Volunteer in Nepal

1.- Hi Tell us about you:

• Full name (first and last): Vincent Casalaina, Age: 71
• What do you do (study or work, where): Retired from video production
• Where are you from (city and country): Berkeley, CA

1.1. – Why did you choose to volunteer in Nepal Kathmandu, what program(s) are you doing and why?

• Why Nepal: The person I race sailboats with her trek in Nepal and told me about how beautiful that is. I wanted to go there.
• What program: We researched volunteer program and ABV was highly recommended by many people.
• Why this program: We wanted to do community development.

2. What was the most surprising thing you experienced while in the program? 

• Program: Learning to work within the tools available. In the US construction techniques are hugely different and I had not realised the vast gulf.
• Host Family: They gave us a great height into the culture of Nepal.
• Country: This was my first trip to a third world country. I was not prepared for the differences but learned a lot.

3. What was the most difficult thing you experienced while in the program? 

• Program: Project management work had delayed construction of the library so our work was on a number of ancillary but related aspects.
• Host Family: No problems.
• Country: Poor road conditions / lack of sanitation around town

4. Any tips for future volunteers….

• Clothing: Bring as little as possible. Plan a washing often.
• Sightseeing: Take advantage of both local trekking options and longer term trekking before or after program.
• Donations: make it easier for us to donate to the community developments project.
• Laundry/internet: Hand washings hang on line on roof. Internet – down at least some everyday but connectivity good when up.

5. Other things volunteers should know about: 

• City/town: No street names or building numbers so need to have a good sense of direction.
• Weather: It was hot and no appreciable rain while here.
• Air pollution: Consider bringing a good N95 mask with extra filters. Not every day use but needed a number of days.
• Local People: Very friendly.
• Tours: 1 day trip to Nagarkot – saw beautiful hill town & had a good lunch at the hotel at the top.

6. Personal paragraph (volunteer program testimonial), detail as possible: 

We started by moving dirt as part of raising the level of the yard around the library. We then scoped the brick fences in the library yard and along the access part to the street. We scrubbed, cleaned and primed galvanized panels to go on top at the brick fences (Added security). We painted the brick fences along the access path. We painted galvanized panels. We cleaned additional galvanized panels and primed and painted them.

Volunteering in Nepal

7. How would you describe your: 

• Accommodation: We had our own room with double bed. There were two single beds but they were not needed by other volunteers. We were given very comfort room
• Meals (favorite): Dinner was very good. Dal, served vegetables options, rice or noodles and roti. Over the two weeks there were many different combinations. One dinner with Chicken done with cheese.
• Security: We always felt secure and never felt we needed to be concerned about our belongings.
• Host family: Very helpful. Very friendly.

8. What was your memory of this trip? 

• Program: By the end I felt like we had accomplished something useful to the library.
• Host Family: Hard working and very dedicated to making us feel welcome.
• Country: Hoping to see it become a cleaner, more prosperous country as more people become more educated.

9. How was the local ABV Coordinator, the staff and the support provided in-country?

• Airport: Spectacular! After our long flight from San Francesco to Kathmandu, seeing the ABV sign amidst the many other signs made us feel well taken cared.
• Orientation day: We learned a lot in the presentation and learned how to get around/ change money. Since most of us have smart phones. It would be helpful to point out maps. Me app works without wifi connection.
• Daily Support: Talked with host family every morning to layout daily work plan. Sudhir always got the material & tools we asked for (that were available)

10. How was the information you received from ABV prior to traveling?

More emphasis on language emersion on the website & in emails. Even a little bit of Nepali helped us get around Better. So I recommend highlighting the language immersion class.

11. Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers about your volunteer experience? 

Yes!

Volunteer Nepal

1.- Hi Tell us about you:

• Full name (first and last): Dr. Chaitali Minama, Age: 28
• What do you do (study or work, where): MHA Student in TWU (USA)
• Where are you from (city and country): Houston / Texas

1.1.- Why did you choose to volunteer in Nepal Kathmandu, what program(s) are you doing and why?

• Why Nepal: I am Indian Origin. As of my culture it is always good to serve neighbours. Nepal is neighbour country to India. Culture and system are same so wanted to serve neighbours.
• What program: Dental Volunteering Program.
• Why this program: As a profession, I am (Indian) Dentist. I am trying to obtain DDS certification in states and serving under serve country give big opportunities to polish the skills.

2. What was the most surprising thing you experienced while in the program? 

• Program: I did not find anything surprising because I was well prepared for the culture and was aware about the dental health.
• Host Family: They are very helpful, homely feeling. They try their best to help and provide enough information.
• Country: Beautiful country, lots of things to explore. Friendly people and lots to learn from the culture.

3. What was the most difficult thing you experienced while in the program? 

• Program: I found all pretty much smooth, flexible and adaptable.
• Host Family: Getting hot water in such cold weather (December).
• Country: Transportation due to roads are under construction.

