Program Reviews

I spent about two months with Umbrella, living in the Kathmandu volunteer house on weekends and the village that was hosting me during the week. I planned and facilitated lessons and games for the local school-having the ability to choose what age groups I wanted to work with. The language barrier was more challenging that I had anticipated, and there was some pressure in preparing the students for their exams, but the Umbrella staff were amazingly supportive; providing substantial resources and open communication. I was able to learn a lot about Nepali culture and education, while refining my skills as an aspiring teacher. This having been my first time traveling alone and being away from home for an extended period, I found it difficult emotionally, but with the staff and other volunteers I felt safe, supported, and a valuable member of the organization. Volunteering with Umbrella was not only a positive experience for me, but a transformative one.

I spent just over 2 months working at The Umbrella Foundation. It was one of the most rewarding and enriching experiences of my life. The children and staff are fantastic. We had breakfast with and walked the children to school. Then we had the day to organise activities for them. We setup sporting events, participated in a women's rights day and performed for the children. We also ran the weekly pub quiz in Thamel and travelled with the children to the remoter parts of Nepal.
We also helped setup an education programme for the girls and boys.

This was a brilliant experience and one I would recommend to anyone!!!

Go, now!!!

I loved volunteering at Umbrella. I fell head over heals in love with Nepal, and will be back next summer :) Mornings and Evenings were spent with the kids, who are incredible, and during the day you are free to explore the wonderful country of Nepal. This organization does a great job of exposing you to Nepali culture, as you live in an unadulterated Nepali community, complete with Nepali living arraignments, chores, and food. Still, Umbrella leaves you feeling safe while in the country, and gives you room to be a tourist, too. As far as day-to-day life goes, you eat with the kids, walk them to school, plan their activities, and help them with their homework. You are considered their di or didi (big brother or sister), and you feel like they belong to you, too. I love these kids so so so much, and am so grateful to have been a part of their lives and their family. Honestly, I can't speak highly enough of Umbrella. My summer their totally changed my life. It is wonderful. And Umbrella goes above and beyond the call of duty for these kids, in its efforts to reunite families, and give the children true homes, once again. It is an incredible place, changing the world, one kid at a time.

I lived with a host family who made me feel part of the family from the very start, my host father called me his "Irish daughter"! By the end of my time volunteering at the school I could see a real difference in the English levels of some of the children, and they were all much more enthusiastic in practising their English! Apart from English classes, we had art club, played cricket and went on lovely walks with the village kids. I used to come back and spend the weekends in Kathmandu in the volunteer house and chill out, eat western food and spend time with other volunteers-a well deserved break!

Apart from the awesome staff, awesome kids and the awesome other volunteers, you really get a sense of doing REAL good because you see directly where donations are going, to HELPING people - its an AMAZING programme. The reason I chose Umbrella in the first place was because they had a reputation for not swallowing all the donations in administration. I really seen this when I was there, as you could see that your donations were going to the children and they (as should be!) were the number one priority! I have raised money for other charities and will continue to do so in the future, but I have often been disappointed by the way that the money has gone to pay peoples wages rather than do any actual work for the people who need it most - that is why Umbrella is the best for me! So I'd urge anyone thinking of volunteering overseas, please consider Umbrella, you'll have the best time and you'll be doing a whole lot of GOOD!

It truly is a testament to the Umbrella family -the kids, the volunteers and the staff-that so many of us keep returning to Nepal and to Umbrella. My first time in Nepal volunteering with Umbrella was in 2011 - I was terrified. However, within minutes of beginning this journey and stepping into a home of 26 teenage girls my life was changed. Yes, it was hard at first- as any group of teenage girls will test you and unlike the little kids they will not warm up to you upon sight; however, after spending time with them and getting to know each girl individually, I earned their trust and friendship and from then on we were family.

Not only will you have a remarkable experience volunteering for an organization that actually works on reuniting children with their families, but you will have a great time with the other volunteers. I went back again in 2012 and half the girls in my house were no longer there. While on a selfish note I was sad, I realized that Umbrella worked at finding these girls' families and they were home where they belonged. The number of children Umbrella has helped to reunify is truly incredible.

