogether German Volunteer, Austrian Volunteer, Finish Volunteer, Finland Volunteer, Spanish Volunteer, Spain Volunteer, French Volunteer, France Volunteer, Hong Kong Volunteer, Singapore Volunteer, Norway Volunteer, Portugal Volunteer, Canadian Volunteer, to volunteer in Nepal at our orphanage, Orphans, Homeless children British Volunteer in Nepal, Switzerland, Swiss Volunteer in Nepal, English teaching, Irish Volunteer in Nepal, Dutch Volunteer in Nepal, German Volunteer, Austrian, Finish Volunteer in Nepal, Spanish Volunteer in Nepal, French Volunteer in Nepal, Canadian Volunteer in Nepal, Volunteer Nepal, Volunteer Abroad, Volunteer Program, Volunteer Management, Non Profit, volunteer Opportunities, International Volunteer, Volunteer Work, Donate, Donation, Organization, International Volunteer, Youth Volunteer, Volunteering, Volunteer Organization placement nepal, work abroad nepal, gap year nepal, international career, career break, work in Nepal, volunteer opportunities, work in Nepal, study in Nepal, exchange program in Nepal, volunteer placements, gap year, year out, cultural exchange, voluntary work, volunteer, orphans, volunteering in Nepal, educational courses, work experience, study abroad, gap year in Nepal, careers advice, working overseas, career break, university fees, conservation, US, American Volunteer in Nepal, , Volunteer Services, volunteer Center, Volunteer Service, Job and Employment, Project support, Monitoring, Study Abroad, Catholic, Fund Raiser, Friends, Global Volunteers, Nepal Program, volunteer opportunities, volunteer program, volunteer placements, gap year, year out, cultural exchange, voluntary work, volunteer, orphans, volunteering in Nepal, educational courses, work experience, study abroad, gap year information, careers advice, volunteering, working overseas, career break, volunteer in Nepal, internship in Nepal, GAP year in Nepal, orphanages in Nepal, volunteer abroad in Nepal, volunteer work in Nepal, charity work in Nepal, Non Profit organization, Volunteer Opportunities, Budget volunteer program, volunteer management in Nepal, International Volunteer, volunteer work, Donate, Donation, homeless children, HIV, AIDS, Organization, International Volunteer in Nepal, Youth Volunteer in Nepal, Volunteering in Nepal, Volunteer Organization, Volunteer Services in Nepal, volunteer Center in Nepal, Volunteer Service, Job and Employment in Nepal, Project support, Monitoring, Study Abroad in Nepal, Catholic in Nepal, Fund Raiser, Friends, Global Volunteers, Nepal Program, volunteer nepal, internship nepal, teaching nepal, job nepal, travel nepal, university fees, conservation, US, American Volunteer, British Volunteer, Switzerland, Swiss Volunteer, Ireland, Irish Volunteer, Holland, The Netherlands, Dutch Volunteer, Germany, Finish Volunteer, Finland, Spanish Volunteer, Spain, French Volunteer, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, Norway, Portugal, Canadian Volunteer, Canada, Nepal volunteer, orphanage, Orphans, Homeless, Canadian Volunteer in Nepal, Volunteer, Volunteer Abroad, Volunteer Program, Volunteer Management, Non Profit, volunteer Opportunities, International Volunteer, Volunteer Work, Organization, International Volunteer, Youth Volunteer, Volunteering, Volunteer Organization, Volunteer Services, volunteer Center, Volunteer Service, Job and Employment, Project support, Monitoring, Donation, homeless children, HIV, AIDS, International Volunteer in Nepal, Youth Volunteer in Nepal, Volunteering in, Nepal, Volunteer Services in Nepal, volunteer Center in Nepal, Job and Employment in Nepal, Project support
Outing with Orphan Children Suntali is very happy to have a her new dress for the Women's festival. Now she can sing songs and dance with other sisters of her home. Last week we took Birendra Peace Orphanage's children shopping and bought house dress and outing dress for 14 children. "I like to eat Checken Chaumin" said Bikash after playing on the swing. Children were very happy to go to the Ramailomela ( park ) in Bhrkutimandap. Every year we take these children out for some entertainment. These children have scored good marks in their exam. This has been a home for 14 children since 2005 and we have been sponsoring their education. The children are from Rasuwa, Humjla, Rautahad , Dhading and Nuwakot. We would like to thanks once again our past volunteers David, Margaret and their friends who have been supporting this home since 2006. Now the Children have got new Mattress, bed covers and pillows. "It is such a comfortable bed" said Ramesh jumping on the bed.
