Arriving in Nepal Kathmandu, I was very scared, but from the beginning Hope N' Home's staff and network of people made me feel at home and welcomed. I met many other volunteeers from all over the world.My language training was so enjoyable and Youzeena the Nepali teacher is so friendly and understanding making the learning more enjoyable and effective!.

My placement was in Chitwan, a small village called Padam Pokhari. My host family straight away took me as a sister and a daughter. We enjoyed many nights talking and laughing, I learnt so much about the Culture as they did about mine. I took part in many village celebrations like Hindu weddings and the woman's festivals. I danced and felt I was thick in the culture. It is easy to dance, easy to sing and easy to laugh.

My first day in the school (Shree Laxmi Secondary School) was nearly confronting for me. I found the language barrier a real challenge in the classroom. But afterwards the whole experience was more rewarding then I could ever imagined. I think sticking it out through the difficult times made it all the more worth while. I would strongly recommend Hope N' Home as an organization as they offer support in all the areas and go out of their way to ensure your happiness. Also KB my host father and family, I feel are some of the most kindest human beings I've ever had the pleasure to meet and know. This place will stay with me forever.

From the moment I stepped off the plane till the time I finished I have felt part of one big

happy family. I did my placement at a health Post in Padam Pokhari in Chitwan and was there 3 and 1/2 weeks. I helped take blood pressure and general health tasks during the day. I was even taken to the local labs, eye operations, an appendix being removed, vasectomy and a cataracts operation, which was excellent. Village life is really good and i was made to feel part of my host family. It was nice to spend my time in green rice fields away from the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. Everyone in the village is very friendly and you are always asked to come over for Tea. The staff at he health post were always smiling and we were always laughing when I left we had a small party. The health post was a short bike ride away (2 km) and the health workers meet me each morning.

Hope and Home were excellent, nothing was ever any bother, I felt safe and if I had any question they were always there.

Laura Divine
5 Sanyhils Avenue
Patcham,  Brighton
E. Sussex BN1 8UL,
England
 

I arrived in Nepal at the beginning of the monsoon season. I was please to be told that my placement would be in a small rural village in Chitwan district of Nepal. After an unforgettable journey through the mountain south from Kathmandu. We arrived in Narayangadh a large market (Bazzar) then a 30 minute taxi ride into "rural Nepal" When I arrived corn fields where almost finished harvest. As the rain started and the fields began to flood rice planting would begin. when I arrived at my host family I was instantly made welcome. I was very lucky that Mr. K.B. Adhikari the father in my family was good English speaker. I was informed that was first western person to come to their village. I was eager acquaint myself with village life this proved easier than I could have imagined.
 

Gareth ploughing and digging ditches

The people of Padam Pokhari were so kind kind and friendly was easy to mix and communicate with them I was teaching in government funded school, the headmaster of which lived in the village (school being a couple of Kilometres away) My placement was for 7 weeks and in this time formed good relationship with staff and was seeing progress made by pupils. Living in rural areas means that all food is fresh. The rice (Bhat) you eat is normally grown by the family you are eating it with, like wise Dal (Lentil). Due to monsoon visiting places was difficult but this was more than compensated with "mucking in" and planting rice, digging ditches and flood irrigation.

I enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere that was created by the stunning scenery and the beautiful people.;

Dhanyabad!

Gareth Walters
18 St Martins Road,
Canterbury,
Kent, CT1 1QW England
 

July & August 2007

My time at the DRC has been absolutely fantastic, The children are so sweet and such fun to be around.I fell lucky to have been given the chance to meet them. The staff responsible for their care do so wonderfully. What could be a sad lace is actually an extraordinarily happy one. There is really nothing negative that could be said about it. The same is true of Hope and Home. From the airport pickup and throughout my trip i have been so well cared for . It is so reassuming bron there is always someone available and willing to help should there be a problem, through i really haven't had any. The Language classes were very useful as was the cultural orientation, and the sightseeing has so enjoyable. It really does enhance your experience of a place to have someone there to explain it.

