Tuesday, July
15, 2014
Fact one - Nepal has the worst roads in the world. Unfortunately they have even done a television
series on this. More unfortunate is that they may very well be right. Today we
started our day on the projects by being introduced to the pleasures of local
travel. As we stood by the side of the road awaiting our bus, which is unmarked
in any way with final destination being a shot in the dark, we pondered the
benefits of travel by bus or travel by taxi.
By simply standing upon the road and stretching out our hand we can stop a bus. By virtue of our appearance, taxi drivers assume we need their services.
Buses are larger and can hold more people but when over crowded, they are easier to jam more people into the coveted free space (like between the open doors.) Taxis in Nepal only have 4 seats but can still hold up to 8 people and luggage. Buses are higher and this means those under 5 ft. 4 have ample room to stand without hitting their head while taxis have a ceiling clearance of 3 ft. Buses can hold 5 to a seat that is meant for 2 which means more people have the opportunity to travel, while taxis are somewhat limiting unless you use the roof which then allows free flow of air.
It is an experience and as long as you are not claustrophobic, bus travel can really make you stronger. It is a definite “up close and personal” experience but can also be heart warming. Smiles from locals are served to us quickly when we try to keep our balance when the bus jolts to a stop. The great thing is that if you are lucky, you are sandwiched in so tightly that you really do not need to use the ceiling rails to hold onto.
We spent the day with the kids learning the routines. School is opened with 15 minutes of song and movement, followed by 30 minutes of exercise. After this, children go to their class. The special needs kids are divided up, some read to, some to do a one on one session with.
Today we will focus on a boy called Sid. He is 8 years old, tall for his age and as Shauna says, a big unit. He has autism even though when taken to the autism clinic in Katmandu, this condition was denied. He loves water play and was very happy to throw stones into the puddles that had gathered in the playground.
By simply standing upon the road and stretching out our hand we can stop a bus. By virtue of our appearance, taxi drivers assume we need their services.
Buses are larger and can hold more people but when over crowded, they are easier to jam more people into the coveted free space (like between the open doors.) Taxis in Nepal only have 4 seats but can still hold up to 8 people and luggage. Buses are higher and this means those under 5 ft. 4 have ample room to stand without hitting their head while taxis have a ceiling clearance of 3 ft. Buses can hold 5 to a seat that is meant for 2 which means more people have the opportunity to travel, while taxis are somewhat limiting unless you use the roof which then allows free flow of air.
It is an experience and as long as you are not claustrophobic, bus travel can really make you stronger. It is a definite “up close and personal” experience but can also be heart warming. Smiles from locals are served to us quickly when we try to keep our balance when the bus jolts to a stop. The great thing is that if you are lucky, you are sandwiched in so tightly that you really do not need to use the ceiling rails to hold onto.
We spent the day with the kids learning the routines. School is opened with 15 minutes of song and movement, followed by 30 minutes of exercise. After this, children go to their class. The special needs kids are divided up, some read to, some to do a one on one session with.
Today we will focus on a boy called Sid. He is 8 years old, tall for his age and as Shauna says, a big unit. He has autism even though when taken to the autism clinic in Katmandu, this condition was denied. He loves water play and was very happy to throw stones into the puddles that had gathered in the playground.
Ashra Sid
He
is in his own world but when he sees something that interests him he will
focus. At home he is ignored. His diet
consists of 15 eggs and litres of coke. His father will give Sid his mobile
phone and then lock him into a room and let him out only for short periods.
Bunty has tried to talk with the parents but it has not gone well. The grandfather will be extremely rude to her
and lock the door when she comes near the house. The mother can do some things
for her son but the father and/or husband rules the roost.
It has taken 2 months of one on one just to get Sid to sit, listen and stack blocks and then hand them over one by one. It sounds like a very simple thing but it is just getting him to focus and come out of his own world.
Bunty said it was horrible at first as he had no toilet routine and would pee, etc. wherever. She spent a whole day in the bathroom with him to get him to understand. Sid is not stupid and can figure out puzzles and toys but he needs consistent patient direction.
In Nepal society, the woman leaves her family to move in with her husband’s family. Any problems with children are her fault. She must take over the load of the home and listen to her husband’s rules, father-in-law as well as mother-in-law. The mother-in-law now has someone lower than herself within the house.
Slowly in the city some of this is changing.
Tomorrow we start the construction part of the project . Due to the rains, the roads were impassable and the materials could not get through. Such is life here …
It has taken 2 months of one on one just to get Sid to sit, listen and stack blocks and then hand them over one by one. It sounds like a very simple thing but it is just getting him to focus and come out of his own world.
Bunty said it was horrible at first as he had no toilet routine and would pee, etc. wherever. She spent a whole day in the bathroom with him to get him to understand. Sid is not stupid and can figure out puzzles and toys but he needs consistent patient direction.
In Nepal society, the woman leaves her family to move in with her husband’s family. Any problems with children are her fault. She must take over the load of the home and listen to her husband’s rules, father-in-law as well as mother-in-law. The mother-in-law now has someone lower than herself within the house.
Slowly in the city some of this is changing.
Tomorrow we start the construction part of the project . Due to the rains, the roads were impassable and the materials could not get through. Such is life here …