Volunteering Experience in Nepal

2026-01-18, Sunday

Arrived in Nepal and I was received at the airport by VIN’s staff. The day was designated as a rest and orientation day and included a brief local tour and initial practical guidance.

2026-01-19, Monday

I participated in a formal induction in Kathmandu, covering cultural norms, basic language elements, health and safety considerations, and an overview of the host organization, Volunteers Initiative Nepal, including its mission, objectives, and operational framework.

2026-01-20, Tuesday

I participated in a formal induction in Kathmandu, covering cultural norms, basic language elements, health and safety considerations, and an overview of the host organization, Volunteers Initiative Nepal, including its mission, objectives, and operational framework.

2026-01-21, Wednesday

We departed early for Okhaldhunga and arrived in the late afternoon. Upon arrival, we received an orientation to the local area, met fellow volunteers and staff members, and were assigned accommodation.

2026-01-22, Thursday

I visited two schools alongside other project members to observe the setting and initial activities. In the afternoon, I received a role-specific induction from Dinesh, focusing on the Child Protection branch.

2026-01-23, Friday

Regular school lessons were suspended due to a local celebration. We participated as observers and guests at the Maheswor Secondary School, shared meals with the community, engaged in traditional dancing, and observed religious and cultural practices. The induction process was completed later that afternoon.

2026-01-26, Monday

Our session at Maheswor was cancelled.

Completed administrative tasks.

2026-01-27, Tuesday

Raktamala Secondary School: I introduced myself to the students and they introduced themselves, along with presenting their respective roles and responsibilities. Discussion with the Environment Service Committee regarding the cleanliness of the school and surrounding areas, which is adequate. Discussion with the Literature Service Committee regarding the state of the Wall Magazine. No new content since November 2025. The Wall Magazine Board was locked away and not accessible because “it was stolen” previously.

Himalaya Secondary School: I introduced myself to the students and they introduced themselves, along with presenting their respective roles and responsibilities. Poor attendance. Addressed the catastrophic outcome of the Mela event that was organized before my arrival.

Not all members wanted to participate to begin with. The current members didn’t really want to be members at the Children’s Club and were, instead, placed there by the teachers. Will attempt to recruit new members, release the disinterested members, and conduct new elections.

2026-01-28, Wednesday

Jana Chetan Secondary School: I introduced myself to the students and they introduced themselves, along with presenting their respective roles and responsibilities. Discussed the state of the Wall Magazine, along with its need for new content. The President’s position became vacant. An outside student was proposed by the Club members. We conducted elections to confirm their assignment to the role of President. The school needed significant cleaning. We proposed to the Club members that they should organize a cleaning session with the whole school; Principal agreed.

2026-01-29, Thursday

Kadeni Secondary School: I introduced myself to the students and they introduced themselves, along with presenting their respective roles and responsibilities. Re-engagement with the students, since the last meeting was a while ago. Wall Magazine was empty; motivated the student to provide material for next week. Addressed the cleanliness state of the school, and particularly the toilets. Students are responsible for cleaning.

2026-01-30, Friday

Our session at Chhatrapragati Secondary School was cancelled.

Completed administrative tasks.

2026-02-02, Monday

Maheswor Secondary School: I introduced myself to the students and they introduced themselves, along with presenting their respective roles and responsibilities. Workshop on the Decomposition of Trash and the “3 R’s Framework”. Students will organize a cleaning programme of the school and surrounding areas.

2026-02-03, Tuesday

Raktamala Secondary School: Workshop on the Decomposition of Trash and the “3 R’s Framework”.

Himalaya Secondary School: Overwhelming attendance from prospective Club members. Explained the activities, roles, and responsibilities for an initial filtering. Conducted elections for the vacant positions among the remaining members. Confirmation of Eric as President.

2026-02-04, Wednesday

Jana Chetan Secondary School: Conducted the cleaning programme. Lots of waste collected. Problem with the end-of-life management, since the only viable solution was to burn. Lack of interest from some students, especially of the new President.