My host family have been exactly that a family, and could not have taken better care of me i have so enjoyed getting know them and really feel that through them i have gained a better understanding of Nepal. It did take me some time to adapt and settle in here, but as soon as I did i started to have a fantastic time. Although I had expected have more definite tables fulfil in my volunteering, Once I had adapted to just playing and being with the children I loved every second of it. i just hope they got as much out of me being here as i did. Overall then, i have had an amazing experience and can only thank Hope and Home for making it happen.
 

Jacqueline Stevenson
112 Wager Street,
Bow,
London E3 4JF
England
 

Experience of Volunteer with my daughter

From the moment we arrived in Kathmandu, I was impressed with the organisation and the personal touch of Hope & Home. Everyone was so helpful and welcoming. After a week of Nepali Coaching by Yuzeena and sightseeing with the staff, we moved to one host family, just minutes away from the Parizat Nestling Home in Kathmandu. I was volunteering with my daughter Mairi, and we soon fell into a routine of visiting the girls in the morning before school, and again in the afternoon, They were working hard for their examinations, so we were able to help a little with preparation as well as providing some light relief !

Staying with a family was one of the best parts of our visit to Nepal and they made us feel at home for the last days of one stay, we went on safari to Chitwan and then went trekking near Annapurna an excellent way to see a little more of Nepal, even in the monsoon!

I shall miss the girls at the orphanage and hope that other volunteer will find the work just as rewarding, Thank you Rabyn, Bijen and Shristy for making our journey to Nepal so fulfilling.I cannot recommend  Hope & Home highly enough.

Sue Fenton
Editor, SCENES
Scottish Environment News
Wester Lairgs
Farr, Inverness IV2 6XH
Scotland

01808 521368
enquiries@scenes.org.uk
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Week 1

This week of Nepali classes and sightseeing was a really helpful and interesting experience, the Guest House was friendly and a nice place to stay. The Nepali classes were fantastic very informative and Yuzeena was a good teacher! The sightseeing was also good as we had Nepal people showing us around so we got alot of extra insight. All in all the first week was a very positive experience and key to my enjoyment of the trip.

Placement
having worked in a boys home in India, i was very pleasantly surprised at the Parizat Nestling Home. The organization and ability of the girls was outstanding and even if we could only small things with/for them they were very grateful and I feel as though i have made some good friends. A very rewarding time for me.

Host Family
Staying with a family was one of the highlights of this trip for me. The Subedi Family opened their home to us and for that i am always grateful as they were always so friendly and helpful. i really felt at home, and feel as though again i have made some precious connections and friends.

Chitwan + Trekking
I was very impressed in the way this was organised. Everything felt very under control and had a amazing time (even if it did rain every day) The organization and staff were very helpful and the whole trip was fantastic.

Hope and Home
Overall this has been a very positive and rewarding experience i have been with other organization/NGOs in the last few months that pale in comparison to Hope and Home. The staff are very friendly and helpful and from the moment i saw our names at the sign at the airport i felt at ease I really enjoyed myself and will hopefully be back to Nepal again in the near future!
i would recommend Hope and Home to everyone, it has been a fantastic experience and i hope to be back ! Thank you everyone who made this trip a success especially Rabyn, Bijen, Shristi, Yuzeena and Basu !

Pheri Bhetaula !

Mairi Fenton
Wester Lairgs
Farr, Inverness IV2 6XH
Scotland

3 months in Nepali Village

I found Hope and Home during a tiring search and scour of the Internet. I was looking for an organization I could join to be a medical volunteer. I was attracted to Hope and Home because of it's simplicity, the volunteer's accolades of the wonderful staff, and the magnitude of variety that Nepal had to offer. I stayed for 3 months, each month a little different from the next, and each bringing new perspectives to the table.

