Two years ago, I joined VFC. It turned out to be the greatest choice.I have actively participated in numerous events where I have learned and evolved thanks to VFC. VFC has consistently offered capacity development for who we are. It has aided in our development and to reach our full potential. Waste care workers recognition 2022 This was my first program where I got involved in planning and execution of the event. The excitement and enthusiasm for this even was over the top. I have never seen or heard of any company who honour wastecare workers before. The amount of hard work that the team has put into for making sure all the waste care workers feels recognized is remarkable. One of my core memory of this event which I know I will cherish for my life is when our waste care workers burst into happiness while receiving the award and said “ Today even I brought medal, I can show my family that even I am honored” . Words are inadequate to capture the moment of this day. Swap your plastics 2022 In order to prevent the clastrophic incidents its our duty to mitigate and minimize the effects that are foreseen. The event of Swapping your plastic with plant was held on patan on the occasion of world environment day,June 5 2022 by CREASION Nepal and Recycler saathi. Our motive of the program was to promote behavioural change in regardes to Recycle,reuse and reduce. I was quite unsure if we will be able to collect 100 bottles but turns out we collected 1000+ bottles.People bringing plastics were given seeds and plants in exchange.Every one visiting was positive on how plastics harm the environment. This event in my personal level helped to minimize the use of plastics. .
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Since last 4 months I have been the member of VFC and volunteered with Creasion. I got a chance to participate in various activities such as organizing and conducting awareness sessions on waste reduction and proper waste disposal, and assisting in waste sorting and recycling efforts. 'Trash to Treasure' was the first program which I volunteered and after that I got a chance to volunteer during Hamro cycle yatra on June 3rd which was completely a new type of program for me where I experienced a lot of new things and new learnings. I was also the part of 'Swap your plastic' program which was held on the occasion of World Environment Day on June 5th. I was extremely happy to do the face paint as a part of program and making the cute innocent kids smile .It was a hands-on experience where I got to work with a diverse group of volunteers and make a positive impact on our environment. I enjoyed a lot during these two events as we prepared a flash mob too. I even got a chance to volunteer during National Colloquium where we learned a lot about plastics and plastic pollution. I was also a part of Waste Smart School and got an opportunity to present about "know your waste" to the students of two government schools. During this period I learned a lot about the importance of waste management and how small actions can lead to significant changes.I even got a chance to participate in various workshops which was very effective. Besides learning a lots of new things, I have had a lot of fun working with other volunteers. I met some good friends, sisters and brothers and the bond we share is just incredible. From playing with the kids to attending big seminars, the overall experience of volunteering was remarkable!
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My name is Rubina Neupane. I am nineteen and currently studying Bachelor in Environment Science, first year at Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus. I am a proud VFC(Volunteering for Change) member. As member of VFC, I have participated and volunteered different programs like ‘Hamro Cycle Yatra’ with the moto “Dignity for all” for the recognition of Waste workers , ‘ Swap Your Plastic’ program held on this World Environment Day to create awareness in the community about recycling organized by CREASION Nepal. Similarly, I had also got a chance to participate in a workshop "Know Your Plastic" which was again organized by CREASION Nepal. I had also volunteered a program on this International Youth Day organized by CREASION Nepal which is based on presentation and Idea sharing Competition on ' Circular Economy Of Plastics' with the moto of "Green skills for Youth". In sum , I had also got a chance to work as a volunteer/Project enumerator at RIPL project focuses on enhancing the capacity of women in the informal recycling sector and increasing the recyclability of plastics to prevent them from entering into the rivers in collaborative effort between GRID-Arendal , The Norweigian Geotechnical Institute(NGI), CREASION Nepal, The International Solid Waste Association(ISWA) , DOKO Recycler and SASAJA. All these program had taught me different life lessons and skills which further increases my self confidence, improves my communication and leadership skill as well. During "Hamro Cycle Yatra" there was a participation of 150 plus waste workers and this program was held for their recognition in this society. This program had taught me that Every individual in this society are really important and serve the community in their best way possible. So everyone must be treated equally and must be recognized. During this program , I had got a chance to know how programs can be conducted in a properly managed way , how teamwork plays a crucial role in any programs. During "Swap your Plastic" program I'd experience how different people can be connected through a single program for the good cause. This program shows that people are conscious about the changes