Kathmandu:

The first batch of Nepali volunteers of the Global Xchange Nepal-UK exchange 2007-08 are leaving for Birmingham on September 15. Although the programme has been taking place in other countries, it is being organised for the first time in Nepal. Here, the programme is being organised by the British Council, Voluntary Services Overseas Nepal and Aasaman-Nepal.

“We have selected volunteers on the basis of ethnicity, geography and gender,” said Somraj Acharya, Chairperson of Aasaman.

These volunteers will spend three months in Birmingham with a host family and they will be

paired with UK volunteers. They will be involved in different community projects, which will benefit that community.

Then the volunteers along with their counterparts will spend three months in a village in Kavre where they will be working in schools and other groups like health clinics.

Rajana Kumari Mainali from Mahottari is delighted to be a part of this programme.

“I am looking forward to learning new things which I can use to bring about changes here after I return,” she said.

The Chief Executive of the British Council, Martin Davidson was also present to meet the volunteers.