We woke up t 7 o` clock. It had been raining the whole night. We also discovered that my father didn't spent the night alone. A clever leech had enjoyed a good meal. After having breakfast, Karma showed us the first part of his village. We saw the very nice community hall that is under construction and has been financed by other sponsoring. After having seen a lot of gardens and various crops, we were offered a cup of tea with some local villagers and a lot of kids who kept following us.
We discussed the main problems of the village. These are: the lack of educated people in the village like a nurse, a veterinarian and an agronomist. Young people with a diploma are moving to Kathmandu to earn more money. This leaves the village with mainly elderly people. In order to resolve this situation, they need a better standard of living. Several options need to be investigated:
-introduction of commercialy grown fruits, flowers, herbs, mushrooms and honey. Also the production of cheese from their goats and buffalos.
-installing internet at the community hall could help education and support of farmers.
Afterwards we visited the school. There we were welcomed by a big delegation of village elders and teachers. They welcomed us with flowers and welcome scarfs.
The needs of the school were discussed, these are:
-building a fence around the steep slopes of the little playground for the 200 children.
-installing wired protection in the open windows of the classrooms.
-installation of a computerclass with one computer and an internet connection.
-the financing of 25 poor children who have difficulty paying their school fees.
-paying the fees of 2 teachers (the school has 5 teachers and only 3 of them are being payed by the government, the other two are being sponsord by the villagers, costs of one teacher for a whole year: 960 euro)
-building a 6th class for children age 10 to 13 (this also requiers an extra teacher) (total cost of the new classroom: 1500 euro)
After the calculation and discussion of all these costs we got a tour of the school. Geshe Pema Dorjee told us that a fence around the playground is highly needed because it is very dangerous now. We saw this with our own eyes and we can only agree.
On the way back we walked to the other side of the village and inspected some more crops and plants. Accompanied by a handfull of children, we returned and had some tea and biscuits. This energyboost was very welcome!!
Before dinner we had our last tour. We had a lot of fun with some children and some local villagers. We named a young boys goat Bella, he was taking her out for a walk. We really enjoy the nice sense of humor of the Nepalese people. We ended the day enjoying a cup of homemade wine while listening to the very adventurous stories of mountain guide Karma.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
29 th
At 8 o`clock in the morning we left to meet Karma's wife, sister and young daughter, who's only 11 days old. Together with Gen Tsering-la we had breakfast and planned our trip and our transport.
Because a trip by car is quite expensive, we decided to do the 84km trip by bus and the last 2km we would walk. At 10 o` clock we left by taxi. That is: Karma, his friendly mother, my father and me. We drove to the other side of town, which took us one hour. We arrived at a very busy road with traffic jams, people redoing the road and plenty of busses and taxi`s. It was also raining again. Luckily we were offered a ride on a tourist bus, which had missed his clients. So we ended up having quite a luxurious ride for a good price! During the trip we stopped for lunch in a small road restaurant. After 70 km we changed to a local bus.
This bus was very crowded with friendly local people. The 12km drive took us 1 hour. While driving, we noticed a similar bus who got off the road and was lying there up side down. Finally, high up on the mountain surrounded by a green scenery, we finally arrived at our destination, 82km from Kathmandu. Or at least that was what we thought....
We had a very nice cup of tea in an authentic bar and then to our big surprise we had to continue our trip. We needed to climb down to the river following a small slippery stream of water.
Totally soaked, with our luggage on our back, we crossed the river on a jungle bridge. After a short break, we had to climb for quite a while on a path where leaches were waiting to attack our juicy legs.
So already a bit tired, we pulled up our socks and started the climb.
And what a climb it was! To my surprise,Karma's 55 year old mother looked like she was taking a relaxing walk in the park. So I pulled my strenght together and followed her example. Finally, after more than 2 hours we arrived at the village Rathankot.
We received another heart warming welcome and enjoyed a nice meal after putting on some dry clothes. In the evening Karma showed us to our beds. After installing our mosquito nets (there was no possibility to close our open window) we enjoyed a well deserved sleep.
Because a trip by car is quite expensive, we decided to do the 84km trip by bus and the last 2km we would walk. At 10 o` clock we left by taxi. That is: Karma, his friendly mother, my father and me. We drove to the other side of town, which took us one hour. We arrived at a very busy road with traffic jams, people redoing the road and plenty of busses and taxi`s. It was also raining again. Luckily we were offered a ride on a tourist bus, which had missed his clients. So we ended up having quite a luxurious ride for a good price! During the trip we stopped for lunch in a small road restaurant. After 70 km we changed to a local bus.