that we must start for the sustainable and ecofriendly lifestyle. During 'Know Your Plastic' session I had got a chance to learn about how plastics evolved and took whole world into convenient option ignoring all the hazardous impact that plastic creates. I had learnt to segregate plastics according to their RIC code and so on . This program taught why alternative must be developed to completely eradicate plastic use otherwise it is not possible to say "No to Plastics". Likewise, During volunteering the program "Circular Economy Of plastics" there were the participation of Youths from different educational background like Law, Public Health , Environmental Science, Social Work and so on and every groups had given different solutions , laws to be made and empowering any other youth like us to reduce, reuse or recycling plastic wastes. This program was so wholesome where every Youth brings their thoughts and ideas for the better future . Having keen interest on serving environment , I had also got a chance to work as a project enumerator at DOKO Recyclers in a RIPL project which aims to reduce plastic waste going to the rivers in Nepal. During this one month project, we had outreached more than 15 different places of the Kathmandu valley and aware people about waste segregation, had visited different schools , offices , financial institutions, Café /Restaurants, General stores, households for surveying . This time I got to know about the thoughts of individuals regarding waste segregation and its management. How they are applying 3R methods in their day to day life. In sum I had learnt how to conduct and manage programs , know about waste segregation process and its importance, build up my inner confidence to speak up my thoughts on any planning, increased my knowledge and skills regarding protection and preservation of environment, had taught the importance of teamwork and uplift my knowledge based on recycling, surveying , reporting and community awareness. Hence, 4 months could be a short period of time and it's way difficult to conclude this whole experience in a paragraph but the knowledge, skills, confidence I had developed within myself in these months was so wholesome and I felt so proud that I am a VFC member and got a chance to not only volunteering but also planning ,executing plans and participating at the programs for the betterment of near future concerning with the environmental protection.
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My journey with Volunteer for Change (VFC) has been profoundly transformative, leaving an indelible mark on my personal and personality development. VFC has been more than just an organization to me; it has been a second home that consistently provides me with opportunities to contribute to meaningful events. During my time volunteering with VFC, I have had the privilege of participating in a range of impactful events like "Trash to Treasure," which allowed me to share insights with school children about repurposing waste materials and educating them about recyclable and non-recyclable waste, to initiatives like "Hamro Cycle Yatra," which aimed to honor and acknowledge Informal Waste Workers, by celebrating their contributions with medals, certificates, health checkups, and even a cycle rally, recognizing their vital contribution to waste management and providing them the appreciation they deserve but don't usually receive. Another remarkable event "Swap Your Plastics" offered a creative way to promote recycling, rewarding people with table plants for recycling plastic bottles and showcased the power of collective action in recycling. The Nepal Recollectors and Recyclers Association (NRRA) event allowed me to learn important insights on waste management, sustainability, and community appreciation. Events like the "National Colloquium" expanded my horizons and introduced me to inspiring and remarkable personalities. Engaging in events such as the "Futsal with Waste Workers" tournament provided me with some unforgettable memories and insightful sessions like "Know Your Plastics" session and the CV writing workshop broadened my understanding of plastics as well as enhanced my skills and professionalism and equipped me with practical skills. These multifaceted events, offering new learning avenues, have contributed significantly to my personal and professional development. Being part of VFC exposed me to continuous learning and skill development, fostering personal growth and enhancing my professionalism. The support, camaraderie, and enriching experiences within VFC, orchestrated by the incredible team at Creasion, have truly made this a remarkable and unforgettable chapter of my life. The sense of belonging I feel at VFC, the warmth of the people, the supportive environment, and the meaningful work are simply incredible. As a VFC member, I've been blessed to find an extraordinary community within Creasion, marked by exceptional individuals and I've always cherished the remarkable community, the nurturing atmosphere, and the unwavering support provided by Creasion. Most importantly, VFC introduced me to people who now hold a special place in my heart. Above all, the connections I've forged—the friends who have become family—stand as the true treasure. And above all, Sushila mam's mentorship, akin to an elder sister, has been an unwavering source of inspiration. The mentorship and support I’ve received from her have been pivotal. More than a mentor, she has always been an elder sister to me, pushing me to excel. Her appreciation and encouragement remains my greatest motivation that fuels my continued journey and is the driving force behind my determination to persevere.