When I arrived in Nepal in February of 2007, I was ecstatic. I was blown away by the cacophony of Kathmandu, and the diversity of the countryside. I was also incredibly eager to begin my volunteer service, ready to put my skills as a nurse to good use and make a difference, damn it! Kathmandu was an exciting welcome for me the first day. Volunteering overseas in developing countries has always been my dream, and as I stared intensively out the taxi window, I felt the reality of my dream coming true. That, for anybody out there that has the same ideals and dreams as I did (and still do), is an amazing feeling that you'll cherish forever. However, fast forward a day or two (ok, or maybe more like 12 hours), and the realness of your new world and the culture shock that comes with it starts setting in.

Laurel wearing Nepali sari and carrying goat..

As prepared as I was to readily accept and whole heartedly experience a different way of life, there's something to be said about the tiny nuances of familiar day to day life that make traveling to a different country an unforgettable and once in a lifetime experience--for better or worse.

My placement ended up being in a village called Sarangkot, about 30 minutes away from popular Pokhara (give or take a few dozen minutes depending of what kind of transportation is involved!) and roughly 7 hours from Kathmandu. The differences from one city, town, or village to the next is astounding and was one of my favorite aspects of Nepal. There was always something new and different around the corner. Pokhara and Sarangkot being a perfect example. Kathmandu was unique and special in it's own way--rich in culture with amazing architecture and the magic of a big city...while Lakeside, Pokhara is calm, warm and welcoming with a nice option for weekend respite with other volunteers and tourists if needed or desired. The village of Sarangkot is open and beautiful, with an indescribable view of the Himalayas that will bring a tear to your eye. It was here that I lived with my Nepali family, and worked in the village Health Post with a Nepali nurse and doctor. The village experience is....well, you'll just have to come visit yourself! You'll realize almost everyone in the village wants to share a word, a smile, a snack, or a story or two if you will listen...and the range of feelings and emotions that your host family will evoke in you from your first welcoming day, to the difficult good byes, will undoubtedly be etched in your memory forever.

Nepal. Things are so different, even bizarre at times. But laughter, sorrow, fear, compassion...the common threads that bind humanity are indescribably illuminated when
you see and experience it first hand. It is truly inspirational and invigorating. For me, being a part of this sensation was the highlight of my trip, if not my life. While my professional skills were greatly appreciated, it goes beyond what they could bring to the table and my premature desire, though well intentioned, to "make a difference". I know I read over many of the volunteer statements before I left, looking for tid bits of helpful advice and information. For anyone who may be doing the same thing, my advice would be this: Be prepared to be disappointed if you come with any pre set expectations. And that goes for everything! From the food, to the people, to the weather, to travel, to living quarters to placements...and this isn't a bad thing! Be flexible, go with the flow...it's all part of the adventure! Be prepared to be flooded with many new and different, and also conflicting feelings and emotions...but take the time to explore and examine them and allow yourself to grow. Every person's experience is different, and every person's journey to get there is also unique. But I believe that in the end, if you ride it out, you will not be disappointed and it just may change your life forever.

Laurel Kalil
8358 Uxbridge Court
Springfield, VA 22151
 

It is very hard to put the experiences I could make in Nepal into words. Back home a lot of people had said to me..” wow this is going to be so different”… and that was actually my first thought when I stepped out of the plane and got driven through the streets of Kathmandu, it was simply breathtaking. The streets were overcrowded with cars, buses, taxis, people, cows, rickshaws and tuktuks, a constant horn honking filled the air.
I was given a very warm welcome by Rabyn, a member of Hope & Home, the next day after I arrived and thinking about the first week in Kathmandu where I also met all the other volunteers is still putting a huge smile on my face.    MORE>>>  

My volunteer experience through HOPE and HOME was truly amazing and very well organized. In the first week, the Nepali language training and sightseeing was very helpful, interesting and insightful. I then moved in with my homestay family and they truly made my Nepali experience wonderful. For 3 weeks, they were supportive and kind, explaining many different aspects of the Nepali culture to me, as well as giving me lots of advice about shopping, transport and daily life in Kathmandu. My volunteerism took place at the DRC and it has changed my life. The children were simply amazing as their strength, optimism, happiness and joy just overwhelmed me. My days were spent tutoring English, helping with homework, doing crafts, going for walks, playing sports, singing and just being with the children. I highly recommend this volunteer program to anyone who wants to learn more about Nepal, work with wonderful children and meet excellent people!

