Lauren Randell

Nepal – 2 week group trip – January 2024

Why did you join VoluntEars?

I wanted to challenge myself.

Why did you choose the Nepal trip?

I’d heard about it from other VoluntEars on the VoluntEars Morocco trip in April 2023. I wanted to challenge myself with the trek and experience Nepalese culture.

What were you looking forward to?

I was looking forward to everything, having a go at weaving, the trek and learning from the Sherpas, the food, meeting the group.

Were you worried about anything before the trip? If so, what?

Not really, I trust VoluntEars implicitly after joining previous trips.

What words would you use to describe your experience in Nepal?

Challenging but achievable, unforgettable, thought-provoking.

What was your funniest or most memorable experience?

We laughed a lot! So many to choose from. I thought it was funny when Kate outsmarted Dan’s magic trick [Dan is our trekking guide]. He’s never going to live that down!

What did you enjoy the most on the trip?

VoluntEars had a brilliant itinerary, every stop along the way, restaurant and view was amazing. It was a joy to experience it all with such a great group.

The highlight for me was the school. We donated some items to the students such as fancy-dress face masks and putting on a mask myself and playing superheroes along with them was a moment I won’t forget.

How do you think you benefitted from the experience?

I think the trek and the preparation I’ve put in over the last few months has really improved my physical fitness and mindset.

I’ve had the opportunity to practice my BSL skills. I’ve met some amazing new friends. Learnt about a new culture and experienced a side of Nepal that I wouldn’t have seen without Richard’s insider knowledge [Richard Clowes is the Director of VoluntEars and led this trip].

What did you like about the VoluntEars trip?c

I liked everything. The trip is well paced and manageable. I felt challenged and like I had achieved something. Richard and David [VoluntEars Communicator] were fantastic supports throughout the whole trip. The group were brilliant. The local people we met along the way that Richard has got to know over the years, such as the Sherpa Team, were fantastic.