GRAFFITI CAPTURES THE MOOD

Our first chance to meet fellow volunteers came when, after a couple of days, Daphne showed us around the Sanepa area, including a short visit to one of Kathmandu’s famous temples in Durbar Square.  60% of Nepali’s are Hindu, 16% Buddhist with Muslims, Sikhs and a host of other religions including Christians making up the rest. Shrines and temples abound and it is a wonderful sight to see school pupils ringing the Hindu bells on a small shrine, and applying the customary forehead adornment of red tika, as they make their way to school.  

                                                                                      

                                                                                            

 

All the temples that we have seen are places of real activity, with the devout going through their daily rituals alongside visitors, both Nepali and others, free to roam about, truly indulging in the mystique of the places. At the Buddhist Golden Temple we entered through a low door, that ensured that all coming within had assumed a suitably humble pose, to find that it was occupied by a small boy (monk).  Who supported by his family lives in the temple for a month, and is then replaced by another, and so on.  The adolescent boy was old enough to do his duties but young enough to want to introduce us to the resident 160 year old tortoise.

 

 

We have begun our in-country training and already have said goodbye to Masaaki , a Japanese volunteer. He arrived at around the same time as us, but after a brief induction, has left for his six week placement in Baglung. He is continuing to be supported by his employer, Randstad Japan , whilst in placement. He will become the Champion of volunteering once  back at work .

 

Our induction and training is well under way and we’ve met most of the VSO staff and several volunteers who are in Kathmandu.  The newly appointed Secure Livelihood’s Project manager, my new boss was good to meet.  Although he recently joined the team, he has worked with VSO in Tajikistan and Mein maw, and is young and enthusiastic. Great qualities.

As we have learnt, we are on a well-trod path, followed by other volunteers, as we experience a culture shock. Everywhere we venture in the market places, alleyways, temples, houses and even the VSO office our senses are soaked with new culture. From the little boy getting a haircut on the street corner, to the different family groups, and the vast array of vegetables and spices for sale in the streets.

 

 

 

 

It is now starting to feel less like a holiday. On discovering one doctor who gave up their job as an anaesthetist to volunteer, and that another is leaving their partner and family for two years to work in the VSO Nepal team, we realise what a privilege this is going to be. We're fortunate to be alongside such generous and selfless people.  Nepal’s answer to Banksy had been in action on the concrete wall of the Kathmandu Zoo. The childlike script summed up all of our feelings and spoke a powerful message.  Our chance to be that ‘someone’.