This bus was very crowded with friendly local people. The 12km drive took us 1 hour. While driving, we noticed a similar bus who got off the road and was lying there up side down. Finally, high up on the mountain surrounded by a green scenery, we finally arrived at our destination, 82km from Kathmandu. Or at least that was what we thought....
We had a very nice cup of tea in an authentic bar and then to our big surprise we had to continue our trip. We needed to climb down to the river following a small slippery stream of water.
Totally soaked, with our luggage on our back, we crossed the river on a jungle bridge. After a short break, we had to climb for quite a while on a path where leaches were waiting to attack our juicy legs.
So already a bit tired, we pulled up our socks and started the climb.
And what a climb it was! To my surprise,Karma's 55 year old mother looked like she was taking a relaxing walk in the park. So I pulled my strenght together and followed her example. Finally, after more than 2 hours we arrived at the village Rathankot.
We received another heart warming welcome and enjoyed a nice meal after putting on some dry clothes. In the evening Karma showed us to our beds. After installing our mosquito nets (there was no possibility to close our open window) we enjoyed a well deserved sleep.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
28th
My father's sleep was very short due to the monks, who started ringing the bells at 4 AM. Luckily I used ear plugs. Our breakfast was served in my father's room. Pancake bread, eggs, jelly and milk tea, we are being really spoiled here. The monk's breakfast consists only of bread and butter tea.
In the morning, we met the locale carpenter. We discussed how he would make the balance board,stelts and table tennis board.
Gen Tsering-la gave us a tour of the monastry.
Upon entering the tempel I was dazzeld by the rich and colourful display of their culture. We saw the different classrooms and the hall where I will be teaching sports. It was bigger then I expected but it needs some cleaning up. After this tour I was pleased to learn that the monks eat 3 times a day, so we were offered a meal of rice and dalh for the first time. In the afternoon we went shopping for bamboo. This will be used to make the steltsand sportshoes for the monks.
In the evening, we gave the t-shirts we brought to the monks. It was a very busy day.
In the morning, we met the locale carpenter. We discussed how he would make the balance board,stelts and table tennis board.
Gen Tsering-la gave us a tour of the monastry.
Upon entering the tempel I was dazzeld by the rich and colourful display of their culture. We saw the different classrooms and the hall where I will be teaching sports. It was bigger then I expected but it needs some cleaning up. After this tour I was pleased to learn that the monks eat 3 times a day, so we were offered a meal of rice and dalh for the first time. In the afternoon we went shopping for bamboo. This will be used to make the steltsand sportshoes for the monks.
In the evening, we gave the t-shirts we brought to the monks. It was a very busy day.
Arrival in Kathmandu
Due to the bad weather in Kathmandu our plane had a delay of 4 hours. Luckily Karma waited for us.
We enjoyed a refreshing cloudburst when we got off the plane. Leaving the airport, we dubbel checked our luggage this time! At the exit we found Karma holding our name tags. Our first impression upon arrival was that it was much greener here than the dusty and dry environment of Delhi.
After 40 minutes we arrived at the monastry. Gen Tsering-la gave us a very warm welcome and we noticed that the monks were shooting us some very curious glances. We also met Tashi who is the accountant of the monastry. All together we enjoyed the typical milk with tea and a very nice talk.
We were shown to our rooms and got some rest. Afterwards, the monastry offered us a welcome dinner in a local restaurant together with Tashi and Karma. For the first time we tasted the spicy colourful Nepalese food. After a refreshing cloudburst during our search for a cab we finaly ended our day, which started at 3 AM in Delhi.
We enjoyed a refreshing cloudburst when we got off the plane. Leaving the airport, we dubbel checked our luggage this time! At the exit we found Karma holding our name tags. Our first impression upon arrival was that it was much greener here than the dusty and dry environment of Delhi.
After 40 minutes we arrived at the monastry. Gen Tsering-la gave us a very warm welcome and we noticed that the monks were shooting us some very curious glances. We also met Tashi who is the accountant of the monastry. All together we enjoyed the typical milk with tea and a very nice talk.
