mercy and justice

Liz guru

This blog, on which I also spent much time, was also lost in cyberspace. I wanted to let y’all know about my classes. I will have to combine a week of experience into one blog.

I was excited to finally get started volunteering. I am working in a village, which is about a 40 minute walk from my Kathmandu suburb home. I initially had 3 classes in this village. Two English classes and an income generation program for women. It has turned now turned into 4 classes. I started with 8 students in my morning class and 14 in my afternoon class. Now I have 17 in at 10am and 25 at 1pm. I split the pm class, and about 8 selected students will come and have conversations with me during the second half of my women’s group. I am excited that they’re excited, but it is really challenging, because they are at all levels and I am in an outdoor class room. On Friday, the neighbors spent the entire day 10am – 2:30pm pounding hay (to break it up, I guess). Also, the entire village gathers round and watches me teach. They have little conversations in Nepali, so I have to ask them to leave. They usually just go to the rooftop of the houses and watch me from above. I’m getting used to it. These kids have no daily schedule, so often the younger class will show up for the other classes, just to watch me and visa versa.

On Friday, a large group of students were absent… which was odd… I was told that the 4 boys were bathing. Bathing is an important part of the Hindu religion, so I am assuming there was some event… Another couple of girls were working in the fields.

My younger class, have learned a little English, but a typical day sounds like this:

Liz – “My name is Liz”

Class – “My name is Liz”

Liz – “No, listen to me only” with my hand by me ears

Class – places their hands by their ears “No listen to me!”

They are getting better. They really like to sing “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and I taught them “I’m a little teapot” Both my classes love to play Simon Says, but they younger group doesn’t understand the Simon part of they game. It is good for them just to learn commands and to understand my words.

One day, I we talked about colors in my younger class. We also learned about the concept of “I like” and “my favorite”. I brought crayons and paper for everyone to draw a picture using their favorite color. The kids were spread out all over, and each one of them drew exactly the same picture: a house with a road, a bird, a tree, and mountains. After talking to the VSN staff and other volunteers, I found that the only opportunity these kids had to draw was probably once in school where the teacher drew the same picture on the board and had them copy it. These kids spend all day playing in the dirt and fields without any adult supervision… they have to be uber-creative… but they have no opportunity to use that creativity on paper.

My older class is really fun. They have a better grasp of the language, so I can do a lot more. They are begging me for books in English, so they can read and practice. I only brought a couple with me, so I might go to downtown Kathmandu and see if I can find some more.

Everyone is amazing… I took pictures of each child, so I could learn their names. When I told them to smile and point to my teeth, they would point to their teeth too.

I have so much more to tell, but this will have to do for now.

Namaste!

Mean Bunnies

Amaa after we found the last egg she had hidden! She is so cute!

Aama = Mom in Nepali

Bishi, Sujanna, Sophi, Me, Aama

So I wrote a huge blog on Thursday... I spent an hour filling y'all in on details and details, but alas the awesome Internet service here for some reason only posted my titles. I will try to make this composition as brilliant as the original...

The story: We go to church on Saturdays here, so Easter fell on a regular work day... I told you a little about visiting the refugee community... that was my day. That evening we had a meeting with all the volunteers. It was really great to meet everyone and hear their suggestions and experiences. They are from all over... mostly Canada and the US, but we have one from Germany, Singapore, Czech Republic and a handful of Nepalese volunteers as well. In addition to a farewell/introduction party, we had a meeting regarding how to improve VSN for future volunteers. Rick directed the meeting and even followed up later by disseminating meeting minutes. A lot of interesting things were brought up, which gave me a clearer picture of how VSN works. Rick is the self appointed interim director of VSN... he is doing amazing things, but he runs a tight ship. I sometimes worry that his vision may be a little overwhelming for this infant NGO. They are lucky to have him however. What he is doing in Nepal is very large scale compared to my minor contribution.

After the meeting we went home and I told Aama and the girls that we were going to have an easter egg hunt. I explained that in America a rabbit hides eggs for children to find. "I'll be the rabbit tonight." I told them. G and I hid 10 plastic eggs (I brought from home) in the main room downstairs. Since it is a new idea/concept we were really nice. The eggs were peeking out of things... The girls came in, and within 3 minutes had found everything (I also hid little piles of candy). They were so giddy and cute. Then they decided that they wanted to hide them. They locked G, Rick and I in the kitchen (when I say lock, I mean with a key). 10 minutes later we were released and set free to find 10 bright plastic eggs in a 10 x 8 ft room. ... an hour later we were still looking for the last eggs. They would not let us give up. They had hid them inside light fixtures, zipped up in couch cushions, and other ridiculous places. Bishi had joined them and helped find the most impossible places in the room. We were taking apart furniture... it was crazy fun. The last egg turned out to be in Aama's bun. They were all laughing uncontrollably, and wanted to do it again and again. By the time we had finished our search it was really late... I told them they were mean bunnies.

Mero Nepali Pariwaar (my Nepalese Family)

Last night was a big thunderstorm - hail, lightning, etc. On top of that was powersharing, so the entire suburb of Pepsicola as pitch black. We live right next to the airport, so I could see the runway lights only.