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Working as a volunteer for VFC through CREASION has been amazing so far and I’m sure this feeling will remain the same forever. Volunteerism is a great concept in itself and with VFC it’s a cherry on top. VFC gives the finest opportunities that contribute a lot to your well-being and I am not an exception. That feeling when you contribute your best effort for the betterment of society is unexplainable. It’s been only a month and I have already met with some incredible personalities who have taught me the pure essence of life; how our daily activities affect the environment, society and the way that I look upon certain things have definitely changed. I’ve been upping my social interaction. This is also majorly possible because of our amazing team which has a blend of ample active and creative minds. Since everyone here is senior to me, I’ve been getting a lot of guidance due to which I’ve been aware of many things and their advice shall help me forever. All in all, this is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life and I am super proud of myself.
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My experience of working with VFC has been very much constructive, worthwhile, rewarding, joyful, and full of entertainment. It's hard to explain but in this short period of time, I got to know a great team full of so many energetic friends, brothers, and sisters. Being a part of the team, I have learned many things that I had never thought of before. From the first day of meeting at VFC, I have been able to create small improvements upon myself which I think will help me and has been helping me in these days. being a part of the team I think I have been able to know myself and about the environment, society a lot more than before. I have learned that our little effort upon any good changes can contribute a lot.
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Experiencing and learning about new things is important in life. At CREASION, I got opportunities to do so every day through various activities. I had the chance to be part of various kinds of programs such as Trash Tag Challenge, Empower Plus, Tree of the Year, Mental Health Sessions and so on. I worked under CREASION as a volunteer and developed a special interest in the area that the organization works most on which is ENVIRONMENT. One of the best experiences for me was while volunteering in the program, “Tree of the Year 2019”. This was my first volunteering experience through which I learned many things such as making connections, managing time and budget effectively and so on. CREASION has made me realize that helping can be done through various ways and in addition to this it has changed me in a positive way. I am at all times ready to discover myself as well as help people around. I have overcome my ignorance about important issues such as climate change which I am now more aware of and conscious about. With an informal environment, it is easier for volunteers to strike conversations and build a healthy relationship with our supervisors as well. I would like to point out that VFC is an intriguing idea as it is all about engaging young people by fostering a sense of volunteerism. In addition, we also have the opportunity to create our own programs which brings out the best of us. Through my involvement in CREASION and VFC, I gained experiences cleaning our surroundings to striking conversations with government officials. Because of this very organization, I have gained confidence and the ability to speak for the things that need to be addressed. As stated by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “As we lose ourselves in the service of others, we discover our own lives and our own happiness.” Working in this organization, I got to meet new people and found happiness in helping others. I realized that the sense of achievement after completing a program successfully is incomparable. I am very grateful for CREASION for helping me transform into the person that I am today. Lastly, I am indebted to CREASION for welcoming me and making me a part of this organization.
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If there’s a thing I’ve learned in my life, it’s not to be afraid of taking responsibilities and challenges that come with caring for other people. And it’s a sacred place when you actually get to embrace your learnings and principals. I found CREASION where my strength was explored in an innovative way and I had the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone. I remember the day where we were unknown about what will happen because meeting with Ma’am was inspiring as well as frightening. We initially brainstormed to get factual answers asked by her. From that day, I knew days were going to be challenging and not easy. I believe work can only be completed when one shows courage and hard work, and we volunteer proved it by doing one of the challenging and trending Trash Tag Challenge. I am inspired by the way CREASION pushed me into new work. Volunteering is all about reflecting one’s compassion, unselfish and caring nature, patience and love to one another. Throughout all the sessions and workshop such as Mental Health, Empower+, SDG workshop, Self-Defense, I gained awareness about various issues which motivated me to develop different skills for spinning my own wheels in the near future. I am very thankful to the whole team of CREASION for providing me a golden opportunity and making me capable enthusiastic, conscious and diligent person from an introvert human. Thank you to whole CREASION team for all your effort, support and immense love that you have been showering till now. Thank you for everything.
