GVI, Ethical Impact: Volunteer in Nepal

My first experience of volunteering was with GVI in Nepal, I was very excited but also apprehensive as i didn't know what to expect. I had the most amazing time and met incredible people who I will never forget. The ladies were so open to learning and to see their progress over the six weeks was uplifting and humbling.
I also worked with the children, doing simple things like arts and crafts had them wide eyed with amazement, it was such a pleasure to see their faces and when we did sports they joined in and had so much fun.
GVI staff were so supportive, especially as i had a bereavement during my stay. there was so much to at weekends, which allowed me to find out more about the country and culture

I spent five weeks in Nepal four of those were spent in Pokhara on the "Womens Empowerment Program" what a truly amazing experience, Nepal is a beautiful country, people and the scenery is breathtaking. The program was a very rewarding experience, Im 52 and would never have thought I would have had the confidence to stand up in front of a class and teach English to a room full of strangers. Thanks to Hannah and Sita the lovely GVI staff they helped me overcome my nerves and help me find my confidence. I thought I was there to teach and empower these lovely girls and ladies, in actual fact they were there to teach me. I learnt so much about myself, and loved spending time with the students, children and fellow housemates in my homestay. I have made lifelong friends and any travel I do in future I will do as a volunteer its so very different than travelling as a tourist, you are embraced into the community and really feel you are making a difference to peoples lives. What a fabulous experience , do yourself a favour and step outside your comfort zone, It really is life changing.

In February 2020, I spent 4 weeks in Pokhara, Nepal on the GVI Healthcare programme, and I can honestly say it was the most amazing 4 weeks of my life. I spent time visiting two different schools, conducting healthcare workshops on a variety of topics from hand washing and dental health to friendship. The children seemed very engaged and receptive to our workshops, and being allowed to independently lead the classes gave me the opportunity to improve my leadership skills, whilst always being supported by the GVI staff so I never felt alone. The GVI staff were all incredible, always taking onboard volunteers suggestions and creating a happy and supportive environment. One of the main reasons I loved the GVI Pokhara base was because of its strong sense of community with all staff and volunteers being united by their unwavering commitment and determination to complete all project tasks to the best standard possible. The work done by GVI in Pokhara and its surrounding areas is so clearly appreciated by the people there and the fact that if you ever mentioned you were working with GVI you would only ever receive a positive response highlights the fabulous work done by the GVI team. I would not fail to recommend GVI to anybody, and particularly the Pokhara base, which provided me with 4 unforgettable weeks and is somewhere I am hoping to return to in the near future.

I spent a month in Pokhara, Nepal working with the women's empowerment team. I had a brilliant time, every day working with the various groups of women was exciting, interesting, and no day was the same! We worked in Pokhara and in communities in villages outside the city, meeting lots of different women, and getting to experience different sides of Nepal.
We were made to feel welcome by everyone we met in Nepal, from the house 'mother' and 'father' we lived with in the homestay, to the GVI team and the women we worked with. The homestay is comfortable and clean, and only sharing a room and bathroom with one other person is fab compared to a hostel type situation! We're given breakfast and dinner, and lunch is sorted for us out on project in local cafes and restaurants.
Pokhara is a lively place to be, with lots of cafes and bars, yoga studios, outdoor cinemas, lakeside restaurants, and there are so many things to do, from paragliding to day trips to mountain villages on your days off. I would highly recommend exploring the countryside around Pokhara, including going up to Annapurna Base Camp, walking up to the Peace Pagoda, and visiting Dhampus. It's a really beautiful country.
I would highly recommend this project, and would love to go back!

If you're looking to make a difference in a beautiful country full of beautiful people then this is the trip for you! GVI caters for everyone and I always felt safe and well looked after even though this was my first time in Asia. The construction coordinator Bibek always makes sure you have something to do so you feel like you are making the biggest impact you can!
As well as the volunteer experience you gain, you also meet fantastic people, I still keep in contact with today, a year after meeting them!

As a first time solo traveller, and volunteer in my 40s, I can't say enough about how welcoming and supportive the GVI team were. Having read about the potential negative impact of some so-called 'voluntourism' programmes, it was essential that I found a highly ethical, sustainable, accountable and well-structured organisation. GVI was all of that and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending them to people of all ages - from teens to seniors. From the moment I booked on my programme I was supported with a wealth of information and on arriving in Nepal I was greeted by an amazing team, of staff and fellow volunteers. I won't lie, the teaching I did on the Women's Empowerment Programme, was harder than I expected, mainly due to the frustrations of limited resources in a developing country. But it was the most rewarding thing I have ever done. I have taken away new skills, forever memories and lots of new friends. I am not sure if I alone made a significant difference but I am confident that each of us, together, doing our little bits, is having a collective positive impact on the communities we worked within. Nepal is a beautiful, complicated country and, with GVI, not only did I get to meet some inspiring people (locals and volunteers) but I also got to explore this amazing part of the world when I was not volunteering. If anyone is thinking whether volunteering abroad is for them, I'd say - just do it - and GVI is a good place to start your journey.

I've been volunteering in Pokhara for two weeks, in the early childhood teaching project. It's been the most enriching and challenging experience of my life so far. I had the chance to get to know amazing people and children, and I got in touch with the Nepali culture, which I ended up falling in love with.
The staff members and the other volunteers were so welcoming and supportive that after few days I already felt at home.
I will never be grateful enough for this experience!
Being the only voluteer on project with the staff members, made me question myself and gave me the possibility to be as involved as possible in the choice and organization of the activities.
Moreover, Nepal is an incredibly beautiful land, and Pokhara is literally a little corner of paradise.
There's no better place for volunteering.

I did the Women’s Empowerment project in Nepal, Pokhara from about mid July to mid August 2019. It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life. It was perfect for me as I was looking to get experience in development whilst also broaden my experience and understanding of the world. In regard to the actual project itself, we would work Monday to Friday with local women in nearby villages from about 9am to 3pm. I personally thoroughly enjoyed the work and it was evident how vital the opportunity was for the women through their eagerness and commitment. One of the good things about the way the project is structured is that the work load doesn’t hinder any exploring of Nepal that you want to do, so in the evenings and weekends I could often go and see and do what I wish; and Pokhara as a town itself has a lot to offer. There is a local travel agency GVI work with who provide excellence service (car hire, treks, flight bookings ect) however, tend to be a bit more pricey then other local agencies however the quality of their service, their kindness and reliability make up for it. The staff in Nepal are amazing, the project manager Hannah offers a lot of comfort in that if anything goes wrong or there are any issues she tends to know what to do and the project co-ordinater of WE, Sita, is so kind and offers so much support and guidance if needed. From the second I arrived I felt so welcomed and comfortable in the homestay; it is very nice living conditions and the food is delicious.