In 1999 we were lucky enough to meet Rajesh Shrestha who runs a program called Cultural Destination Nepal (CDN).  A local program involving local people that places volunteers throughout the Kingdom.  He runs a great program and we recommend him to anyone seeking an extended stay in Nepal.  You can find his website on the Links page.   We initially went to a small village that required a 24 hour bus ride and then a 6 hour walk, carrying all our stuff, just  to get there.  When I asked for a rural placement, I certainly got it!!  We volunteered at the local school and lived with a local family.  It was a great experience.  We then spent the last month at the Orphanage in Kathmandu.

In Nepal there seems to be so many people who need help with just the basics, food, shelter, clothing. We aim to help those people/children. We liaise with the Orphanage staff and we do what they request.  We believe strongly in this fact, trying to understand that the reasons why things are done certain ways and the decisions made, do not necessarily reflect the Globilisation approach that is being currently forced on many people and countries around the world.  We don't label Nepal as being an underdeveloped country, purely because they are economically poor.  They are so much more developed in other areas not measured in an economic sense.  It is interesting to note that in the 1998 World Happiness Survey,  many people in the economically wealthier countries expressed having more feelings of depression, anxiety, lonliness when compared to many less economically developed countries.

So that is a little about us and what we do.  Its a great, humbling, learning experience that reminds us very strongly of the diversity of all people and cultures, and the need for understanding, listening and support in these times.