We got some rebar, cement mixing, heavy lifting and brick laying under the belt this week :)
Now we are off for some much needed relax, rejuvenate, and explore Buddha's birth place, Lumbini time!!
Megan Campbell (Yoga, Action, Adventure)
DWC Team Leader
Nepal, March 2013
March 30, 2013
March 29, 2013
March 28: Holi Festival in Nepal!
The Festival of Holi is celebrated in India and Nepal on the full moon in either February or March. We were so lucky to be able to participate in the festival with some local villagers in the plains near Lamahi. As soon as we left the hotel, we were greeted by the owner who gave us our starting war paint marks. Red, of course, which is the traditional colour of Holi. Soon we were transported to a village and the fun ensued. All inhibitions were let loose and colours began to fly. We all grabbed some coloured powders and tossed them at one another, as well as the locals. We were doing pretty well...until we lost control of the water pump! Everywhere you looked, colours were flying, people were smiling, eyes were dancing! There was no holding back as we relinquished control to the spirit of Holi. All the excitement filled the air, it was contagious! The vibrant colours marking our faces and our inner children let loose onto the world. It was truly a bonding experience, especially in a culture so different from our North American customs. We were really able to get closer to the people of the village by sharing in one of their festivals. We saw little children throwing colours, and old men tossing buckets of coloured water on us foreigners, then giggling maniacally. What an opportunity! We played until we were spent, then sat down to a meal made by the villagers. It was delicious! It included a special rice dish only made for special guests and cups filled with their traditional alcohol. We all felt so honoured to participate in their special festival. Holi is such a free celebration compared to many of the celebrations we have in our North American culture. It's all about the goodness and love, celebrating life. There is no oppressive or solemn undertones. Holi is just about being happy, celebration and being with your fellow man. Thank you to all our dais (brothers) and didis (sisters) who made us feel so welcome on this most wonderful day.
Jennifer Walker and Adele Stratton
DWC Participants
Nepal, March 2013
Jennifer Walker and Adele Stratton
DWC Participants
Nepal, March 2013
March 27, 2013
March 26: Good company, yoga and work
We just finished day #2 on site and really love being amongst the beautiful and mysterious women and girls of Nepal. Today we started the day teaching Yoga to the girls and had a great time giggling together and then we got back to our 'serious' work of doing rebar all day.
It's hot here, extremely basic, quite literally wifi (randomly) is our only luxury. Tonight I 'showered' from my sink.
Feeling pretty proud of an awesome team who are really stepping up!!
Megan Campbell (Yoga, Action, Adventure)
DWC Team Leader
Nepal, March 2013
It's hot here, extremely basic, quite literally wifi (randomly) is our only luxury. Tonight I 'showered' from my sink.
Feeling pretty proud of an awesome team who are really stepping up!!
Megan Campbell (Yoga, Action, Adventure)
DWC Team Leader
Nepal, March 2013
March 26, 2013
March 25: Full and enriching start to the experience
Today was the first day helping to build the school classrooms in Dang. We
arrived on site in the morning and were greeted by a group of women
and a schoolyard full of children. The women wore bright coloured
saris and headresses. They welcomed us in respect by marking our
foreheads with a pink dusty paint and adorned us with flower
necklaces. In turn we did the same. They shook flower pedals over our
heads and let us try on their headresses. We laughed and exchanged
words through translation. The children surrounded us watching our
every move. They are very shy but curious.
We were introduced to our contractor who got us to work putting
together beams for the building. The sense of time here is relaxed so
we have the opportunity to breach the cultural divide and share with
the women and children. I was able to teach some of the sponsored
girls common hand games from my childhood. I taught two of them so
that they could play and then teach their friends. It was fun to
engage with the children and make them laugh and experience something
new. They are learning English in school so it was fun trying to get
them out of their shyness and play a game with me. I saw the little
girls later practicing their "paddy cake" game.
At lunch we were served delicious meals on home-made plant bowls. The
food was delicious and nourishing. We were all hungry at this point
and were all very grateful to be fed. The little girls I was playing
with earlier kept poking their heads inside to watch us eat.
Afterwards when I was grabbing my camera from the van, I met the
littlest girl who has down-syndrome and is five years old. The
education and services for her special needs are not known here in
Nepal. She is very smart and loving and climbed all over me. She
smelled of something sweet like baked goods and liked to try on my
work gloves and play with my flower necklace.
After putting together a few more beams and discussing the work to be
done for the rest of the week, we packed up our garlands of flowers
and made it back to the hotel to rest.
All I can say is that there is no way to plan for this kind of a trip.
It is a full and enriching experience that you have to get into with
no expectations. I feel so lucky to be here and grateful to have
signed up. I really truly appreciate all of the luxury I have in
Canada and am happy to give my time and energy to provide more
opportunity to the women and children of Nepal.
There's no way to plan for it in your head. You just have to jump in
and see where it takes you!
Chelsea Elizabeth Vickers
DWC Participant
Nepal, March 2013
arrived on site in the morning and were greeted by a group of women
and a schoolyard full of children. The women wore bright coloured
saris and headresses. They welcomed us in respect by marking our
foreheads with a pink dusty paint and adorned us with flower
necklaces. In turn we did the same. They shook flower pedals over our
heads and let us try on their headresses. We laughed and exchanged
words through translation. The children surrounded us watching our
every move. They are very shy but curious.
We were introduced to our contractor who got us to work putting
together beams for the building. The sense of time here is relaxed so
we have the opportunity to breach the cultural divide and share with
the women and children. I was able to teach some of the sponsored
girls common hand games from my childhood. I taught two of them so
that they could play and then teach their friends. It was fun to
engage with the children and make them laugh and experience something
new. They are learning English in school so it was fun trying to get
them out of their shyness and play a game with me. I saw the little
girls later practicing their "paddy cake" game.
At lunch we were served delicious meals on home-made plant bowls. The
food was delicious and nourishing. We were all hungry at this point
and were all very grateful to be fed. The little girls I was playing
with earlier kept poking their heads inside to watch us eat.
Afterwards when I was grabbing my camera from the van, I met the
littlest girl who has down-syndrome and is five years old. The
education and services for her special needs are not known here in
Nepal. She is very smart and loving and climbed all over me. She
smelled of something sweet like baked goods and liked to try on my
work gloves and play with my flower necklace.
After putting together a few more beams and discussing the work to be
done for the rest of the week, we packed up our garlands of flowers
and made it back to the hotel to rest.
All I can say is that there is no way to plan for this kind of a trip.
It is a full and enriching experience that you have to get into with
no expectations. I feel so lucky to be here and grateful to have
signed up. I really truly appreciate all of the luxury I have in
Canada and am happy to give my time and energy to provide more
opportunity to the women and children of Nepal.
There's no way to plan for it in your head. You just have to jump in
and see where it takes you!
Chelsea Elizabeth Vickers
DWC Participant
Nepal, March 2013
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