I must first start off by stating a fact: VSN really discourages us from posting pictures of the children's faces and telling you exactly where this home is. I apologize, as if I were you I would want to see what they look like. But I must comply with VSN's request to keep the pictures that we post from a far away distance.
:)
There are 19 children ranging in age 6-14 living in this home, a 30 minute walk, west of Kathmandu. Many of them were saved from another home in which the conditions were so poor, they weren't fit for wild animals. The home is fairly 'new'. It has only been established for about 4 months now. P and I are the second set of volunteers to be working in the Home.
The Dai and Didi, house managers, really take on the mother and father role. This is so pleasant to see and not common among the other placements that VSN serves (so I hear). We are very lucky to be able to work with this particular Dai and Didi (who are married and run the house fairly structured and treat these children as their own).
Dai is an energetic man, who likes to laugh a lot, so we automatically have a connection. He walks around the streets of our village acknowledging more people than not, and he always wears the brightest smile. Everyone loves him in this village and he seems to be the pseudo mayor, helping people when he can, discussing issues, making a positive impact. He knows everyone, so I feel safe when I walk with him. He takes care of me, making sure I know where the internet is (he made the owner give me a good deal) and if I want to buy fruit, he brings me so that I don't get ripped off. A few days ago, he heard of an orphan boy living by himself inside the Swayambhu Temple. He asked me to walk there so that we may get a glimpse of this boy and somehow, someway bring him into his home. We had no luck together, but Dai was persistent. He went the next day and found the boy, interviewed him on his cell phone (poor quality), so that he would have proof and the cops would tell him it was okay. I pointed out to him that I respected this characteristic, the god-like one, and he told me it was the only way he knew how to live. He said he truly believed in karma, and that he wanted to have the most positive effect on people. His spirit is so unbelievably genuine- I aim to be more like him.
The children in this home are amazing. Really, I am so impressed with the air around them. When P and I walk inside the home, they immediately put their hands together and in unision, almost, yell "Namaste, Didi!!!". That is my favorite part of the day. Most of them are here because of their family's poor economic backgrounds- their parents just could not afford them. Some of their parents are dead, and others parents were so affected by the Maoist group, that they sent their kids here so they would be more safe.
You would think there would be hatred, negativity, or sadness in their eyes. But, its really just the opposite. For the most part, these children are completely 'normal'. They get excited when P or I bring a new (new means donated and probably about 10 years old, at least) book or game, they lean on us when they get a boo-boo, they are so cute when they read out loud and sing the ABC's in English, they look to us for reassurance when they are reading a new sentence, they smile when we give them affection, and they tuck their tail in between their legs when they know they just did something naughty, and we have to correct them. So, don't they sound pretty normal to you?
I am not sure what I was expecting. I think, maybe, the worst. Dai and Didi have done a good job of structure in this house. These children always get plenty of rice to eat (In some of the homes, the children are unsure of their next meal), they know to wash their hands with soap before meals, and they brush their teeth twice/day.
This home is not perfect, by any means. The biggest problem in this house is that there is a HUGE water shortage. Generally speaking in Nepal, there is a shortage of water, meaning most of the people here only shower once/week. But particularly in this home, the tap is unreliable. For now, they are saving whatever rain-water they can to wash their hands and clothes with. P and I are currently teaming up with VSN to figure out a solution to this problem
The children get mostly rice and just a little vegetable with their meals. It could definitely be worse, but this diet causes them to have many deficiences. P and I are implementing daily multi-vitamins and B complex supplements. (All donatable goods) This deficiency causes them to have sores on the outsides of their mouths- not aesthetically pleasing or comfortable to say the least.
One last thing- our initial take on the improvements of the house is the chores list. There isn't one. We feel that if the children have a list of chores (keep in mind their are 19 children and many things to do around the house) that this will help them stay organized and know who has what job on a particular day. Organization is key when attempting to keep structure for 22 people living in the house.
I do physio 1-2 times per day with three of the children. This is a daunting task due to the nature of their conditions. More on this topic later, as it is my goal to really re-vamp their current routine. The previous volunteers have done a really good job of getting it started, but I feel that with more research and learning and effort that the physio aspect could really blossom.
So- a long post already, and I could even write more. There will be more on the Home later. I hope you are enjoying the pics!!
Love,
Jess
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