Struggling with my Role here in Nepal...

 We've only been in Nepal for 3 days, but I'm already struggling with the overwhelming and desperate needs that I see all around me.  Tomorrow will be my first day of teaching the wonderful kids of Manasarovar School.  We've put together a weekly schedule of classes to teach, and activities to provide... but on the way to the school, or the bus, or a restaurant, I pass countless beggars and homeless people.  Some were maybe affected by the recent earthquake, but others are so disfigured and handicapped, they have likely been begging on the street for years.   

Then I think about all the schools that have collapsed, and all the thousands of families that are homeless.  Then I think beyond Nepal to all the countries with their problems and the widespread suffering. There are so many in need.  What is my role? What difference can I make?  I really struggle with this..  It's impossible to help everyone, everywhere. Of course I know this.  I know that I have to focus on just one or 2 things, and really pour my energy into that.  But this is really hard for me...  

My Dad and I talked about this for hours tonight, and I do understand that there is no easy answer... but still I want to help as many people as I can, and I feel so small....  I'm here in Nepal, and I worked hard to make this project happen. I'm helping a bunch of students in one school and one boarding home, but there are SO many schools & students that need help.  

When we lived here 5 years ago, I'm sure there were these same problems.  But this time I didn't come here for vacation or trekking, but to help these people and this country.  So I notice the poverty and suffering so much more, and struggle with my purpose.  I have to accept the fact that I can't do it all, I can't solve every problem, I can't save the whole world... 

I always tried to appreciate my privileged life in California, and after living in India and Nepal in my youth, I really had something to compare it to. But now, here in Nepal as a young adult trying to help, I am so overwhelmed with how easy and comfortable my life is.  People here are just trying to barely survive... We have so much excess back home that one of our biggest health problems is obesity. 

I just wish we could even things out a bit, so more people in this world could at least live reasonable lives without so much suffering. 

After 3 long days of travel via Istanbul, we finally made it to Kathmandu.  On our drive from the airport to Boudhanath, where we are staying, I was really surprised at how little earthquake damage I could see.  There were some collapsed brick buildings and a few "tarp villages" where people who lost their homes are camping out.  Some are still sleeping outside, even though their house is standing, because they are too afraid of aftershocks. Overall, the damage was not nearly as bad as I was expecting. I'm sure there are parts of town that are much worse. 

  

Our taxi driver had some difficulty finding the way to the school, since the road we are familiar with was overflowing and muddy due to a broken pipeline. We had to take a different route, but we finally made it to Manasarovar Academy, the school we will be teaching at.  

The headmistresses of the school gave us such a warm welcome and really made us feel at home.  I am so excited and honored to be able to help these wonderful women and all the students!

   The greatest shock for me was seeing the Boudhanath Stupa, where hundreds of Buddhists come to worship every day, all cracked and covered in scaffolding.  It is still a lively active place, yet the drastic difference from what it looked like before was a lot for me to take in.  The stupa was such an important focus for me when we lived here 5 years ago. It was very emotional to see it damaged and under repair.

It will definitely take a lot of time, but, like the whole country of Nepal, it is in the process of being restored.

 In the afternoon, we felt the first of the monsoon rains and it became evident to me how different this trip will be than any other. Seeing a place that I adore, in such a state of rehabilitation is extremely difficult to fathom.  I think that gives me all the more reason to help in the process. 

 I lit a butter lamp as a simple prayer for Nepal, in hopes that my time here can, in a very small way, help in that healing.

Kathmandu Voices would not be possible without your Generous Support!!!

A huge THANK YOU going out to every generous donor who has made my trip and project possible!  I am so grateful for your support, and couldn't do this without your help.  We'll try to post updates regularly, and also share interview videos as soon as we safely arrive in Kathmandu!

Up to $25  >>> Laura Beardsley
,   Emily Jacobs

,  Kathy Langley, 

 Karyn "Kestrel",  Anonymous,  Amy Osborne

,  Katie Wallace,  Erin Babich,  Little Rob the choss monkey, 

 David Jaffe and Eryn Bordes,  Rose Murphy,  Erin McGraw Piotrowski,  Emily Schaller,  Phoebe Hazard Backler and Family,  John & Dorene, 

 Greentrons



Up to $75  >>> Karen & Paul Amstutz,   Kathleen Pfeffer

,   Adonia, Kelsey and Cache Ripple,   

 Ed Whittle,    Pete, Wendy, Katrina & Emily Haws, 

 