Thanks for making my experience so wonderful and great! I saw the Buddha, the river and the DRC from the plane as we left Kathmandu and it made me cry. I miss Nepal very much.

http://www.mariscoop.blogspot.com/

Mari Hirabayashi
Seattle, WA
USA
 

I have had great pleasure of being part of HOPE and HOME orphanage volunteer program for the two months in early 2007. I was living at an orphanage and home for 11 otherwise abandoned young boys aged 5-11 years in Budanilkantha- some 20 KM north of Kathmandu and just a short walk down from the picturesque forested hills of the Shivapuri National Park. Being involved in the day to day lives of the boys at the orphanage and the staff who worked there, I was soon welcomed an quietly fle and quietly felt as a part of their extended family. Being called "Mark sir" by the boys. I was really more like their new big brother-one who could play with them, show them new games (ten pin bowling with mineral water bottles was a favorite), help them with their homework and everyday english practice, take them out for walks, get involved in painting and art project or just be there together with them while they watched TV or did meditation. As advice to new volunteer, I found it great benefit in staying close to and respected by the boys as well as easing the situation for me, to be clear from early or with them about few behavour expectations-as young boy will play up wit each other otherwise! Mostly I used a time-out zone idea when they were begin to wild and heaped praise on others when they showed good behavour or good homework. Towards the end of my placement, the role of being big brother to them was complete; comforting them when they were sad, sharing jokes when they were happy, so it was sad for us all to know we wouldn't be spending time together any more.

I had also formed real friendship with chairman "Rabindra" during my time there sharing our free time away from orphanage and going to few outing together for example to his home in Bhaktapur and shopping in Kathmandu. The guys at the HOPE and HOME are friendly and knowledgeable and we had lots of fun together on our motorbike trips around
the tourist sights of the Kathmandu during my orientation week. They were also there to help if needed, a phone call or e-mail away. Be sure to let the hope and home tem know if there are any festivals during your stay that you'd like to involve with.

We shared fascinating day on "SHIVA RATRI" and a wild, colourful and merry one for the "HOLI" festival (not to be missed!) I would recommend, if you taking the opportunity before you leave Nepal to arrange a rafting experience, trekking, Chitwan Safari trip or paragliding flight with the people at HOLIDAY ADVENTURE NEPAL - www.holidaysadventure.com (contact through HOPE and HOME). These people are clear, helpful and friendly group who give you great value for hassle free adventure experience.

I hope you will enjoy your Nepal experience as much as I have and I hope you will learn to love DAL-BHAT because there's no escaping it-not that I'd want to; I'm taking the recipes home! My thanks go out to all at HOPE and HOME, the Support the Children Nepal Orphanage and the Holiday Adventure team for making my trip so personal, wonderful and unforgettable.

Best wishes

Mark Emmerson -
2 Meon Court, Harefield
Southampton,  Hampshire SO18 5JG
United Kingdom
 

We completed a 4 week period of volunteer work in Nepal, with one week of training and sight-seeing with the Hope & Home staff, followed by just over three weeks at Kanti Children’s Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu. After completion of our time at the hospital we spent about two weeks sight-seeing in the Pokhara and Chitwan regions.

