• Brochure
  • support@vin.org.np
  • +977 1 4962560
VIN Logo
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Vision, Mission, Goals
    • Where we work
    • Why volunteer with VIN?
    • Board of Directors
    • VIN Staff Members
    • Organizational Chart
    • VIN Ambassadors
    • Affiliations and Partners
    • Recognition & Award
    • Get Involved
  • Programs
    • Women’s Empowerment
    • Youth Empowerment
    • Children’s Development
    • Public Health & Medical Care
    • Environment Conservation
    • Disaster Risk Reduction
    • Teaching
    • Adventure & Volunteer
    • Workcamps
    • Management & Administration
    • Journalism
    • Public Interest
    • Internship in Nepal
    • Volunteer in Nepal
    • Featured volunteer programs
  • Fees
    • Program Fees
    • How Volunteering works?
  • Volunteers
    • Upcoming
    • Current
    • Past
  • Media
    • Career with VIN
    • Testimonials
    • Success Stories
    • News Updates
    • Articles
    • Festivals in Nepal
    • Downloads
    • Videos
    • Photos
  • Apply Now
  • Blogs
    • Articles
    • Blogs
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • Donate Now Sponsor a Child

How I Spent My Summer Vacation-Liz Johnson

Home > Resources Articles > How I Spent My Summer Vacation-Liz Johnson
Volunteering Experience
Published on: 24 Jul 2019

How I Spent My Summer Vacation-Liz Johnson

As my peers in the US headed out to the beach for a vacation in July…I went the opposite direction to Nepal.  Some questioned my sanity as they were acutely aware of the monsoon season and intense flooding.  So with a heavy-duty umbrella and three raincoats, I took flight…from Charlotte, North Carolina USA to London to Delhi to Katmandu.  My well-planned adventure went slightly astray with the cancellation of one of my flights, which added another day to enjoy the inside of airports, which is rarely appreciated.

My assignment was part of Om and Luna’s Women’s Empowerment Program helping in the micro-credit cooperatives. Oh and by the way…..all the cooperatives were up hills and some even looked like tiny specs on the mountains.  It seems if one major word could describe the terrain it would be hilly as in “craggy, mountainous, elevated, rocky, rolling, rugged, sloping, steep and undulation.  However, I come from terrain that is “flat, gentle level, mild, moderate and smooth.”  One never appreciates the flatness of their homeland until they come to Nepal.  There was a little hill, then big, then steps, and more of the same.  I soon became envious of the mountain goats jumping with glee at the challenge of the next incline.
My local VIN liaison Rezina was my contact to what in the world people were saying.  I learned my yoga training contributed quite well to my proficiency in greeting others with Namaste.  Beyond that, it was a primitive form of sign language.  However, I learned smiles are quite abundant in this country.  Rezina probably should be nominated for sainthood after enduring my endless questions about Nepal for three weeks.  We quickly gelled as a team and like the goats, made our way up the mountains come rain or shine.

Upon our initial visits with the groups, we found varied levels of frustration and optimism.  After all, it was the rainy season and the ideal time to plant rice and they all had crops to attend too.  Finally, the groups got their crews assembled and ready for a joint meeting of the minds.  We found the women to be hard-working, creative, and fun!  They took great pride in their work and their other team members.  Interestingly enough the businesses were facing the same issues of businesses in other countries…a lack of awareness of helpful business practices and effective business development strategies.  The good news is that can be rectified with some simple training, which will happen.

Over the course of three weeks, there were a number of successes in the area of organization, networking, sales, and social media development.  What I learned is that every woman in Nepal has a powerful story to tell.  We got one group to tell their stories on paper and pack into sold purses.  This action seemed to provide them with agency, value, and importance.  Maltz claimed that “Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-brake on.”  It just may be the hand-brake has been released for a few of the women.  May their future driving be as easy as Nepali goats bounding up the mountains with glee.

Liz Johnson
Country: United States
Project: Volunteer & Trek

Volunteer Now Get Involved Sponsor a Child

Ask a question? Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


GREATNONPROFITS.ORG


GOOGLE REVIEWS

Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN)
4.8
Based on 158 reviews
powered by Google
Cholindra Karki
16:12 16 Sep 24
Volunteers Initiative Nepal(VIN) is a non- religious, non-political, non-for-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO). It focuses on community based projects involving local volunteers backed-up by international volunteers in Nepal.It has been deploying its volunteers in teaching, teachers training,environment, health and sanitation, children development,women empowerment support, youth empowerment and disaster risk reduction. I am proud to be a staff of this known organization. Let the targeted community be empowered together…
Rosie W
09:01 08 Sep 24
Volunteering with VIN was an incredibly experience! I spent an amazing 2 weeks working in 4 schools teaching about disasters and preparedness while enhancing the childrens english. Everyone I met was so lovely and helpful enciting me into their culture. While in Okhaldhunga I got to see multiple festivals including Gai Jatra and Teej, which was unforgettable and really made my time in Nepal. I'm so glad VIN allowed me to see the beautiful sights and culture if Nepal and I wish to come back soon!
Sulav Singh Thakuri
07:25 14 Aug 24
Well, I was that lucky one who got an opportunity to work with VIN (Volunteer Initiative Nepal) as a local volunteer. It was the best part of my entire life till. During my time volunteering (about 3 months), I gained valuable skills like project management , community outreach. This experience also contributed my personal growth by enhancing my leadership abilities and improving my communication skills.Thank you VIN 🥰❣️I recommend all my other friends who are pursuing to do community work and who have commitments to do it, do visit VIN.
Lilou
11:45 05 Jul 24
it was an incredible experience, rich on a personal and professional level. VIN was able to support us throughout our mission. the volunteers met on site were very kind and welcoming. thank you Didi for these good dishes prepared. thank you to the communities for welcoming and accepting us. incredible adventure that I will never forget.
See All Reviews
Volunteers Initiative Nepal

Nayabazaar Khusibu, Kathmandu

+977 (1) 4962560 (Office), +977 9851070477( mobile )
support@vin.org.np

Useful Link

  • Program Fees
  • Vision, Mission & Goals
  • News Updates
  • Career with VIN
  • Downloads
  • Workcamps
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Asian Voluntary Services
  • Recognition & Award
  • Community Learning Center
  • Trek for Nepal
  • Festivals in Nepal
  • Volunteer in Nepal
  • Internship in Nepal
  • Complaint Registration
  • Volunteer Buddhist Monasteries
Our Programs
  • Women’s Empowerment Programme
  • Children’s Development Program
  • Youth Empowerment Programme
  • Public Health and Medical Care Program
  • Environment Conservation Program
  • Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Teaching Program
  • Public Interest Programme
  • Management and Administration Programme
  • Journalism Program
  • Adventure and Volunteer Program
  • Featured volunteer programs
Internship Program
  • Medical Internship in Nepal
  • Physiotherapy Internship in Nepal
  • Osteopathy Internship in Nepal
  • Medical Elective internship in Nepal
  • Gender Equality Internship in Nepal
  • Youth Empowerment Internship in Nepal
  • Child Protection Internship in Nepal
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved.
ccivst Member of CCIVS - maintain official relation with UNESCO

Connect through WhatsApp