July and August 2007

Dear Naresh
Insight Nepal,

I wanted to write you a letter to tell you about my experiences here in Pokhara, Nepal. First, I will begin with a little history.

Last year, I was in Seoul, Korea for one month. I taught English at an International School. This was a paid job, which is very desirable to many; however it wasn't very fulfilling to me. The children I worked with were wealthy, possessed behavioral difficulties and were not very appreciative. Therefore I wanted to travel again, but participate in a program that would be fulfilling, and that would also make me see the world differently.

I searched the internet and came upon Insight Nepal. I started reading about Nepal, and I became intrigued. I didn't even know where Nepal was, but I had heard about it and it sounded very exotic to me. In fact, I thought it was a city in India. As I read more, I learned that Nepal was its own country with a very diverse and interesting culture. Since, I teach many Asian children back in Canada, I thought this would be the perfect place for me to go to. Here I could learn so much, which could make be a better teacher, and which could also possibly make me a better and more appreciative person, by understanding the other side of the world a little bit better.

Once I decided that Nepal was the place to be, I needed to make sure that Insight Nepal was a legitimate company to go through. I had heard about people being scammed of their money, and/or getting to the country and it wasn't like anything they had been promised. So, I did some research on the internet, read some travel books and contacted you, through your website. I asked for the email addresses of people who had traveled to Nepal with you in the past, and you provided those emails addresses to me quickly. Once emailing two different people, I received much positive information from them. They had greatly enjoyed their time in Nepal and appreciated all your efforts. Through this feedback, and all my email interactions, I began to understand that you were indeed a person that could be trusted. I emailed you several questions each day, and you always emailed back right away, with as much information as you could give. We often joke about how many questions I asked, but I had to be sure that this was a legitimate company and that Nepal was the place for me, especially when I planned on traveling by myself, which was something I was pretty nervous about.

To sum it all up, I knew I could trust you, and everything you said became true. Before I arrived, you also asked me many questions to ensure the right fit for me, within a family and within a volunteer job. Throughout all my interactions with you, you were well organized and ensured my safety while traveling alone through Nepal.

When I arrived in Kathmandu, you arranged for me to be greeted by the manager of the MT. Annurpurna Guest House. He collected my luggage and drove me to his Guest House. The Guest House was clean and had some modern amenities. It was a nice place to stay in. More importantly, it was in the middle of the markets—how great for shopping! The manager was so kind, helpful and hospitable. Then I took the bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which you also arranged, and you were there to greet me when I arrived. After some tea at your home, and rest, you took me to my family, to begin my family stay. They were so kind and hospitable upon my arrival.

The next day after I arrived, the orientation began. You gave me an hour and a half of Nepali lessons for three days, explained the do's and don'ts of Nepali culture and took me sight seeing. We visited Phewa lake, Devi Falls, the Tibetan refugee camp (near lakeside), a Buddhist monastery, and we also visited the lakeside and the city called Mahendropol. You were also kind enough to help me get postcards and send them home to Canada. After the orientation period, I was taken to CHILDREN-Nepal to meet the director. I would begin my volunteer work the next day.
I was so lucky that I got the family that I did. Uma Baral and his wife Sabitri are such lovely, amazing and caring people. They went above and beyond the expectations, to make me happy, comfortable, and to make me feel like I was a real member of their family. I am really happy with the volunteer placement I got as well. When the plan to teach in a government school didn't work out, you placed me at CHILDREN-Nepal. Here I had the chance to work with community children, to teach, and to work for an NGO that works hard to guarantee the rights of children. This was perfect for me, and everything I wanted to do. This placement was so fulfilling because I worked everyday to help improve the conditions that children live in, and I saw the positive impact CN had made. This was exactly what I wanted to do. So it all ended up working out for the best, meaning I got lucky when I wasn't able to teach in the school and was placed at CN instead. This shows that everything does happen for a reason.

Uma and Ram both made me feel like a real member of their family and team. Uma was always buying new foods for me to eat, as he knew I was getting bored of Dal Bhat, he took me all around Pokhara on my days off for sight seeing, took me shopping, and allowed me to accompany him when visiting family. He didn't have to do all that but insisted that I was a guest and like family, and it was his duty to do so. Ram also provided me with snacks everyday, when we had our tea break, which was usually yummy roti and chutney, he invited me to his home for dinner and invited me as a special guest to the Rotary club special year-end dinner. I always felt respected while volunteering there. Both, we also kind enough to let me use their internet services to email friends and family back home.

By the end of my stay, you organized a trip to the Royal Chitwan National Park to go on a three day jungle safari (which I was really excited about), as well as my transportation, and accommodations on my way home.
You were always very dependable, and I really appreciate it. I would recommend Insight Nepal to anyone. I had a great experience here, even when experiencing culture shock; but you, Uma, and Ram made things very easy and enjoyable for me.

I was very lucky when I found Insight Nepal on the internet. When you said on your website, "don't think about how you can change Nepal, ... but how Nepal can change you"—you were right.

I will never forget my trip to Nepal and my work at CHILDREN-Nepal. I have now become a better teacher and more importantly, I believe that I have become a better person. I hope to share all my experiences with others, to also make them think about the world a little differently.
Thanks to you, my trip ran more smoothly, was more productive, especially with the family stay, and more rewarding! I hope others have the opportunity to experience Nepal, and to do it through Insight Nepal and CHILDREN-Nepal.

Please feel free to share my letter with others, and I hope to hear from you again in the future. I will always cherish my memories of Nepal.