"I came for the first time in July 2015 to Maya Universe Academy and fell in love with this project which fights inequalities in rural Nepal, with the people and their very inspiring devotion, with the talented, eager to learn, smart students and with the atmosphere. At Maya, everyone is free to bring on a new idea, a new project, a new construction as long as it fits the long-term plans of the school! It is an amazing place to grow and take responsabilities. I have come back every year since then, and can't imagine living without this place and its people for too long."

"My recent volunteer experience at Maya Universe Academy in Nepal, together with my 16‑year‑old son, was truly exceptional, one of the most rewarding family adventures we’ve ever had. We spent our days helping on the school’s organic farm: ploughing, planting, watering and harvesting. These hands‑on tasks allowed us to contribute meaningfully to the school’s self‑sustainability efforts while immersing ourselves in the rhythms of rural Nepali life. What impressed us most is how this program suites for our family. The academy’s values - meaningful education, community involvement, environmental care, and holistic personal growth - align deeply with our own. Volunteering there gave us a real understanding of these principles in action. We loved living close to nature, breathing fresh mountain air, and seeing how sustainable farming directly supports the students’ meals and wellbeing. The most precious part was the quality time we shared as a family. Away from daily distractions, we bonded through shared physical work, quiet moments in nature, and heartfelt conversations. Watching my son engage so fully - learning responsibility, teamwork, and appreciation for simple, purposeful living - was incredibly meaningful. We also cherished the friendships we formed with volunteers from around the world and the warm, welcoming locals. Weekends brought joyful hikes through the foothills, and we were invited into students’ homes for authentic breakfasts and dinners, moments filled with laughter, stories, and genuine connection that made us feel like part of the extended Maya family. A heartfelt thank‑you to Maya, the dedicated team, and everyone involved for your tireless work in providing free, quality education and building a brighter future for rural Nepal. Your passion touched us deeply. We left inspired, grateful, and already counting the days until we can return. I highly recommend this experience to any family seeking purposeful travel, meaningful volunteering, and unforgettable time together. Maya Universe Academy truly lives up to its name: full of love, learning, and transformative impact."

"To choose to Volunteer at Maya was one of my best decisions ever. I enjoyed every moment of it. I was for 2 weeks there helping with agriculture and construction jobs what involved watering plants, preparing soil for planting, making the climbing fence for plants, building kindergarten play ground and more. I wished I came for a longer time - it was hard to say goodbye to everyone. I loved spending time with school kids, volunteers, teachers and local people. I got used to shower under cold spring water what is the best thing ever when temp outside is 34C! School is located in a beautiful spot surrounded by hills, small village houses and farm land or jungle. I loved going for the walks as well. I am so grateful for all the support, love and kindness that i received form the School stuff, local villagers and kids, and also volunteers - the time spent with all them will be in my memory forever. I would definitely love to come back to Maya again and spend a bit more time in this magically beautiful place."

"I would recommend Maya Universe to anyone who loves being part of a loving and hard-working community. I had the pleasure of stopping there for 2 months and there is still nowhere else I would rather have been. My intention was to be a part of construction but on arrival, I realised I was far more useful in the classroom. So I taught grades 4 and 5 English for 7 weeks. The kids were truthfully hard and there were 20 or so in a small classroom, however, they were all enthusiastic to learn and cuter than belief. By the end of my stay, I made incredible friends who I traveled on with including trekking with Bisham the volunteer coordinator. I made some wonderful friends who I hope to stay in contact all my life and made memories that will never leave me. Highlights include volleyball with the kids and volunteers while the sun set over the Himalayan foothills, lassie down in the town Damauili, swimming and sharing beers on the beach down by the river in town, dinners with local parents and teachers eating dahl baat and roti, reading in the hammock overlooking the beautiful jungle. Maya is an Oasis hidden in the hills of Nepal, so good I am even trying to persuade my parents to go out there. (miss any of you who happen to read this)"