IVHQ Volunteering in Nepal

At 56years old, I signed up with IVHQ to volunteer on a 4week teaching assistant program in Nepal. Having a scientific background, and no real experience trying to teach, I was unsure what to expect, or how I would be received! I should not have worried - IVHQs vetting of the regional program leads allows a degree of confidence that the local charities are credible and the appropriate matching of skills with requirements ensures that the volunteering is beneficial to the community and for the volunteer.

Having now completed my program I can't wait to go back for more. There are few emotions that match the sense of fulfillment when you see a group of children learn something new, and enjoy themselves while doing so. Working with an after school club, has been chaotic at times, always challenging and as much a learning experience for me as for the children I spent time with! I have loved every second. I can't claim to always have been successful, and learning to pitch lessons at the right level for a mixed group of students is a skill that I can only hope to learn from the amazing teachers here. However, working alongside other inspirational volunteers, there have been successes in helping these children from various disadvantaged backgrounds start to express themselves in English, and the smiles, hugs and feeling of love I felt on my departure was tear-jerking!

To have the opportunity to volunteer in a country as beautiful as Nepal, where every valley has a wealth of history, culture and varied cuisines, whose people are unrivalled in their friendliness, makes for an addictive experience. Yes, there are constant changes to plan, and sometimes it feels that there is no plan - even the Nepali joke about their poor time-keeping! There is extreme poverty, pollution, traffic chaos, dust and every possible form of weather, but that just adds to the charm. Sometimes, it is good to move outside our personal comfort zones - our protected little bubbles of ordered risk-free life in "wealthy countries ". However, if wealth is measured by happiness, there are few places on earth that are richer. If you learn to adapt the Nepali way - to let go of trying to plan too much and accept a degree of uncertainty and spontaneity, it can be incredibly cathartic!

I have never been one to lie on a beach on holiday with a book, but I can no longer imagine a holiday without trying to get involved in some sort of volunteering or community project. It may not be for everyone, but unless you try, you will never know how rewarding it can be. I can't recommend enough!

As for Nepal, I promised to the after-school club that I would come back, and I am already planning my next trip! I'd recommend to anyone that has a bit of life experience to consider volunteering. It doesn't have to be teaching - there are projects in construction, women's empowerment, medical assistant or even agriculture - it is the interaction with people from a different culture that is important. This is as much a learning opportunity as one of sharing knowledge. Come with the right mindset and both yourself, and the community you are working with, can benefit enormously!