Nepalese Orphanage Improvement Project—Improve Lives and Explore another world
As summer approaches, it’s time to start thinking about what to do during summer break. Whether it be to improve your college admissions chances, to experience life in a completely different setting, or to help some kids live a better life, the Global Philanthropy Leadership Program’s Nepal Orphanage Improvement Project would be a solid option.
The project is organized by IvyMax, an organization dedicated to preparing students for elite colleges. Project volunteers fix, expand and refurbish a deteriorating orphanage near Kathmandu established by a non-governmental organization. They also play and engage with the kids and visit cultural sites such as stupas, Nepalese places of worship.
“I learned how serious the problems facing Nepal’s prisons were,” participant of the 2014 project and IHS sophomore Tony Zeng said. “Volunteers could help in small ways such as by helping improve the children’s living conditions by cleaning and repainting some of the rooms.”
Students don’t only help the Nepalese children and NGOs, they also exchange perspectives with and develop deeper cultural understanding of the Nepalese. Before the project, they are required to complete homework and attend an orientation about Nepalese language, cultural values, myths and facts, politics, and societal issues.
“We’re not there with all the answers [to societal issues], we’re there to work cooperatively with the Nepali people, “Matthew Beccaria, a counselor and coordinator of the project said. “The real purpose is to expose [the volunteers] out of their comfort zones and help them mature and grow.”
This project is a valuable experience to put onto college applications, but commitment to international volunteering is vital to how attending this program affects admission. A misconception is that colleges would consider attending one global philanthropy program impressive.
“I discourage people to attend this project for college,” Beccaria said. “It can help, but it is not a good way of convincing colleges to admit them. They should have been continuously doing [international volunteer work] because of philanthropy. Colleges can spot it if you use the project solely for admissions.”
Besides college admissions, safety rises as another concern for parents. However, the project has a coordinator in Nepal to resolve any issues regarding safety. Also, counselors live and work closely alongside with the student volunteers.
The 2015 summer project dates are 6/15-6/29 (6/17 arrive at Kathmandu airport) and 8/01-8/15 (8/03 arrive at Kathmandu airport). Tuition is $4900 and includes domestic transportation, meals, accommodations and materials needed for volunteering.
For more information please visit http://www.ivymax.com/programs/summer-winter-camp/nepal-orphanage-improvement-project/ , or contact IvyMax Irvine Center at 949-679-8688. Tuition must be paid at registration to secure a spot in the program.The address of the center is 600 Roosevelt, Irvine, CA 92620.
Genevieve Slosberg
Staff writer
04/19/2015
As summer approaches, it’s time to start thinking about what to do during summer break. Whether it be to improve your college admissions chances, to experience life in a completely different setting, or to help some kids live a better life, the Global Philanthropy Leadership Program’s Nepal Orphanage Improvement Project would be a solid option.
The project is organized by IvyMax, an organization dedicated to preparing students for elite colleges. Project volunteers fix, expand and refurbish a deteriorating orphanage near Kathmandu established by a non-governmental organization. They also play and engage with the kids and visit cultural sites such as stupas, Nepalese places of worship.
“I learned how serious the problems facing Nepal’s prisons were,” participant of the 2014 project and IHS sophomore Tony Zeng said. “Volunteers could help in small ways such as by helping improve the children’s living conditions by cleaning and repainting some of the rooms.”
Students don’t only help the Nepalese children and NGOs, they also exchange perspectives with and develop deeper cultural understanding of the Nepalese. Before the project, they are required to complete homework and attend an orientation about Nepalese language, cultural values, myths and facts, politics, and societal issues.
“We’re not there with all the answers [to societal issues], we’re there to work cooperatively with the Nepali people, “Matthew Beccaria, a counselor and coordinator of the project said. “The real purpose is to expose [the volunteers] out of their comfort zones and help them mature and grow.”
This project is a valuable experience to put onto college applications, but commitment to international volunteering is vital to how attending this program affects admission. A misconception is that colleges would consider attending one global philanthropy program impressive.
“I discourage people to attend this project for college,” Beccaria said. “It can help, but it is not a good way of convincing colleges to admit them. They should have been continuously doing [international volunteer work] because of philanthropy. Colleges can spot it if you use the project solely for admissions.”
Besides college admissions, safety rises as another concern for parents. However, the project has a coordinator in Nepal to resolve any issues regarding safety. Also, counselors live and work closely alongside with the student volunteers.
The 2015 summer project dates are 6/15-6/29 (6/17 arrive at Kathmandu airport) and 8/01-8/15 (8/03 arrive at Kathmandu airport). Tuition is $4900 and includes domestic transportation, meals, accommodations and materials needed for volunteering.
For more information please visit http://www.ivymax.com/programs/summer-winter-camp/nepal-orphanage-improvement-project/ , or contact IvyMax Irvine Center at 949-679-8688. Tuition must be paid at registration to secure a spot in the program.The address of the center is 600 Roosevelt, Irvine, CA 92620.
Genevieve Slosberg
Staff writer
04/19/2015