During my high school to college transition, I volunteered at the office of Action Works Nepal (AWON). It was a 17-day long sign up for a trip to Kalikot and Jumla where the major work was to attend and volunteer in a workshop about “Safe abortion and Menstrual Hygene”. I did field trips to different villages where AWON’s project was running about the issues. The first two days in Kalikot were to take part on the “Value Clarification and Attitude Transformation Workshop” that was held to sensitize the local representatives and youths on family planning and safe abortion.

During my stay in Kalikot, I closely observed the project activities run by AWON and worked with them. Interacting with Swasthya Aama Samuha (Health Mothers’ Group) and Youth Clubs,  talking to them about menstrual hygene, family planning and, safe abortion and even observing and learning with them on a workshop that taught them to make reusable menstrual pad made me better understand the condition of Kalikot and ranges of impact made by projects led by AWON. 

On 25/04/2015 a devastating earthquake hit Nepal with the magnitude of 7.8 rector scale. People were scared and wounded with many deaths. “Action works Nepal” a well-known NGO gave me an opportunity to help the people who were in need. I, with my four friends was given great opportunity to work as a volunteer in Tribhuwan University Teaching Hospital, Maharajgunj Kathmandu. I heartily thank Action Works Nepal for the opportunity provided to foster my future. TUTH gave us opportunity to join a camp at Nepaltar where most of the cases were diarrhea and worm infection. Lastly, I felt that through “Action Works Nepal” I became useful nurse to my country.

After I finished my education as midwife at the end of September, I went for 5 month to Nepal as a volunteer from AWON (Action Works Nepal) . The first two month I went to Jumla, West Nepal (Karnali Zone) as Midwife to different villages like Sannigaun, Kudari in the mountains and worked there together with the people in the health-station where AWON works also. It was an amazing experience. The people are very thankful for help, but I would prefer the next time, to have an translator with me, because then it`s better to communicate the work and you can do more with the people. I did not have time before I went to Nepal to learn Nepali. I went alone in the health stations to work and the English skills of the local people were not the best. The last 2 month also my husband came to Nepal and then we worked together for AWON and the people in Jumla. It is a great and a necessary project named Meteri Peace learning center, because with this project, AWON can archive that the people get to learn how they can help themselves and each other. My husband also preformed different kind of workshops and we connected people to make plan for the Meteri peace learning center in Jumla. Now we are back in Germany and working from here still, next to our work here, for AWON and the Meteri Peace learning Center.So if you feel toughed and also want to support the work of AWON to help the people in Nepal, you are always welcome and the people will be happy for your help. Just contact AWON and go for it. Everybody can do something; you just have to do it.

It was a massive devastation caused by earthquake. Lots of people were victimized. Most of the houses were broken, still many houses were at risk. In the meantime, I was on contact with Action Works Nepal, NGO situated at Thapathali which provided me an opportunity to implement my entire knowledge into practice. Action Works Nepal provided and coordinated us (me along with my 4 friends) volunteer in one of the renowned hospital of Kathmandu, Tribhuvan University Teaching hospital.
We started to volunteered and give our service from 29th April – 4th May. During the volunteering period we were posted in Post-Operative Ward where we got the chance to explore our study and knowledge more in a better way by doing the practice in real environment practicing many life threatening skills in such critical condition and we provided proper treatment and needed care. After that we were shifted to Operation Theater(OT) recovery room, preoperative and postoperative care were given emphasis on. After our volunteering got over in TUTH, we were off to work for Kavre district through Action Works Nepal. Kavre which was also badly affected district by earthquake.
Action Works Nepal had conduct health camp in Ghartichhap VDC of Kavre district. We reached there after a long walk of around 9 hours with necessary medicines and other medical supplies. We, a team of 13 including 2 doctors, 4 nurses and other volunteers were there. There also we encountered different medical conditions like URTI, LrTI, gastritis etc.
I heartily want to thank Action Works Nepal for paving my way towards service and success. I would love to work with them in coming days.

I want to thank Action Works Nepal for providing an opportunity to volunteer at Teaching Hospital in regard with the earthquake relief program. As a responsible citizen of this country, I contributed in this crisis situation caused by devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015. I highly appreciate Action Works Nepal for the platform through which we could reach to the needy.

From 29th of April we were posted at male surgical ward. We got to see many earthquake victims who suffered a lot and which was heartbreaking. Many of them were fractured cases. Different age group people were admitted. We gave counseling to some of the patients to overcome the loss and fear. We helped the nursing staffs to provide medications to the patient. The nursing staffs over there were really co-operative and understanding.
I had a very good experience working at TUTH. My personal and professional skills have developed a lot. Also interactional skill has developed. I would like to work further if I get such opportunity again.
Thank you Action Works Nepal.

Anupa Subedi