Is it your dream to help others less fortunate than yourself! Volunteering can make that dream happen even in the global financial crisis. Volunteering attracts all types of people and they contribute in different ways. Volunteers make a significant and positive difference in many areas of their host community – whether it is in your own country or in places less well off than your own - such as India and Nepal. It can be through social welfare, education, health or the arts, the host community benefits enormously from the generous input of volunteers who engage in the community. Volunteering has both short and long term benefits for both parties. You can also take the initiative to fundraise for a community you want to be a part of. Your efforts to fundraise will be part of the rewarding experience as these communities benefit enormously from any amount that can be donated. Easy ways to fundraise include selling raffle tickets, fundraising chocolates to donating the proceeds from that much needed garage sale. This is just the start, there are many more ways in which you can fundraise. So put your thinking caps on.

One person who has taken a novel approach to fundraising is Kylie Gilbert from Queensland Australia, (see Ek News July/August 2009). She is attempting to raise A$8,000 to build 2 classrooms in the remote village of Kophu in the Solu Khumbu region of Nepal by doing she loves best – trekking. Kylie is going to attempt to trek to the summit - 439 metres (pictured) on Sunday 27 September 2009 as many times as possible in one day of Mt Cooroora, Pamona, near Noosa. Kylie was inspired after visiting the school on a trekking holiday in April this year as the village children have no classrooms and attend class under a canvas cover. The village has no power or water and is 3 days walk from the nearest road. You can help her by providing sponsorship or by trekking with her. You can contact Kylie on kyliekinkin@hotmail.com

Whether you choose to come to Dharamsala, India or the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, and if your dream is to volunteer you will benefit your host community in many ways. As a past volunteer of Ekno Experience correctly put it - "It's not taking time from me - it's me using my time to do the things I love – helping others". As a volunteer tourist in a host community, it is your passport to 'community engagement'.

Ekno Experience will organize you to help others!

Our placements range from 1 week to 5 months – placements include 7x 1 hour language lessons.
Combine volunteering with yoga/meditation.
Our 14 day short programs are designed for those who want to combine work with language lessons with travel in both India and Nepal.
More details on our website.

English Conversation Partners - Required English conversation partners for Monks who are studying for their Geshe degrees (Professors of Buddhism) in the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics.

The Head of the Institute of Buddhist Dialectics (IBD) is the Dalai Lama and has he has given instructions and funded the monks to study English and Chinese for a year (possibly 2 years). Offered in India only.

Volunteer English Teachers- Teach English to Tibetan Refugee mature-aged students or teach English to Nepali School students. Offered in India & Nepal.

Nurse Educators - Teach Health education in both in both Tibetan and Nepali schools. Subjects to be taught are: Nutrition, Hygiene, Women's Health. Offered in India & Nepal.

Nurses - Work with local nurses on home visits. Train local nurses on up to date methods in home care. Offered in India only.

Volunteer Technical Trades Teachers – Teachers with the following expertise are required:

• Automobile (basic) and Motorcycle Mechanics
• Electricians (Electric and House Wiring)
• Plumbers
• Draftsman
• Offset Printing Press

These positions are with an adult Vocational Teaching Centre in the Kathmandu Valley. Offered in Nepal only.

Trainee Potters – Learn techniques of an ancient old craft traditional pottery making with local potter from the delivery of the clay, preparing, kneading, and forming the ware, finishing, drying, firing and preparation of the pots for delivery. Offered in Nepal only.

Editors - Required helping with editorial duties of transcribing Tibetan Buddhist texts into English as part of the Tibetan Library & Archives objective of publishing books and manuscripts. Offered in India only.

Graphic Designer - A Graphic Designer is required for the local English news magazine CONTACT. The magazine is a free distribution which relies on stories from other volunteers and advertising. Offered in India only.

Journalists for two positions:
1. The local English news magazine CONTACT. This print magazine is a free distribution which relies on stories from other volunteers and advertising.
2. An online news internet site called Tibet Sun. This internet news site has its office in McLeod Ganj. Offered in India only.

