I was lucky enough to spend three weeks at Life Vision Academy this year, working on a production of The Tempest with some of the children from the school. I was welcomed enormously by everyone at the school, the children and the staff and immediately felt at home there.

The main focus of my work was collaborating with a group around 25 children and introducing them to The Tempest by William Shakespeare. Myself and Hazel, my directing partner, told the children the story and then through drama games and improvisation techniques, the children got to know the play and we managed to cast the show within a few days.

This was my sixth return to Nepal – but my first visit to the new school in Godavari. I visited the school at its old site in 2014, and had photos from that visit. Some of the children were now young adults, working at the school in different capacities. Early on we felt part of an extended family.

Florence and I had preliminary plans to recreate a children’s version of Shakespeare’s The Tempest in 3 weeks - a tall order. Our little team of 25 children threw themselves into the drama session with great enthusiasm, enjoying the warm ups the singing exercises and the drama games…

My first experience entering the school was overwhelmingly positive. I was greeted by the entire school and it instantly made me feel welcomed into their home. The kids were excited to meet someone new, and I could see it in their enthusiasm.

Within seconds of being on the premises I was promptly given a tika, became drafted into a futsol match, and shown a countless number of really impressive karate moves. After working up a thorough appetite, the didis cooked a delicious dal bhat platter, while I ate through a huge smile.

If I had to describe my Nepal trip in one word, that word would be: Incredible. Fortunately, I can use many words to describe it so that is exactly what I am going to do.