A group of young Chinese students—from school to university level—is currently in Nepal on a week-long volunteer programme to foster people-to-people ties through service, cultural exchange and learning.

Since landing in Nepal on Monday, the group has been engaged in activities ranging from painting classrooms to fixing furniture in public schools. On Wednesday, they visited Madan Smarak School in Patan, where they worked alongside local students and interacted with them.

“We are a volunteer group. We’ve worked in many countries since 2016, and now we are pleased to be here in Nepal,” said Wang Xu, a representative of Youth Plus Group, the organisation facilitating the trip. This initiative helps our children explore the world and understand different cultures. Everyone has different capabilities and such a programme offers platforms to discover and nurture them.”

The volunteers also immerse themselves in Nepal’s rich culture, learning to cook Nepali cuisine, understanding local customs, and visiting heritage sites. Having visited other countries for their summer camps, the student group came to Nepal with two motives: first, to support the public schools and second, to learn about the neighbouring country.

“Despite being our close neighbour, not many know about Nepal. As a volunteer myself in the post-earthquake period, I got to know how beautiful Nepal is and how good Nepali people are,” said Mu Feipeng, co-founder of Ninan Jia Education, which is coordinating the students’ visit. “I want our new generation to experience that in firsthand.” Mu was in for three years after the 2015 mega earthquake, coordinating the construction of a public school in Melamchi, Kavre.

The students who participated in the visit said they thought Nepal was a poor and backward country. But their impression changed right after landing here.

“I was amazed to see Nepal. The environment and the friendly people. Everything is beautiful,” said Lin Yichen, a student from Chengdu. Echoing similar sentiments, Tao Zike from Hangzhou said he was drawn to Nepal after hearing about the country through the news and friends. “I liked the place. The mountains, the plains, and nature. Everything is all so unique,” he said.

Local stakeholders have welcomed the initiative as a meaningful example of grassroots diplomacy. Govind Prasad Poudel, the school’s principal, said the connection between Nepal and China has existed since immemorial. “ We must continue such cordial exchanges. We can learn from our Chinese friends, especially their advancements in science and technology, while showcasing Nepal’s cultural richness.”

Shree Gopal Maharjan, chair of the School Management Committee, praised the young volunteers’ hands-on involvement. “Their work is not only helpful; it is symbolic. These efforts strengthen our people-to-people connections. I am very optimistic that our children will get to sense China’s advancement from our Chinese guests.”

After completing their studies, the visit also sparked interest among the students in broader collaborations in the education and research sectors. Mu Ziye, also from Chengdu, shared his wish to contribute to the field of education, inspired by the positive experience here.

Despite Nepal’s limited resources, students said they were touched by the country’s warmth and sense of community. “Nepali children are very happy and friendly,” said Wang Yanjie, a high school graduate from Zhejiang. “We feel welcome here. It’s a very accepting and beautiful country.”

Organisers believe such volunteer exchanges sow seeds of understanding and peace. “This is not just about helping. It’s about enjoying each other’s lifestyle and building a future together,” said Yang Zihan, one of the students.