My name is Jodie Mandarino and I was in Nepal for 6 weeks during July and August of 2009 and again for 5 weeks during May and June of 2011. I came with an organization that was based at my school, Wilfrid Laurier University, in Canada and I can easily say that these trips will stay with me for the rest of my life. I spent most afternoons with the children at the Lotus Children's Home and got to help them with homework and their English. I had brought them some children's books from Canada and they loved to read them with me. When I was helping them with their English they were able to teach me a little bit of Nepali as well. I also got to play lots of games with them and took them on various trips to the pool, the zoo and to Monkey Temple. Getting to know the children on an individual bases was one of the best parts of the trip. The owners of the orphanage were also amazing. Laxman is always there for you and is a great resource for getting to know the city. Laxmi is also a great friend and we would go shopping together and she helped me to buy a beautiful sari. They treat you like family and take great care of you while you are there with them. My experiences in Nepal have been shaped around my time at the Lotus Children's Home. The work I was able to do there helped me to realize how much one person can make a difference. E-mail: jodie.mandarino@gmail.com

My name is Megan Smith and I came to Nepal for several months in 2007 from Los Angeles, California, USA. Arriving in Nepal was like arriving in a whole new world, one that I have never explored within my 18 years. 

I came with an organization local to Nepal called Hands for Help, and was soon working in liaison with the local non-profit New Friendship Society who run The Lotus Children’s Home in Katmandu. 

I came to Nepal as a volunteer, however it was extremely difficult for me to find an orphanage or school where I could effectively help the community and children due to my physical disability and the total inaccessibility of Nepal, (I use an electric wheelchair because of cerebral palsy). So, upon arriving at the Lotus Children’s Home run by New Friendship society, I was immediately welcomed with a make-shift ramp and the warmest smiles.

I not only appreciated that they welcomed me into their organization and orphanage without hesitation, but they put me to work immediately teaching the children English and helping with homework and truly valued the work I was doing. I am incredibly impressed by the work NFS does and the wonderful home they have built for these children despite obvious limited resources. Their dedication to the local Nepali community and the betterment of the many orphaned and abandoned children within Nepal is in my opinion uniquely impressive.

I was well taken care of as well. During my days at the orphanage I was fed amazingly well by the aamaa’s of the home and was well looked after by the managers of NFS. All in all, NFS has provided me with an opportunity to help on the most grassroots and local level in Nepal, as well as provide me with an experience of Nepali culture I will never forget.

Hello, My name is Bryan Milks.  I visited Nepal for six weeks in August and September of 2007 and I can say that for me it was the experience of a lifetime.

Nepal is a country that is full of life and culture, and that is different in so many ways from my home in Canada. My time at the Lotus Children’s Home was definitely the highlight of my trip. The staff of the home treated me like family, and the children were all very loveable, each with their own unique personality.

I spent my time playing games, helping with homework, and teaching songs to the children, who always love to sing and dance. During my stay I was able to see the good that NFS is doing in the lives of these children.

I was impressed not only with their dedication but also by their selflessness and compassion, and I remain to this day inspired by good work that they are doing.  I would enthusiastically recommend and encourage anyone to volunteer with NFS at the Lotus Children’s Home.