Making the decision to go to Nepal all by myself was a difficult one - including trusting an organization I had never heard about and who I had only been in contact with through email. I didn't need to worry though, since I was met by a man with a sign with my name on it the moment I walked out of the airport in Kathmandu. The taxi-drive from the airport to the hotel was an amazing one with a thousand new impressions and sights... my first visit to Asia and I felt like I had come to a different planet!

My volunteering experience was a great one! In the first part of my stay in Nepal I was placed at a monastery just outside of Kathmandu (close by the Monkey Temple) in the most beautiful surroundings. So peaceful and quiet, yet with a view of all of Kathmandu Valley. I spent the first month here teaching the children at the Ichangu gumpa (/monastery) English and teaching at their local school. I spent this month getting to know Nepali culture (eating daal bhat in the PROPER manner ;), adjusting my wake-up schedule till 5:00am in the morning, dancing with the children to hindi music, and so on), preparing lessons and teaching English, visiting places around the village with the children including different monasteries. Learning about the life of the Nepali people in the village, the monks and the nuns... I still cannot grasp all of the things I learned in such a short time.

 

The following month I spent all over the Kathmandu Valley. Prior to visiting Nepal I had told Badri that I would love to visit different placements and projects because it would help me with my studies at home - I went all over the place visiting schools, orphanages, health posts, etc. It was so interesting and inspiring to see how much good only a few people can do. I will never forget some of the people I met during these visits. Among these placements I went to a village in the mountains by Pokhara called Taprang - this was definitely one of the most memorable experienes during my entire stay in Nepal. The work I had to do to get there (trekking in monsoon season with leaches all over my feet and arms) was one thing, but the welcome I got once I got there I will never forget. All of the women of the village had made big flower-hangings to put around my neck and they all put a tika on my face. My face was almost completely covered in red by the end of that day. I will never forget their grateful eyes and interested minds.

Overall I had a great experience in Nepal and with Hands for Help. The organization helped me in every way possible, listening to my wishes yet showing me the needs of Nepal. I have made friendships during my stay in Nepal that I am sure will never break!

Mille Thorsan (2007)
Denmark