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Because we can!
Please fill the membership and commitment forms to be a part of SAMDAN.
Because we can!
Experiences and reflections from international volunteers and visitors
That was my very first trip overseas when I visited Nepal. Since then, I was strongly attracted to Nepal. The nation has rich beautiful nature and historical heritages, and people are so welcoming and caring. On the other hand, I remember how shocking it was to see people throwing garbage on the street and into the river. Devendra was our host father during a study trip from my home university in Japan — I was impressed by how dedicated he is to making a clean environment. I decided to work with his team SAMDAN and returned to Nepal after half a year. Each staff played an important role in educating children and teachers, collecting and separating garbage from schools, and making garbage reborn as beautiful handicrafts. I believe SAMDAN's strategy to educate the younger generation is a good idea in the context of Nepal, and their work will bring a change to society.
It is an honor to cooperate with SAMDAN through sending Japanese university students annually since 2016. SAMDAN is a perfect destination to explore deeper field work in Kathmandu and a best gateway to experience intercultural activities with people in Nepal from young to old. CESP has worked and lived together with people in poverty — I am confident this work is a meaningful investment for the future of Nepal. Children-BEEP is also an important project for the future environment of Kathmandu. Since 2016, our Japanese team has sent 26 students for 2–3 week programs and 2 internship students. We hope the collaboration will continue for long and benefit both countries.
Incorporating waste management in schools is crucial to combat this issue in the long run. A well-informed child grows up to be a responsible citizen. We are very grateful to SAMDAN Children for such a far-sighted project running in multiple schools with big potential of a clean nation provided they have adequate support from authorities.
We got an amazing tour around the facility where the production, collection and preparation happens. We joined one of the employees on a trip to collect garbage from nearby schools and helped actively in the collection process. They showed us how they recycle paper and took us through the whole recycling process. The last day we were asked to prepare a presentation about waste management in our own country and presented it to three classes where SAMDAN regularly has education about global and local waste problems. Through the three days we volunteered, we actively participated in the recycling process, the collection process of waste and the education of youth. I was surprised by how much people appreciated SAMDAN's work for the community. I am proud of having seen the start of a revolution of environmental awareness in the city of Kathmandu.
I went to Nepal in 2011 to visit my brother who was there for half a year. I was struck by the great need many children have in the country. Many families do not have the funds to send their children to school, to give them a proper education and a hope for a better future. I discussed this with Devendra, a good friend of my brother. Together we discussed how we could make a difference in Nepal. We agreed that education is the best tool to lift people out of poverty. It has truly been inspirational, and at times heartbreaking, to read stories of the children that CESP has supported. The changes the organization makes in individual children is a change that will benefit their entire communities. CESP does not only build better lives, but creates hope for a better future for whole societies. It's a part of building a better Nepal and a better world.
Visiting Nepal 5 years ago was a life-changing opportunity for me to realize the importance of environmental problems and the possibilities of education to tackle them. After joining a study tour, I realized we as Japanese also have so many possibilities to change our country — I started working as an environmental activist in Japan to change Japanese society using grassroots activities.
I decided to come and join SAMDAN work for 2 months, to see the current situation of Nepal and rethink the role of environmental education not only in Japan but in other countries. Working in schools was not easy, but I got full inspiration from students and other SAMDAN members. Students are filled with pride for their country Nepal and have a strong passion to change it. Approximately 60 environmental classes with them re-changed me and gave me great motivation to work on environmental issues and change Japan.
