【OIA】"From NCHU to Nepal": NCHU Volunteers Embarks on Cross-Border Service

Source: NCHU OIA/ PIN TZU HUANG

From July 1 to July 15, 2025, the Office of International Affairs (OIA) at National Chung Hsing University organized its annual international volunteer service program. Led by Associate Professor Cheng Ren-Chung from the Department of Life Sciences, a volunteer team comprising 16 faculty members and students traveled to Rajbiraj, a town in southeastern Nepal, to carry out a two-week project titled "Nepal Children’s Education and Community Infrastructure Program." The service encompassed educational instruction, environmental improvement, and cultural exchange, yielding fruitful outcomes and receiving widespread recognition from the local community.

The volunteer team brought approximately 126 kilograms of educational materials and stationery supplies to support education in underprivileged rural areas. Over the course of nine days, the team conducted 48 themed classes across two schools—Shree Rajdevi Secondary School and Badiyal Basic School. The curriculum included hygiene education, science enlightenment, issue-based discussions (such as emotion recognition), English songs and games, and hands-on activities, all tailored for students aged 6 to 13. Each class had an average of 30 students, reaching a total impact of 1,440 student engagements.

In addition to educational outreach, the volunteers contributed to improving the community environment. They helped paint dilapidated classrooms, cleaned local temples, removed rust, and picked up trash—tangible efforts that enhanced the quality of local learning and living spaces. Their dedication and actions were featured in a report by local media outlet Himshikhar Television.

The volunteer service adopted a homestay model, with team members divided into groups and hosted by local families, allowing for deep immersion in the daily life and culture of local residents. At the end of the program, heartfelt farewells between team members and host families created touching moments. The team also hosted a “Taiwanese Cuisine Night,” where host families were invited to sample iconic Taiwanese dishes and learn about the world-renowned bubble milk tea. This sparked a lively cultural exchange with Nepal’s own spiced milk tea.

After completing the volunteer service, the team visited the capital city, Kathmandu, and explored prominent historical and cultural landmarks, including Kathmandu Durbar Square, the Kumari Ghar (Living Goddess Temple), Boudhanath Stupa, and Swayambhunath (also known as the Monkey Temple or Temple of the Four Eyes). The group was fortunate to witness a rare appearance and blessing by the Living Goddess Kumari, offering a profound insight into Nepal’s unique religious traditions and rich historical heritage.

This international volunteer program not only exemplified National Chung Hsing University’s commitment to global responsibility but also enabled participating students to broaden their international perspectives through educational service and cross-cultural interaction. The experience fostered a deeper understanding of diverse social issues and provided invaluable personal growth and inspiration.

Group photo of the NCHU International Volunteer Team

Local newspaper coverage of the team’s service activities

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