This trip is for those with an adventurous spirit and a heart for service.

Our purpose is to provide healthcare services to the 18,000 people of Indrasarowar Rural Municipality - ParticipAid's service region in Nepal. However, you will also see the sights and wonders of Nepal, learn about the history, culture, and economy of the country, and experience the best practices of international community development, all while building a community with like-minded folks from around the world. 

You'll acclimate in Kathmandu by resting, getting to know each other and learn about Nepal, and visiting a landmark temple or two. Next, we travel to the beautiful lakeside town of Markhu, which will be your home base for the next 5 nights. 

Each morning for 5 days, you'll travel by jeep to a nearby village that will host our team of practitioners and volunteers in what we call a "Health Camp". Villagers will travel from near and far to be treated at our camp. For many, this will be the only time they have access to a doctor for the foreseeable future.

After this incredible service, we'll head back to Kathmandu to rest, reflect on how we'll integrate the experience into our lives, and enjoy the magic of the ancient city. 

You'll be led by at least two of ParticipAid's co-founders and board members - Executive Director, Dr. Erin Willis and In-Country Director, Kamal Phuyal. 

They have been working closely together to improve the health and well-being of Nepali people since they met just after the devastating earthquakes of 2015. 

This will be Dr. Erin's fifth time leading a Nepal Global Health Experience, and Kamal has decades of experience introducing big-hearted foreigners to his beloved country. They'll be joined by another board member plus in-country staff and partners who will all be dedicated to creating the experience of a lifetime for you and the people you'll serve.

We are seeking a team of 12 people to take part in the 2024 Nepal Global Health Experience. 

During the service portion of our trip, we will be led in-country by a team of Nepalese practitioners - Ayurvedic doctors, acupuncturists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and more. You will work with one of these practitioners according to community need, your experience, and the comfort level of the team. 

Our ideal team is composed as follows: 

7-8 healthcare practitioners

2-4 support volunteers 

1 photographer/videographer 

Healthcare Practitioners: 

We will build a well-rounded team of licensed professionals (ND, LAc, MD, DO, DC, RN, NP, PA, LMT, etc.) and also practitioners of the healing arts like reiki and sound healing. You'll need to provide an active license or certification to see patients. Preference will be given to those with expertise or experience with Ayurveda. All applicants must be interested to learn Ayurveda. 

Support volunteers: 

We will utilize non-healthcare volunteers for support in running the camp. This could look like coordinating lunch breaks, keeping waiting patients hydrated and comfortable, helping distribute medicines or educational materials, or record keeping. Must be positive in nature and able-bodied. No credentials are required. 

Photographer/videographer:

This person will capture the 2024 Nepal Global Health Experience on film for sharing and marketing purposes. Professional preferred. 

You will partake in 4-5 hours of workshops in the country to prepare you to be culturally immersed and provide the best service possible to our community members in Nepal. 

We are currently seeking approval to provide continuing education credits to healthcare providers. We are beginning with NDs and DCs and will post updates here as they're available.  

FOOD: 

In Kathmandu, a simple continental breakfast is available at the hotel. 

Lunch and dinner will be out in restaurants or on a few occasions, hosted dinners. 

A variety of cuisines will be available and we will do our best to meet your dietary needs. 

Once in Marku and the villages, you will consume a more traditional Nepali diet. 

"Dal bhat" is served twice per day - a delicious meal of rice, lentils, greens, vegetables, and sauces. A choice of meat is available. 

All meals are included in the trip price.

ACCOMMODATION:
You will reside in private hotel rooms with private bathrooms for the duration of this trip. 

In Kathmandu, you'll stay at a beautiful historic hotel with an ancient architectural style. It's in the middle of the city, yet surrounded by peaceful gardens. 

In Markhu, you'll stay at a nice, clean lakeside hotel. Your room will be plenty big with a private bathroom.

These hotels are included in the trip price.

This is a day for rest and acclimation. 