4. Any tips for future volunteers….

• Clothing: In December or January please bring warm cloths, better boots, and extra pair of blankets. Read about the weather before coming.
• Sightseeing: Nepal is very beautiful country, full of nature. Must go to Boudha Stupa, Pashupatinath temple and Monkey temple (Swayambhunath temple).
• Donations: I made donation like picture books for library and few tooth brush & paste for kids.
• Laundry/internet: 24*7 Internet and also facility to send laundry

5. Other things volunteers should know about: 

1. City/town: Roads and Map. 90 % people understand Hindi, 70% young generation speaks English. People are helpful around.
2. Weather: Too cold day in December. Morning and late evenings are more colder than afternoon. Chances of getting Flu, cold and sore throat is very common. Stomach upset is second most common illness happens.
3. Local People: They are friendly and helpful. Try to talk in Hindi or English. Try to avoid late night travel.
4. Tours: I have not done any but heard there are many options available for tours like Chitwan , Pokhara  etc

6. Personal paragraph (volunteer program testimonial), detail as possible: 

Till now everything went smooth and as I expected. This is life-changing experience for me. I got opportunity to explore my own self. I came to know that love, happiness; smile and help are away from nationality, culture, skin color or language. Love and help do not need communication. I am too much satisfied with my work at dental clinic. Serving local people as Doctor and spreading smile made my days. People here are open and happy to greet you. They are kind hearted and helpful. This experiences a lifelong mark in my life story.

7. How would you describe your: 

• Accommodation: Great, clean, spacious, comfortable, safe, easily accessible for transportation with enough amenities and facilities.
• Meals (favorite): Good food, traditional, definitely hygienic enough to make you feel full, homely felling.
• Security: The accommodation is in good neighborhood. Host family make sure you arrived, try to reach you if you not around. They are responsible as family.
• Host family: Kind hearted, always smiling face, warm welcoming people with cultural support and open-minded. Mrs. Sarita is very caring and friendly. The host father is really helpful and informative. They try to make your stay memorable and comfortable. I never had any issue.

8. What was your memory of this trip? 

• Program: Friendly dental staff and co-dentists. Lots of OPD, many extractions, RCT, scaling, filling, pulpectomy, surgical extraction, CPD, RPD, Crowns and Apecectomy.
• Host Family: Food and their four-year toddler. Their smiley faces and fresh back home food.
• Country: Nature, beauty, roads, fruits, Momos, chicken chowmine, Temples, buses. Orphan house at Jorpati, Rudraksha etc.

9. How was the local ABV Coordinator, the staff and the support provided in-country? Be as detailed as possible.

• Airport: the coordinator was in contact with me through messages before I arrived. I found in just at the gate of airport with A Broader View board and my name printed on it. It was very easy to find him in crowds.
• Orientation day: It was very detailed and informative. As he explained with map, power point it was very helpful. The culture, weather, local area, work place everything is covered. Demo till the volunteering site is too much helping.
• Daily Support: They are always in contact through messages. They make sure you are around and safe. They go extra mile to help you and fulfill our needs.

10. How was the information you received from ABV prior to traveling?

Everything was enough and helpful. Just more about the weather updates and precaution measures for dust & pollution in Kathmandu. Do your own search about the country, weather, keywords and phrases to learn.

11. Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers about your volunteer experience? 

Yes

Volunteer Nepal

1. Hi Tell us about you:

• Full name (first and last): Jacklyn Chu, Age: 23
• What do you do (study or work, where): Dentistry, Australia
• Where are you from (city and country): Brisbane Australia

1.1. Why did you choose to volunteer in Nepal Kathmandu, what program(s) are you doing and why?

• Why Nepal: Heard from friends that the people are very friendly………………
• What program:  Dental Volunteering

2. What was the most surprising thing you experienced while in the program?

• Program: Helpful people.
• Host Family: Feel really good. Sarita is very cooperative; prepare my favourite food and hot water every day.
• Country: Bus is so crowded during the peak hours but easy to adopt because the bus drivers are helpful in guiding us.

3. What was the most difficult thing you experienced while in the program?

• Program: Program went smoothly but there were limited things that were available for me to do because of the limited time , despite being able to offer a lot.
• Host Family: Cold! But they provided me with extra blankets.
• Country: Air pollution – kept coughing due to construction.

4. Any tips for future volunteers….

• Clothing: Long sleeves and pants so you won’t be dirty.
• Sightseeing: Must see the UNESCO sites. Sudhir can tell you more on this.
• Donations: Gloves, masks, books.
• Laundry/internet: Cheap. Sometimes slow 3G.

5. Other things volunteers should know about:

• a.- City/town: Thamel is good. Bring face masks. Food is so good always try new things.
• b.- Weather: Hot in the day. Cold at night, pack adequately.
• c.- Local People: Kind but language barriers – download translator on phone.
• d.- Tours: Didn’t go on tours. Explore yourself enough with your best friend.

Volunteering in Nepal

6. Personal paragraph (volunteer program testimonial), detail as possible:

Staffs at dental hospital were so welcoming and kind. Bought us food and drinks, introduced us to many good food and phrases to interact with the patients. Did extractions, pulpectomy, fillings, etc. Great if I could have done more but sadly no, due to language barrier. If stayed longer, could have done more. I only stayed for a week.

7. How would you describe your:

• Accommodation: Sarita is very helpful. A lot of privacy at home/room, locker facility  and good family to be with.
• Meals (favorite): Traditional Nepali meal. 3 veg + rice + roti + lentil
• Security: Safe house.
• Host family: Welcoming, considerate, thoughtful.

8. What was your memory of this trip?

• Program: Staffs were really nice.
• Host Family: Nice
• Country: Beautiful architectures (earthquake/constructions/traffic)

9. How was the local ABV Coordinator, the staff and the support provided in-country? Be as detailed as possible.

• Airport: Welcoming, Easy, Fast, Efficient.
• Orientation day: Helped us with SIM card, transport etc. Comprehensive
• Daily Support: Answered all our question. Very Helpful

10. How was the information you received from ABV prior to traveling?

Adequate

11. Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers about your volunteer experience?

Okay!