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My time at CREASION has indeed been remarkable. It is impossible for me to do justice to it through this write-up but I’ll give it a try. When I moved to Nepal, I was fascinated by the country’s rich landscapes and diverse culture. I was also slightly embarrassed to have been living so close (in India) for many years and never having explored this country before. Personally, I love to understand the history, culture and the geopolitical situation of any new country that I visit and it was no different when I arrived in Nepal. Eventually, I decided to work in the development sector that would equip me with such knowledge and understanding in a way that text books never could. This is how I joined CREASION and I could not be more grateful to have done so. As this was my first time working in Nepal, and that too in the development sector, there was a lot that was new and different for me. On joining CREASION, I instantly felt like I found a second home, perhaps like an extended family that helped me integrate culturally and professionally in no time. The warmth that everyone greets you with in this office is truly unique and what I value most about my time here. Moreover, one is always given space here to work on their own and take pride in the projects that they lead. This is once again, not a very common trait in work spaces today. While at CREASION, I worked on several projects ranging from women empowerment to youth entrepreneurship, as well as developing a new website and help coordinate events to raise awareness on crucial social causes such as mental health, women safety, and many others. I also participated in workshops and outdoor activities that helped give me the right balance of practical knowledge and learning, necessary for the work that I was assigned as Lead – Project Development Unit. I believe that the range of work that I was involved with in CREASION has helped me develop and nurture a set of skills that will forever stay with me. As my time here is coming to an end, I know that this is not where our association ends as I will be involved with activities and work from time to time with CREASION and pay visits to this little family I have gained in Nepal.
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I first came to Nepal in September of last year to visit my mother who had been working in Kathmandu. I had originally intended on only staying for a month but ended up spending four months travelling and exploring the diverse landscapes of this captivating country. When I returned home to the Maldives I had decided that I would have to come back again and so I returned a year later but this time with the desire not just to travel but also to learn about and make a positive contribution to Nepali society. After a few weeks of searching, I chanced upon CREASION and immediately took notice of the wide range of projects that they run across Nepal in areas such as women’s empowerment, post-earthquake rehabilitation, youth empowerment, and environment. After weeks of unanswered emails to different organisations, I decided that the best course of action this time would be to go and talk to them in person. Upon coming into the office unannounced, I was immediately greeted by friendly and engaging staff who were keen to talk to me about the organisation and their projects. I expressed my interest in helping out and unbeknownst to me, they had sent out a call for volunteers just the day before! I was set the main task of compiling a grant proposal for the Women for Change – Women for Sustainable Development project. Through my background reading, I learned so much about rural life in Nepal, particularly for women. The project aimed to provide women living in rural areas with income-generating work as despite the fact that they took on a greater workload than their male counterparts with their domestic work, their efforts remain largely unrewarded and the majority of these women were financially dependent on their husbands. I was particularly shocked at some of the statistics I read with 64% of women in Nepal have experienced gender-based violence and 77% of them have never reported it. Another aim of the project was to provide women with access to legal knowledge and resources in order for them to have the capacity to fight for their rights. This is a pressing issue in today’s social and political climate as true progress cannot occur as long as women and girls, essentially half of the population, continue to be marginalised. I was also given the opportunity to attend workshops and discussion sessions on topics such as mental health awareness and sexual assault. These sessions involved a panel of experts and professionals and an audience that comprised mainly of young people. I was pleasantly surprised by the youth turnout at these events and at how engaged they were throughout the discussions. There is a considerable amount of untapped potential within the youth and they possess the ability to make waves in society in terms of social and economic development. Therefore it is imperative to continue having similar conversations in order to nurture an atmosphere of awareness and open-mindedness. Though my time at CREASION as a fulltime intern is coming to an end, I will continue to help out by assisting at different events and by promoting the international volunteer program. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here not only because of the work that I was doing but also because of the warm and welcoming environment that I was allowed to work in. I learned so much throughout my time at CREASION and hope to continue my travels in Nepal with a new understanding and broader perspective of life here.
