More Smiling Faces, More Sad Stories

Yesterday was a similarly exhausting but invigorating day as the day before. This time I set off early from Kathmandu for the cultural city of Bhaktapur. Famous for its beautiful examples of Newari architecture, the wonderfully preserved/restored temples and buildings shone magnificently in the morning sunlight. I was in Bhaktapur to meet our friend Rabindra, who is responsible for managing around 30 of the scholarships that have been granted this year.

After a quick breakfast and update on our news, we prepared to leave to visit the first school. My first surprise came at Rabindra’s office where he revealed that he and a couple of his dedicated staff had managed to source some backpacks full of school supplies, uniform and shoes for each of the girls receiving scholarships to be given. They had also managed to have ‘Mitrataa Foundation’ stitched across the front of each pack! I was so touched as this was particularly unexpected. It is always fantastic to be able to work with people equally as dedicated to our cause!

We set off for the small village of Phulbari which is in the hills on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley. For people who know Nepal, it is near to Dhulikhel and Namo Buddha. Rabindra luckily has a 4WD otherwise it would be a long trek along some very rough roads and tracks! It is always nice to get out of the cities and up into the countryside and yesterday was no exception.

After about 1½ hours driving we reached our destination. Rabindra is already somewhat of a celebrity in this village as he raised the funds to build a brand new school building to replace the old tin sheds that were being used previously. He is also helping to restore some of the traditional style homes and other buildings in the area. As we rounded the final bend and walked down the track that leads into the school I was stunned to find the entire school lining the path clapping and cheering. There must have been around 300 people there – I think half the village had joined in too! I really don’t like to make a big deal out of the work we do and I find these displays a little embarrassing but I have come to learn that it is as much for the children’s pleasure as it is to show appreciation.

After walking through our welcome tunnel and meeting the school’s principal we were seated at the front of the school with all the students sitting and standing before us. After a couple of short speeches I presented one of the new backpacks to each of the scholarship girls. Of course they were very shy and humble when in front of everyone receiving their bags but I spied a number of them quickly racing away to the side to look at what was inside! Once the presentation was finished Rabindra and I had some tea and chatted with the teachers for a while. When it was time to leave we were greeted with the sight of all the girls in their brand new uniforms asking for another photo! No matter how often you see it this amount of enthusiasm is so contagious.

So after another small photo shoot we left for our next stop on the trip – the town of Panauti, which is half way back towards Bhaktapur and Kathmandu. We were just briefly going to meet a few of the girls that had received scholarships here. Again some terrible stories of poverty and struggle unfolded. The first girl we met had 5 sisters, basically because the parents kept trying for a son. Eventually they gave up but are now ‘stuck’ with 6 girls to feed – and in traditional Nepali culture that is pretty much the attitude towards having girls. To add to the families problems the father has basically drunk himself into brain damage and spends his days roaming around the town shouting at nothing and mumbling to himself. The mother and grandmother both work as labourers to try and earn enough for rent and to feed everyone. The most heartening news to come from this story is that the daughter with the scholarship is actually coming first in her class, she takes her studies very seriously and she also really enjoys it!

The second girl we met had 7 sisters, including 2 sets of twins! Their situation is similar to the one above in that basically the father is useless and the mother is left to struggle to take care of all of the girls. It is easy to detect the slight bitterness in her voice when she tells the story – she knew they should stop having children after 2 or 3, but her husband wanted a son so she basically was forced to keep churning out the kids. Of course she is now especially frustrated that it is she that is left to try and take care of them as the husband blames her for not giving him a son. In his eyes she caused this problem so she can deal with it!

The final girl we met in Panauti was in many ways in the most dire situation. Her father died a few years ago and not long after her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Her mother sold all of their property and possessions to pay for her medical treatment which worked initially. But at the beginning of the year she relapsed and is now in hospital with not long to live. The girl has one older sister who attends college in the morning and works in people’s houses washing clothes and dishes in the afternoons to make enough money take care of her and her sister. Tragically, the little girl was all too aware that soon it would only be her and her sister left in the world.

By the time I returned to Kathmandu in the early evening I was once again relieved to be able to lie down and contemplate the day’s events. Such joy and sorrow in equal measures, it really reminds me how lucky we are.

I probably won’t be visiting any more children on this trip, and this morning I was greeted with the news that today is another strike! So, I must now try to find some creative ways to still finish all the meetings I had planned before I leave next Monday!