The family was bored, so I gave them the quilt I made for them and spent the next hour showing them pictures of my family and Tahoe, etc. They do not get snow in Kathmandu, so they were facinated with my pictures of snowboarding, sledding, etc.

After dinner, Sophie tried on Saris. She is graduating next week, and this will be the first time she is allowed to wear a sari. I liked the salmon color one, she liked the pink one because it had sparkles. She will look stunning regardless. It was fun to see her get all dressed up.

There is a talent show at the branch this weekend, and Rick is teaching the cha-cha to one of the girls in the branch to perform as their talent. Sophi really wanted to learn too, so last night Rick and I taught Sophi and Bishi how to ballroom dance. Bishi is their cousin who lives next door. Sujana refused to try. We covered several dances... waltz, salsa, swing; they learned really quickly. Rick and I would show them, and then I would dance with Bishi... Rick with Sophi. It was so much fun. I love the family. I had every intention of being super productive and diligent in my language study and lesson prep, but there was a thunderstorm... :)

Sugandha asked me last night about what the options are in America for adults that didn't go to school (finish high-school). I explained the GED program, etc., but finally he got to his point! Their maid/cook, Goma, has no education. He has tried to encourage her to return to school, but she doesn't want to be the only teenager or young adult with a group of young kids. He said that she has worked for them for so long, and he feels that he should really encourage her. So he is going to ask her to come to my income generation class that starts today!!!! He also asked me to start helping her learn English. This makes me so happy. In Delhi, I wasn't allowed to talk to the "help"... and here Sugandha is breaking the century long tradition one person at a time. This just reinforces how great this organization is that he started... VSN that is.

Thamel

OK I have 5 minutes online!

Yesterday G, a volunteer from Canada, took me to Thamel. The only economy in Nepal is tourism. This is the tourist trap of the country. It is a section of Kathmandu that is lined with shops. I was actually a little annoyed to see so many tourists. I was tempted to spend 100 dollars and buy everyone I know new outfits, masks, etc. It is incredibly inexpensive, but I worry about the conditions of where things were made. Daily I see little children working in construction, running the corner store... Just an example you can buy a woven skirt and shirt... hand made for 2-3 dollars. A cashmere sweater for $5 or so. I bought a handmade coin purse for about 80 cents because the Rupees are too big for the one I brought with me. Otherwise, I think all the souveniers I get will come from the villages.

I have to go to Kotesur to meet Milan and Tumala to buy supplies for my women's group tomorrow. I tried to write 3 times today, but the internet was not working, so hopefully I'll be back again and give more details.

Shiny Happy Caste System Part II

I begin volunteering today!!! I am so excited. I have three separate projects. One involves the refugee community, which I probably didn't finish telling you about. We have had several meetings and are currently trying to get outside help to work in a partnership with us. This will be a first for VSN. Rick and I are compiling pictures and video of the place and people. Today, I will go and interview some people to get personal stories. I could stay 1-2 years and focus solely on this community! VSN is hesitant to start income generation projects here because of the flooding and other more pressing needs of the people.... hence my other projects...

In the mornings I will be teaching English to 30 teenagers in a nearby village. Today I assess the levels of the kids and decide whether I need 2 or 3 classes. 3 other volunteers are coming to build me an outdoor classroom. Ahhh the caste system. In my class I have students from all castes including a few from the lowest caste, the untouchables. We were unable to find a location that would allow us to use a room because no one wants untouchables in their home or building! It makes me want to scream, but I am glad that I get to work with a mixed group! This is why VSN rocks! They are indirectly helping weaken this caste system by making sure all children have equal opportunity. I am excited. I am nervous about learning and remembering 30 names! Some names are easy (like Sabin and Sophi) others are more challenging (like Gahaanindra).

My third project (about which I think I am most excited) is an income generation program for women. Today and tomorrow Sugandha and I will select about 10 of the most needy women in this village. We have certain criteria for the selection (e.g. widows, disabled, etc.). We have hired a Nepalese woman from Kathmandu who is an 'expert' in sewing and knitting to teach them. We will make items that will appeal to tourists (tourism is the major/only economy in Nepal). I will then help them to approach shopkeepers to buy the items to sell in the store... I will teach them about making a budget for materials and not spending all that they make, etc. Depending on their abilities... I might look into an online sales program. This is the plan at least. Today I find the women. Tomorrow, I go shopping and buy materials with Tumala, my expert. Thursday, we begin! This is the first time that VSN has done an income generation program independent from another organization (like a women's center), so they are excited to have me! What is great about the way we set it up, is it can continue after I leave because it will be run exclusively by Nepalese women. I am only there to guide and get everything set up.

I should mention that before I got here, I thought I would have a specific volunteer plan waiting for me to step into. Not so. They wait until you arrive and then give you a bunch of options. It is my responsibility to design my own project. I was a little frustrated by this at first, but now I am stoked! I want to stay longer!

Malaii raamro chha

I just quickly reviewed what I just posted... There are many grammatical errors. Keep in mind that I am typing quickly and I have Nepali trying to make it through the English, Spanish and Hungarian in my crazy mind.