Editorial
Celebrating August Rush with Achievement
August is the month when Volunteers Initiative Nepal receives most numbers of volunteers. So, this month remained a month of rush and achievement for VIN. VIN received as many as 115 volunteers in the months of August only- 101 International volunteers from different countries and 14 local volunteers. The volunteers joined different projects and due to their consistent support, VIN could successfully carryon with the projects. Declaring Jitpurphedi as Open Defecation Free (ODF) area has been one of the most notable achievements. VIN would never have been successful to make this happen without the contribution and support of both the international and local volunteers. VIN likes to thank all our volunteers, different individuals and other organizations who were supportive for the success of the mission. We aim to bring more impactful changes in the community in near future.
Program Update
Women Empowerment
The major activities of the women empowerment program was conducted in the micro credit and life skill project. The micro credit cooperative conducted their board meeting. The board meeting decided to increase the salary of the cooperative staffs. The meeting also decided to provide a set of dress to its staffs once in a year. Besides, the micro credit volunteers conducted an impact study of the microcredit cooperative in the life of women. Further, the cooperative also marked the women’s festival Teej by organizing Daar Khane program. Total 90 women participated in the program including volunteers and all the members and staffs of the cooperative. Various life skill classes were also conducted in Jitpurphedi community during August. The women of Gairigaun also completed their advance course of sewing/cutting.
Children Development
The volunteers painted and taught at the Bhawani secondary school at Okharpauwa. The work camp volunteers were involved in the teaching and painting at the school. Additionally two ECD classes were also painted by the volunteers. 23 volunteers were involved in painting and teaching the students. The students were taught about culture, health and hygiene. The volunteers also taught different sports activities to the students. The students had the opportunity of cultural exchange program with the work camp volunteers at the end of the project.
Youth Empowerment
Different interactive programs were organized with the youths of the Jitpurphedi community to develop their capacity. The two volunteers Ettienne from France and Nawid from Germany conducted the session for English language, career planning and life skills. The sessions were conducted for the +2 students of Jitpurphedi School. For the English language class, the students were taught how to read the newspaper articles and how to structure those articles. They were also provided with the English speaking class. For career development, volunteers focused on the basics of a professional job application, e.g. how to write a CV and a cover letter in English and how to prepare for a job interview. Further, the youths were also trained about different national and international games. Public Health and Medical Care Declaring Jitpurphedi as Open Defecation Free (ODF) area has been the major achievement in the month of August. Jitpurphedi was announced ODF area on 27th August. Besides, VIN continued with its WASH program this month as well. VIN did continue its health checkup in Kavresthali health post along with the medical team of the health post. The health volunteers provided with different medical equipment required in the health post.
Post Disaster Relief Program
Under this program, VIN helped the local community from Jitpurphedi to demolish the houses destroyed in the earthquake. The project supported poor families from communities who do not have enough resources to clear the area. VIN’s volunteers work for the project to broke down the house and support people to separate the stuffs such as stone, brick, mud, wood and metals. They cleared the area to make it ready for rebuilding the house. Volunteering Program VIN received 101 International volunteers and 14 National volunteers (115 total) for different projects on the month of August. The volunteers were for three different programs.
Long-
Midterm,
group
volunteering and work camp. VIN received volunteers on total sanitation, multi- purpose farming,
school
development,
disaster
support and construction, women Empowerment, Buddhist Monastery, Teaching Earthquake victims, Post Disaster Relief, Environment and conservation, Water Research, Construction and manual work, Agro Forestry, Film and Documentary, Youth for Youth project, Disaster management and Post Disaster. Relief Project. The volunteers are from different countries like, France, Denmark, China, Korea, Australia, USA, Italy, Spain, Canada and Belgium and so on.
Volunteer’s Platform -
Abril Olmos, Women’s Empowerment Volunteer
I have been volunteering in VIN’s women’s empowerment project for 5 weeks. I live in Thulagaun, a small village located in the Kathmandu valley. I live with a family of six (Shiva Sir, Mom, Sheela, Shita, Sima and Tommy the dog). During this month I also shared home with other 3 VIN volunteers. I’ve been teaching life skill classes daily to the women’s of Jitpur community and it has been an amazing experience. I am in love with this country and also with the women I have the opportunity to meet not just from the classes but the community activities. It’s amazing how the women are willing to learn and growth, they always receive us with arms and heart width open. I feel very lucky and pleased of being here and having the chance to learn from their culture, attend their festivals and share with them other valuable experiences. Volunteering here has open my heart and mind that I’ll be always grateful for having this opportunity.