Fence and plantation around Sauraha Children's Resource Center Sauraha Children's Resource Center has been running since March 2006. This is the Centre for the village children to have extra lessons and share their knowledge with each other. We have been placing volunteers in this center to help them with their homework and teach extra English lessons. In August we built a plantation around the Resource Center and made a Fence so that the plants will be safe and the children can make a nice garden. We would like to thanks to our volunteers Matt and Dan who have worked hard to make this center better. Everyday around 40 to 60 children attend the centre. This centre is near the poor people most of them are Tharu and lower cast. This is the area of the Landless people and parents who are not educated and can't help their children to study. Even in the home there is no where to sit to read and write. The children from that village are taking advantage of our Centre.
Water Tap and new school Our new school in Gadgai has been completed. This is the School for the village children who don't attend school and for those who want to learn more after school or before school. "Their parents are not educated, they didn't have this kind of opportunity so they are unable to help their children with their homework and guide them. In this case this school will help our children alot" said Resham one of the villagers. We had a meeting with the villagers everyone is excited to open and run the school as soon as possible. We are hoping to start this school after our festival Dashain (14th Oct) .We need two volunteers who can stay for 2 months or longer at this place. The school is near by the National Park and bank of the Rapati River. The view of the National Park and the Sun Set views are fantastic from this place. Volunteers can stay with our host family who is running a local guest house and a restaurant.
We have set up a water pump near by our Sitamai school and 12 family members and our 60 school children can now drink the safe and clean water. The surrounding area's family are very happy to have a water Tap near their home. They used to go 5 minutes for the drinking water.
Income Generating Program for Orphanage home
As we have been supporting the Manbiaya Orphanage home since 2006 for their House Rent, Food supply and Schooling, now we have opened a shop for them where they can earn money for their daily expenses for 31 Orphan children. We want the home runner to be independent and survive by themselves. Recently we have bought swing machines and rented a shop near by the home where there are now 3 workers who work every day. We have seen some profits from the shop and home it will increased in coming days. There are so many of these Orphanage homes in Nepal who do not have any income source. This example will be a good lesson for them to learn. The children of this home are very happy to see some regular settlement for their future. There are 31 children staying at this home since 2003.Our volunteers are there to teach the children in the morning and evening and help at the shop to give better administration support or marketing the products. If you have got some Fashion design skills and are interested in an income generating project , it will be the best placement to make a difference in the children's life. You can share your business skills or Art and design skills with the workers and they love working together with you. Volunteer's Experience Nilanthi Sangarabalan - England, - 1/8/08
Landing in Kathmandu airport at 9pm on the Sunday night, and I had little idea of what to expect from Nepal. For the first three days, I had language and cultural training. Initially, I enjoyed the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu, but once I was sent on my placement, I was happy to be leaving behind a city of congestion, rubbish and honking.
Arriving at the Happy Home Orphanage, Chitwan, I was greeted by Bashanti and 22 children. My views were no longer of the cars and shops but of paddy fields and cows. I figured, with so many children, my work would be cut out for me. But, I soon realized that these children were very self-reliant – they were able to clean themselves and willingly helped to make the meals and clean the house.
I was surprised at how quickly I adjusted to life in the Happy Home. Getting into a routine came easily and doing simple tasks to help Bashanti became second nature. Helping prepare the food, cleaning the house, doing some shopping and of course, playing with the children were my usual jobs. Out of my whole 5 weeks at my placement, I only really ever felt homesick once – during the midpoint of my time there, when probably the craving for food other than dahlbhat had reached its peak!
On some of the quieter days, while the children were at school I would take a 30 minute walk to the Library, a resource centre recently created by INFO Nepal. There, I would either help the other volunteers with the painting or even teaching the village children some English. These children were much less disciplined than those at the Happy Home and made me even more appreciative of them, when I returned home in the evening.
