It was daunting when I arrived here, two weeks ago. A solo female traveler in a foreign land and I don’t know any Nepal Bhasa, the language. So as I reflect back, this was probably one of the boldest things I’ve ever done. I stayed with a family that I’ve never met before. I walked through the Himalayan pine forests every day, mostly by myself to teach at the school, several villages over. I figured out how to be present with a bunch of people with hardly a common language, and laugh and at one time, even shed tears together. It took a few days, but that daunting feeling turned into a feeling of empowerment. I met with the principal of the school and together we figured out how best I could serve the community and the students. I sponsored two indigenous students with an annual scholarship and paid for their uniforms and books. I cried. I laughed. I reflected. I arrived here a stranger and I have now gained a family.

The jeep-bus has arrived. Half-hour late as Nepal runs on its own time out here. I’ve come to appreciate not having a watch living in the village. Hugging the boys, they felt like siblings to me now, and choking back tears, I realize that this is not goodbye. I will be back.

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There were many beautiful moments that I’ve experienced here in the remote Himalayans. I’ll let the photos tell the story. I had a great time volunteering in Nepal. Thank  you Volunteer Society Nepal (VSN) team