Volunteer's speak
Nothing in my life has been as meaningful or mind-blowing as my time in Nepal. For the first time, I found myself alone in a country far different from my own, without any real knowledge of the language or of the culture. Though at times in the beginning of my adventure I found myself afraid and very alone, by the end of the trip I had grown so significantly that wading through seas of people in Kathmandu at 10 pm, alone, was as simple as walking through Harvard Square has always been.
Volunteer's speak
I decided to volunteer in Nepal because I am a student of Buddhism and an avid hiker.
Quickly upon arriving in Kathmandu, I decided the city did not offer what I was looking for, so decided to volunteer at the Hyulsa Gumba (monestary) near Besishahar, approx. 6 hours away. The lush, serene setting of the Gumba was exactly what I was looking for.
Welcome to Hands for Help Nepal
Hands for Help Nepal (HFH) invites and assists you to be a part of its volunteering program. You will have an excellent experience of your lifetime while helping the people of a least developed country like Nepal. Nepal is rich in natural beauty and cultural diversities. The people of Nepal are famous in the world for their friendliness and hospitality.
We try to get in touch with people like you who wants to dispense an invaluable volunteering services for the betterment of Nepal by joining different programs like Education, Health, Community Development, Environment etc.
HFH makes sure that you are well prepared before you begin your work as a volunteer by providing trainings on language and work culture. Besides,HFH also does everything possible for your safety and pleasant stay.
HFH provides you opportunities to do various programs which are challenging. Accept the challenge. We are sure that you can do it and not only gain a huge experience of serving a third world country but also help in contributing a lot towards the development of Nepal.
Volunteering in Nepal is like combining your holidays with some work. You have experienced a good living in your own home. Now you can experience and learn how to smile and be happy even in adverse situation like most of the people in Nepal. Don't miss this unique opportunity and get a lifetime experience.
Upon completion of your volunteers job in Nepal you'll be going back home with a sense of great satisfaction and contentment. You'll definitely have the feeling of being able to do something worthwhile in your life for the benefit of the poor and needy people. You'll cherish this unique experience for your whole life.
"Do not underestimate the ability of volunteers-Noah's Arc was built by volunteers while Titanic was built by professionals."
HEALTH CARE AND FIRST AID PROGRAM
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Ichangu Gumpa
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This Program places volunteers in health posts, sub health posts and health clinics. You work in either an urban or rural setting, providing primary care to locals in your specialty. Moreover, if you have doubts about whether your skills and talents are really needed in this part of the world, consider this: The doctor-patient ratio in Nepal is about 1 to 36,000. Particularly in rural areas, 
Making the decision to go to Nepal all by myself was a difficult one - including trusting an organization I had never heard about and who I had only been in contact with through email. I didn't need to worry though, since I was met by a man with a sign with my name on it the moment I walked out of the airport in Kathmandu. The taxi-drive from the airport to the hotel was an amazing one with a thousand new impressions and sights... my first visit to Asia and I felt like I had come to a different planet!
My volunteer experience in Nepal is one that I remember by the quality of friendships that I made during my time there. Everyone that I met during those seven weeks- from the Hands for Help staff to my Nepali family to the other teachers at my school- made me feel very welcome and at home immediately, even though I was in a country where I did not speak the language and looked very different from almost everyone.
ei’La’ Bryant
SAI Summer Feedback
19 September 2009
Nothing in my life has been as meaningful or mind-blowing as my time in Nepal. For the first time, I found myself alone in a country far different from my own, without any real knowledge of the language or of the culture. Though at times in the beginning of my adventure I found myself afraid and very alone, by the end of the trip I had grown so significantly that wading through seas of people in Kathmandu at 10 pm, alone, was as simple as walking through Harvard Square has always been. I went from an awe-stricken girl who felt at once very alone, saddened by the dirt and poverty and at the same time very exhilarated and moved by the beauty and the wonder of the place, the people, and the religions to a comfortable (and still awe-stricken) woman who could see through the poverty to its root causes, who could walk through the monsoon on the muddy streets without a care, who could still see the life and strength and happiness beating in the hearts and souls of so many in the population, and who could still be exhilarated by the beauty and the wonder of the place, the people, and the religions.
I decided to volunteer in Nepal because I am a student of Buddhism and an avid hiker.
Quickly upon arriving in Kathmandu, I decided the city did not offer what I was looking for, so decided to volunteer at the Hyulsa Gumba (monestary) near Besishahar, approx. 6 hours away. The lush, serene setting of the Gumba was exactly what I was looking for. The accommodations and lack of privacy took some time to adjust to (and it was also my first experience with a non-Western toilet!), but the warmth and beauty of the landscape and the monks put me at ease and made the days fly by. I hadn't realized how close Annapurna was from the Gumba--it is possible to start the trek from the Gumba if you're interested. Another tip I want to give is to bring plenty of pens--which are frequently requested by the children you will encounter near the Gumba.
I chose Hands for Help because of the variety of projects available and as a local, grassroots organisation I hoped the projects would be well tailored to the needs of the local communities and provide good support for volunteers. I wasn’t disappointed.
The induction in Kathmandu gave me an opportunity to acclimatise, learn a surprising amount of Nepali from my excellent teacher, visit some of the most beautiful sights in the city, and enjoy the wonderful rooftop views of the city from the Millennium Inn….