During my time in Nepal, I managed to take a mountain flight to see Everest, and experienced some of the most beautiful views of the Himalayas. I also spent a weekend on a jungle safari at the Royal Chitwan National Park, where my highlight was definitely bathing elephants.
Although the idea of travelling around Nepal had occurred to me once arriving in the country, I decided to just focus my attention on the placement. And, apart from the mountain flight and the safari, I spent my time in the orphanage. I also tried to adjust to village life in general. On a walk back from the Library, some women working in the paddy fields ask me to join them and I happily went to plant some rice. A few poor attempts had the women in fits of laughter and put a smile on my face!
Although I had promised to visit again in two years, saying goodbye to Bashanti and the children was very emotional. As I was showered with flowers and Bashanti ‘didi’ put a tika on my forehead, I remember thinking how blessed I had been to have stayed with such a loving family who had made me feel welcomed from day one.
FEEDBACK OF VOLUNTEER
Name: Sally Thelen
Country: USA (currently residing in Japan)
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Placement Location: Gunganagar, Chitwan
Host Family’s Name: Happy Home orphanage
Date the Placement Began: 08/01/08
Date the Placement Ended: 08/31/08
Please answer the following on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best) and follow it with any additional comments:
Bedroom Quality: 7
Bathroom Quality: 7
Food quality: 7
Host Family: 8
Co-workers at placement: 10
Contact with INFO: 10
Helpfulness of Training: 7
Overall Satisfaction: 8
Please answer the following questions about your placement with as much detail as possible:
1) What was your average day like?
I'd usually wake up around 6:00 am. We were usually busy helping out from 6:30 to 10:30 in the morning and then from 4:30 until about 7:30. I usually went to bed pretty early, around 9:00.
2) What did you do, in as much detail as possible, at your placement?
After waking up, the other volunteer and I would have tea and help prepare the morning meal (usually peeling potatoes, cutting vegetables, etc) at the orphanage until 7:30 am. From 7:30-8:30, we'd conduct an English class at the library next door for older local village children (ages 11-14). From 8:30-9:30, we'd help clean up after class and help the orphanage children get ready for school. After the orphanage children left for school, we'd eat dal bhat and usually help clean up around the orphanage (sweeping, washing dishes, doing laundry, etc). While the orphanage children were at school (from 10:00-4:00), we had a lot of free time, so we'd use this time to visit other volunteers in nearby placements, plan for the classes or just relax. When the orphanage children returned from school, we'd help them with their homework or help prepare for the evening meal. From 5:00-6:00, we conducted an English class at the library for younger village children (anywhere from ages 2-10!). After the class, we'd return to the orphanage, help prepare and serve the evening meal. After the children ate their meals, we'd eat dal bhat and usually help clean up the kitchen and dining area. Sometimes before the kids went to bed, we'd sing songs or just hang out with them and play. The children usually started getting ready for bed around 8:30. Depending on whether or not there was any electricity (there usually wasn't!), we'd go to bed shortly after that.
3) What are some of the issues or challenges you faced?
I think the most challenging part of the volunteer placement was the running of the library for the local village children. We were in charge of opening the library after its having been closed for about 5 months due to lack of volunteers. While the library was stocked well with books, it didn't have many other materials. And since the library had been closed for so long, it was pretty messy. We spent the first couple days cleaning it up and trying to get enough supplies to start classes. But it was pretty hard to find good supplies (like colored paper, drawing paper, etc) in the local area, so I really wished I had brought more supplies with me. While the morning class of older students was great, it our evening class of younger students was pretty tough. Since there were so many ages of students and so many different levels, we never really knew what to do with them. And generally these students weren't too serious about learning English as they were so young. They usually were just there to play (which was also a problem as we didn't have many toys for them to play with). Disciplining them was also pretty hard.
4) Advice to the next volunteer going to your placement?
I'd definitely suggest bringing along some supplies and toys to donate to the library. I had brought some books with me, but these weren't really needed. Whereas craft supplies, paper, games & toys were very much needed.
Also, as far as volunteering in the orphanage, I'd suggest you be proactive about helping out. The orphanage "mother," Basanti, is a very lovely person. She's more than capable to look after the 22 Happy Home children single-handedly, but she also really appreciates any help you can provide. I had heard that other volunteers in this placement didn't have much work to do around the orphanage, but if you ask for it, Basanti would usually find something for you to do! You still end up with a lot of free time on your hands, so definitely bring along some books, a journal or whatever to keep yourself occupied during the down-time.
