I volunteered with VSSN for two months, helping children with English at an orphanage in Kathmandu, then teaching at a school in a small, rural village called Puma. On arrival, the staff at VSSN made me feel completely comfortable - and this continued with regular contact through my placements. I had an absolutely amazing experience. Working in the orphanage involved helping the children with their homework and of course playing lots of games! I've never met such mature, hard-working, loving and respectful little people! I also made great friends with the staff there - it was a privilege to meet such wonderful, giving, loving people.

In Puma, I lived with a local family while teaching at the local primary school. My host family made me feel instantly at home - which was awesome because being in rural Nepal was very different from Kathmandu. This was my first experience with teaching and although it was a challenge, it was hugely rewarding. I recommend going with lots of games up your sleeve to keep the lessons interesting - I soon learnt that maths is boring old maths no matter where you're from and who's teaching it! I will also say that it can get very lonely in a small village - not many people spoke English so learning a little bit of Nepali proved invaluable for making friends with the local people, who were so much fun! Overall, it was an amazing experience - I got to provide much-needed help in teaching English, spend time in a part of Nepal tourists don't often see (with beautiful views of the Himalayas), meet some amazing people, learn Nepali (which helped when I travelled around Nepal later on), and experience and understand Nepali culture.

Thank you for the opportunity Matrika - what you do is truly inspiring. I've been gone nearly two weeks now but I miss Nepal and all the wonderful people I met so much. I really hope I have the opportunity to return sometime soon!

Thanks very much for the photos. They are much appreciated and I will see what I can do as far as getting sponsors for a few other children, but as I said before, I can't promise. I naturally hope to share my expriences with a lot of my family and friends in any case.

Thanks again, for making my stay in Nepal comfortable and worthwhile, as well as taking the time to take me around and visit the places on that last day. Please thank Pramila again, for me too, as well as the car drivers and people at the guest house as well. I really wish I could have stayed longer, but am hoping to get back next year, probably about the same time, as I mentioned before. I'm looking forward to a new adventure and trying to do a bit more, and hopefully learn a bit more Nepali.

I assume you are busy with the new volunteer and other projects. Don't work too hard, but keep up the good work, and the same for everyone else in VSSN and the schools.

All the best,

Story /Advice from Aarthi Rao

To prospective volunteers,

I have spent the past two and a half months in Nepal and I’ve had a wonderful time. I have been volunteering with VSSN and have been based at of Chapagaun (about half hour south from Kathmandu). In the past few weeks I have got to know Chapagaun very well. I also assisted the health post with their yearly monitoring and evaluation survey and in this capacity came to interview almost 100 patients. There is no better way to know a place than to get to know its people. Although I was based in Chapagaun, I made for day visits to another health posts. I have been to Badharjhula in the southern Terai, Dhading and Ghale Gaun. Each of these trips has been unique and has helped me to meet a wide range of people. One of the advantages of volunteering is that you have the opportunity to visit isolated places (that are always interesting) that you would have never encountered as merely a t traveler. Also, I have been able to seamlessly incorporate my own travels into my trip. I have enjoyed the lake in Pokhara, ridden elephants in Sauraha, and rafted down the Trisoli river. I have had my share of obstacle and frustrations in Nepal but the longer I am here the easier it is to handle it all. Once I adjusted to the pace of life, I ran into very few problems.

