Volunteering in Nepal – My Journey
By Alicia, 61 years old. She wrote a book about her volunteering journey with GoEco in Nepal working with the women. All proceeds of her full book support women in the communities she works with. Here are some excerpts:
Arriving in Nepal: “The family hosting the volunteers seemed to be warm and friendly.”
“My decision to go to Nepal was far from random; it was a long-held dream.”
From the moment I arrived at the Blue House, I felt supported, safe and embraced by my new surroundings.
“The family hosting the volunteers seemed to be warm and friendly. The property was safe and pleasant.”
Kathmandu quickly became a place of discovery. One of my first cultural encounters remains one of my favorites:
“An old lady came over, made eye contact, took my hand and showed me what to do. She laughed.”
Even in the chaos of the city, I found myself thinking,
“The weather seemed to be perfect for me.”
Meeting the Women: “Twelve beautiful faces looked at me and said, ‘Namaste!’”
The heart of my volunteer work began at the women’s community center.
“Twelve beautiful faces look at me and they say, ‘Namaste!’”
Their eagerness made every class joyful.
“‘Up, down, right, left’ combined with ‘Simon Says’ gets the class moving and smiling.”
And every day, their spirit touched mine.
“It made me very happy to see the faces of the women always excited to be there.”
On the final day, they gave me a farewell I will never forget:
“They surprised me with gifts, draping vibrant, colorful Nepali foulards around my neck. I was deeply touched.”
Reaching Annapurna: “No picture could ever capture the immensity.”
Seeing the Himalayas had been a dream since childhood. The trek was both emotional and empowering.
“I was up by 5 am, very excited to open my window curtains and clearly observe the Annapurna South peak.”
My guides became my companions and protectors.
“5:30 am. ‘Aarti, Aarti! Come out! See mountains!!!’”
Every day brought another breathtaking view.
“No picture could ever capture the immensity and awe-inspiring beauty of these colossal giants.”
And the sunrise at Annapurna Base Camp remains engraved in my memory:
“It was majesty at its best.”
Life in the Monastery: “Rituals, prayers, perfect sounds and songs.”
My days at Namo Buddha Monastery taught me peace and presence.
“For about 30 minutes, the monks, all sitting cross legged, followed their ritual. A mystical atmosphere and a collective sense of gratitude.”
The harmony of sound and devotion was unforgettable:
“It was breathtaking. I enjoyed every minute of the puja.”
Daily Life in Nepal: Beauty in the Simple and the Human
Nepal challenged me, taught me and humbled me. Yet even the hardest days were full of heart.
“I couldn’t help but feel incredibly lucky to be experiencing this blend of culture and community.”
What stayed with me most were the people.
“The women’s happiness was evident.”
“The young monks displayed impressive discipline.”
“The people running the tea houses were incredibly kind and welcoming.”
Every connection became a story. Every day, a reminder of resilience and generosity.
Want More of the Story
Alicia has written an entire book filled with detailed stories, humor, challenges, breathtaking moments and the women who changed her life.
If you want to read the full book or know where to buy it, just ask.
All proceeds support the women in Nepal.