We were shown to our rooms and got some rest. Afterwards, the monastry offered us a welcome dinner in a local restaurant together with Tashi and Karma. For the first time we tasted the spicy colourful Nepalese food. After a refreshing cloudburst during our search for a cab we finaly ended our day, which started at 3 AM in Delhi.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Arrival in Delhi
On the 26th of July, after a journey of 17 hours we finaly arrived at Delhi.
The temperature was extremely high and it was not easy to find some shade. In the excitement of arriving and finding our taxi driver my father forgot his handluggage in the airport, luckily it was still there. After a chaotic drive, on the left and right side of the road, through the red traffic lights we found out that honcking is a national sport next to cricket. We stopped at a busy road full of shoppers, people working and sleeping in their beds? or on their tricycles. At this early point we experienced our first cultural shock.
Through a very small funny smelling street we arrived at our hotel. We where very surprised how the inside contrasted with what we saw few seconds before. After some rest we put on are tourist shoes and mingled with the chaos of the old part of Delhi.
In the middle of the night we left for catching our plane. We where truly asthonished of the immense amount of people sleeping outside at the most impossible places.
The temperature was extremely high and it was not easy to find some shade. In the excitement of arriving and finding our taxi driver my father forgot his handluggage in the airport, luckily it was still there. After a chaotic drive, on the left and right side of the road, through the red traffic lights we found out that honcking is a national sport next to cricket. We stopped at a busy road full of shoppers, people working and sleeping in their beds? or on their tricycles. At this early point we experienced our first cultural shock.
Through a very small funny smelling street we arrived at our hotel. We where very surprised how the inside contrasted with what we saw few seconds before. After some rest we put on are tourist shoes and mingled with the chaos of the old part of Delhi.
In the middle of the night we left for catching our plane. We where truly asthonished of the immense amount of people sleeping outside at the most impossible places.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Visit of Rev. Geshe Pema Dorjee at our home
Today we got the visit of Rev. Geshe Pema Dorjee. He was very pleased with the success of our benefit concert. We had the opportunity to discuss what we could do with the amount collected(+/-6000€). We decided that half of the amount would go to the project of the village Rathankot and half would be going to the renovation of the class rooms at the monastery Porong Pelmo Choeding Monastery (www.bodong.org)plus the purchase of sports materials for the pupils.
The money will be transferred to the monastery and they will make up an overview of the various costs spent.
During our stay we would both have an in depth look at the works which could be financed by it.
Over lunch we had the opportunity to discuss the various issues together with some friends (from www.maketheswitch.be) belonging to the team which organised the concert.
The money will be transferred to the monastery and they will make up an overview of the various costs spent.
During our stay we would both have an in depth look at the works which could be financed by it.
Over lunch we had the opportunity to discuss the various issues together with some friends (from www.maketheswitch.be) belonging to the team which organised the concert.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Development projects in Nepal
The history of our projects:
The projects were started some time ago by the Rev. Gesje Pema Dorjee.
It was when we first met him in March 2007, that we learned about the many projects he had.
Rev. Pema Dorje is very concerned about the equilibrium between mental and physical health for his pupils (between 11 and 20 years)at the Porong Choeding Monastry in Kathmandu. Up to now the mental health was the major and almost only concern.
As a sports teacher I was excited to take on such a challenge offered to me.It will require a combination of skillfulness and inventiveness knowing that normal sports facilities or sport attributes are totally lacking.
The second project is about the development of a rural village (Rathankot) 80 kms of Kathmandu. The major problem being that young people are leaving the village for trying their fortune in the big cities. My father an agricultural engineer will try to help out in order to improve agricultural production. First we need to learn more about the actual situation.
The projects were started some time ago by the Rev. Gesje Pema Dorjee.
It was when we first met him in March 2007, that we learned about the many projects he had.
Rev. Pema Dorje is very concerned about the equilibrium between mental and physical health for his pupils (between 11 and 20 years)at the Porong Choeding Monastry in Kathmandu. Up to now the mental health was the major and almost only concern.
As a sports teacher I was excited to take on such a challenge offered to me.It will require a combination of skillfulness and inventiveness knowing that normal sports facilities or sport attributes are totally lacking.
The second project is about the development of a rural village (Rathankot) 80 kms of Kathmandu. The major problem being that young people are leaving the village for trying their fortune in the big cities. My father an agricultural engineer will try to help out in order to improve agricultural production. First we need to learn more about the actual situation.
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