All the good experiences I’ve had more than make up for anything negative. If you’re considering coming to Nepal at all I would strongly encourage it. In terms of advice most of my suggestions are closer to a packing list. As long as you are willing to keep all of your in country plans flexible you’ll have a good time. If you want more specific information feel free to contact me. I’d be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Hello Matrika!
Thank you for hour help, hospitality and everything you did for me. Nepal was the greatest experience in my life! If I didn't have my own child and family, I would stay there longer! I felt fantastic in my host family, I was really lucky! And the students at schools were lovely and nice. At Emerald's school I loved lessons with the students-they are so clever! But I didn't feel well there. At Kalpana's school I felt like one of them. LIke at home. I'd like to ask you ab sth.I talked to my headteacher and the mayor of my town about Kalpana's school. We would like to start some cooperation with them. At first I'd like the students to chat or exchange e-mails. I will choose about 10-20 pupils (???) to exchange e-mailis ( I will write the subject-e.g at first - my country - geography 2. my family 3. my free time etc) Later they can do some summary what they have learnt in my and Nepali school. Is it possible? My next idea is connected with money. We'd like to help this school collecting the money ( we did it before for some African sql) . Can you advice me- will it be better to send you money and Kalpana will buy essential things for the kids-or maybe we will buy some items and send them? I have no idea but we are able to give this school about 100-200 dollars a month I think so). Please write me what is better or maybe you have another idea??
I' waiting for an answer, because I fell in love with Nepal and I really want to help in some way.
Matrika-you do great job! I'm really happy that I've found your organization:))
kisses from Poland-and thin ab it. I'm waiting. bye,

Hi, How are you? and how are your wife and children doing? Its so cold in England there is so much snow its crazy. Sorry I had to rush off when I saw you Monday, it was nice to have a beer and catch up. So here is the few sentences you wanted for your website (I restrained myself from writing too much but feel free to add anything I've missed or ask me to change things. " I was able to spend 4 months in Nepal through VSSN and had the most incredible experience during my stay. The whole trip from landing in Nepal to leaving was perfect and I received support and guidance whenever it was needed. The language lessons and sightseeing on arrival provided a good basis to start my placement. I worked in the health centre on a school nutrition programme, for which we ran several activities in 3 of the local schools during my stay. The family I stayed with were so welcoming, making me feel part of the family and I had the opportunity to celebrate both dasian and tihar festivals with them. I would recommend VSSN and the programme at the health centre to anyone."
Speak soon and take care.

Hi Matrika,

I've also published a little part of my pics online so if anyone is interested here is the link: http://picasaweb.google.com/dakinib/Nepal
I was just watching Bill's pics, they're amazing, really good pics he has.
How are you any way? how are all your activities going? Hope all is well and I'll hear from you soon.
Best regards,

VSSN programme is very rewarding and it was my great experience. Introduction with the local builders and people was my favorite activity. I was not used to eat so much food but it was always nice. Local people in the village are very friendly and staying with the family was very enjoyable and good experience. The programme met my expectations, I liked the way our leader was very relaxed and made everything flexible for us. The programme itinerary worked out very well. Thanks and please send email and photos of the finished wall!

Hi, As promised i have written a small paragraph about my placement: I volunteered at a monastery near Pharping for one month directly through VSSN. The program was well organized and took care of any concerns about coming to a new country. The children in the Monastery and local school were very willing to learn and want to know about other cultures. VSSN through its other partners were also able to arrange visits to Pokhara and Chitwan during my placement. This program was a wonderful experience for me and I hope to be back in the future.

A huge thank you for organizing my wonderful volunteering experience in Nepal! You are a very kind person and I couldn't have wished for a better leader to make sure I was safe, happy and comfortable 100% of my stay. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in both the hospital and getting the chance to travel around your beautiful country :)!
I do hope in the future me and Mayur will make a return visit together perhaps volunteering with your orphanage project. I wish you great sucess in all that you do, take care and thanks again!

Dear Matrika, I hope this find you well. Thank you for all your help during our study tour. The students really enjoyed the experience and came back to Japan a little wiser and serious about their studies. In fact, the threesome, Kumi, MIsato and Moe all joined my course this spring and want to be teachers. And they have all expressed an interest in returning to Nepal. I am hoping to bring another group next spring for a bit longer so that they can do some volunteer work as well.
On another note, right before you left Thecho, I mentioned that my daughter, Nina, who just turned 19, and is a college student in the US is very keen on joining one of your volunteer programs. She and her friend, Natsuko, want to work with children and are open to the areas you could connect them with. Nina and Natsuko are both fluent in English and Japanese so no language worries. They would like to go for 3-4 weeks in July, which is the only time both have summer break together. I trust you will look out for them.
Please let me know if you can arrange this. All the best,