Volunteer Stories  |  Cisca

A dream come true…

After being sick for 2 years, I realized that I had to quit with postponing things I really wanted to do. So I decided to realize my dream: working in an orphanage, something I’ve always wanted. My search brought me by Travel to Teach. I had a good feeling by this organization, and this is more than proven while I was there. My age (50), wasn’t a problem either and I’ve met volunteers in the ages varying from 18-70. I chose an orphanage in Nepal and went there without any expectations. In the mean time I’m back from this beautiful & colourful country with a fantastic experience; something I will never forget!

I lived in the orphanage (13 children were living here), while I was there. I helped them with their homework, and besides that with common things, such as dressing them, preparing their breakfast and teaching them about hygiene. The children are very creative by the way. They make a ball of rubberbands and with a piece of carton they play tennis. They’re so happy with just your presence and the good thing is that you get so much in return from them. Besides this, I’ve helped in a streetcenter during the day (when the children were at school). The children who live here, are brought here when they’re found on the streets. This was very intense sometimes, when you heard in what kind of circumstances they were founded. The streetcenter offers a first intake and it’s so good to see how they learn here to get used to the ‘normal’ life again. I’ve seen the result myself: 5 children came to the orphanage after they lived in the streetcenter, and they were such sweethearts; behaved themselves very well and did great at school.

I’ve also found a good destination for the donations I got from friends & family in Holland. First, I’ve donated food to the streetcenter: a place where they were really in need of it. In the orphanage I’ve spent my money on extra fruit, clothes and ‘fun’ things. The children found the ride in the cab just wonderful! Then I accidently ended up in an eco-village in the mountains. Their goal is to support themselves fully, something what’s working out quite well so far. The whole village profits as well. I just loved this project. That’s the reason why I’ve donated part of the money on medicine for their medical center and school supplies for their school. I was able to hand out the school supplies to the children myself. It was heartwarming. The working books and pencils were distributed in proportion to poor or rich. So the poorest children got the most this way, something I really appreciated. Another project was that of young, working children (from 8 years on), who have to earn money for their parents and can’t go to school this way. Here I’ve donated clothes but another way to be helpful is with teaching. You just roll from 1 project into others. One advise though: never give money, but donate in goods.

Furthermore, I’ve just enjoyed everything that crossed my path, and especially the calmness of Nepal. Time doesn’t excist and you’ll get used to the fact that an appointment will be delayed with 2hrs or will be cancelled at all. You’re living in this moment and at this time and I loved it. It’s a fantastic country with friendly people, beautiful nature, gigantic mountains, coloured trucks, colourful clothes of the woman, chickens, goats and temples all over the street, and the friends who feel like family. But also the powercuts (no electricity for 10-14 hrs each day), and 90% of households with no running water; which means that they’re washing themselves in the river or getting water at the pump. In short, a mix of colours, the smell of incense, spices and special circumstances make Nepal a wonderful country.

I’ve lived my dream more then I could hope for.. It was a great experience and I’m very grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to do this!