My Nepalese adventure: Women Empowerment/ Life Skills in Jitpurphedi, Kathmandu Valley Nepal.
How it all started:
At the beginning of 2019, I had the idea (again) to do some voluntary work in a country outside Europe. I have been thinking about this in the last few years but there were always reasons not to do it. As I’m getting older (I’m 39 years old) it seemed harder to do this kind of thing! I have no idea why that when I write this it doesn’t make any sense because when I was younger I have been doing different kinds of volunteering mainly in Europe. I know volunteering makes me so happy!
I was looking for something to get outside my comfort zone and I founded it!
I found VIN through my Dutch sending organisation. The county attracted me because of its interesting religions, Hinduism and Buddhism and the fact that a large part of the population is vegetarian, which is so nice! This fit really well as I’m already vegetarian for 20 years and for the last 9 years I’ve become vegan.
Already from the starting when I was in touch with VIN, before arriving in Nepal, I had many good experiences. They replied quickly to all my questions and I had a good idea about the project I was going to work for. I was especially attracted to the Women Empowerment Project as it fits with my background of studies and working experiences- how wonderful!
Staying in a host family?
Quite a big thing for me before departure because I like to have my own space and privacy. I do not have children and would it not be very busy in the house, what about the vegan food? I was wondering? And I wanted a bedroom for myself. All this kind of things to think about…………… but I decided to go for it because it was possible to have a bedroom for myself, how wonderful! And it was such a nice experience living with locals and going along the rhythm of the family.
I felt very welcome in a wonderful house in the mountains with a great terrace including an amazing view. So nice to practice yoga there in the morning! My host mum and dad were of my age and have three children. Also, the grandparents were living in the house. It felt so special staying with them. Everything was different from my own home and still, some things in human behavior were the same. That was interesting to find out. I discovered (I already knew a bit) that I’m flexible in adapting to other ways of life and that made things so much easier! But we could learn from each other too. As they love to speak with me about my lifestyle (I like eating and living healthy, doing yoga, etc..), I just as much liked to learn about their ideas of life too. This was the most inspiring part of my stay in Nepal!
I make my view so much more open to other ways of life. I realized how lucky I am to be born in a Western and developed country but I also learned how to be happy with less material stuff. Less is definitely more!
Working with different women’s groups
It was also very rewarding! We were talking about topics and doing little games- all in some way related to life skills. Many women were not able to understand a lot of English, so how lucky I was with my local volunteer, Dolma, next to me! A wonderful young woman, student of University, doing Social Work. I got along with her well, she translated a lot and we spent a lot of time together. I even was invited to her family house, how wonderful to meet all these lovely and special people who have a special place in my heart! Also all the women I meet in the groups were wonderful persons. They wanted to know a lot about me and my life and I learned more about their lives in return. I think there is no better way to get to know the country and its people than volunteering! Although some of them had different and hard lives, working in the fields, they were cheerful, friendly and full of energy! My project coordinator from Vin came also over to visit and join the project, a very nice person! When I had questions about the project I could get in touch with her.
Wonderful experience
There is so much more to write about this wonderful experience which I would never want to miss! Going back to Europe and to my own country (the Netherlands) made me feel sad as I was leaving all these wonderful people which I will never forget. And leaving a wonderful and special time for myself also meeting so many inspiring international volunteers that make me so happy!
And with a bag full of new experiences, inspiration, many nice memories, new international friends, wanting to have fewer things and knowing that I all managed this by myself makes me feel very strong and helps me getting myself another perspective of my own life!
All these things I can use very well in my daily life and work as an occupational health social worker/ lifestyle coach. Volunteering made me a better version of myself!
Thank you all so much.
Nepal, Kathmandu, and VIN I will never forget you and planning to come back to do more useful work!
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