• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • e-Catalog
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Register Now
  • Contact Us
Call Us: 800-487-1074
Global Volunteers
  • Support
    • Donation Opportunities
      • Donate Now
      • Changemakers Club – Monthly
      • Gift Catalog
      • More Ways to Give
    • Foundation Opportunities
      • Funding Opportunities for Philanthropic Partners
  • Volunteer
      • Individuals
      • Families
    • Groups
      • Employer/Employee
      • University
      • High School
      • Faith Based
  • Countries
    • International Partnerships
      • China
      • Cook Islands
      • Cuba
      • Ecuador
      • Greece
      • Italy (Sicily)
      • Nepal
      • Peru
      • Poland
      • Portugal
      • St Lucia
      • Tanzania
      • Vietnam
    • USA Programs
      • Aguadilla – Puerto Rico
      • Blackfeet Reservation – Montana
      • Española – New Mexico
      • Rio Grande Valley – Texas
  • Projects
    • Community Work Projects
      • Delivering Essential Services
      • Teaching Conversational English
      • Supporting Community Development
      • Supplementing School-Based Curricula
      • View All Community Work Projects
  • Dates & Fees
    • Seasonal
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Monthly
      • January
      • February
      • March
      • April
      • May
      • June
      • July
      • August
      • September
      • October
      • November
      • December
      • All Service Program Dates
  • Impact
  • News
  • Request Information
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Volunteer Voices Nepal

Long-Time Service “Ambassador” Nurtures Children in Kathmandu, Nepal!

Greg, "service ambassador" and Buddhiman discuss work to be done.


Retired engineer and Global Volunteers alumnus Greg Enders has been motivated by a lifelong desire to support and help those in need. He first joined Global Volunteers in China in 2008 to teach conversational English in schools. His second service program in Asia came with the opportunity to experience more of the continent’s diverse culture – on the inaugural team to Nepal in March 2019. In this discussion with Volunteer Engagement Manager Maggie Bjorklund, Greg describes what most impressed him on that program.

Was the service program everything you expected it to be?

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from this service program, but, participating on the inaugural team was exciting. I’d read about the country and Kathmandu, its people, and the culture. One thing was for sure, the country is struggling. Although the government is in chaos and does little for the people, they remain strong and resilient. It’s the Nepali people who keep the country functional. They are friendly and extremely hard-working.

What relationships did you form? Who most impressed you?

I worked with BuddhiMan, a pastor and head of the “Papa’s House” orphanage who has an incredible story. He told me about how, after the major earthquake in 2015, he had traveled to western Nepal (a week’s bus ride away) to rescue five boys whose parents had been killed as a result of the quake. All together it took him three trips to complete this task. All five of them were near death, with one in particular in shock and unable to speak. After BuddhiMan’s love and care in the orphanage, they’re now all healthy, thriving, and very active! BuddhiMan is a man with a huge heart and a vision of expanding Papa’s House in order to accommodate many more orphans.

Greg and Buddhiman
Greg with BuddhiMan, pastor of Fresh Fire Church and manager of Papa’s House orphanage in Kathmandu.

What was your main assignment on the service program?

My contribution was to paint the interior of Papa’s House orphanage. It needed an extra coat of paint as the future plan is to open its doors to many more girls and boys, orphaned primarily by the earthquake. It’s funded by the Christian church and is fairly large and in relatively good condition. Working at Papa’s House was a wonderful feeling, an added bonus, and perfect opportunity to be able to interact with BuddhiMan and the children and expose them to Western culture.

  • Papa's House, Nepal.
    Papa’s House staff and kids in Kathmandu.
  • Greg at Papa's house.
    Greg and his fellow volunteers were warmly welcomed at Papa’s House.
  • Greg 2nd from right.
    Greg with fellow teammates and community partners.
  • Greg at Holi celebrations in Nepal.
    Greg after the “Holi” celebrations in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Did this experience surprise you in any way, if so, how?

I was surprised to find myself playing the role of “ambassador”. The local people and children I interacted with knew little, if anything about the United States. It seemed strange to me as English is taught in the schools, and is the universal language in Nepal. It was relatively easy to converse with the local people especially at a higher level. They were very inquisitive to our way of life, believing that we live in a very “utopian state”, but that’s about it. They have no real details. I found myself explaining what Americans really stand for and how our culture relates to theirs.

“Alas, our tour in Kathmandu with Global Volunteers, Nepal Team #1 has come to an end. Individual members of the group began filtering into the area two weeks ago – and, with a few exceptions, as total strangers. As we say our goodbyes tonight, we do so with some sadness as we have grown into a close-knit team in this short time. New friendships have been forged not only within the group but also with our Nepali partners and students at the various schools. It has been a most enlightening experience.”

