"Experience of a lifetime"

"I went last October and it was the experience of a lifetime. The trip's a nice blend of vacation and work... if you like hiking, camping, etc. Everything was very well organized. The food was great and days of hiking were totally doable usually 3-5 hours of walking. Most of the villages we visited are inaccesible by car and many people had never seen a doctor or nurse. It was like travelling back in time 200
years. Amazing."

~ Shelly O.
Shelly is a RN in the PICU at a local hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She attended the Medical Camp in Nepal in October 2007.

Volunteer at an Orphanage in Nayabazar, Nepal

Diarmuid S.
Dublin, Ireland

Volunteered in the ‘Orphan Help Centre’ and the ‘Nepal Society for the Disabled’ in Kathmandu for 5 weeks in July/August 2007:

“My time at the OHC was a fascinating experience, everyone at the centre is hugely welcoming. There are 19 kids at the centre and the variety of characters is a source of endless entertainment. The 3 staff and 19 children are like a big family and it was a privilege to be invited into this environment, to experience the local lifestyle, to learn about the reality of life here and to see how people manage to keep upbeat regardless. My time at the Nepal Society of the Disabled was an equally interesting experience. It provided me with an invaluable glimpse at Nepali office life, the workings of NGOs and the hardships faced by the physically disabled in this country. The Mountain Fund Volunteer Visitor Centre was always there to help and Sudhir is a good guy.”

About the Orphan Help Centre:
Location: Nayabazar, Kathmandu, Nepal

Established in August 2004, the orphanage cares for Nepalese village children whose parents have either passed away, disappeared or are too poor to feed and educate them. At this time, the orphanage is home to 17 children. The most important requirement to be a volunteer here is that you love connecting with children.

Volunteer assistance needed for: Reading; Teaching English; Helping with Homework; Playing Games; Arts and Crafts; Helping with Cleanliness; and Taking the children on outings on the weekends.

Work with Children in Kathmandu, Nepal

Jane B.
Birmingham, England

Was teaching part-time English at a Secondary School and part-time volunteering at a Child Protection Home in Kathmandu for 4 months in April to July 2007:

“I would describe it as an excellent school for using and gaining teaching experience. Very enjoyable! The placement has well behaved and attentive students and friendly and helpful staff. I respected the staff and students at the school, and I was made a part of the school team from day one. The students eagerly participated in every class and I was often asked to stay later to chat with them. I really enjoyed my time with the children and had such a beautiful time with them that I did not want to leave them."

"My volunteer experience at the Child Protection Home was amazing. Working with 61 children from an age range from 6 to 14 years, who have almost no one because their parents are in jail, was a very special experience for me. They were always excited to see me and spend time in the library or playroom making pictures, doing arts & crafts activities, reading books and playing games both inside and outside. Each day spent with the children is both personally rewarding and very beneficial for the children."

"Both of my volunteer placements were extremely worthwhile; there was not a single day when I did not look forward to going in, so of course I would do it again! The Mountain Fund Team were welcoming and helpful, I was given a full orientation at the school and told what to expect. The staff are always on hand to answer any questions I had about the placement and volunteering.”

Volunteer Update: Philip H.

Philip H., M.D., and his wife
USA

Participated in Moving Medical Camp held in Goljung, in April 2007:

“We were driven to Goljung (7 hours from Kathmandu) by a very competent driver. We lived with the staff at the clinic (very rustic). We saw about 170 patients in 3 days, which wasn’t work; it was pure and simple delightful fun. Seeing patients, observing the beautiful Tamang women and children in their native dress, watching the sunlight on the mountains. The people at the clinic as well as all the patients were so beautiful; I could have stayed there for weeks. Then we trekked for 3 more days with our trustworthy and intelligent guide. We had hoped to make a moving clinic of our trek, but had not made sufficient preparations, so we more or less just hiked in the beautiful Langtang area. I recommend this trip and The Mountain Fund to others and I am planning to come soon again.”

Volunteer Update: Stephanie H.

Stephanie H.
USA

Participated in Moving Medical Camp held in Goljung, in April 2007:

“Having experienced a little of Nepal medically and culturally, I found my experience during the clinic to be incredibly different culturally as well as medically. I think it was a well organized clinic given the circumstances and the trip gave me a good insight as to what a well developed clinic can do for it’s surrounding villages. Of course, like so many others, it needs continuous support and training. The people who we worked with were wonderful and welcoming, as were the villagers. I liked the curiosity of the villagers and the discovery of a different tribe of people in Nepal. The Mountain Fund, and Visitor Center were helpful and very friendly. I absolutely can recommend them.”

MF Supporter Reports on the 2006 Climbing Season from Nepal

Hi, Scott.

I am in Kathmandu now, it’s warm and dry and calm. In fact, the weather is unusually good for this season, when in years past it has been cold and rainy at this time. It seems they have been having an unexpectedly warm and dry climate for the last 18 months or so. One could even characterize it as a drought. Is the old global warming beginning to make its mark?

On the flight in yesterday, I saw a surprisingly clear view of Nepal's 8000 metre peaks, seen from east to west: Kangchenjunga (3rd highest mountain in the world), Makalu (5th highest), Lhotse (4th highest), Everest (1st highest), and Cho Oyu (6th highest). I think it was one of the best airplane views I have ever had of the Himalaya. We thought we could see Pumori (our current objective), but weren’t sure, as from our perspective flying up at 9000 metres above India and Nepal, Pumori is relatively dwarfed by the sea of peaks around it.

Here in Kathmandu, it has just been Buddhist New Year and the famous Hindu Shivaratri festival all at the same time, so everyone looks relaxed and happy, and it appears not much work is getting done. It might be even more laid back than usual. On the drive in from the airport yesterday, we saw quite a few groups of people parading around, waving flags, holding banners, chanting, praying, and playing music. Nepal may be having political struggles, but it’s certainly not very apparent when you wander around the streets of Kathmandu.

In one busy section of town where many people were out on the street, our driver and local agent, who is himself from one of Kathmandu's old established families, pointed out several foreign dignitaries wandering around in the streets, probably walking to have their lunch at a famous 5 star hotel restaurant in the embassy district. This small group of mainly white men in suits and ties looked a bit out of place next to the Nepalis wearing their Saris and Dotis and carrying handbags filled with vegetables, going about their business. The dignitaries were walking slowly, gesturing and laughing.

Our driver, who seemed to know all of the dignitaries in the group, pointed out several top level embassy staff. We did not see anything that looked like a policeman, security, or bodyguard within a half kilometre of them. Either the embassy officials on their lunch break were walking with security agents who were extremely well camouflaged as being very relaxed, smiling and laughing and enjoying the day, or they were feeling quite relaxed about the Nepal security situation at the moment. That may seem a bit of an unexpected surprise, as these same embassies have been busy crafting frightening announcements to folks back at home warning them that Kathmandu is unsafe.

Do you suppose that is their day job; to please the folks back at home hungry for bad news, and when they are on lunch break, they just relax and enjoy life? As ever, it seems that Nepal is a country of contrasts.

Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to help mountain people everywhere. Best Regards.

Yours Sincerely, Dan