Introducing TRACING NEPAL

Alright! Let’s break the ice and get straight to it.

I love reading, hearing and seeing people involved in different fundraisers, donating to charities and being compassionate for others in general. I always feel grateful when I see the facilitators; those individuals that actually take the responsibility to raise the money, make it their job to circulate the stories that need to be heard and soldier on through whatever critiques that may come along their way (ie. “laa yo manche le afnaii lagi paisa uthaudai cha hola”). I have been the person donating money and I’ve also been the person walking around Nepali events asking for money for various causes. Even to ask for £1 is a big challenge and that’s okay, he or she also worked hard for their stash of cash. Now where do we go? Do we keep holding charity events, donating money and transferring them via IME/Western Union to Nepal? Well those options will always be there but I’ve had the idea to take it one step further for quite some years now and this is where TRACING NEPAL comes in.

Tracing Nepal is an experience with an aim to bring eight Nepali youths from the UK together to experience Nepal like never before. The sixteen day experience will see volunteers working alongside rural communities of Nepal and assisting in daily duties ranging from agriculture, construction and education. The journey will commence on Sunday August 3rd till Monday August 18th*, the experience will consist of volunteers spending a week at Maya Universe Academy followed by an epic journey across Nepal to a the rural Sablakhu village in the hills of Taplejung. The experience will conclude with an adventurous high at the popular hub for thrill-seekers, The Last Resort. Interested individuals can apply online at http://www.tracingnepal.com We are after determined and driven young people with something to offer to the experience. This is not a holiday.

What’s the reason behind TRACING NEPAL?

With many Nepali youngsters growing up in the UK, it is understandable that a lot of them may feel like a foreigner in their own country. The whole idea is for Nepali youths living in the UK to reconnect with Nepal like never before. With Tracing Nepal, we are promoting skill exchange, an opportunity for the volunteers to share what they know, gain a first-hand insight on the country where many of their parents spent majority of their younger years and an opportunity to learn from the locals and children that they meet during their journey. We have specifically chosen to avoid spending much time in urban cities and towns as we aim to provide volunteers with the real Nepali experience where they will be living in village homes, basic accommodation and working closely with the locals and their children.

Who can volunteer?

Ideally we would encourage 18-23 year old Nepali boys and girls from the UK, those that have recently finished their college/A’levels or are on a gap-year, at university or just completed university. We are after committed individuals that show passion for working with people from diverse backgrounds, interested to learn more about Nepal and are able to work well in a team. The deadline for the applications is on the 17th January 2014.

Will we have to pay for the experience?

Yes you will be required to pay for your own flights from London to Kathmandu and also the accommodation, food and transportation during Nepal. The approximate figures for the experience can be viewed on the website. Once the eight successful applicants are informed, they will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of £50 to secure their position.

Who will be in Nepal?

Currently there are two of us from the UK who will be in Nepal to lead the Tracing Nepal experience. I will be accompanied by fellow member Chimmi Dolkar Gurung and we will have another few members from Nepal and the UK for the sixteen day journey.

If you have any questions which the website of this article does not answer then please send me a quick mail at lex@lexlimbucom.wpcomstaging.com