This past Saturday I went to visit Muna’s home in Maharajgunj (where I lived my first month in Kathmandu). I hadn’t been there since June, when Doka was here visiting, and I desperately wanted to see little Kali and take her out for the day. When I arrived, however, to my surprise there were lots of little kids running around! Anita, Kali’s mom, had invited her two sisters and a friend over so the place was bussling with women and children. I just couldn’t take Kali away from such a rare opportunity to socialize with others of her own age.
So I stayed and chatted. I ate (lots!). I played with the kids. I practiced my Nepal.
It was really nice!!!
Kali is looking so much older. Her hair is longer and curling out at the ends (just like mine used to). She’s talking more and looking more confident. Her little sister, however, still hasn’t changed. She’s 2 years old and still cries if her mom puts her down.
Poor Anita….
Speaking of Anita, I found out that day that she is from a little village in Solokhumbu, only a 4 hour walk away from where I was when trekking in that area. Gosh, how ironic!
Sunday was also a day of visits. The two Richards (that I met while trekking) arrived in Kathmandu and were eager to meet up with myself and Tenzin. We spent the night reminiscing and chatting about the rest of their amazing trek to EBC. Those two guys are so funny and great – I will really miss them. But I guess I’ll have contacts when I visit England and Australia!
Monday night I had choir. Things are going well there, though it’s a pain in the butt 1.5 hour journey to get there, changing tranportation 3 times and sitting in the BRUTAL Kathmandu traffic all the while. We are performing the songh “Noel Nouvelet” which is a beautiful song that reminds me of Grand-maman. Anyway, as the only French speaker in the choir, I had to give the pronunciation of the lyrics in front of everybody! It was kind of fun, and makes me happy to know that the director is trying to avoid butchering the language. 🙂
Work-wise, things are going well. Work is still interesting, especially when volunteers are in town, because then there’s lots of variety and I get to have a little communication with native English speakers (which you never realize you miss until you’re taking to people who can understand you without you having to speak slowly and use lots of hand gestures!!!).
Buuuuutttt…. Sometimes I question what kind of good the organization is actually doing. I mean, sending volunteers to schools, orphanages, and resource centers is nice. But often the volunteers’ time is limited (2-3 weeks) and what can you REALLY do in such a short time? Also, I get the impression that these kids see so many volunteers that they have forgotten to appreciate them. The same goes with the organization’s staff, and they non-challant attitude to the kidness of the volunteers (Who often donate clothing and art supplies in addition to money and their time). Then you have to keep in mind the fact that money we send orphanages and schools doesn’t always make it all the way down to the kids we’re trying to help, and the fact that my boss scrapes a little extra off the top for himself and it’s definitely lots of food for thought.But regardless, with my time there I’m trying to make improvements to the organization as well as learn a lot from the experience – which I will inevitably factor into future career choice decision.
