In 2025, Furman University contacted me to tell me I had an intern request from a student to go to Nepal.
This began a great relationship with Yaseen Echekki, a graduating senior who was also Student Body President. Yaseen was excited about the idea of spending several months helping us in Nepal. When you read the part in the other section on our Health Camp at Hathibang Village you will see him in action.
So I asked him to share some of his thoughts.
Hello! My name is Yaseen, and I interned for GAC in Nepal! My time in Nepal began with a warm welcome into daily life in the Kathmandu Valley.
Guided by my Global Action Coalition team, I was introduced to local culture, language, and community through morning walks, farming, and conversations with families who quickly made me feel at home. Soon after, I traveled to the Chitwan region, where I would spend much of my time volunteering. Our team partnered with local leaders, physicians, and the Rotary Club of Chitwan to organize a health camp in the remote village of Hatthibang.
The journey into the mountains highlighted how geographic isolation can limit access to healthcare and educational resources, but it also revealed the resilience and curiosity of the community. On the day of the camp, patients moved through stations for consultations with doctors in internal medicine, pediatrics, orthopedics, and other specialties before receiving needed medications. The collaboration between international volunteers, Nepali physicians, and local organizers created an atmosphere of shared purpose and optimism.
Beyond the immediate care provided, the project sparked broader engagement—local partners and community members began discussing ways they could continue supporting Hatthibang in the future. Experiences like this demonstrated how global partnerships can extend far beyond a single event, inspiring ongoing commitment to health, education, and community empowerment.
Outside of our project, I also got to volunteer at Manavsewa Ashram, take part in a farming project, celebrate two of Nepal’s biggest festivals, and explore the beautiful mountainscapes of the country. I experienced joys and challenges that have made me grow as a person and as a global citizen. Nepal has now become a place where I have people whom I call brother, sister, uncle, and cousin. There’s nothing like visiting a country where the people there make you feel instant ease and comfort. I look forward to returning one day!