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Each summer, I come from my home in Washington D.C. to Nepal to visit my paternal family members. This time, I have been volunteering at Centre for Research and Sustainable Development Nepal)CREASION with their Volunteer for Change program in Kathmandu as I mentioned in my earlier blog post. As my time here comes to a close, I have been thinking about the projects I’ve had the privilege to influence and the people that I have met. Due to the fact that I only get to visit Nepal once each year, it’s important to me that I make the most of my time here. CREASION has allowed me to do that by having me participate in a variety of different projects that let me both research in the office and go into and around the city to connect with the people that these projects impact. One favorite project that I have gotten to work on is the PET plastics initiative. For the majority of the first half of my visit, I read and edited documents about the dangers of plastic waste and its significance in the lives of the waste workers who sort through piles of litter for very low pay. I even had the opportunity to visit a private waste site and listen to waste workers talk about their jobs as part of CREASION’s project to honor the workers. Although PET is a highly recyclable plastic, most of it ends up in landfills because people are either unaware or too careless to sort their recyclables from the rest of their waste. CREASION has come up with a plan that simultaneously puts the recyclable plastic to good use and increases the wages of the waste workers. This model allows all aspects of the community to flourish. The quality of life of people that live near waste sites increases, waste workers, and their families have more money, women are given more job opportunities and therefore an income to grant them independence, and the environment is free of excess plastic. This holistic concept is a prime example of CREASION’s values. It is also a reflection of how I spent my time here and a major reason it was so meaningful to me. Although I reached out to CREASION because of my specific interest in the environment, they let me participate in a variety of other projects as I worked on the PET initiative. Along with the plastics project I had the pleasure of working in youth empowerment, female empowerment, and care for the elderly and disabled. I, along with some national volunteers, visited a home for the elderly and disabled nearby the office. As it turns out, a woman there has a son who lives in the U.S. just an hour or two away from me. We spent some time chatting about Nepalis that come to the U.S. for an opportunity, as my father did many years ago. I also spent some time trying the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into CREASION’s youth empowerment program. Specifically, I looked for ways to implement goals four and five into their program that helps youths learn about relevant technology, write resumes, and prepare for job interviews. This geared the program toward meeting some of the specifics listed by the UN to improve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (goal five) and inclusive and equitable education (goal four). One of the last things I got to do was organize and hold a spelling bee for a local school. This was perhaps my favourite outing because seeing the competitive spirit of the kids was really fun to watch, and frankly a little surprising, as I did not expect so many students to have such good sportsmanship. All 36 students took the competition very seriously and earnestly congratulated the winner at the end. This was my final project at CREASION. The fact that I had the opportunity to learn and work in so many different areas made this trip truly unique. I spent a lot of time in the environment sector as I expected, but I also got to learn and experience completely different things. After the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015, volunteer programs have been instrumental in effecting change. Therefore, CREASION is eager to recruit more international volunteers, and I hope to use my unique position to spread the word about their work back in D.C. Interning in Nepal has helped me find much more meaning in my annual trips to Kathmandu and let me explore my fascination with environmental work. I am sure this will not be the last time I work with CREASION.
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We all want to be happy in our lives, we feel that happiness can be found through buying expensive materials for ourselves. However, the ancient enlightened souls such as Gautama Buddha has preached that true happiness does not come from materialism. The only way to keep ourselves happy is to make others happy. Volunteerism is an ability that we acquire at a very early age. We are compassionate beings from nature and we develop altruistic traits as we grow up.Volunteerism is not only the backbone of civil society organizations and social and political movements, but also of many health, education, housing and environmental programmes and a range of other civil society, public and private sector programmes world- wide. It is an integral part of every society. There are somethings in our lives that we do from our heart. Volunteerism comes from within and is not influenced by external factors. Compassion can be defined as the ability of a person to empathize with someone else’s pain and suffering. Its the ability to walk in someone else’s shoes. One of the most powerful ways for youths who are trying to pursue a career in their lives is to understand and experience the type of leadership needed for the future jobs is to do volunteer work early in their careers. This is because the type of leadership at the top is akin to being a leader of volunteers, it is not about carrots and sticks but about persuasion and getting people to grasp and follow one’s vision. Volunteering is the perfect vehicle to discover something a person is really good at and develop a new skill. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” It is never too late to learn new skills and no reason why we should stop adding to our knowledge just because we are in employment or have finished education. Planning and implementing a major fundraising event can develop goal setting, planning and budgeting skills. Supervising and training other volunteers helps to develop supervisory and training skills. These are examples of skills that can enhance a career but we don’t have to develop skills with the intention of facilitating our career. Painting a mural or making banners for International Volunteer Day – to celebrate the wonderful and priceless work that volunteers do – could gently push you to discover graphics and art talents. In essence, Volunteerism lies at the hearts of people who are passionate about something and it is certain that the power of volunteerism will be strengthened and shine through in the years ahead.
