Back in the day, it was an honor to be selected to represent American Airlines as a volunteer for the Dooley Foundation. Volunteers worked in Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Laos and Nepal for three months helping locals and having amazing experiences.News: Flight Attendants Revive 50-Year Dooley Intermed Program to Assist Nepal
Today, that opportunity is reborn as Airline Ambassadors International teams up with Dooley-Intermed International to launch the new AirIntermed!
Selected applicants will spend 2 weeks in the breath-takingly beautiful Sankkhu Valley just east of Kathmandu, helping at the Eco-Farm Home for Orphaned Children. They will also journey to the Namo Buddha Monastery to assist young monk’s with their English and teach health education at nearby villages.
It will be an unforgettable journey filled with adventure and love! There are eight departure dates this year in Sept., Oct. and Nov. Contact Kate Jewell (LAX-I ret.) at drkatejewell@yahoo.com or 360-376-7663 for details. Check this Blog Post
Join us as part of the AIRINTERMED Volunteer Program
(You can register for one of the trips by filling in this form.)
Eco Farm Home for Orphaned Children
Sankkhu–Sharada Village, Nepal
12&Nights&/13&Days
Day One
Upon arrival at KTM (Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport) and after the usual customs, immigration, and visa formalities, you will be met by a Mission Himalaya representative who will drive you to your hotel.
Evening trip briefing and Welcoming Nepali Dinner
Overnight at Hotel Tibet in Kathmandu
Day Two
Free day to rest, sight see or take an optional tour. Hopefully meet with the outgoing team in the evening to share dinner (on your own) and debrief.
Overnight at Hotel Tibet (or equivalent) in Kathmandu
Day ThreeAfter breakfast, check out and enjoy the 1-1/2 hour drive east to the beautiful, lush, green farming valley of Sankkhu-Sharada village. Arrive at the Dooley-Intermed, Mission Himalaya sponsored Eco Farm and Home for Orphaned Children.
Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by Eco Farm staff members and children and enjoy a hearty Nepali lunch.
After lunch, relax, unpack. Then start planning your stay by -discussing activities and sharing ideas with the Eco Farm Staff and children.
Dinner and overnight stay at Volunteer’sCottage or Tented Camp adjacent to Eco Farm Home.
[Note that by Nepal law, no volunteers are permitted to stay overnight inside the orphanage building]
Day 4
Early wake up call to begin morning activities with the kids: teaching/assisting with brushing teeth, washing, and exercise Learning Activity Hour: Interact with the children to help them learn English and gain confidence in speaking it. Assist with homework and tutor as needed.9 AM – Brunch, then walk children to their school. Return to Eco Farm Home to work with the staff performing maintenance chores, cleaning surround areas etc.
In the afternoon, return to school to escort children back to the Eco Farm home to freshen up. Then enjoy Tea and Tiffin and a short rest.
Evening: Game/ Activities hour — games, quizzes, talent show, drawing, painting, dancing,….be creative and have fun!
Dinner, then free until bed time.
Day 5, 6, 7
Begins like day 4, but after walking children to school, you will visit (a ) local school/s in the area to teach English. You will be able to help children improve their verbal communication skills. The cultural exchange will be invaluable! You will be working in a Government or Private school.
While your main role is to teach English, you will also be able to assist with other school activities, sports etc. You will spend 5-6 hours in the school, then return to the Eco Farm.Game Hour, tutoring as needed, dinner and free until bedtime
Day 8
Wake up early to share morning activities with children, have Brunch and walk kids to school.
Begin hike to Namo Buddha Monastery (approx. 2 hours). There you will interact with young Buddhist Monks teaching English, sharing creative activities such as painting, games, etc. You will also have an amazing opportunity to witness and participate in traditional Buddhist rituals.
The evening will be much like at the Eco Farm. Enjoy your time with these special little monks!
Stay overnight at the Namo Buddha Monastery or nearby lodge.
Day 9 Early morning prayers and meditation at the main hall of the Monastery. After breakfast, teach English to the young Monks. After lunch, help around Monastery as needed. Then hike back to Eco Farm for evening meal, activities with children and bed.
Day 10 &11
After usual morning activities with children and brunch, walk children to school and proceed to local village. There you will be teaching health and hygiene as needed, especially woman’s issues. A manual and guidelines will be provided. An account of what each volunteer has focused on needs to be ongoing to share different information with the villagers and enhance their basic knowledge.
Return to Eco Farm for Game/ Activities hour, dinner and bed.
Day 12After breakfast, you will be saying farewell to the Eco Farm, school and village and departing for Kathmandu. Check in to your KTM hotel with free time for shopping, sightseeing on your own, etc. Ideally, the AAI/DI volunteers for the next mission will have arrived and you can share your experiences with them over dinner. PLEASE fill out the Mission report so new volunteers can read about your experience, perceptions and suggestions.
Day 13
After breakfast, spend free day until departure from KTM.
COSTS: $930 per person
12 night, 13 day program includes:All airport and hotel transfers in a private car with English speaking driver/guide.
Three nights in KTM at Hotel Tibet or similar 3 star establishment. Breakfast and taxes included based on double occupancy.
Transportation KTM – Eco Farm – KTM
All lodging and meals while at Eco-Farm and Monastery
Arrival and departure porterage
Not included
International airfare
Airport Departure Tax (which should be included with airfare)Nepal entry Visa (15 days $25, 30 days $40, 90 days $100)
Lunch and dinner while in KTM
Bar bill, laundry, phone calls, internet costs, extra mileage
Gratuities (always appreciated)
Comprehensive travel and tour INSURANCE covering all aspects of tourism – MANDATORY
Trips planned for these dates in 2015…..allowing for overlapping days for ingoing and outgoing teams to share information
Sept 15 – Sept 29 Contact Kate Jewell to Register
Sept 25 – Oct.9 Email: drkatejewell@yahoo.com
Oct 5 – Oct 19 or call at 360-376-7663 or 909-455-8694 (cell)
Oct – 15 – Oct. 29 See background on Dooley Intermed HERE
Oct 25- Nov. 6 Download Nepal Release copy and send to Airline Ambassadors International
Nov. 2 – Nov. 16
Nov 12 – Nov 26
Nov 22 – Dec 6
Please fill in this form to register for one of the trips! There you can pay the deposit, the balance or the full payment for one of the trips.
