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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 class
(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!
Sincerely,
Merielle
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I
am from Holland but
living in Paris. This
summer I went off to
Nepal on my own and
had the most amazing
experience.
Working
in the art world and
not having my children
for a month, I thought
I would go and do
something else and
give a helping hand
somewhere in this
world. I went on the
net, onto Google,
and stated "giving
English lessons at
an orphanage in Nepal".
Several names came
up, but VSN Nepal
was the most efficient
and welcoming answer.
So off I went in July,
got picked up at the
airport, placed within
a family and had an
experience of a life
time. An experience
never to forget !
I did not end up giving
a lot of English lessons
as we discovered another
orphanage 20 min away,
now also under supervision
of VSN Nepal, where
there was so much
to do that I volunteered
there, and it was
great. It was more
than fantastic in
fact! Also difficult
moments to find out
that the children
had been sleeping
in "wet"
mattresses for the
past 18 months, the
kitchen had been placed
outside....., one
working toilet for
30 children, animals
all over, that they
wear the same cloths
everyday, don't have
enough food and most
had never seen an
underwear before.....there
is still really a
lot to do but within
a month and with the
help of some great
volunteers, the place
was turned upside
down within a month
and running as never
before. Seeing and
experiencing this,
was also very good,
as to see where VSN
Nepal has probably
come from, and to
see where they are
today. What a great
step ahead !
Throughout
the whole of Nepal,
with these incredible
nice people, and where
the people are much
poorer than we think,
there is so much to
do. With Tej and Segunda
of VSN Nepal, we are
sure that they are
really there to help
the children, to help
them evolve, to give
and assure them a
safe and loving home.
The school that they
have just started
is full of hope and
with their enthusiasm
and the help of all
the others that go
there to help, I am
sure they will achieve
goal and...... they
really know what they
are doing.
They have both had
years of experience
with the International
Red Cross and have
now started their
own project. It demands
a lot of their energy,
but what a great achievement
already.
I
will def be going
back as soon as I
can
Hartelijke
groeten,
Janette
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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. |
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After
graduated as a
social worker
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!
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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
she 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
Middleearth-like
country…breathtaking
ancient temples,
amazing nature,
wide opened smiling
kids’ eyes
and deep wrinkled
old men’
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
learnt not to
be afraid of buffalos
and I was playing
with little goats
all around, I
became more opened
to new things
and cultures,
I’ve learnt
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.
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If
you would like
to contact regarding
the experience
of any of our
past volunteers
please email us
at vsnnepal@ntc.net.np
VSN
is always happy
to provide you
the contact details
of our past volunteers
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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 gorgeaus
daughter Rija.
During that time
I had Nepali lesson
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
contryside to
walk in and great
people to become
freinds with.
My time at the
school for the
Deaf in Banepa
was fun and unformative,
I learnt 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 Sunsine
of 2007 from a
1892m/5500ft high
viewing platform
at Sarangkot which
has a supub 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 ceremany
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.
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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 ariving at
VSN I was openly
welcomed into
the VSN family.
VSN offers a unique
experince 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 ale 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
thier volunteers,
but also helps
them to create
individualized
opportunities.
When I came to
VSN I was to teach
at a monestary
and go to an orphanage
for 1 month. Again,
I was welcomed
with warm smiles
and hearts at
the monestary.
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 thier
alms trip to Hetauda.
Because I enjoyed
my time at the
monestary 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
orpahange 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 thier heads
on my shoulders
or hold my hand.
I learned about
the currentand
future situation
(or lack there
of) for the children
and gre 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 monestary
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
wasnot long enough.
VSN is a wonderful
group with a positive
outlook on the
future of Nepal.
The staff, programs,
and overal expereince
with VSN all provide
a chance to find
your own niche
and get to see
the real Nepal
first hand.
~ Kirstin
Powell ~
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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
withthe receptiveness
and eagerness
of the students,who
offered endless
smiles andlaughter.On
my last day of
teaching, the
school held a
farewell ceremony
in which I was
treated to numerous
tokens of gratitude
from the studentand
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.
