Friday, July 25,
2014
We had our last coffee at Pokhara Java this
morning. We were able to drop off three Canadian hats for each of the waiters
who wore them proudly.
Our Irish friend Anita had to make an emergency
flight home as she received some bad news about the death of a very close
friend. She has made us all laugh with her humour, quick wit and Irish brogue.
We wish her safe travels.
Our final morning bus ride today was amazingly poor. This bus was no larger than a van but the driver continued to load people in. Legs crossed over one another as you pray that the driver misses the wandering yak and thank your lucky stars that the brakes work as you are continually forced forward then backwards as he braked and accelerated.
Our final morning bus ride today was amazingly poor. This bus was no larger than a van but the driver continued to load people in. Legs crossed over one another as you pray that the driver misses the wandering yak and thank your lucky stars that the brakes work as you are continually forced forward then backwards as he braked and accelerated.
We are trying to get things done to finish what we
can but are not surprised when the ordered items have failed to be delivered. We mixed concrete to weigh and secure down
the second A-frame. Sid was quite fascinated by what we were doing today so we
gave him some drum sticks to use in the bamboo xylophone. Then Ayoosh, drawn by
the sounds, ventured over and started to play with wonder at the abacus. We can
see that this area will be a great diversion for the kids and not just the
special needs children.
Ayoosh Children at
play
It has been a bit frustrating as they go out for 30 minutes to buy a hook, come back and then go out again to source a rope instead of getting it all at once. It is fine as it makes us slow down regardless. This also gives us time to work with some of the kids.
Today at exercise Roshton came over and started clapping with us. Soon he was belly laughing which sounded so wonderful considering he usually makes no sound. Ayoosh, another silent type, started to pronounce MaMaMa during singing time. Again very small steps but for us who have been here for 2 weeks, a giant step forward.
We are going out tonight for a final dinner with some of the people we have met. Tomorrow we head off for Kathmandu. We are there for 3 days then leave for Delhi to fly home.
We are hoping that this is the last squat toilet we encounter. For those of us who do yoga it is fine, but if you have a hard time squatting, you will have an even harder time balancing. Nothing like having to use the commode after the children, as they go as one to the porcelain hole and really do not aim. Water is used to slosh the floor. There is a definite knack to trying this while holding up your pants or skirt so they do not come in the vicinity of the floor.
The bus ride to the capital takes 8 hours and is not for the faint of heart. It winds its way down mountains and up again. We have been advised to sit on the side that faces the mountain. We are to follow what the locals do so if they get off the bus before coming into a turn, we will do the same. Our hotel is booked and hope that when we arrive, they have our booking.
We finished up our day to smiling faces that have made this trip and project worthwhile. At the end of the day, each grade had a turn on parts of the play yard that we had completed. The slide never did make the destination today nor did 2 swings, parallel bars, tire swings. Or sensory item.
We have seen children very hesitant about climbing the ladder as they did not know what it was. The swings were also a bit of a scary experience until they swung a couple of times and the joy that spread across their face was priceless.
The sounds that came from Ayoosh as he swung were full of joy. Didhtep who has hydrocephalus was very hesitant approaching the swings and play area. Once he sat in the swing it allowed him the freedom of movement that he normally does not have. He grinned from ear to ear. Once off the swings, he chattered non-stop to the other didis and thanked us aunties again and again.
Kids were in awe of such simple things as the ladder and abacus. We have encouraged Bunty to start to use the play area for at least 15 minutes, grade by grade. We will be receiving photos once the area is completed. We also will be keeping contact with some of the volunteers here to ensure the project is completed in a timely manner.
Although this project has been slow, frustrating and on Nepali time, it has given us a great appreciation what simple play can achieve in the development of a child.
It has been a bit frustrating as they go out for 30 minutes to buy a hook, come back and then go out again to source a rope instead of getting it all at once. It is fine as it makes us slow down regardless. This also gives us time to work with some of the kids.
Today at exercise Roshton came over and started clapping with us. Soon he was belly laughing which sounded so wonderful considering he usually makes no sound. Ayoosh, another silent type, started to pronounce MaMaMa during singing time. Again very small steps but for us who have been here for 2 weeks, a giant step forward.
We are going out tonight for a final dinner with some of the people we have met. Tomorrow we head off for Kathmandu. We are there for 3 days then leave for Delhi to fly home.
We are hoping that this is the last squat toilet we encounter. For those of us who do yoga it is fine, but if you have a hard time squatting, you will have an even harder time balancing. Nothing like having to use the commode after the children, as they go as one to the porcelain hole and really do not aim. Water is used to slosh the floor. There is a definite knack to trying this while holding up your pants or skirt so they do not come in the vicinity of the floor.
The bus ride to the capital takes 8 hours and is not for the faint of heart. It winds its way down mountains and up again. We have been advised to sit on the side that faces the mountain. We are to follow what the locals do so if they get off the bus before coming into a turn, we will do the same. Our hotel is booked and hope that when we arrive, they have our booking.
We finished up our day to smiling faces that have made this trip and project worthwhile. At the end of the day, each grade had a turn on parts of the play yard that we had completed. The slide never did make the destination today nor did 2 swings, parallel bars, tire swings. Or sensory item.
We have seen children very hesitant about climbing the ladder as they did not know what it was. The swings were also a bit of a scary experience until they swung a couple of times and the joy that spread across their face was priceless.
The sounds that came from Ayoosh as he swung were full of joy. Didhtep who has hydrocephalus was very hesitant approaching the swings and play area. Once he sat in the swing it allowed him the freedom of movement that he normally does not have. He grinned from ear to ear. Once off the swings, he chattered non-stop to the other didis and thanked us aunties again and again.
Kids were in awe of such simple things as the ladder and abacus. We have encouraged Bunty to start to use the play area for at least 15 minutes, grade by grade. We will be receiving photos once the area is completed. We also will be keeping contact with some of the volunteers here to ensure the project is completed in a timely manner.
Although this project has been slow, frustrating and on Nepali time, it has given us a great appreciation what simple play can achieve in the development of a child.
Hermano
We have been told by other volunteers who have been
here for a few weeks that they have noticed improvements in the development of
the children we have been with. Something
so simple as a smile or babble can bring us volunteers such simple joy.
We know that people are people regardless of where they live. Parents want the best for their children. Goals may differ but most parents want the best they can provide, no matter if this is only clean water, literacy or something as basic as 2 meals a day. Our goals in our countries can seem so lofty in comparison.
It has been a wonderful learning experience for most of us. If we have failed to appreciate our differences without negative comment then this type of trip is not for you. If buying things to bring home is your focus then this trip is not for you. If you want to be challenged and made to live outside your comfort zone, and appreciate the qualities which make us human rather than the differences between our cultures then this type of trip is for you.
We know that people are people regardless of where they live. Parents want the best for their children. Goals may differ but most parents want the best they can provide, no matter if this is only clean water, literacy or something as basic as 2 meals a day. Our goals in our countries can seem so lofty in comparison.
It has been a wonderful learning experience for most of us. If we have failed to appreciate our differences without negative comment then this type of trip is not for you. If buying things to bring home is your focus then this trip is not for you. If you want to be challenged and made to live outside your comfort zone, and appreciate the qualities which make us human rather than the differences between our cultures then this type of trip is for you.
We look forward to the next days as again we try to adapt and appreciate as gracefully as possible.