My name is Anne Macdonald. I am taking 7 weeks to travel around Nepal. As part of these travels I have recently spent 10 days with MySmallHelp in Nepal.

I was given a warm greeting by Raju who coordinates MSH in the country. Raju's hospitality was second to none. In our spare time he showed me around the local town of Patan, and took care to explain to me the Newari culture. Highlights included witnessing the pulling of the Macchindranath (a temple on a chariot that gets pulled around the city once a year) and being invited to attend his best friend's wedding. I certainly felt privileged as I got to see how a Hindu wedding ceremony is performed.
As my visit was short from a volunteer perspective, the objective was to understand the work of MSH, with a view to then fundraise when back in Europe.

Raju created a program designed to allow me to observe and experience the work of MSH.

MSH supports a number of schools in the Kathmandu Valley. This support is in the form of finding sponsors for children, and funding renovation projects, such as implementing biogas as a sustainable and cost effective form of energy to run the school.
Whilst volunteering, I stayed at one of the schools in Gwarko, Lalitpur, just south of Kathmandu. Marybert School is no ordinary school as it also has an orphanage attached. When I was there, 21 children were being cared for at the orphanage. The school is run by principal Sabina, and maintained by her family.

Staying at the orphanage was probably what made this volunteer experience for me. I got to experience first-hand the daily routine of the children at the orphanage. Sleeping in the girls' dormitory meant that I got to spend lots of time with the kids. And each day I was invited across to the family home for meals. The food was excellent and I got to taste all sorts of Nepali dishes, and to eat with the family. They were great hosts, teaching and talking to me about their country.

Living there meant I also got to witness the daily disruption of strikes, power cuts and water cuts. I was amazed at the frequency. In my 10 days spent there, I witnessed 4 days of striking by the teachers and umpteen power and water cuts. Suddenly you begin to see what the people are up against. I came to appreciate much more the political instability in Nepal and just how direct an impact this has on the country and the people.

The daily contact with the children meant I got to know them, and they got to know me. If you love children, then you would love this experience. They quickly become friendly with you and want to hear all about your country. They were so eager to learn and speak with you. You become as attached to them as they do to you, in a very short space of time.

During my time at the orphanage I got to play games, teach songs, draw, read and spend time in the classes with the children. I was impressed by the level of English spoken amongst the children (and therefore taught). Subjects taught included: Nepali Grammar, Math's, English, Science, Social studies, Health and Physical Education and Art.

The families of these children cannot afford to keep them at this school. And the family running the school cannot afford to keep all the children without funding. So, one of the jobs Raju and I did was to work on the updating of the "child sponsorship" profiles. These children need sponsors in order for them to stay at the school, and so it is necessary to have up to date pictures and facts about the children in order to find sponsors for them.

Raju and I also worked on a documentary about the school – which hopefully you will see soon on the website and on youtube! We took films of the children at school, doing homework, playing, singing, at meal times, as well as a film or two of me and the headmistress Sabina. This documentary will hopefully be used to help raise awareness of MSH and the Marybert School, and the good work carried out.

I was impressed by the level of organization in this school and discipline instilled by Sabina and the teachers. The children all seemed well behaved. I got to know the children living at the school best, and they really were model children – given the difficult backgrounds from which they come. It was hard to believe some of them had arrived with behavioral problems. It just shows what some love, support and education can give to a child. This experience has given me a lot of confidence that money raised to help support this school and sponsor these children is money well placed.

Raju also took me to another school Vidya Sadan School, also nearby to the office in Lalitpur. This school educates children from 3 to 16 years old. I took a class of 15 year olds at this school, where we discussed in English the culture in both the UK and Nepal. It was interesting to see another school set up.

We also visited the new home of Samual, one the children sponsored through MSH. Samuel is being taken care of by a family in Lalitpur. It was reassuring to see a loving family around him.

Another side to MySmallHelp is MySmallShop – a fair trade enterprise, the profits of which go to MySmallHelp.
One day, Raju took me to the paper factory where the MySmallShop bags are produced. I found it really interesting to see how this company operates out of what most would call a garden. I got to see how and by whom the paper and string is made.

On writing this, I have yet to finish my travels in Nepal. However I am pretty sure that this short period will have a lasting impression on me. I have got to experience a little of the real Nepal. Only a short distance from the hustle and bustle of touristic Thamel, but at times it feels worlds apart.

I know that on returning to Europe, I will remember this experience and make sure I give my small help.

For further information…..
Whatever time you can spare is much appreciated, if you are interested in volunteering please do contact leander.hollings@mysmallhelp.org