In March this year, I went to Nepal to volunteer along with my 10 year old daughter, Alison.  Once we’d decided that Nepal was where we wanted to go, I did some internet research and found Nepal Orphans Home (www.nepalorphanshome.org), based in the capital city, Kathmandu.  I looked at a lot of testimonies from previous volunteers and checked that the organisation was a legitimate company before deciding to enquire about volunteering with them.

 

There was a fee to volunteer (as there is with the majority of organisations) but it was very reasonable, and it goes directly to support the kids.  Michael Hess, the founder of Nepal Orphans Home (NOH), was very helpful in answering questions about volunteering and very much welcomed the fact that I was planning to take my daughter with me. 

 

We flew out to Nepal at the beginning of March to spend eight weeks with NOH.  Their role is to help with the welfare of children in Nepal who are orphaned, abandoned, or not supported by their parents.   They provide for the children’s basic needs of food, shelter and clothing, as well as schooling and health care, within a supportive, caring environment.  NOH’s mission is not just to rescue children from abject poverty, but to enable the children to develop and realise their potential.   At the moment, NOH leases four houses (3 for girls; 1 for boys) accommodating approximately 130 children in total.

 

A number of the girls supported by NOH are former Kamlari – a system in Nepal that sees very poor families in rural areas sell their daughters to wealthier business owners and land owners, essentially as slaves.  Although this has recently been made illegal in Nepal, it will take a long time to change the culture and stop this practice entirely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During our time with NOH we stayed in a house for volunteers, sharing with volunteers from around the world - USA, Australia, Canada, Germany, Holland and Great Britain – and it was interesting to meet new people and make new friends.  We were all well looked after by Santoshi, our wonderful didi (cook/housekeeper).   Breakfast and dinner each day was rice, lentil dahl and spiced vegetables, and lots of Nepali tea; some days there were freshly made roti or paratha (Nepali flatbreads). 

 

We spent as much time as we could with the kids, although they have a busy schedule each day with school and lots of extra study.  Their school week runs from Sunday to Friday, with only Saturday as a day off.  Saturdays were great fun, when all 130 kids got together at the house with the biggest garden to play and catch up with each other.  We helped out with homework; gave the Volunteer Manager a hand with administrative and other tasks; did washing (no washing machines – cold water and a bucket!); and generally mucked in to do what we could.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to running the four houses in Kathmandu, NOH supports a number of rural schools and communities by sending volunteers to help out. The majority of the other volunteers came and went during our time in Kathmandu, helping to teach in schools or other small orphanages in various towns and villages, or to assist with the running of a Buddhist nunnery in the foothills of the Himalaya.

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall, the experience was incredibly rewarding and it was hard to leave the kids when it was finally time to come home.  They are so generous and kind-hearted, and took us into their family wholeheartedly – the question they all asked as we left was how soon we would be going back.  One of the main things both my daughter and I took away from Nepal was a depth of feeling that material goods don’t equal happiness – there are children and families with so little who are willing to see the good in everything; who use their imagination and ingenuity; and whose concern is for the happiness and wellbeing of those around them. 

 

I would recommend volunteering overseas to anyone who is looking for a new experience; who isn’t afraid of pitching in and living as locals do; and who wants an understanding of different cultures and ways of living.  Volunteering through an organisation as we did means that you aren’t on your own – there is a network there to support you, and it can be a great way of meeting new people and learning new skills.  Always make sure you research the area that you’re going to, so that you have some idea of what to expect, and find out as much as you can about the organisation you’re planning to sign up with – previous volunteers are usually more than willing to talk (for hours!) about their experiences, and to share useful hints and tips with potential new volunteers.

 

Volunteering can be rewarding, enriching and life changing.  My daughter and I now feel part of a bigger family and will stay in touch as much as we can, hopefully maintaining friendships that will last for life.  Now I just need to figure out a way to save enough money for plane tickets to go back....!! 

 

 

 

If you are interested in volunteering abroad, there are a large number of organisations that can help.  The links below will take you to a few organisations that will provide a flavour of what is available, and give you a place to start.

 

 www.xchangescotland.org

 

www.myplatform2.com

 

 

www.volunteerinternational.org