Callum Cowan

volunteer Orphanage

Callum having fun with children

At the moment the SJSK-Nepal is home to 11,children 7 boys and 4 girls, all of which where all displaced at a very young age.These children have all be given a second chance at life, their getting put through school and looked after extremely well.
As I sit here in Sujan's Office writing this article( as a volunteer) I'm surrounded by the children all of whom are studying away, they are so eager to learn,
If your reading the, and want to make a difference in theses children's life, please take some time to visit, you will be greeted with open arms and you will feel right at home. For me as a traveller, taking that extra time to stay in Kathmandu to spend some time here has by far been the most rewarding thing I have ever done, Its something you will never forget.

-Callum Cowan

Allison "Spice" Hall

In the beginning of July 2014, I arrived in Nepal to volunteer in a SJSK-Nepal.  Before my arrival in Nepal, I had no idea where my placement would be. However, on July 03, I arrived at Children Home was greeted by eleven screaming kids, who hugged me, helped me with my luggages, and immediately welcomed me into their home.
Over the course of a month, I engaged in many activities with the children. We watched movies, did arts and crafts, dance, sang, played cards (they thought me) and planting rice at the farm etc. They thought me to be patient; something I had a little of before entering the Children Home.
It was a pleasure helping to prepare meals, tucking them in bed, taking them to school, engaging in meditation, helping with home work and a host of other program activities
My job was to teach these wonderful children, but today, I am the one walking away learning a myriad of things. The students (the kids) became my teachers and the teacher (me) became the student.

In addition to experiencing  a different life in the Children Home, Nepal as a whole has embraced me. I enjoyed their way of living. Whether it was eating Dal Bhat or licking my fingers after eating momo. I enjoyed hiking in the mountains, boating, safari (elephant riding), visiting monasteries, rock climbing, biking, and a host of other adventures.

Nepal has changed my life and its culture will surely be missed!!!!!!

Karolin Knopp

My experience in the SJSK-Nepal

When Sujan asked me to write something about my experiences in their Children Home, I had to think a long time how to describe this amazing time in the right words.

Actually I was a bit afraid of staying as the only volunteer in Kathmandu. All the volunteers from all over the world who I met during my orientation week left to Chitwan. For a short time I thought about doing the same but then I decided to live my dream of Kathmandu. And for sure, I do not regret!!

The Children Home is situated in Pasikot, close to Budhanilkantha (which is one of the most important Vishnu temples of the country) and a 40-minutes-bus-ride away from Thamel.
It is a quiet place close to the mountain and a perfect place to raise children.

When I came, I thought things like “for sure the kids are not interested in me. They always have a change of volunteers so they must be annoyed of getting to know new people!”
But this was completely wrong!! I arrived and found myself surrounded by many children. For example, the five-year-old Sudixa took my hand and showed me my room and all ten children were talking to me at the same time. It was a wonderful welcome and I felt home from the very beginning.

Here live Mommy, Daddy, their own children Sujan and Usha and ten children who they raise like their own ones. It is an amazing familiar atmosphere and I felt like living as their daughter in a big family. And of course, I lived many wonderful moments with them.
We celebrated Tihar, made walks to the near temple and cooked many many times. During this time, my 16-years-old sister Usha became my real sister and we spend a lot of time together chatting or, as I mentioned, cooking.

I spend a lot of time alone in the orphanage, without other volunteers, but this really does not matter!! I guess this is the reason why I got so close to them. And living in Kathmandu means meeting people everywhere and making friends without expecting. Do not worry about this! It is a wonderful experience

The children themselves are amazing!! I love them all without any exceptions. They made me laugh many times and even cry but out of joy. Many hours we spend making bracelets, drawing or just dancing. Their way to be happy about things was amazing!! I guess one of the most wonderful evenings was Christmas eve when we danced around the Christmas tree and Santa Clause brought all of them a present. It was the very first time they celebrated Christmas and they were unbelievable excited!

I spend around three months with my Nepalese family and now, my time here is over and I need to go back to Germany. I am quite sad about it. I will miss the family and the children and I got used to the Nepali lifestyle. I can not imagine to enter a shop in Germany without bargaining and eating my food without my right hands. The colorful life in Nepal and the hospitality of people made me feel like being a part of this life. Actually, after a few weeks I started to look at tourists like Nepali would do. As a volunteer you are somehow no tourist!

I can really recommend staying in this orphanage for some time! It is amazing and heartful!
In my case, I know I will come back one day

Yours Karolin