Today was Monica’s birthday, which Laxmi had remembered because Monica was here at the same time last year, and she wanted to bake her a cake. They do not have ovens here, only gas rings to cook on so I had offered to order a cake at a bakery I knew – the lady I met before going to Tibet, if you remember from my blog?
I had ordered a large chocolate cake to be collected yesterday on my way home, but as we were being taken to the land site I had rushed out early yesterday afternoon to collect it & take it to my digs. Today I set off early & took a taxi to get this heavy cake [about 14” square] to the home before Monica arrived and saw it.When Monica came back from shopping Laxmi carried the cake outside where all the kids and staff had gathered and they sang Happy Birthday to her, first in English then in Nepali. We all got a piece of cake and there was still some left. She was delighted with the surprise and the lotus flower candle that played happy birthday, which I had bought in Tibet after seeing the one on the birthday cake there
The day was the usual – getting some things done & frustratingly trying to do others jobs – the plumber arrived to start work [no waiting for weeks, there are good things about this country!] after coming again yesterday to talk to the admin staff about the boys bathroom & realising that the price quoted was to make the bath, sink & toilet work properly, not just the sink, it was agreed to carry out the job.
Showed the kids some of my photos on laptop, especially ones taken in Kenya to the boys who have to do a project about animals, but they were also interested in the ones of my house, family & views of Wasdale.
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| Small boys room - 3 sets bunks |
Monica had asked me if I would measure the boys bedrooms to make comparison & get an idea of the sizes of the bedrooms on the plans for the new home as she & Anne were going shopping for things they needed for the camping trip Very pleased to see that the bedrooms will be bigger than they have now & less beds per room.
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| Big boys room - 4 sets bunks |
Two of the older boys, of about 14 yrs wanted to know why I was measuring and to avoid discussing the plans I started asking about the boarding school they attend and we ended up talking for a long time. Three of them won scholarships to the Nepal Police College last year, a very good school and a great opportunity for them to get such a good education. It is not compulsory to join the police when they finish school. They told me about their life there and when I asked if they were happy going to boarding school they said they feel sad on parents days because no one goes to see them! It breaks my heart! I told them that if I was in Kathmandu on parents day then I would go and see them, but I will be back home by the next one in mid November. When I come back next time I will make sure I am here for a parents day & visit them.
Friday 14 October 2011
Had a meeting with the admin staff to find out what they have in the store room to be able to assess what else is required, both for the camping trip and for the home – bedding etc
Asked if could make arrangements for someone to come in and look at the computers to find out what is wrong with the one that wont work & see how much it will cost to fix – he’s coming Sunday morning [only Saturdays off here]
Then asked them to contact the director’s wife who had offered to come with me to buy a sewing machine. She will ring back on Sunday to confirm either Monday or Tuesday – another job on my list.
Suprising what I find on my camera when I have left it laying around
Talked to the children who are not going camping to tell them I was going to give them a special treat & take them out when the others are away. I asked what they would like to do, but as they go out very little have no idea of what to ask for – they have been taken to the zoo [very poor I hear], to Botanical Gardens where there is space to play football and run around & to temples & stupas. So I asked the boys if they would like to go bowling, puzzled! Then when I explained they knew what it was & got excited. I didn’t think the girls would want this - two had asked not to go, the are about 12-14 and very ‘girly’ – so maybe to a nice café for a meal then a manicure, but no they want to go bowling too. I suggested pizza’s afterwards but they turned their noses up and asked for momo’s
So – 10 children between 6 & 14 – hmm, hope some of the other volunteers who are arriving next week are willing to come with me.
Went into Thamel to meet Wendy for lunch, she was on the Tibet trip then went on to Bhutan & is back here before flying out tomorrow.
She then came back with me to see the place I'm living then on to the children’s home for a look round. She had asked about it & the children and I had told her so much that she wanted to see for herself. She was very impressed with the children, how happy friendly & polite the were & asked that I keep her informed about them and the progress with the new building.
Rushed home to wash & change as Monica had booked for us to go to Dwarika Hotel for her birthday, they have a bbq on Friday nights – lovely to eat in the garden by the pool and relax with a couple of drinks.