The time we spent at the hospital was both eye-opening and occasional remarkably familiar to our work as medical students at home. While the conditions, facilities and standard of care may not have been quite what we were used to, most of the problems and treatments were familiar, if not exacerbated by late presentation. We spent all our time with the paediatric surgical team, mainly in outpatient clinics plus two days a week of theatre time................. MORE >>

Samuel Dalton & JoAnne De Ruiter
Flat 9, 160 Rossall Street
Merivale, Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
 

The first few days in Nepal were indeed very challenging. I arrived in Kathmandu on December 13, 2007, after thirty-three hours of flights and layovers, lost luggage, and immigration scares. Kathmandu is a feast for the senses: the air is thick with the smell of diesel generators and motorcycle exhaust, colorful Tibetan tapestries and rugs hang outside stores, cars clog the streets and deliver a relentless stream of horn-honking, and cows and chickens wander aimlessly and are seemingly as numerous as people. Unsurprisingly, leaving the airport to find my hotel was one of the most overwhelming and terrifying memories of the trip. The feeling did not abate the next morning when I met Rabyn, my supervisor, and after a disastrous day of exploring the touristy and chaotic Thamel district, I wasn’t so sure if I would make it for three months in Nepal.

However, Hope and Home provided me with a week of cultural orientation and language class that began two days after my arrival in Kathmandu. In this class, I learned that I would be living with a small family in a rural mountain village; as such, I also learned about cultural “dos and don’ts” that were appropriate for this living arrangement. Another Hope and Home supervisor, Bijen, introduced me to the city by taking me to the major religious sites of Swayambunath (affectionately known as Kathmandu’s “Monkey Temple”) and Boudnath (the largest Tibetan settlement in the Valley). I learned how to bargain with street vendors, find cheap restaurants, use the public transportation system, and get around the city without using a map. At the end of the week, I was feeling comfortable with the city and Nepali culture and decided that I was ready to move to live with my family........................... MORE >>
 

Tyler J. Roth,
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH
USA
 

My experience in Nepal was one of the most amazing I have ever had, and it was all
thanks to Hope and Home. I really grew to love the orphanage and all the people in it.
Thanks for being so kind and helpful to Mary and me on this trip. It was so much appreciated. I won't forget it. I'm sure this wasn't my last visit to Nepal; hope to see you again on another trip!
Take care, and best wishes.

Samia Abbass
The Putney School
23 Pleasant st.
Brattleboro, VT 05301, USA
 

I had a great time in Nepal, thanks to Hope and Home! You helped me really a lot and i got to know the culture and the city very well. And also the language... You were always there when I needed you and organised everything for so little money (for example Chitwan!) ! Also thank you so very much for helping me with buying things for the donated money and for the help to get the children to Banubhakta school! I felt always so safe with you because you had so many tips and helped me in every situation!

I met a few volunteers from other organizations and when I told them how it was with Hope and Home they all said that you seemed to be the best organization in Kathmandu and i am really sure of that too.

Thanks a lot and i hope you are well!
Leweke von Hoff
Deutschland
 

Namaste!
I am just writing to tell you about my good time in Nepal doing volunteer work with hope and home. My placement has been in Sarangkot near Pokhara, teaching English at a public school . I did not have any teaching experience when I came to Nepal, so it was a may or challenge in the beginning bur fortunately it come to me fast once I got started. Ofcourse there was the language barrier, but I still got to know the children very fast and they were really interested in learning . So most of the time the children were working with me and not against me.

While teaching I was staying with a local family and that was a great experience. This way I really got "Under the skin" of the Nepali people and learned about their culture and habits. But just a watching for the people who think about doing volunteer work like this, it is very hard to leave once you have finished your program. I left a very kind and loving family who actually accepted me as part of their family and also may good friends among the students. But it is nice to know that I have actually made a contribution to the education of these children and that I have many new friends that still will be here in some years when I come back and visit them.

