One of the best months of my life.

Every single day on the GVI Nepal Women's Empowerment program was exciting, fulfilling and memorable. Pokhara is an incredible place which I might never otherwise have thought to visit - but it's an ideal backpacking destination to which I can't wait to return! The GVI homestay was modest but comfortable, and soon felt like home. The staff were so lovely and helpful, especially those with whom I worked on the Women's Empowerment project, and quickly felt more like friends than colleagues. Moreover, I was incredibly lucky to volunteer at the same time as some genuinely wonderful people, who soon felt like friends I'd known for years. That doesn't always happen when travelling with people you don't know, and I felt so blessed to experience it.

The program itself was well-established in the local community, and it was a huge privilege to meet and get to know the women coming to classes. I massively enjoyed creating and delivering the lessons, and only wish that I could have stayed longer to have made resources for more of the curriculum. In the future, I would love to see GVI expand their teaching locations to reach women in more rural locations, who may have little means of transportation but for whom learning English is a potentially life-changing skill. I believe this would massively increase GVI's positive impact in the Pokhara valley, and I would love to return to GVI Nepal to help with this expansion. For the time being, however, it is clear that the Women's Empowerment program is making a genuine difference in the community, and it was a true blessing to be a part of it, even for a short time.

There are a million things I could rave about - the food, the people, the landscape and lake, the weekend treks and smoothies and milk tea, the beauty of the mountains, the food (again). But all of it boils down to this simple message - GO! You will not regret it. Pokhara is an incredible place, and the work GVI is doing in the local community is vital and life-changing. You will experience things which you might never otherwise experience, and you will learn things about yourself and others which will alter your perspective on the world for the better. Do yourself a favour, and get out there!