Kaule e.V. - Organisation for socially sustainable Agro Projects

Paige Leigh Tyson, Dylan Flower and Connor Bell

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 13:38:48 +0000

‘In November 2009, we participated in the Kaule e.V. Project in Nepal. During our stay, we witnessed the everyday lives of farmers in the rural community; helping to build a bamboo fence, teaching some english classes, and putting some final touches on the Kaule e.V. headquarters, not to mention interacting within the community, enjoying rice wine with Nepali families, beautiful walks through the hills, and delicious local cuisine. We learned a lot about the local culture, vegetation, and farming practices. We will definitely remember Kaule fondly.’

Jules Henze

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:33:49 +0000

Arriving in Kathmandu is an emotional process, above all when you intended to stay in Nepal for five months. You probably didn’t expect the things you see, or you never thought about them before coming here. Some people don’t have just a simple life here but rather a difficult live, and this is negatively impressing.

After the introduction period with VIN I was happy to arrive in Kaule. The traffic doesn’t disturb you anymore, nor the local people do it. Life is still looking poor here, but not under the bad conditions the capital “offers”, and not with people in between able to enjoy Nepal as tourists and somehow provoking the locals to rip them of. Ok, I still felt like a stranger or intruder.

This feeling never dissapeared really, but while working, especially while working on some of the farms participating in the project, It feels easier and easier to live here for a longer time. I got to know people from the village, most of them are really friendly and invite us into their houses for a meal.

The work I’ve done varied quite a lot and included somehow everything from teaching English to children and adults in the village to the more rough work like building a rain drainage out of cement. In between I planted trees, pulled other plants out, counted nitrogen-lumps on roots while helping Vera on her research work, coloured wood, built up something out of it, and so on and so on. Most of the things I’ve rarely done before. That was one of the reasons why I went to Nepal, to live under different conditions and do something different from only mental work in school, what I will continue in university this year.

All in all, after my five months in Nepal I can say that it was a rewarding experience, even if I suffered from some illnesses in between, which sometimes really made me feel like flying home the next day. In the end, flying home was as emotional as arriving in Kathmandu, not because of what you see – I don’t know if it’s good or bad, but you were not surprised by the living conditions here any more – , but because you weren’t sure about going home. Somehow it just started to feel like a home.

Henrik Lassegård

admin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 18:36:01 +0000

Roddy McKay

admin — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 10:37:27 +0000

“My stay at Kaule was both pleasurable and rewarding, partially due to the varied diet provided (something not common on Nepali volunteer programs), but primarily due to the community focused attitude of the program’s organiser. Hospitality is a trait that Nepal is famous for (even if the same Nepali would scathe you behind your back), however at Kaule village it is clear that the community is honestly greatfull for the work conducted by Kaule e.v.
I had initially planned to work at Kaule for just three weeks, before heading off to work on a month long project that I had organised in Western Nepal, however I was so happy with the work at Kaule that I returned after my months project and continued to work there for most of my five month stay in Nepal. Although the project is primarily Agricultural based, the work available to volunteers is varied due to the recognition of different needs in the community. Farming, construction/maintenance and English teaching work can be carried out there and if you have an idea of something different to do that will benefit the community, I’m sure the project organiser would be happy to consider this.
The accomodation is luxurious (by Nepali volunteer standards), but you have to take the short trip to Kathmandu if your thinking of hot showers. Yes that is a hint; if your going there to volunteer I’m sure they’d be greatful if you took a solar shower kit with you as a gift. Also say “Namaste” to the always smiling village shopkeeper for me, I’m sure by now the Kaule volunteers have spent enough in his shop for him to send his children to university, which might be part of the reason for his constent warm smile and golly attitude.
All in all, I would say if you are thinking of volunteering in Nepal, but you’re not looking for some great challenging adventure, then go to Kaule. If adventure is what you’re after head to the West and see what the people there want you to do, then go to Kaule once you’ve recovered.

Roddy.”

Dan Keezer

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:40:26 +0000

I stayed in this house for 6 weeks between Sept. 15th – Nov. 1st, 2009.

View video: Walking Tour of the Community House in Kaule, Nepal

Luke Grossmiller

admin — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:11:12 +0000

Volunteering in Kaule was a great way for me to feel at home in a new country. Kaule is a town about an hour bus ride outside of Kathmandu with a rural population of farmers. In the day time I helped with sustainable farming related projects and in the evenings I helped with two English classes. I lived in a volunteer house with between four and eight other people. A Nepali cook came to prepare two meals a day, and a translator would come to help us talk with the villagers. The people I met were very friendly and the location is beautiful. I felt free to take time off from volunteering to explore Nepal, but there is also always work to be done. I feel sad to be leaving this place where people have treated me so well these last three months.

The photos of 2009 are online

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:10:07 +0000

After hours of selection and post-preparation, the first photos of 2009 for the Kaule project are online. Photo subtitles and descriptions will be added gradually.

Hence, for those who want to take a first glance, just go and check out the photo gallery in preparation.

Photos of 2009

Visit to Godawari Training Center

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:05:44 +0000

Members of NAF and Kaule visit the ICIMOD Godawari Training Center and get inspired by the techniques that are demonstrated to them.
Godawari is also a resource for other required plants. This day is a personal gain for all participants.

Nawaraj Pandit

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:04:44 +0000

Nawaraj Pandit starts his work in Kaule. He is an employee of NAF and will work for Kaule e.V. in Kaule village.
Nawaraj’s tasks are multiple and include household duties in Alina’s absence, tuition of and looking after the volunteers, informing and mentoring the project participants, continuing the field data collection, and sending updates to Germany.

NAF and Kaule e.V.

admin — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 13:51:43 +0000

Since the cooperation with NAF has proven really successful during our training seminar, NAF and Kaule have decided to continue working together in Kaule.

NAF and Kaule e.V. will also be officially recognised as partner organisations. Hence, the project is to be registered at the Social Welfare Council under the name NAF and will this way receive its official validity. In return, an employee from NAF will be offered a permanent and paid-for position at Kaule e.V. The employee will help collect data, look after the volunteers, maintain communication with the project participants and be the single point of contact for them. Furthermore, he will take responsibility for the club house and for the office in the absence of Alina* Schick.