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Marie Jones, Canada; Thank you Creasion for the amazing experience in Nepal! I felt right at home! I am sad that I have to leave so soon. But I promise that I will be back soon. I am also quite happy that I am returning home with a lot more experience and energy; feels like it is totally different me. Jennifer Losie , CanadaI; I just wanted to say thank you for everything that each and every one here has done to make my experience in Nepal absolutely amazing. I truly appreciate all of the hard work that went into making my stay unforgettable. You will be sincerely missed. Audrey Sydora, Canada; Thank you Creasion for an amazing experience here in Nepal. I will miss you all dearly. I hope that this is not where our ways have parted, but this is where our ways connected; Creasion has been a junction. Danielle Smith; Words cannot describe how thankful I am for the amazing enriching experience that you have gifted me. With Creasion , this strange city was not strange at all; I felt like I had a deep connection with you and this mystical land. Thank you all very much for making my time so awesome! Laura Hähnel, Germany; “The time in Nepal was an experience that I think I will never forget. To get to know another, very different culture than the one you live in is fascinating! To smell different scents, to get to know about other culture and their habits than the one you are used toEverything was new for me and with colorful impressions. And the work with the children was great as well. To see how they slowly get to trust you, how they laugh and play. And last but not least all the kind people from the Creasion who are there for you while you are in this different country… This work experience was something very special and I am grateful that I had the chance to do it.” Eline Zumholte, Germany; I have been in Nepal for one month- a far too short time to learn enough about this wonderful and interesting country and people. During my stay i was busy in a school with HIV- infected children with whom I worked almost every day. Learning with and from the kids was a very positive experience. Leonard Gunther; My name is Leonhard from Germany, I am 18 years old and I did my work experience in a school for HIV infected children in Nepal. In this following text I will describe my work and experiences in Nepal. To begin, I want to outline how I got the idea to do my work experience inin Nepal.First of all I read an article in a magazine about four german girls who have done this work experience before. I was very fascinated about their work in a school for HIV infected children. Furthermore, I was and I am very interested to help other people. So I decided to do the same. From the beginning of my work experience the people were very friendly. I arrived in the holiday time, so there was no school for one week. In this time the people in the accommodation took me to different places in Kathmandu so I saw many holy places. Furthermore the people taught me about their religion and culture. Besides, we sometimes ate in typical local Nepali restaurants, so you can delve into the Nepali culture and on this way you will get to know the real Nepali food. I am of the opinion that it is very nice to know the food of an unknown country. A further and a very important point is that the people from the Creasion in Nepal helped me with every formal things like changing money or getting a SIM Card for the cell phone. I think that is very important in an unknown country. You will enjoy the time in school, the kids are very cute and thankful that you come from another country. In the lessons you can play many games, but it is important that you create your own games because thereby the kids will receive personal ideas of you. The school is located outside of Kathmandu and the environment is very peaceful. Every morning you will go to the school by motorbike or with the bus. If you like you can also go to other places for work where you can teach other children. That can be a very interesting alternative. If you want, the people from the organisation will take you to a Jungle Safari in a National Park. For me it was the first time in a jungle and I saw many different animals while I rode an elephant. When you come to Nepal as a volunteer, I would say that you have to do this very nice trip to the National Park. The accommodation is a very good place, you have an home stay feeling there. In the accommodation you always have somebody who will take care of you. The rooms are very comfortable and cosy. You will get the food in the accommodation, and it is very tasty and if you want you can use the kitchen to cook your own meal. Also it is an important point that the accommodation is not far from the city so that you can go out alone to buy something In brief, I can say that this work experience is full of new, interesting impressions, so if you are interested in helping other people, you have to go to Nepal. I am convinced that you will gain many new experiences.
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