Bad news, good news... balance

Yesterday we were informed that a division of Maoists have taken control of the Manahara landless community. The leader of the community has been abducted, and the people are being forced to comply with the group's requests. Needless to say, volunteers are not going to be working with this community now unless or until the situation changes. This is so unfortunate because VSN has so many projects going on with this group. We just opened a clinic... I had my income generation group... We also have contributed funds so they can make a gravel road to go through the center of the community, which will cover up some of the sewage drainage. Fortunately most of the projects will continue with Nepali volunteers and staff only. Also, our efforts to help with the clean water and toilet issue can continue, we just have to hope that the Maoists leave.

Anyway... I am so frustrated with the whole situation. Several weeks ago, I interviewed many of the community members (I have photos and write-ups of my interviews). A large percentage of them abandoned their homes to escape Maoists rebels, and now here they are being faced with a similar problem. Today I spent about three hours reviewing footage from my documentary. (I edit it this week.) At one point I am interviewing this woman in the community. I asked her what situation brought her family here from their village. She said the Maoists. I asked her if anyone in her family had been hurt or killed. Tears filled her eyes and she just looked at the camera. So I totally lost it in the studio when I saw that clip. AHHHHHHHHHHHH

For those of you concerned with my personal safety, please don't be worried. We are well taken care of here. This is a internal political issue that doesn't concern foreigners. I actually live in a suburb of Kathmandu, so the palace, government offices, etc. are far away. I haven't seen any demonstrations besides strikes... Right now there is a teacher's strike, so schools have been closed for a while. This is also a frustration for the volunteers who work in schools... every morning the students must listen to the news to see if the schools will open. This strike is not affiliated with the Maoists.

Yesterday we had a meeting with the current volunteers... a group of us are going to visit all the orphanages again (taking advantage of the fact that they are out of school). Two doctors, two girls doing hygiene eduction and myself will split the orphans into groups rotate them. The doctors will give check ups, Bryony and Jessica will teach about hand washing, etc., and I will inspect and repair their clothing. If I have time, I will teach some more of the kids basics like threading a needle, etc. We will go to a different orphanage everyday. I am excited because so much will be accomplished.

Today I visited Radihka, the committee leader for my village income generation project. She took me into her shed and showed me what the women have done! They have become knitting machines! Hats, socks, sweaters, pants.... Tumala, the teacher is no longer coming, they are just honing their skills. They have arranged w/ Tumala to call her if they have questions or run into problems. What they have done in a month is unbelievable!!! I am ecstatic, and they are too! She also specifically told me that they did not want any more supplies from me. They are going to buy their own supplies from now on. This is awesome firstly because we intended not to give them anymore supplies, and secondly because it is an indication of their independence and motivation to succeed. I am going back in a few days and we will have the marketing committee member schedule a time to visit the orphanages supported by VSN. She will take measurements, etc. of the children and VSN will place a large order. I can't begin to describe how great this is. Not only do 20+ women have a skill that will be helpful to their families... that they can teach their daughters, etc... they are doing so much more with their skill! My vision has come to fruition! Yeah!

Because of this success, VSN is going to use this template for other projects. For example, the same group of women expressed a desire to learn to read. No volunteer is able to teach how to read and write the Nepali Sanskrit... but we can bring in local teachers and provide materials etc. We just got a Nepali volunteer who is interested in working exclusively with women. I just volunteered her to spearhead the literacy program...

Yesterday, Yet (a doctor from Holland) and Jessica (a pre-med student from Vermont) and I were discussing the nature of volunteer work. There is this theory that only the volunteer benefits from volunteering... however, after today I think that is unfounded. Needless to say, today was a good day.

Tomorrow I am in the studio and off to the orphanage!
Namaste