Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
Julie: In the winter of 2014, I volunteered with the Himalayan Education Lifeline Program to help teach K - 5th grades for a small school in Chitre, Nepal (along the Annapurna circuit). The Nepalese school system has little booklets for each subject, and teachers make their own supplemental materials. I taught 3rd and 5th English and 3rd grade math. Preparation was quick and easy, and assignments were easily graded on the spot in class. Having a prep period was great for making Memory Game cards with their vocabulary words, posters in English, and other materials.
Once K through 2nd started asking why the volunteer teacher wasn't in their rooms, I came in and taught Raffi's "One Light, One Sun" song with sign language. Reading "Where the Wild Things Are" was great fun, and they drew "wild things" on paper, and after a second reading, the kids went outside and drew more "wild things" on the sidewalk, on the water fountain, on the sides of the slide.
Ten years from now, what's the one thing you think you'll remember from the trip?
Julie: Ten years from now, I will still remember the kids standing up before each class and saying, "Good morning Miss", and after each lesson saying, "Thank you Miss." How sweet!
But beyond school, the wonderful lodge manager made my stay very special, even making me a 65th birthday cake in a double boiler (no oven available) with frosting. We became "sisters." During a two month stay in one small village, I was fortunate to experience a wedding, a funeral, and celebrate Shiva's (Hindu god) birthday! I felt briefly included in small village life!
Has your worldview changed as a result of your trip?
Julie: Having travelled in Nepal 30 years ago, my "worldview" did not significantly change this time, but it was interesting to note the "progress" in Nepal. There are more roads, electricity to most villages, and nearly everyone has a cell phone. If the major exodus to towns continues, who will stay to farm the lovely terraces??
Where would you most like to travel to next?
Julie: Where will I travel next? My husband and I are planning a trip to Costa Rica in 2015, but I would return to Nepal and my Nepalese "sister" in a heartbeat!!