These are some extracts from a post placement report by volunteer Nicki who went to Amar Jyoti school in Nepal for her full report go to the project review section at the very end of this page

All my dealings with people and places - particularly the pre departure preparations - were efficient, warm and friendly, and instilled me with confidence about the project.

People and Places provided tremendous backup to my volunteer experience.  I   felt 100% secure at all times.   From my first contact with Sally and Kate I knew that I was in safe hands.   people and places is a very professional organisation which gives exceptional personal service.   Kate builds up close relationships with the prospective volunteers, and she matches their skills and experience to the right project.   She is ALWAYS there for support and advice

From the moment I was greeted at Kathmandhu Airport I felt cosseted and enveloped by Tiger Mountain guides. I had asked for 2 more days in the city to meet up with a friend.   The Nepali guide looked after every detail and even offered to make phone calls for me.

The care and attention I received when I arrived at Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge was phenomenal.   Hari, the project co-ordinator, talked me through the placement on my first day, and accompanied me to the school the following morning.

Advice for future volunteers
Amar Jyoti is very needy and volunteering here  is a very worthwhile project. The school wants the help of volunteers but the teachers are not sure how to utilise them to the best advantage.
DON’T GET DISHEARTENED AND THINK OF PROGESSING IN VERY SMALL STEPS.    The aim eventually is for staff to use resources and materials without volunteers, but this is going to take time. If volunteers continue to use resources other than the text book to teach the curriculum, eventually the local teachers will gain more confidence and hopefully start using more varied methods of teaching.

Highlights

The genuine friendship given freely by the Nepali people and the close relationships that I made with both children and adults whilst there

To experience such compassion and lack of envy in those who have very little material wealth.

Watching children being allowed to open  books and turn over pages freely and seeing the joy this gave them

The  feeling that you are doing something worthwhile takes some beating. 

So many highlights…..

Accomodation

My Trip Advisor review says it all.    If it sounds unbelievable all I can say is that it is a genuine report of how I feel about Tiger Mountain and its staff.

Take a look at nickis wonderful story about reading with the teachers and children here on our blog