Jesper Mortenson
Råhøjvænget 11, århus 8260
Denmark
 

From the first second i stepped out of the Kathmandu airport I have experienced nothing but the friendliness and great hospitality from the Nepal people. Even though the Kathmandu city is over crowded and polluted but you can always find a friendly smile and helpful people whenever you need help.

Spending time in the DRC was worth every second of traveling from Switzerland to Nepal. The children are so open-minded, health warming and unbelievable adorable. they have given me so much more joy, love and inspiration than i could have imagined. Also the hospitality from my host family was amazing. I have been so well looked after and felt like family friend from the first moment i arrived. Thanks to the lovely people from HOPE AND HOME, this has been an unforgettable journey to me (Incl. trip to Pokhara) and will definately not be my last visit to Nepal. Thanx

Christa Heuberger
Oststrasse 24
9000 St. Gallen
Switzerland
 

The most beautiful thing about Nepal may at first appear to be the diamatic mountains on the lush hills. In a small village outside of Pokhara Naudanda I taught beautiful children about English, western culture, and proper school behavior. But they taught me about life and living in the community while I think my lessons may help them for the next few months, their will live with me for a lifetime.

I could myself blessed to learn and experience Nepal in such an intimate way. Hope and Home gave me such incredible love and support during my journey. I wish you the same growth and success.

Valerie Li
Colorado 2006
 

Dear Hope and Home,
Thank you so much for placing me in such an amazing orphanage. I cannot help but use the cliché it was life changing. I have drawn so much wisdom & inspiration from the ladies that run this place and have fallen in love with the children part of my trip.
I cannot recommend this place enough. xox

Jessica Hasker
78 Waddells Rd
Mackay, Qld 4740, Australia
 

Jessica with Kids

Namaste from Sylvia, Henry and Jenny from Singapore!

We are happy to have discovered 'HOPE and HOME' organization. They have been helpful and committed in partnering us in improving the Disabled Rehabilitation Centre (DRC), the home, we were attached to. Mostly importantly, we are blessed to have a wonderful host family looking after us for the period we were here. Basudha and Shristi have made our stay in this foreign land a comfortable one. It is only through a home stay with a host family that we get to know Nepalese lifestyle up close and personal especially the food.

I must say that our first impression of DRC was quite overwhelming for us, Singaporeans. The place needed a number of improvements eg: environment and personal hygiene. Our project included introducing the importance of a healthy living environment and how to maintain it. With the help of Hope and Home, a gas water heater was installed (prior to this, they had to bathe in icy water even in winter). The children loved the new study room that we created. Now they have a blackboard to make teaching and learning easier. All these changes are made possible due to the willingness and strong support of the children and staff members of the home even in such a short time, 2 weeks! DRC showed their sincere appreciation on our departure which made us extremely touched. They have made us felt like we have become part of their family! It is indeed a fruitful and memorable experience for all of us!

Sylvia, Henry and Jenny
Singapore
 

I would like to say a big thank you to everyone at Hope & Home. You have made my stay in Nepal very enjoyable. It has been such a rewarding and invaluable experience for me. Hope and Home have given me guidance and support and provided a good network with the other volunteers. I have met some really good people and made some really good friends during my time in Nepal and I would like to return to Nepal to volunteer in the future. Thank you all so much

Joanna (Jo) Lee
Templedene Avenue
Staines, Middlesex TW18 1LH
England

Volunteering at the Disabled Rehabilitation Centre Nepal - July-August, 2006

DRC touched my heart with their kindness and love. They welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like a member of the family. The children are incredibly sweet, caring, hardworking, determined, spirited, beautiful individuals with so much to give. I felt like I had never laughed and smiled so much before- it's good to feel truly alive.

Every day at DRC was exciting whether we were dancing with the laundry, visiting the zoo, having a drawing competition, playing hide and seek (and giggling like crazy in the cupboard!), singing Bob Marley and Resham Firiri, playing in the paddling pool, cooking tarkari and daal… or simply doing homework.

