All was completed on the sizeable block of land – ‘much hard yakka’ – digging holes, carrying
cement posts, plying barbed wire, clearing thick undergrowth composed of unpleasant stinging
nettles and thorny bush along with grass and small trees. We all battled with irritated and itchy
skin for the week, sore joints finding muscles not used for a while.
Accommodation – tents, thin mattresses, solar showers, pit toilets, food provided by a local
catering team, led by Raji and Lalik, who otherwise would have been looking after trekkers to
Everest base camps. We made campfires to sit by and yarn at night. The solar showers which
we enjoyed bathing under in swimmers, were a real point of interest to local children providing
public entertainment in the evenings to our young visitors. How noisy, jubilant, enthusiastic full
of antics and exuberance these youngsters were. There was a great deal of natural trust
combined with ongoing cross cultural sharing. This is truly a positive outcome for us all.
English is taught in schools and so many locals could cope with us – their English being much
better than our Nepalese. We coped and survived – came out more tolerant for the experience.
A visit to the RC Dhulikhel and be shown their community projects – awesome! a canoe ride
amongst birds and crocodiles, elephant riding in Chitwan Royal National Park and
some R and R in the bustle of Kathmandu with its eateries shops, temples, and bazaars topped
off by dancing on stage at the Cultural performance in Ratnanagar.
Visiting the present home in Kathmandu was a privilege; meeting the 21 girls plus staff all
of whom are sponsored. Many are sponsored by Hervey Bay families. What a joy it was to
join them at their birthday party (children do not have any details of their actual birth date).
This was a gala event and gave us the opportunity to meet committee members, share a
Nepalese meal and enjoy the children’s dance performance. Our birthday gifts added to the
children’s special day
Fortunately, we were free of serious ills or injury. A bout of the Nepalese “belly bug” did not
affect many of us till the end of the second week. Once again, being turned off our food for a
few days did not do any harm. There were no other injuries except scratches, an abrasion
when a motorcycle came too close whilst walking along a busy road and our carpenter hit his
thumb with a hammer!
The outcome is summarized by saying that now the approval for the next phase will be attained.
The planning of the residential block for staff and visitors is next. This will make it easier for
following teams when the accommodation, classrooms and administration office are under
construction. Close liaison with the nearby village school, medical hall, town council and markets
have been put in place.
What is it like to follow another’s dream? – Totally awesome and for us as team members life
changing.
cement posts, plying barbed wire, clearing thick undergrowth composed of unpleasant stinging
nettles and thorny bush along with grass and small trees. We all battled with irritated and itchy
skin for the week, sore joints finding muscles not used for a while.
Accommodation – tents, thin mattresses, solar showers, pit toilets, food provided by a local
catering team, led by Raji and Lalik, who otherwise would have been looking after trekkers to
Everest base camps. We made campfires to sit by and yarn at night. The solar showers which
we enjoyed bathing under in swimmers, were a real point of interest to local children providing
public entertainment in the evenings to our young visitors. How noisy, jubilant, enthusiastic full
of antics and exuberance these youngsters were. There was a great deal of natural trust
combined with ongoing cross cultural sharing. This is truly a positive outcome for us all.
English is taught in schools and so many locals could cope with us – their English being much
better than our Nepalese. We coped and survived – came out more tolerant for the experience.
A visit to the RC Dhulikhel and be shown their community projects – awesome! a canoe ride
amongst birds and crocodiles, elephant riding in Chitwan Royal National Park and
some R and R in the bustle of Kathmandu with its eateries shops, temples, and bazaars topped
off by dancing on stage at the Cultural performance in Ratnanagar.
Visiting the present home in Kathmandu was a privilege; meeting the 21 girls plus staff all
of whom are sponsored. Many are sponsored by Hervey Bay families. What a joy it was to
join them at their birthday party (children do not have any details of their actual birth date).
This was a gala event and gave us the opportunity to meet committee members, share a
Nepalese meal and enjoy the children’s dance performance. Our birthday gifts added to the
children’s special day
Fortunately, we were free of serious ills or injury. A bout of the Nepalese “belly bug” did not
affect many of us till the end of the second week. Once again, being turned off our food for a
few days did not do any harm. There were no other injuries except scratches, an abrasion
when a motorcycle came too close whilst walking along a busy road and our carpenter hit his
thumb with a hammer!
The outcome is summarized by saying that now the approval for the next phase will be attained.
The planning of the residential block for staff and visitors is next. This will make it easier for
following teams when the accommodation, classrooms and administration office are under
construction. Close liaison with the nearby village school, medical hall, town council and markets
have been put in place.
What is it like to follow another’s dream? – Totally awesome and for us as team members life
changing.
