Responding to Nepal's Needs

Last summer (2015) I fulfilled my dream of planning my own volunteer trip to Nepal. I began creating my project many months before the massive earthquake hit in April, 2015. Even with the added risk and uncertainty, I felt it was more important than ever to carry out my plans.

For years I had been longing to return to Nepal where I attended a Tibetan school in 2010. I was excited for the opportunity to give something back to the beautiful, fragile cultures of the Himalayan people. There are so many needs in Nepal, but I chose to volunteer teach at the same school where I was a student five years earlier.

Another goal was to somehow share the amazing, tragic and beautiful stories of the Nepali and Tibetan people. To do this I interviewed several individuals, and produced a series of videos to post on my YouTube channel. These are the "Kathmandu Voices" that I want to share...

You can view this old video about my project, understanding that my original goals changed somewhat based on the earthquake aftermath, and the needs of the school and students with which I worked.

Sunday, June 28, 2015

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. 

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