At the end of his freshman year at the University of Georgia, one 19-year-old from Forsyth County said he wanted to “find some adventure.”
And adventure is just what Daniel Armstrong got.
As the school year drew to a close, Armstrong learned of a volunteer organization that connected those eager to help with opportunities for service in Nepal.
Armstrong — a 2008 South Forsyth High School graduate — left May 14 for the six-week program, where he spent time with children in an orphanage and trekked through the country’s scenic landscapes.
Armstrong, who returned from his journey several weeks ago, said it’s hard to say what experience in the country was the most rewarding.
“As an outdoorsy and adventure-seeking person, I thoroughly enjoyed the trek through the mountains,” he said of his climb up a section of Mount Everest. “It was incredible and so breathtaking.
“But at the same time, I have to say working and meeting and playing with the kids in the orphanage was the most fulfilling.”
He helped with daily chores at the orphanage, as well as walking children to school and helping them with their homework.
Prior to leaving for Nepal, Armstrong collected donations from friends and family to buy clothing, school supplies, coloring books and a bike for the orphanage.
“You realize in a country like that ... how far just a little can go,” he said. “In going over there, you see how you can really easily make a difference. If I could fly over there for free, I’d be there all the time.”
Deanna Armstrong said her son has always had the traveling bug.
“This trip in particular I think was a phenomenal experience for him,” she said. “He came back very excited about the things he’d seen and the people he’d met.”
Armstrong said he was glad he stumbled on the volunteer program, which he saw on the Internet.
According to its Web site, RCDP Nepal has run “community-based volunteer programs in Nepal by carrying out many school and orphanage-based volunteer projects.”
It was founded in Colorado in 1998, but is operated from Kathmandu, Nepal.
The mission of RCDP Nepal is to “encourage international volunteers to contribute in sustainable community development that benefits the underprivileged and extremely poor.”
E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.
BOX
Boxhed: On the Net
For more on RCDP Nepal, go online at www.rcdpnepal.org.
And adventure is just what Daniel Armstrong got.
As the school year drew to a close, Armstrong learned of a volunteer organization that connected those eager to help with opportunities for service in Nepal.
Armstrong — a 2008 South Forsyth High School graduate — left May 14 for the six-week program, where he spent time with children in an orphanage and trekked through the country’s scenic landscapes.
Armstrong, who returned from his journey several weeks ago, said it’s hard to say what experience in the country was the most rewarding.
“As an outdoorsy and adventure-seeking person, I thoroughly enjoyed the trek through the mountains,” he said of his climb up a section of Mount Everest. “It was incredible and so breathtaking.
“But at the same time, I have to say working and meeting and playing with the kids in the orphanage was the most fulfilling.”
He helped with daily chores at the orphanage, as well as walking children to school and helping them with their homework.
Prior to leaving for Nepal, Armstrong collected donations from friends and family to buy clothing, school supplies, coloring books and a bike for the orphanage.
“You realize in a country like that ... how far just a little can go,” he said. “In going over there, you see how you can really easily make a difference. If I could fly over there for free, I’d be there all the time.”
Deanna Armstrong said her son has always had the traveling bug.
“This trip in particular I think was a phenomenal experience for him,” she said. “He came back very excited about the things he’d seen and the people he’d met.”
Armstrong said he was glad he stumbled on the volunteer program, which he saw on the Internet.
According to its Web site, RCDP Nepal has run “community-based volunteer programs in Nepal by carrying out many school and orphanage-based volunteer projects.”
It was founded in Colorado in 1998, but is operated from Kathmandu, Nepal.
The mission of RCDP Nepal is to “encourage international volunteers to contribute in sustainable community development that benefits the underprivileged and extremely poor.”
E-mail Frank Reddy at frankreddy@forsythnews.com.
BOX
Boxhed: On the Net
For more on RCDP Nepal, go online at www.rcdpnepal.org.