Amazing People in a Beautiful Country

I have never felt more welcomed in a foreign country than I did the moment I stepped into Nepal. NVC organizers met me off the plane with big smiles and open arms, which was a prime example of what was to come.

The organization itself was still in it's infancy. A very simple and modest office space was utilized as a headquarters. I spent a lot of free time here learning about the mission and goals of the organization. I was also treated to very informative lessons of Nepal history, culture and language. On many occasions, I was also treated to dinner out with the staff, in which far too many dishes were ordered on my behalf, so that I may try everything that Nepal had to offer. I felt so special, absolutely apart of a family network working together to share the Nepali experience, and to work together to help improve the lives of their countrymen.

The project itself was wonderful. I stayed in a monastery, where I taught a few classes, but most of my work was done down the road at a local school. I worked with 10th grade students and I think the most heartbreaking moment was when I had my students do presentations about their future. One student stood up and spoke so eloquently about how he dreamed of becoming a teacher, because (and I'm paraphrasing) 'if our health was weak, we had medicine, if our heart was weak, we have family, but if our mind is weak, we have nothing. We have nothing without education. But I am from a poor family, so I will be a farmer'.

I have worked with students around Asia for the past 6 years, and no one has such a passion for education as the Nepali do. NVC is working hard to provide positive and proactive learning facilities for students who truly understand the blessing of an education. The head of the program is a former educator himself, and thrives off of the achievements of his students. It was so wonderful to work with people who really understood why their program was so necessary. I couldn't recommend this program more.