It is the most amazing organization and i can't recommend it highly enough.

As a volunteer during my time in Nepal, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the real Nepal and meet some wonderful children at the Umbrella Foundation in Swayambhu. I was a volunteer in a children’s home – children who had been rescued from corrupt and abusive homes and were being reunited with their families. It was incredible to be a part of that – a truly humbling, unforgettable experience. To describe it is beyond my descriptive prowess but I’ll try. It was amazing. I did not waste a single second. The kids are incredible - they are so full of life, determination and happiness. These kids have been through pain I can’t even imagine, some have lost their families, been trafficked, abandoned, left to starve, sold into slavery, run away from abuse and forced labour but despite all this, they carry on with a surprisingly positive attitude and unbeatable spirit. The only thing these kids want to know is that someone cares about them, that they are not forgotten and that the people they care about are looked after and have a normal life. They are incredibly grateful for what little they have and they don't dwell on the pain in their past. They inspire happiness in others - whenever I felt a touch of home sickness or in any way down, I'd be told “Brother, don't be sad, be happy”.

In the summer of 2012, I spent three amazing months at the Umbrella Foundation in Kathmandu. I was volunteering in a children's home, with thirty Nepali kids aged 8 to 18. While I was nervous at first, I never could have imagined how much I would enjoy the following three months. As a big brother, my duties included bringing the kids to school, helping them with homework, planning activities and, of course, playing hours and hours of football! I was able to build a strong, lasting friendship with the kids, providing them with the emotional support to grow personally. Achieving this in just a few months reflects the friendly and welcoming nature of the children at Umbrella, and the Nepali people overall. While living in Nepal requires stepping out of your comfort zone a little, it took no time at all for me to settle in. Day trips around Kathmandu with the children, as well as a volunteer's trip to Gurje, made me love Nepal even more. These memories will stay with me forever. What impressed me most about Umbrella was its sense of community. The children, volunteers and staff are one big family. Volunteering as a part of this family was a unique experience in which I was able to learn about myself, make new friends and help the amazing cause that is Umbrella. My only regret is that I didn't stay longer, it's only a matter of time before I go back! As a volunteering opportunity, I cannot recommend it highly enough!

I had just finished University and wanted to experience something completely different. My sister who had volunteered with the Umbrella Foundation and who brings Irish students for a two week volunteering summer program advised me that if I wanted a life changing experience then I should go to The Umbrella Foundation. From the minute I arrived in Umbrella I knew it was where I should be as soon as I was placed in the Sagarmartha house of 23 girls.

On my first day I remembered walking to the house and all I could hear was laughing, chatting and singing I thought this sounds like fun. From that moment I felt at home and part of the family. Each girl was so individual, each with their own special personality.

I became a big sister to the most amazing group of girls in the world and Ifell in love with all my little sisters, their country and of course their beautiful culture. I do believe that volunteering with The Umbrella Foundation was the best thing I have The volunteers that I met were also incredible people. I would consider them as great friends and will be in contact with them for the rest of my life. done with my life so far. I will never forget the girls of Sagarmartha they are imbedded in my heart and the most difficult task was saying goodbye which is why I am planning to come back for a year as soon as possible.

Dolores, Ireland (January- May 2012)

I heard about The Umbrella Foundation from the book "Little Princes"I was inspired to come to Nepal after reading “Little Princes” by Conor Grennan. I always knew I wanted to travel to a developing country to volunteer and after researching Umbrella I knew it was the place for me!

From the moment I was introduced to the girls at Gauri Shankar, I felt right at home. I now have 36 new sisters and my time at Umbrella couldn’t have been a more positive experience! I fell in love with the Umbrella children, the people and culture of Nepal. Volunteering with Umbrella is something I will look back on with the fondest of memories and I will always be thankful for my time with the kids!

Niamh Burke, Canada (September - November 2011)