Women’s Empowerment in Pokhara, Nepal - best 2 weeks of my life
Women’s Empowerment in Pokhara, Nepal. Simply put, the best experience and most worthwhile 2 weeks of my life.
It is wonderful to contribute to the amazing achievements that “base camp GVI team Pokhara, Nepal” ceaselessly deliver all year round. Their efforts and yours, when you join that team, enable the wonderful women, that I was privileged enough to meet, to brighten their future by learning English alongside a life skill that will enable them to sustain themselves in their future.
The women all share one thing in common, they have experienced a “challenging background”. Sex trafficked/ child brides/ other domestic situations.
When you arrive to volunteer - you are fabulously well looked after.
Tara – the main man for “basecamp GVI team Pokhara, Nepal" - amazing guy – no wonder there were over 1200 at his wedding. Creates a huge “family feel” for the volunteers, the other staff members, the homestay hosts – the ripple effect of camaraderie extends to all the others involved in the volunteering projects.
Homestay - fabulous - lockable twin rooms, comfie beds, ensuite shower room, ceiling fan, universal plug sockets. Chitra cooks amazing food and lunches are all included at a local cafe.
Pokhara, amazing city, brilliant, harmonious friendly people, many combine volunteering with a trekking week (Tara would help you to organise that!)
Mix of free time, volunteering time, social time, meal time – ideal balance - mainly gap year/ student volunteers - great atmosphere. On Women's Empowerment, worked with Sita - beautiful inside and out - directed your teaching whilst respecting your independent ideas. Tsiring, fabulous lady from Tibet, full of wonderful insight into the life in Nepal.
From the education given by GVI, some have become paralegals.
The life skills taught include cooking (I got a chance to make momos on the introductory weekend - harder than it looks!), Some are taught sewing/ haberdashery. On completion of the 3 month course, they are given a sewing machine to take home and materials - so they can make clothes, sell them to enable them to benefit themselves, their families and the local communities. The whole aim is to enable the women to be independent, not create dependency.
Most worthwhile, life changing, inspirational fortnight of my life. Thank you to everyone. I miss them all. If you are in doubt whether to go - don't be. Book now.
13 April 2024
Unprompted review