Other Volunteering opportunities are also available in Dharamsala and Nepal. Full details on our website www.eknoexperience.com or email Sharon at info@eknoexperience.com for further details.

Dalai Lama News: The Dalai Lama's busy schedule continues in 2009.

He will teach in Dharamsala from October 15 to 18 on The Diamond Sutra, Seven Point-Mind Training and Tsongkhapa's The Three Principal Paths.

He will also teach from October 20 to 22 on The Four Noble Truths and from November 25 to 27 on Atisha's Lamp of the Path to Enlightenment.

His Holiness will also visit Australia again in 2009 will visit Sydney, Hobart & Melbourne. The schedule for December 2009 is:

If you are thinking of coming to volunteer in Dharamsala during the months of October or November, why not combine it to fit in with one of the Dalai Lama's teaching dates.

Nepal is always a popular destination for volunteers. Our volunteers have been working in Thimi in the Kathmandu Valley since 2001. You can catch the experiences of past stories about Volunteering in Nepal on our Blog. Why not join up and have your say.

This month we featured something different – a testimonial from Nicole Zurzolo from Melbourne who came to McLeod Ganj in June to learn Reiki. Ekno Experience for me was a great introduction to India in June this year. Sharon was exceptionally attentive to all of my needs all hours of the day. She organized several activities throughout my stay, including tickets to Miss Tibet Pageant, hiking in the mountains and a Buddhist Philosophy lesson not long after my arrival. This allowed me to meet other travelers and locals and see the true beauty of the Dharamsala region.

The hotel which I stayed at, Hunted Hill House, supplied spectacular mountain views as well as the best Phad Thai in town at the indoor/outdoor restaurant located just upstairs. My education of Reiki at Levels I, II & III was the highlight of my trip and Sharon organized an incredible teacher, Usha. Her vast knowledge and warm welcoming energy ensured an excellent experience. She provided a thorough understanding through both theory and practice of this powerful healing modality. Highly recommended!

You can catch Nicole's story and experiences of Volunteer on our Blog. Visit our Ekno Experience Blog.

If you are the independent type take advantage of our expert advice and experience to help you with your transportation and accommodation needs. If you want to learn a new skill combined with some travel to Dharamsala then one of our Mind, Body & Soul Packages will be ideal for you. Whether it's a Meditation, Reiki, Yoga, Language Cooking or Jewellery making class, your journey won't be complete without one.

Other courses offered are: Reiki, Meditation, Yoga, Massage, Tarot Card Reading, Crystal Healing, Dance, Cooking, Language and more... See our full range of courses and descriptions on our website.

If you have a short holiday planned why not try one of our working holiday programs – Teach English to one of the Dalai Lama's monks in India, teach English to Nepali school children while combining it with learning Tibetan or Hindi or combine it with a holistic course such as a Reiki or Yoga course and or a cooking class… the choices are endless.

Full details are on our website.

2009 Nirvana Buddha's Sites tour (13 days, 12 nights) with Dalai Lama's teachings in Bodhgaya (21 days, 20 nights) leaves Delhi on 21 December 2009.

The tour visits the Buddha's sites of Sarnath, Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Kushingar and Lumbini.

We are offering participants on the Nirvana Tour the opportunity of a lifetime to attend Dalai Lama's teachings in the Bodhgaya, India as a 10 day extension to the Buddha's Sites trip.

Pilgrimage Only- A$2,500, USD 1,625, Euros 1,250

Pilgrimage & Dalai Lama's teaching - A$4,000, USD2,600, Euros 2,200

This trip is a fundraising trip for Thosamling International Institute for Buddhist Women. Further details are on our website www.eknoexperience.com – Travel, Buddha's Sites, or email us at info@eknoexperience.com for further details.

We at Ekno Experience will do all organization, leaving you free to concentrate on getting the most out of your travels and your experiences in India. Be warned however, once she (India) is in your blood it could be there forever.

Email us your suggested itinerary and we will do the rest to arrange all the details. Check out the list of destinations on our website.