5)Would you volunteer at this placement again? Why or why not?
I think so. I especially liked my time at the orphanage, and I would love to come back to see the children and Basanti again. Since I was there only about 2 weeks, I would love to do a longer placement so I could feel like I really got to know the kids and understand the local culture.
6) Would you volunteer with INFO again? Why or why not?
Probably. This is my first time doing a volunteer program like this, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Everyone at the INFO office was very nice and easy to talk to. I really enjoyed meeting all the other volunteers (both in Kathmandu and at my placement). Plus, I liked how INFO placed me with another volunteer; this definitely made things a lot more enjoyable at my placement. Overall, I'd definitely suggest this program for travelers who are looking for a good way to experience a culture and meet local people. I would also suggest this program for people who are looking to spend a longer period in the country (2-3 months). Being in my placement for such a short time (about 2 weeks) made me feel a bit ineffectual.
7) Suggestions or problems?
None.
8) Additional comments?
Please write a journal-type entry of your experience now. This will be for our monthly newsletter and for our future volunteers. Most volunteers write roughly one full page.
As I said before this was my first time doing a volunteer program like this. As I'm a university professor, I usually have a month off every summer to travel. I thought this year I would try something a bit different besides the usual island-hopping or mountain-trekking, and I came across this program on the Internet. Honestly, I didn't know much about Nepal before setting out on this trip (in fact, I only started reading my Lonely Planet when I got on the plane!). After only a couple weeks, I think I was able to meet a lot more people and learn more about the local culture by volunteering than if I had just back-packed through Nepal. Plus, I was able to meet a lot of other great volunteers, who I'm hoping to stay in touch with in the future.
I just wish I had more time to spend on the program. I spent about a week in Kathmandu doing training, two weeks in my placement and another week traveling. I thought this would give me enough time to experience the country and culture, but I have to say a month is too short! If I do a volunteer program again in the future, I'd definitely like to stay on for two or three months so I could feel like I had really become a part of the community. Since I was only in my placement for two weeks, I felt the kids were just starting to get used to me and I was just starting to get used to everything right as I was leaving.
Alexis Mathieu - France - 31/07/08
Not knowing what to expect at all when arriving at the Kathmandu airport, I was pleasantly surprised to know that some Nepali language classes were arranged for the first few days. From then it’s been a very fulfilling experience. Living with a Nepalese family has given such an insight to the Nepalese lifestyle that no other traveling people I met could see. I have been able to understand the issues facing future generations and see some of the perverted effects of development “the western way”. Many topics that I would like to continue searching for my own personal interest.
Volunteering with an organization such as this does bring some added value to your experience as you get a Nepali language and culture course at the beginning. It also makes everything easier, the finding an accommodation, guarantee of a nice family etc… but I would say that the biggest added value is that when it hits the fan, they are there to help you out of it.
Working with children has been one of the most exhausting but in the end rewarding experience in my life. By spending nearly 8 hours a day with them I have possibly learnt more from them than they have from me. What we are prone to forget as adults such as curiosity, straightforwardness, and delight at the simplest but yet most marvelous phenomenon of this world, we discover again through those innocent personas. I will not forget the smiles on their faces each morning as I was entering the premises of the orphanage.