-Allison
Dobek
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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!
-
Jennifer
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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.
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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 loosing
one’s temper,
and with a big
smile whenever
possible.
Of couse 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. Maybe
it would have
been good to have
had more classes
during the volunteering
too, in order
to learn useful
structures people
used when they
came to the Health
Post. 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
programmes 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...
Ir
de voluntaria
a Kaskikot (Pokhara):
Ir de voluntaria
a Nepal ha sido
una de las experiencias
más interesantes
que he tenido,
sobre todo por
lo que he aprendido.
Realicé
el voluntariado
en Kaskikot, un
pueblo cerca de
Pokhara, ayudando
en un pequeño
puesto de salud,
y de esta manera
he podido ver
cómo de
diferente es la
forma de ejercer
la medicina allí,
con relación
a lo que estoy
acostumbrada aquí,
en España.
Allí, la
gente va al médico
sólo cuando
están realmente
mal, y confían
plenamente en
él. Casi
nunca se quejan.
En su lugar, hacen
lo posible por
superar su problema
y, si no pueden,
aceptan la situación
sin lamentarse.
Sin embargo, me
sorprendió
la falta de algunas
medicinas y material
en el sistema
público.
En algunos casos,
la gente tiene
que pagar todas
las pruebas y
tratamientos.
Para ello, se
ven obligados
a pedir un crédito,
y quedan endeudados
durante el resto
de su vida. No
todo el mundo
puede permitirse
ésto, o
siquiera pagarse
el poco dinero
que se les pide
por cada medicamento
(a veces menos
de un céntimo
de euro por pastilla),
y mucho instrumental
médico
que teníamos
había sido
donado por ONGs.
Aparte del tema
del voluntariado,
pude conocer el
carácter
encantador de
la gente nepalí:
siempre están
ayudándose
mutuamente (como
si fueran todos
una gran familia),
y siempre sin
prisa; con mucha
calma. Sin embargo
en Katmandú,
los vendedores
pueden llegar
a ser muy pesados:
te agobian y te
persiguen a todas
partes, intentando
que compres sus
cosas. Creo que
lo más
bonito fue ver
la vida como la
ven allí;
como algo que
ocurre, y en consecuencia
aceptando lo que
va viniendo de
la mejor forma
posible. Sin perder
la serenidad,
y con una sonrisa,
a ser posible.
Por supuesto,
otra cosa importante
que he aprendido
con esta experiencia
ha sido el mismo
idioma nepalí:
Rupa y Matrika
son los profesores
en VSN Nepal que
me impartieron
el “curso
de supervivencia”
los primeros días,
cuando llegué.
Más tarde,
les agradecí
a través
de la distancia
como 20 veces
al día
todos los ejercicios
que hicimos…
Fue muy útil,
y resultaba mucho
más fácil
así aprender
nuevas palabras
y frases como
voluntaria. Tras
el mes que estuve
en Nepal ya era
capaz de mantener
una conversación
-cortita- en nepalí.
Es un idioma fácil
de aprender, aunque
tiene también
algunas estructuras
gramaticales rebuscadas.
Tal vez hubiera
estado bien el
haber tenido más
clases, durante
el periodo del
voluntariado,
para haber aprendido
las frases típicas
que usa la gente
cuando va al puesto
de salud. Aprender
el idioma del
país ayuda
muchísimo
a integrarse en
una cultura diferente,
como es la suya.
Mirando hacia
atrás,
hubiera sido mejor
quedarse 2 o 3
meses en lugar
de 1, porque justo
cuando llegó
el momento de
irse era cuando
mejor preparada
estaba para trabajar
en el puesto de
salud. Y además
era entonces cuando
mi nepalí
comenzaba a “despegar”…
Ésta ha
sido una de las
mejores experiencias
que he tenido.
Creo que los programas
que está
desarrollando
VSN Nepal son
realmente útiles
para la gente
local. Y me ha
gustado mucho
la forma de vida
nepalí
así que,
cuando termine
Medicina, tal
vez vuelva para
quedarme algún
tiempo más…
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| Janette |
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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...
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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. |
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