My time there was richly rewarding and will always be deeply cherished- the people, the landscape and the culture were unforgettable. I can't wait to visit DRC again this summer (2007) and highly recommend volunteering here.

Michelle Yong
London, UK
 

Our Experiences as Medical Student

Hope and Home has been an excellent company from the first email I sent to our last day in Nepal I always thought organising volunteer work, especially medical volunteer work has very difficult: However using Hope and Home was very simple.
 

Three friends and I volunteered at Kanti Children Hospital in Kathmandu for two weeks at the end of August. We had a magnificent time from being shown major sights in Kathmandu to meeting all the staff and patients at Kanti. Being 1st year medical students we did not expect to be able to do very much at the hospital but we were pleasantly surprised when we were able to do the medical elective course which final year students complete.

Rebecca and Jes on Canoe

This was an excellent opportunity to observe new medicine is approached in Nepal and the many tropical diseases which its people face. We were rotated around the hospital which enabled us to experience working in many different units; from Burns to Oncology. Only working half days also allowed us to explore the city.

Hope and Home did not just organise our volunteer work but helped us organise many aspects of our stay in Nepal. We were able to organise Trekking, White water rafting , Safari and Bungee Jumping all at a very reasonable price!

Our language lesson at the beginning of the trip were particularly useful, enabling us to communicate with the Nepalese throughout our trip as well as preventing us from ripped off when purchasing various goods.

I would like to recommend to anybody HOPE and HOME. if you are looking to do any kind of volunteer work then Hope and Home will certainly look after you before during and after your stay in Nepal. all at a reasonable price, which is often unusual amongst similar companies.

Thanks Hope & Home, Especially Rabyn!

Rebecca Hall
Peninsula Medical School, England.
 

Three friends and i completed a medical placement in Kanti Children Hospital for two weeks, we shadowed both Doctors and nurses in all the wards for eg in oncology we observed lumbar chemotherapy injections being administered. in cardiology we experienced echo being performed on the patients. In the burns unit we had the opportunity to observe and take part in the redressing of the burns. These are just a few of the ward we participated in our time away from the hospital went to numerous sight-seeing attractions in and around Kathmandu including the many temples and stupas. As well as a cultural dinner and dance evening which was great fun.
After our placement Rabyn really helped organise trekking around the Annapurna Mountain, white water Rafting on the Seti river, Safari in Chitwan and a 160m Bungee jump at the Last resort.
We had a great time in Nepal and we learnt so much not just from our placement but from the culture and way of life here too. There's so much to see and do in nepal for everyone's interests plus being a volunteer you get discount off loads of stuff.
I recommend this placement to anyone who wants to learn lots, help others and have a great time in the process Thanks to Hope and Home , especially Robyn.

Jes Verwey
Peninsula Medical School, England.

I came to Nepal having only completed one year of medical training hence I was not expecting to get involved much. I was looking at this placement more as an opportunity to see how a third world hospitals works rather than to practice clinical skills. My placement begun on the 27th of August and finished on the 8th of September 2006. In this time I was able to observe different wards and clinics on a two or three day rotation. Initially I started in the neonatal intermediate care with my colleague.

I also spent time in physiotherapy where I got involved with the physiotherapy of cerebral palsy (CP) children. I never knew much about CP let alone how to handle an affected child. I probably enjoyed my time here more than in any of the wards. I learnt so much and performing physiotherapy on a CP affected child is really rewarding because by the end of the session they are less tense and more flexible. My experience in the burns unit was not very pleasant. I'm glad I attended because I got to observe redressing on burns victims. At times however it was very sad to see small children crying and being scarred for live from avoidable dangers.

Overall I found my presence in the hospital to be an invaluable experience, which enabled me to learn a great deal. I'm glad I did it although if I were to do it again I would learn more Nepali in advance so I could communicate with patients.

Frederick Campbell Jones
2nd year medical student
Peninsula Medical School, England.