testimonials
Sachin de stone

Testimonials are notoriously biased. They are a handpicked (and maybe even edited) selection, often from a few people who want to justify the money they have spent by declaring what a wonderful time they have had. I can check whether this has been edited or not (though I have full faith it will not be) and if these testimonials are handpicked, then the fact this was available to be handpicked I hope is assurance enough of the quality of VEEP.

Most travel companies have system. This involves you supplying the money and them providing the service….this is how a business works. But the business that is VEEP differs to most of its kind in one respect. When you factor in the cheap, cheap living costs of a place like Nepal and pour in the money that has just flown out of your pocket, something doesn’t add up. This is because with VEEP you are paying for admin costs whereas with most other companies you are paying for ‘admin’ costs. The budget rates of these tours are in no way a reflection of quality, they are simply reflective of outgoings in a country such as this.

Surendra, the company leader is quite a delight but what is most important is that he knows his country well. There is a distinct difference, one learns when traveling, between people who can understand the English language and those who can understand the English people. You don’t have to talk slowly or feel obliged to accept a million cups of tea for fear of being culturally insensitive. He has lived in ‘our’ culture before. He knows what will make you squirm (and trust me, there are plenty of things enough just in air around you, without even mentioning sanitation) and the things that will make you enjoy your stay whilst doing some genuine good for the country.

The ‘language course’, though by no means comprehensive, is a good kick start to the language and for those willing, makes a small pin hole in the curtain which shrouds Nepali. The hole made, whilst living with a Nepali family, it can easily be ripped to expose more. The culture course is equally basic and barely skims the service of the intricate caste system but details enough that you know not to run into a Brahmin’s kitchen or point your feet at someone. Both serve their purpose of making you not totally pig ignorant (and you shouldn’t eat pigs in a Hindu’s house by the way) and blundering into the stupid/rude tourist trap.

 

Rosa ( Spain)

I thank for people that made the trip possible, to Riki Tiki Tavi, to the Nepalí association, especially to Núria and Surendra, to say only two names, and, by discounted, to my three brave ones and improvised trip copilots! I wish piles you of new and enriching experiences to all, as much to which you are going to soon prove it like those that, like I, surely will repeat! Strong, Pink hug.

Alicia (Spain)

Once somebody said to me that all the material lasts what lasts, but that a trip is for always. Thus I can describe my experience in Nepal, a trip for always. My idea began when, it is satiated with the traditional vacations, I left the way drawn up to enter to me in new and strangers lands. I found  VEEP NEPAL to the most exciting trip of my life.

Willam Funk ( USA)

To anyone looking for a place to volunteer abroad Nepal should be your pick and VEEP your organization of choice. This was my first experience volunteering and also my first travel outside of the US and it could not have been better, well less clouds but. The people of Nepal can only be described in one way, overly kind.

My host family were so welcoming at one point I had to tell my Nepali language teacher to have them stop feeding me. It wasn't just my family either. I would be walking my host dog through the village and people that had kids at the school or even not would invite me in to their house to speak with them and have tea. Those first few weeks were rough, 15+ cups of tea a day. Oh man and the food. Some people don't like it. But I will set the record straight. Daal Bhat, staple meal, is the best food ever! If you can get over eating rice everyday the amount of different tastes and styles are endless.

Mack Funk ( Father of Willam Funk Volunteer from USA)

So this is all from my dad. Ill forward on a response to him or whatever. I would of let him email you but my dad is a little.... hard to stop talking. Also working on that article now)


Hello Mr. Joshi,

I am William's father and I this is my first Facebook message.

William and his sister came to visit his Mother and I this weekend along with a cousin. After dinner last night, William told us stories of his trip and passed out some gifts from Nepal. He gave me a cap from the Chitwan National Park with a tiger on it.

William gave us glowing reports of his time in Nepal. The people, the land, and your program all sound wonderful. I really enjoyed the photos of his school especially seeing William's big grin as the staff and students presented him with flowers upon his departure. I found it very fitting that his host family lives immediately adjacent to the school where he taught.

If we send you a letter of thanks that is meant for his host family will you try to deliver it and help them understand our message?

Thank you very much for giving him this great opportunity.

Mack Funk
Oak Harbor, Washington, USA

Mary, Student of UCC Cork ( Ireland)

We are all home now and settled back into college life. Everything seems so dull now though after 6 weeks of such adventure!! It's nice to be home though and see everyone, but i miss Nepal so much!
I cant stop looking at my watch and trying to figure out what time it is there and guess what everyone is doing!
 
I'm sorry that i didnt get to say a proper goodbye to you. I hope you enjoyed the night out on friday as much as i did. It was so much fun. I really hope to get back out to Nepal again as soon as possible. Maybe the next year or two.
 
Thank you so much for helping me have the trip of a lifetime. I had such an amazing time in Nepal. It wouldnt have been the same without you. Thankyou so much!!
 
Keep in touch...
 
Mary x
 

Szilvia (Ireland)

This is a really reliable and honest organisation and I highly recommend choosing one of their programmes. Surendra is a great person and conditions are very flexible, so if you would like to take a few days off to look around and do some trips this is absolutely fine and you can do it without any problem. You can also ask Surendra to help you to find a good package (ea to Chitwan – it was amazing, brilliant time!) or accommodation (like Tibet Peace Guest House with simple but clean rooms, nice garden and helpful and friendly staff or host family – they were fantastic, I had wonderful time with them and finally we became friends also). In the end I felt like I was in a big family... and I was really! Gorgeous time, beautiful memories about people, landscape, culture...

I could just talk and talk and talk... but you know what?  Go there and discover it on your own... you will not regret I can guarantee...
 

Jason Amit (Australia)

Once I was initiated with the school staff and children it soon became apparent that the children would not shy away from asking about my origins. Like any volunteer, as a stranger, i arouse curiosity. They asked many questions, in delightful English, that soon enough i felt less like a foreigner and more like a friend.

Jane Courtney ( Ireland)

All the kids in the village are like that – super friendly and all excited just to say hello. Every day I pass by a rooftop where three little kids sit playing and every day they jump up and down with excitement screaming ‘namaste, namaste!’ If I happen to pass the hundreds of kids emptying out of the school, it’s a deafening stream of greetings and they’re somewhat chuffed to say that they know me from school. You’d think they’d be bored of me by now! And there are actually very many volunteers here from all over the world so we foreigners are not that exotic. Still, it’s a sleepy, quiet kinda life so I guess little things are quite exciting there.

Alex Norton Payne (UK)

At the end of my one month teaching the principle told me he was proud of me as I had taught his students something new. However, little did. I know that I was the one being taught. Immersed in a completely alien culture and classroom, it is amazing what one can learn, not only about their surroundings but also about themselves and their homes.

Tom Roelandt (Belgium)

A project has to increase people’s life standard in a culturally acceptable way. From a teacher’sperspective, community projects provide great lesson material. In general, there is a very positive interaction between educating and addressing the community.

Sophie Warren (Australia)

At the end of my one month teaching the principle told me he was proud of me as I had taught his students something new. However, little did. I know that I was the one being taught. Immersed in a completely alien culture and classroom, it is amazing what one can learn, Not only about their surroundings but also about themselves and their home