Expedition Nepal was a celebration!
We were meant to visit Nepal in 2020. After partnering with our two shelters in 2011 and then in 2013 we wanted to celebrate almost a decade of volunteers. But, of course you know what happened that year. So we waited, and waited... and waited. When we finally bought our plane tickets it didn't feel real, when we stepped off the plane to the dry and clear night it seemed like a dream, when we finally sat and had tea after giving some excited dogs a bath it felt like everything had fallen into place perfectly.
Nepal will always be a country that means so much to us. The experiences Nora had there in 2008 propelled her to think differently about international volunteering. It also brought her to be the volunteer coordinator at the wildlife centre where she met Heather. Our dog rescue centres were some of our first international partnerships and of course, some of our first volunteer experiences. Being able to celebrate the growth of these centres, see the changes in animal welfare in the Kathmandu Valley and hug the friends we have been separated from for so long was nothing short of wonderous.
Animals in the Kathmandu Valley are better because of our partnerships. Because of our volunteers. Because of the dedicated and amazing humans who have dedicated their lives to community dogs and the people who live around them. And we can't stop smiling when we think about that!! The centres are bigger and growing! More and more dogs (and cats) have been vaccinated against rabies (keeping human populations safe), there are less puppies from the committed animal birth control programs, there are more dogs on couches adopted with families because of the nonstop educational campaigns. The things we celebrate are tangible. They are quantifiable and sharable- which makes them celebrabte-able!
We have some blogs and some updates and some things to share but for now we want you to know that you are part of the story, you are part of the dogs of Kathmandu. Without your support none of this is possible. That is never lost on us, while we are helping people travel, when we are traveling ourselves or when we are marvelling at the achievements in front of us.
Feel inspired to volunteer in Nepal? How could you not? Check out the Nepali experience page for more information.
Want to come volunteer *with* us and celebrate 2023? We are going to Thailand! To read if this trip is for you check out the Expedition Page!
Looking forward to sharing even more with you,
Nora