Journal excerpt – Greg Enders

What has this service experience meant to you?

It’s been a great experience in that I had the chance to spend three weeks (one week of personal time) and two on the project, embedding myself in the community. My time in Nepal was a nice diversion from the daily politics in the US. I learned we all face similar issues and problems, though, for the Nepali people, theirs are quite low on the “hierarchy of needs” scale! And, I have certainly made some strong connections with a few Nepali locals, a journey I never dreamed I’d have the opportunity to fulfill. WOW!

“This final day of visitation at the facilities was one of joy. Farewell ceremonies, dances and songs were the order of the day. The children showed their appreciation with genuine spirit and laughter. The teachers and assistants expressed gratitude for the sharing provided by the volunteers. Memories of this cultural exchange will last a lifetime!”

Journal excerpt- Greg Enders

You may also like:

Nepal volunteers pave the way for long-term development partnership

Celebrating the “Holi” festival -Kathmandu, Nepal

Global Volunteers Nepal Inaugural team reports on teaching in Kathmandu

Interested in joining one of our many service programs worldwide? Contact a volunteer coordinator today!

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
April 17, 2019/by Sam Pinakoulaki
https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/IMG_2765.jpg 1125 1500 Sam Pinakoulaki https://globalvolunteers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2014-GlobalVolunteersLogo-Web.png Sam Pinakoulaki2019-04-17 12:39:222022-02-18 23:26:18Long-Time Service “Ambassador” Nurtures Children in Kathmandu, Nepal!
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Partner Communities

  • China (62)
  • Cook Islands (44)
  • Cuba (115)
  • Ecuador (90)
  • Greece (70)
  • Italy (53)
  • Montana (52)
  • Nepal (20)
  • New Mexico (2)
  • Peru (113)
  • Poland (97)
  • Portugal (44)
  • Puerto Rico (3)
  • South Dakota (8)
  • St Lucia (57)
  • Tanzania (238)
  • Texas (7)
  • Vietnam (33)

Categories

  • Classroom Assistance (8)
  • Conversational English (96)
  • Cultures and Traditions (136)
  • Development Impact (127)
  • Family Volunteering (61)
  • Free Time Options (79)
  • Group Volunteering (19)
  • News and Updates (150)
  • Partners' Stories (16)
  • Projects for Professionals (23)
  • Reaching Children's Potential (245)
  • Ripple Effect (6)
  • Service-Learning (52)
  • Staff Worldwide (26)
  • Volunteer Voices (685)
  • Why I Give (18)

Tags

American Indian culture Care for children Caribbean island College groups Conversational English Cuba people-to-people development impact Earthbox gardens Essential Services food insecurity Funding your fee gender equality Health and nutrition High school groups Labor projects retiree volunteers Spring break student volunteer summer volunteer program support children Support women teaching children teaching english team leader things to do peru top places to visit peru tourism cook islands tours peru travel peru volunteer benefits Volunteer impact volunteer time off work on reservations Work with youth youth volunteering

Get Global Volunteers News Here!

Enter your email address to receive fresh new posts in your inbox.

  • About Us
  • Boards of Directors and Advisors
  • US and International Staff
  • Our Beginnings
  • Our Vision
  • Community Partners
  • Collaborators
  • Compare Us
  • Volunteer Vacations FAQs
  • Accountability and Agreements
  • Travel Risks
  • Impact and Outcomes of Service
  • Donate to Global Volunteers
  • Donate to a Volunteer
  • Money Matters – Explaining Your Service Program Contribution
  • Discounts & Fundraising
  • Alumni Center
  • Covid-19 Policy
  • News/Media
  • Privacy Policy
  • Agreements
  • Site Map
  • Contact
  • Podcast
  • Volunteer Portal
  • Employment
Global Volunteers
375 East Little Canada Road
St. Paul, MN 55117-1628 USA
(800) 487-1074 | toll-free
(651) 482-0915 | fax
globalvolunteers.org
email@globalvolunteers.org
Federal EIN: 36-3352680

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST!

Subscribe to receive updates, new blog posts, and inspiring stories from our work around the world.

Global Volunteers - Partners in Development ® | © Copyright 2002 - Present Global Volunteers
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Mail
  • Global Volunteers is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization. Our tax ID is 36-3352680. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent provided by the law.
  • Send feedback about this web site and its administration.
Medtronic Women’s Volunteer Group Transforms Children’s Center in...Fanesca! Holy Week Stew in Ecuador
Scroll to top