 Barbara Carlson, 

 Joanna, Chris and Karsten
,   Jennifer Bedford & Helen Lejeune,  Buttercup, Hellion, Haley, Camille,  

 Sage, Parker, Siri & Peter Newman, 

 Beth Pratt,  Jen Metes, 

 Fregosi Family, 

 Karen & Dick Fearon

,  Wendy, Marklyn, Gabriel, Adrian Retzer,  

 Max Mayfield

,  Ginger Birdsall,  Don & Becky Jenkins,  Donna Smith,  Fred & Jean Tuemmler,  Pierre Bidou,  Carol Saccomano

$100 – 200  >>> Jill, Manuela & Bast

,  Mike Osborne & Linda Eade,

   Baba, Yoly, Jellybonz & Magpie,  Anonymous,  Kurt, Tamara, Nik, Alexandra & Charlie,  Janet DeNapoli (JoLynne's Mom), 

 Carole and Andy Amstutz,  Anita Sandwina


,   Laurel Anderson,  Nicole and Jack Benter (and Roxy!), 

 Marusan W, 

 Jackie Ellis,  Laurie and Rudy Reich

,  Korena and Steve

,  Sharon & Duke McElroy,  Rich and Casey Thompson,  Gail & Mike Emmons,

  Lisa and Craig Jorgens

,  Joan and Larry Fox,  Roger & Betsy Peterson,  Don and Lorraine Sharman,  Marlaine Lockheed and Steve Frakt

,  Joyce & Jack Sweitzer,   Mr. & Mrs. Drew Robarts,  Sue Overstreet,  Nancy Bruce,  Anne Baxter,  Pete & Sonni, , Sean Kriletich,  Rosemary MaCallum

$300 >>> Steve and Tish Harwood



$500  >>> Tom & Marty DeJonghe,   Roger and Judy Benson,   Norm and Janet Pease,  

 Ardath, Joe & Pete Kroner

7 Days Until Departure!

Wow! Only 7 days until departure! I can't sum up the emotion I feel right now.  Soon all the anticipation I've been feeling will be put to the test. I am not scared for what I don't know but for my reaction to all the carnage.  I am ready to execute my project and help this wonderful country!
 Nepal here I come! 

THREE WEEKS until DEPARTURE!!!!

Hello, Namaste & Tashi Delek!

In just 3 weeks, I'll be flying to Nepal with my Dad to volunteer, work hard, teach & tutor, learn as much as I can, and report back via interviews and online videos.  I am so excited, but also a bit nervous.  The end of my own school year, studying for SAT tests, and final exams leaves me little time to do all the things I want in preparation for my Nepal project.

My Dad and I have been contacting friends in Nepal, and they are all very thankful that we still plan to come over to volunteer. They want us to help with teaching & tutoring, leading outdoor activities and hikes, and just spending time playing with the younger children.  Some of these kids come from far away villages, and have been living outdoors in tents for 5 weeks.  They are physically and emotionally exhausted by the stress of this earthquake tragedy.  The directors requested us to spend some time just playing with the younger students.... educational games, any sports, silly games, etc.  Just to help them be kids again.  (Hmmm... I think I'll bring my favorite soccer ball...)

Sometimes I think I should be more nervous than I am about this trip, but I feel pretty relaxed and confident. The airport is operating normally now, many hotels, shops and restaurants are open, and according to our friends, the huge Kathmandu traffic jams are getting back to "normal."

 Traveling with my Dad, and knowing we have several close friends in Kathmandu, makes me feel supported and safe.  Also, YOUR generous support gives me strength and purpose to go out and do whatever I can to help these wonderful people.

Thank you again for helping me fulfill this dream!  I will try my best, and share what I learn.

Love,
Eliza

Donations Update - El Portal Students give $530 so far...

El Portal and Yosemite Park HS students have been collecting and donating "spare change" for Nepali relief efforts.


Today they finished rolling coins, and decided as a class where to send the money....


THANK YOU to the El Portal community & Yosemite tourists for donating coins and bills!!!  Thank you to El Portal Market, Cedar Lodge, and Yosemite View Lodge & Pizza for promoting the donation jars at your fine businesses!!

Here is their account sheet so far:

	El Portal Students - Donation Jar Fundraiser for NEPAL  -  2015
	date	amount donated per date	MercyCorps	One Village   at a Time	Mansarovar     School
	5/15/2015	55			55
	6/2/2015	476	138	138	200
	Total per NGO      >>		138	138	255
	Grand Total	531