Drac Garcia Palacios - Catalonia, Spain -
Everything starts with an intention, a though, then you start to create. For me did start with the wish to travel, meet another culture, people, subtle down a little bite. But I didn’t want to just travel, and follow this consuming world… I wanted to do something meaningful at the same time. For that reason I though being a volunteer will be a good option. After a good research on my friend google, I decided to go for Info-Nepal, I didn't hear anything from them before, but I felt confident so I just went for it. I just told to my self to not have expectations and try my best, and at the end look, I'm writing this few words of my experience with them. My experience with them is being very nice. I did spend my first week in the happy home in Kathmandu with Assim's family. They are really nice people and give you the opportunity to integrate yourself in the country, like toilets, Dal Bhat and everything. I really appreciated that. All the family was really friendly with me and I felt like home. Bicky gave me the Nepali training, which I found very useful and it's always nice to try to speak others languages. Asmita and Saroj took me for outside seeing, they were very friendly, very natural, and the temples that we went are really, really beautiful. After seeing what the NGO needed and what my preference were, me and Gene, a boy from Liverpool that came the same days as me, we went to Thulakhet, a little village 13 miles from Pokhara. It's a beautiful place, its right at the end of the valley, so you can see the entire river and how it ends at Pokhara's lake. We went in raining season time so all the village was working on the fields cutting the corn and planting the rice. Was fascinating how they did help each other, was like a big family, well actually it is hehe. Anyway, we were teaching English two hours in the morning, one hour to children of 4, 5 and 6 years old and then one hour to children of 9, 10 and 11 years old. And in the afternoon, one hour of mathematics to this second group. Was interesting seeing the difference between the children that goes to private school and the government school. But they were all gorgeous! We did live with a family of the town, proper rustic house and food made on fire, is what we wanted hehe. One thing I did really enjoy was the showers on the fountain looking the beautiful views, and the swimming in the river. Quite a few volunteers have been before in this placement and sometimes there are some expectations for the next one but it is a good learning for both sides, for the people of the family and the town to reduce their expectations and for the volunteer to give without expecting anything. But all them where really nice and very friendly, and happily share their time with us teaching many kind of things, such farming, religion issues and cooking. So, yes, my wish is been fulfilled, I did have the opportunity to travel, go inside of the culture, meet a lot of people, and do something meaningful like teaching English, which I think is really important for them, because gives the opportunity to read more, discover new worlds, travel, get better education, better jobs, and hopefully better lives. So I have to give many, many thanks to Info-Nepal for the big opportunity that they gave me. They are doing a really good job.
Suntali is very happy to have a her new dress for the Women's festival. Now she can sing songs and dance with other sisters of her home. Last week we took Birendra Peace Orphanage's children shopping and bought house dress and outing dress for 14 children. "I like to eat Checken Chaumin" said Bikash after playing on the swing. Children were very happy to go to the Ramailomela ( park ) in Bhrkutimandap. Every year we take these children out for some entertainment. These children have scored good marks in their exam. This has been a home for 14 children since 2005 and we have been sponsoring their education. The children are from Rasuwa, Humjla, Rautahad , Dhading and Nuwakot. We would like to thanks once again our past volunteers David, Margaret and their friends who have been supporting this home since 2006. Now the Children have got new Mattress, bed covers and pillows. "It is such a comfortable bed" said Ramesh jumping on the bed.
This is the School for the village children who don't attend school and for those who want to learn more after school or before school. "Their parents are not educated, they didn't have this kind of opportunity so they are unable to help their children with their homework and guide them. In this case this school will help our children alot" said Resham one of the villagers. We had a meeting with the villagers everyone is excited to open and run the school as soon as possible. We are hoping to start this school after our festival Dashain (14th Oct) .We need two volunteers who can stay for 2 months or longer at this place. The school is near by the National Park and bank of the Rapati River. The view of the National Park and the Sun Set views are fantastic from this place. Volunteers can stay with our host family who is running a local guest house and a restaurant. 
We want the home runner to be independent and survive by themselves. Recently we have bought swing machines and rented a shop near by the home where there are now 3 workers who work every day. We have seen some profits from the shop and home it will increased in coming days. There are so many of these Orphanage homes in Nepal who do not have any income source. This example will be a good lesson for them to learn. The children of this home are very happy to see some regular settlement for their future. There are 31 children staying at this home since 2003.Our volunteers are there to teach the children in the morning and evening and help at the shop to give better administration support or marketing the products. If you have got some Fashion design skills and are interested in an income generating project , it will be the best placement to make a difference in the children's life. You can share your business skills or Art and design skills with the workers and they love working together with you.
Would you volunteer at this placement again? Why or why not? 
arriving at the Kathmandu airport, I was pleasantly surprised to know that some Nepali language classes were arranged for the first few days. From then it’s been a very fulfilling experience. Living with a Nepalese family has given such an insight to the Nepalese lifestyle that no other traveling people I met could see. I have been able to understand the issues facing future generations and see some of the perverted effects of development “the western way”. Many topics that I would like to continue searching for my own personal interest.
