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Namaste from Nepal and Happy New Year!
It's been less than five days since I arrived, but somehow being a whole world away makes it seem so much longer. I got into Kathmandu on Sunday night after about 30 hours of travel and flew to Pokhara on Monday afternoon (where I am now).
Pokhara lies to the west of Kathmandu, in a valley of the Annapurna Range. This is the second largest Nepali town after Kathmandu, but still quite small. It's primarily a jumping-off point for trekkers and mountaineers headed into the Himalayas, rather than a destination unto itself. The town is situated around a beautiful lake and the streets are lined with guest houses, restaurants and shops offering Nepalese and Tibetan handicrafts. The people here (and throughout the country) are as beautiful as the scenery.
One reason for my visit to this particular place was to meet in person with the people from Nepal House, and this is how I spent my New Year's Day. Basantha, Shiva and Bima are the driving force behind this new, small non-profit organization that works with abused, neglected and traumatized children throughout the Pokhara valley. It's a HUGE and OVERWHELMING amount of work, and what they are doing is incredible.
The children they are helping have suffered at the hands of alcoholic parents, been physically and sexually abused in a culture that does not discuss such problems, have seen family members murdered, lived through landslides...any horror you can imagine for a child... and they are helping in a place where there are essentially no other resources available. They work with orphanages, schools, "social services" in the small way it exists in Nepal, and are slowly becoming known for the work they do.
There is a significant problem in this country with child trafficking (buying/abducting children and taking them to brothels in India) and they recently got involved with a case where two girls were rescued from such a situation.
Listening to their stories is heartbreaking and inspiring; you hear and see the best and the worst of humanity. They are truly pioneers in this country, as "whole child" integrated therapy does not exist here. It's incredibly exciting to hear about their work and the changes it is creating with the children; and learn about ways that we can help.
When I met with them today, I dropped off a big bag of medical supplies, and some soft toys. They expressed need for some items that I will purchase and send back from Kathmandu, and we are talking about some ideas for continuing to support their work. In February, we'll have a veg pot luck and slide show, and I'll share it all with you!!
Tomorrow we go to visit a local school and orphanage. And I will keep you posted as travels continue.
Much, much love and many blessings in 2009!
It's been less than five days since I arrived, but somehow being a whole world away makes it seem so much longer. I got into Kathmandu on Sunday night after about 30 hours of travel and flew to Pokhara on Monday afternoon (where I am now).
Pokhara lies to the west of Kathmandu, in a valley of the Annapurna Range. This is the second largest Nepali town after Kathmandu, but still quite small. It's primarily a jumping-off point for trekkers and mountaineers headed into the Himalayas, rather than a destination unto itself. The town is situated around a beautiful lake and the streets are lined with guest houses, restaurants and shops offering Nepalese and Tibetan handicrafts. The people here (and throughout the country) are as beautiful as the scenery.
One reason for my visit to this particular place was to meet in person with the people from Nepal House, and this is how I spent my New Year's Day. Basantha, Shiva and Bima are the driving force behind this new, small non-profit organization that works with abused, neglected and traumatized children throughout the Pokhara valley. It's a HUGE and OVERWHELMING amount of work, and what they are doing is incredible.
The children they are helping have suffered at the hands of alcoholic parents, been physically and sexually abused in a culture that does not discuss such problems, have seen family members murdered, lived through landslides...any horror you can imagine for a child... and they are helping in a place where there are essentially no other resources available. They work with orphanages, schools, "social services" in the small way it exists in Nepal, and are slowly becoming known for the work they do.
There is a significant problem in this country with child trafficking (buying/abducting children and taking them to brothels in India) and they recently got involved with a case where two girls were rescued from such a situation.
Listening to their stories is heartbreaking and inspiring; you hear and see the best and the worst of humanity. They are truly pioneers in this country, as "whole child" integrated therapy does not exist here. It's incredibly exciting to hear about their work and the changes it is creating with the children; and learn about ways that we can help.
When I met with them today, I dropped off a big bag of medical supplies, and some soft toys. They expressed need for some items that I will purchase and send back from Kathmandu, and we are talking about some ideas for continuing to support their work. In February, we'll have a veg pot luck and slide show, and I'll share it all with you!!
Tomorrow we go to visit a local school and orphanage. And I will keep you posted as travels continue.
Much, much love and many blessings in 2009!
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