Saturday 15 October 2011
Haribol, the president of the charity had invited me visit his home, where I lived last year, and meet his family again as they were having a celebration with lots of other family members visiting. It was so nice to see them again and was made so welcome. At 11 am the main meal was served – a traditional Dhal Bhat of boiled rice & lentil soup with 6 other side dishes of veg & meat & curd. I really enjoyed it.
Haribol’s nephew Peter was there, who is half Ukrainian, and his mother came to talk to me then invited me to go to their house, which I did. A traditional new style Nepali house but she has decorated & furnished it in a European way.
Called at the home on my way back to check if Laxmi had managed to do her maths homework as I felt very bad when she asked for help just as I was leaving yesterday and couldn’t stay as we were going out for dinner.
I had explained one of the questions about angles of a parallelogram – surprised I could remember how after all these years – and she had managed to do the rest. Stayed to help Monica & Anne with some dodgy electrical cables as she had bought a new extension cable for the TV & DVD then went looking for the bowling ally to find out about costs booking etc.- couldn’t find it but now know exactly where it is so will go back again – on into Thamel for internet café then found Monica & Anne in local restaurant and ate with them before going home.
Friday 14 October 2011
Had a meeting with the admin staff to find out what they have in the store room to be able to assess what else is required, both for the camping trip and for the home – bedding etc
Asked if could make arrangements for someone to come in and look at the computers to find out what is wrong with the one that wont work & see how much it will cost to fix – he’s coming Sunday morning [only Saturdays off here]
Then asked them to contact the director’s wife who had offered to come with me to buy a sewing machine. She will ring back on Sunday to confirm either Monday or Tuesday – another job on my list.Suprising what I find on my camera when I have left it laying around
Talked to the children who are not going camping to tell them I was going to give them a special treat & take them out when the others are away. I asked what they would like to do, but as they go out very little have no idea of what to ask for – they have been taken to the zoo [very poor I hear], to Botanical Gardens where there is space to play football and run around & to temples & stupas. So I asked the boys if they would like to go bowling, puzzled! Then when I explained they knew what it was & got excited. I didn’t think the girls would want this - two had asked not to go, the are about 12-14 and very ‘girly’ – so maybe to a nice café for a meal then a manicure, but no they want to go bowling too. I suggested pizza’s afterwards but they turned their noses up and asked for momo’s
So – 10 children between 6 & 14 – hmm, hope some of the other volunteers who are arriving next week are willing to come with me.
Went into Thamel to meet Wendy for lunch, she was on the Tibet trip then went on to Bhutan & is back here before flying out tomorrow.
She then came back with me to see the place I'm living then on to the children’s home for a look round. She had asked about it & the children and I had told her so much that she wanted to see for herself. She was very impressed with the children, how happy friendly & polite the were & asked that I keep her informed about them and the progress with the new building.
Rushed home to wash & change as Monica had booked for us to go to Dwarika Hotel for her birthday, they have a bbq on Friday nights – lovely to eat in the garden by the pool and relax with a couple of drinks.
Saturday 15 October 2011
Haribol, the president of the charity had invited me visit his home, where I lived last year, and meet his family again as they were having a celebration with lots of other family members visiting. It was so nice to see them again and was made so welcome. At 11 am the main meal was served – a traditional Dhal Bhat of boiled rice & lentil soup with 6 other side dishes of veg & meat & curd. I really enjoyed it.
Haribol’s nephew Peter was there, who is half Ukrainian, and his mother came to talk to me then invited me to go to their house, which I did. A traditional new style Nepali house but she has decorated & furnished it in a European way.
Called at the home on my way back to check if Laxmi had managed to do her maths homework as I felt very bad when she asked for help just as I was leaving yesterday and couldn’t stay as we were going out for dinner.
I had explained one of the questions about angles of a parallelogram – surprised I could remember how after all these years – and she had managed to do the rest. Stayed to help Monica & Anne with some dodgy electrical cables as she had bought a new extension cable for the TV & DVD then went looking for the bowling ally to find out about costs booking etc.- couldn’t find it but now know exactly where it is so will go back again – on into Thamel for internet café then found Monica & Anne in local restaurant and ate with them before going home.
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