The number of tourists visiting Nepal is increasing, thanks to the improving safety and security situation of the country. Their visit helps the economy of the country, it is obvious. But many are not here just as tourists: a lot of them individually help Nepal and its people by volunteering.

"If 10% of the tourists coming to Nepal volunteer just one day of their time, the total potential human resource contribution is equal to 5,000,000 of free labor per year. If we paid those volunteers trekking porter wages, the value of this labor is at a minimum US$ 300,000 per year," says Scott MacLennan, Executive Director of The Mountain Fund.

With the establishment of Volunteer Visitor Center, a program of The Mountain Fund — a global coalition of non-profit NGOs, in association with Karing for Kids, Nepal — in March this year, tourists willing to spend some of their time helping Nepal find a place where they can go for help and directions regarding volunteering.

Volunteer Visitor Center places volunteers in any of the 60 schools, orphanages, health camps or conservation projects which require volunteer services. Foreigners are required to file an application form with US$50 for foreign volunteers. Placement is made where the volunteer makes the best fit, based on his/her skills, interests, and experience.

The number of Nepalis coming to volunteer is also increasing. Instead of the fee of US$50, twelve hours of voluntary service will give them The Mountain Fund membership.

Many tourists continue volunteering once they experience it. Some become emotionally attached with the people they live with even for a short period, and thus, come back repeatedly for aid in whatever way possible. Many volunteers stay at homes with families which helps them form a bond with the families.

One such successful example is the Moving Health Camp organized in Rasuwa by The Mountain Fund and KFK, Nepal from October 11 to October 24. After the success of the health camp, even though the foreign volunteer medical practitioners are not physically present, they now help run the KFK health clinic with substantial financial aid because they wanted to do more for the people of Rasuwa. Local doctors and nurses also thought it was a great learning experience to working alongside Western doctors and nurses.

Some 500 volunteers from the US, UK, Germany, Russia, Sweden, Australia, Greece, Ukraine, Pakistan, France, Ireland, Canada, Holland, Korea, Poland, Brazil and Iran have visited the Volunteer Visitor Center and 35 have attended volunteer programs till date.

Andreas Rees, a German citizen, speaks about his experience teaching English to kids in the rural village of Gatlang in Rasuwa.

"Teaching English to grade five kids in Gatlang was quite an interesting feat. The three weeks I spent there, especially during the Janai Purnima festival, are memories to be cherished. The kids and everyone there were very thoughtful."

Diarmuyd Smith from Ireland, who volunteered in the Orphan Help Centre and the Nepal Society for the Disabled in Kathmandu for five weeks says, "My time at the OHC was a fascinating experience. Everyone at the center is hugely welcoming. There are 19 kids at the center and the variety of characters is a source of endless entertainment. The three staff and 19 children are like a big family, and it was a privilege to be invited into this environment, to experience the local lifestyle, to learn about the reality of life here and to see how people manage to keep upbeat. My time at the Nepal Society of the Disabled was an equally interesting experience. It provided me with an invaluable glimpse at Nepali office life, the workings of NGOs and the hardships faced by the physically disabled in this country."

Talking about his own experience volunteering in Nepal, Scott says," The people are too nice to me. They feed me too much and I get spoiled. I love volunteering. I'm a "volunteer junkie."

Elucidating on why he is a "volunteer junkie", he says simply, "For good karma. Life has been good to me and I feel I should help others."

 

ekantipur.com