2026-02-05, Thursday

Kadeni Secondary School: Wall Magazine not updated. Pursuaded students to do it for next week. Workshop on the Decomposition of Trash and the “3 R’s Framework”. Lack of interest in a cleaning programme. Instead, students asked for a workshop on toilet cleaning.

2026-02-06, Friday

Chhatrapragati Secondary School: Low turn-out. Communication issues at to whether our session would actually take place. I introduced myself to the students and they introduced themselves, along with presenting their respective roles and responsibilities. Wall Magazine discussion. Our dedicated Nepali intern was absent; session facilitated by a local teacher. Due to language barrier, we proceeded with educational games for English.

2026-02-09, Monday

Maheswor Secondary School: Our dedicated Nepali intern was absent. We dedicated this session to be highly practical, turning trash into art, for the Wall Magazine, due to the language barrier. Posters specifically for the cleaning programme. Cleaning programme arranged for next week.

2026-02-10, Tuesday

Raktamala Secondary School: Session canceled. Completed administrative tasks.

Himalaya Secondary School: Great attendance of the newly-formed Club. Workshop on the Decomposition of Trash and the “3 R’s Framework”. Expressed our dismay regarding the state of the Wall Magazine. The students assured us that they would “fix” it by next week.

2026-02-11, Wednesday

Jana Chetan Secondary School: Arrived at the school only to find out that there were alternative plans; a dance competition. We participated as guests and observers.

2026-02-12, Thursday

Kadeni Secondary School: Conducted the Toilet-Cleaning Workshop. Serious issue with water pooling on the floor, worsening the sanitation conditions. The students collected some material for the Wall Magazine, but not enough. We urged them to collect more for next time.

2026-02-13, Friday

Chhatrapragati Secondary School: Great attendance. I re-introduced myself to the students and they introduced themselves, along with presenting their respective roles and responsibilities (missing students last time). Workshop on the Decomposition of Trash and the “3 R’s Framework”. Discussed the status of the Wall Magazine. Some material was collected; will be ready for next time.

2026-02-16, Monday

Maheswor Secondary School: Proceeded with the implementation of the cleaning programme, as per last week’s arrangements.

2026-02-17, Tuesday

Raktamala Secondary School: The Wall Magazine board is locked away, rendering it inaccessible. The students collected materials for the Wall Magazine. We improvised by providing big white posted paper as an alternative to the board. The “alternative” Wall Magazine was taped on a wall to be publicly available.

Himalaya Secondary School: The students kept their “promise” to update the Wall Magazine. However, we found out that most of the work was done by the Children’s Club’s members themselves the day prior (with materials that they requested from VIN, unbeknownst to us), and not by the whole student body. Nevertheless, the outcome was great. As part of our next planned activities, we explored the idea of a Debate Session, conducted in English. We settled on debate topics and created teams, based on voting.

2026-02-18, Wednesday

School holiday. Completed administrative tasks.

2026-02-19, Thursday

School holiday. Completed administrative tasks.

2026-02-20, Friday

Chhatra Pragati: Ramu, Norab , and I went to the school. Our session was cancelled; no prior notification. Instead, we participated as guests and observers at their quiz competition.

2026-02-23, Monday

Maheswor: Manisha and Francesca on leave. I was accompanied by Chonta. Translation by the teacher; acceptable but not great. Discussed about the state of the Wall Magazine. New content, but they said that it's still unfinished. Explained the debate procedure and chose the topic about Love/Arranged Marriage.

2026-02-24, Tuesday

Raktamala: Manisha and Franscesca on leave. I was accompanied by Sneha. We explained the debate topics and settled on the topic for the debate.

Himalaya: Manisha and Franscesca on leave. I conducted the session alone, with the help of Eric (student) for interpreting. We conducted the debate, as per last week's plans.

2026-02-25, Wednesday

Jana Chetan: No Nepali intern. Francesca and I conducted this session. Since there was no proper interpreter, we conducted educational sports games, fostering cooperation and communication.

2026-02-26, Thursday

Kadeni: No Nepali intern. Francesca and I conducted this session. Since there was no proper interpreter, we conducted educational sports games, fostering cooperation and communication.

2026-02-27, Friday

Session at Chhatra Pragati cancelled. Completed administrative tasks.

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