It's a free day for you and your cohort to arrive and get settled. We will be here to help you get situated and stay awake if you're working through jet lag!

Because of the time difference, we recommend arriving in the daytime hours, morning or early afternoon best. 

Today is an easy acclimation day where you'll get to know each other and ParticipAId. 

You'll gather as a group and get to know each other and eat some great food. You'll also learn about what we believe is the most effective, equitable, and empowering approach to international service - participatory development! 

Today you'll learn about the rich culture of this amazing country. 

Nepal is uniquely one of the few remaining that has never been colonized. 142 ethnic groups and 10 religions mix and mingle here. 

You'll also visit a World Heritage Site or two on this day. (Boudhanath pictured)

Today you'll learn about the healthcare system of Nepal.

We'll teach you the most critical health and economic issues the nation faces, and then meet some of the leaders in the Ministry of Health and Department of Ayurveda that are charged to bring about the changes needed.  

Today we leave the city for the beautiful village of Markhu, our home base for our village service work. 

Along the way, we'll visit some of the home herbal gardens planted by our Preventive Health Educators, meet them, and learn about how local people use different herbs for disease prevention and health promotion.

Today we begin our health camp service in the village of Markhu. 

Health camps are the only way that the vast majority of Nepalese people see doctors, so this component of the trip is of deep service to our communities. We will be hosted by local health workers in clean and adequate facilities. You will work alongside Nepalese healthcare practitioners to treat local people. You will be assigned a team of practitioners to work and learn with for the day. The Health Camp will be open for all local people to come for treatment from approximately 11am-5pm. 

Today we'll travel a short distance to Fakhel to host their health camp.

Health camps are the only way that the vast majority of Nepalese people see doctors, so this component of the trip is of deep service to our communities. We will be hosted by local health workers in clean and adequate facilities. You will work alongside Nepalese healthcare practitioners to treat local people. You will be assigned a team of practitioners to work and learn with for the day. The Health Camp will be open for all local people to come for treatment from approximately 11am-5pm. 

Today we'll travel a short distance to Khadpu where we'll provide them a Health Camp.

Health camps are the only way that the vast majority of Nepalese people see doctors, so this component of the trip is of deep service to our communities. We will be hosted by local health workers in clean and adequate facilities. You will work alongside Nepalese healthcare practitioners to treat local people. You will be assigned a team of practitioners to work and learn with for the day. The Health Camp will be open for all local people to come for treatment from approximately 11am-5pm. 

Our destination today is the village of Sisneri, a short drive from Markhu.

Health camps are the only way that the vast majority of Nepalese people see doctors, so this component of the trip is of deep service to our communities. We will be hosted by local health workers in clean and adequate facilities. You will work alongside Nepalese healthcare practitioners to treat local people. You will be assigned a team of practitioners to work and learn with for the day. The Health Camp will be open for all local people to come for treatment from approximately 11am-5pm. 

Our final Health Camp will be hosted by and for the people of Kulekhani, a short drive from Markhu. 

Health camps are the only way that the vast majority of Nepalese people see doctors, so this component of the trip is of deep service to our communities. We will be hosted by local health workers in clean and adequate facilities. You will work alongside Nepalese healthcare practitioners to treat local people. You will be assigned a team of practitioners to work and learn with for the day. The Health Camp will be open for all local people to come for treatment from approximately 11am-5pm. 

This is a day of well-deserved rest!

We'll pack up and travel back to Kathmandu, where you'll have a free day and dinner together as a group. At this dinner we'll discuss some of our more potent experiences and provide support to integrate lessons learned.

Today is mostly free, aside from a big farewell dinner celebration for us all. 

You can sleep in, visit some different sites, or buy some gifts and souvenirs - choices abound in Kathmandu!

Today is the last day of our trip! 

We will make sure that you have everything you need to travel home with ease. If you decide to stay. Today is the beginning of a fun mini-festival season in Nepal. Google Laxmi Puja to learn more.