Testimonials

“I stayed with everyone only for 3 weeks in Joining Hands Nepal orphan home. In those weeks I made a lot of memories about Himal, the children, and the events that we did together. Also maybe the little changes we made, like starting cleaning day with all the children and the house mom(didi), I enjoyed. I think there was also a little bit of personal and social growth for Himal, and of course, the children, and last but not least, for me. It was like a friendship between me and Himal, in my heart he gave me that feeling. I’m looking back to this great time with him and the children, not only now, not in a month, but forever. Himal and the children have my friendship for life! You could see the happiness on the children faces and also in the pictures. I have got a lot of memories about them and I hope this wasn’t the last time.

Himal is a great karate master and funny dance teacher. The dance moves one time were like someone without bones and the children loved it. Also the ideas that he had about teaching, for example more Nepali dance lessons, were great! But also the inspiration that he gave the children with a different method of English conversation, it was wonderful.

Keep up the great work Himal, this is the way! It was a great adventure to be with you and the children. We realized the importance of sharing the little things in your life, my life, and most important, the children’s lives. It made everyone happy and strong! It’s great to have worked with Himal, especially with such a great personality. We will always keep in touch.”
-Sven de Bruijn, Netherlands

“I stayed for 3 weeks in the orphanage in Panauti. I had a wonderfull time with Himal and the children. We played lots of games and played drama. The children were really good at it and we laughed a lot when they played their part. The longer I stayed the more the children opened up, I felt really sad that I had to leave at that moment. During my stay I learned a lot from the children probably without them knowing it……. If I had the chance to come back, I would, but for a longer period of time!!”
-Mijke Lub, Holland

“I spent 3 weeks at Joining Hands Nepal in September 2011. From the moment I arrived, I felt like I was being welcomed into an amazing, special family. The children are bright, playful, loving and happy. Himal has done an inspiring job raising them and running the program on a day to day basis, and it was truly an honor to be part of that. Panauti is beautiful, safe, and so welcoming. I would recommend volunteering at Joining Hands Nepal to anyone. I will never forget the wonderful time I had at Joining Hands Nepal, and I hope for an opportunity to return in the future!”
-Marleigh Katarina, USA

“Thank you so much for a lovely couple of weeks at Joining Hands Nepal. I have really enjoyed getting to know all the children. I was so lucky to be there at the orphanage during the festival of Dashain. Celebrating the festival with the children was an experience I will never forget. I feel lucky to have had the chance to get to know all the kids and participate in their life for a little while. My only regret is that I couldn’t stay longer and I really hope to be able to come back one day.”
-Agnete Nielsen, Norway

“Hello fellow volunteer friends around the world. I have spent more than a week in the joining hands project in panauti and I would like to highly recommend volunteering in this project. The kids are amazing, so smart, loving and funny. I have played with them, traveled, cooked and just had a good time with them. Himal, the manager, is a very unique and amazing person and he will make sure that you will have a good experience and good time (like showing you around and taking care for all of your needs). The conditions in panauti are real good and the atmosphere is calming and enjoyable. Just to summarize the experience – you will feel like you are at home and as if you are a part of a very special family. In other words – if you are looking for a different and authentic experience during your trip to Nepal – you will find it in the joining hands project. My regards to Himal and the kids!”
-Lahav Calev, Israel

“My time with the family at Joining Hands Nepal was an experience I’ll never forget. The happiness of each of the kids is evident in their constant smiles and playfulness and reflective of the quality of care provided for them. I am fortunate that they have shared their time and home with me.”
-Sam Horn, USA

“I have been back in Germany for nearly six month now, but I am still thinking about my time in the orphanage. It was such a great experience and I never want to forget it! Before my trip to Nepal nobody told me what would be waiting for me during the next six weeks. Therefore I was very excited and a little bit anxious. But soon after arriving in Panauti I knew that it was going to be a great time. Himal and Eric welcomed me in a very friendly manner, they explained everything about my work in the orphanage and what my tasks would be. As I saw the children the first time, they were a little bit shy, but I liked all of them from the first moment. The next two weeks were such a great experience. In the morning we had recreation class and I taught the children little games, we folded paper boats, and once we celebrated Easter. We colored eggs with the help of curry and carrots; and Himal, Eric (a friend of his), and I, hid them in the house. It was so much fun to watch the children searching for them! In the afternoon was English conversation class and it was so great to see that the children were learning so fast! The first two weeks in Panauti passed so fast, and sooner than I wanted, I had to leave the children. It was not nice saying good bye and it was very hard for me to leave. And because of this there was no question about me to going back to Panauti. I broke off my stay in Pokhara because of different reasons and took the next bus back to ‘my children’. It was a good decision, I think.”
-Viktoria Waldinger, Germany