Do you know that feeling when you find something new that just ‘works’?! And you are so excited that you want to tell everyone so they can experience the same feeling you have?!
After our first humanitarian trip to India, we shared our experience with our close friends, the Ashton’s. Without too much arm-twisting, they were onboard to do something similar for our next ‘Stephash’ trip. As soon as we committed to do humanitarian work in Nepal, they experienced a large earthquake. As devastating as that news was, we knew we would have plenty to do almost a year later.
Introduction to Nepal
Getting to Nepal had its hiccups all the way from London to Kathmandu, but we made it and were never more happy to see the CHOICE team in the reception line ready to receive us. After being to India, we weren’t too overwhelmed with all the culture demonstrated at the airport or on the way to the hotel, but we were surprised by the amount of smog and poor air quality!
After a good night’s rest at the hotel, we attended Sacrament meeting in the one branch in all of Nepal. Due to the earthquake’s damage, the branch’s building is being renovated and just so happens to meet in the conference room at our hotel. They are small, but they are mighty! Actually, two-thirds of the branch presidency works for CHOICE and were leaving on the expedition with us.
As we met up with the rest of our group in the hotel lobby, we loaded up the bus and headed out to travel half-way to Chiti, the village we would be working with.
Even driving out to the ‘country,’ the air quality wasn’t much improved. Someone described it as a type of inversion, with the smog coming in from other countries and getting trapped between all the mountains of Nepal.
Smoggy Sunset
The 5-hour drive took us to a place called “Riverside Spring Resort.” We quickly learned ‘resort’ is used very loosely. Our rooms were basic cabin accommodations.
Entry to Room
However, the pool and outdoor facilities were pretty amazing!
Resort Pool
“Wet Bar”
Cami & Madeleine Diving In
After a dinner of formal introductions with our group, we were anxious to enjoy some of the other outdoor facilities of the resort, rather than going to our rooms. We had fun learning new games . . .
Chandra Teaching Chris “Carrom”
Game Room
. . . and enjoying old ones.
Girls v. Boys
The next morning we checked out of the resort and were ready for the next stage of our adventure.
Loading up the Bus
Just a few hours later, we had to switch to a smaller bus that could transport us better on the mountainous roads.
Nepal’s ‘Chicken Bus’
Sometimes it was just better not to look down to see how close we were to the edge. These drivers are amazing!
Traversing the Mountain Roads
We had one last stop for lunch before arriving at the village of Chiti, allowing more time for the village kids to finish their exams.
Cami at the Dam Picnic Spot
Caleb
Enjoying our Chicken Fried Rice
As we ate, it seemed we attracted some attention from those also passing by. Instead of continuing on their way, they decided to sit down and watch us for a bit. If we ever felt we were in a fish bowl being observed, it never felt more obvious than at that moment.
Lunch Watchers
Arriving in Chiti
After experiencing a welcome ceremony in a Guatemalan village, we thought we were a bit prepared for what to expect as we arrived in Chiti. But, truly, nothing can prepare you for the amount of love, appreciation, and culture you are showered with when you come to serve!
Arriving at Village
Receiving Traditional Scarves
We were each given a traditional scarf followed up with the tika on our foreheads and flower leis to welcome and honor each of us as guests.
Tika Man
People lined the streets and even crowded on roofs to see!
As we moved towards the school grounds, everyone joined the throng, following us through the streets.
Showered with Flowers
As we walked, the whole experience seemed a bit surreal. These villagers were thrilled to see us and we were literally being showered with gifts.
It was a humbling experience . . . one that cannot be replicated or relived. This is true humanity . . . this is seeing a culture at its heart and core . . . this is not touring to see what they want you to see; this is the real, raw heart of a country and its people.
Entering the School Gates
As we were welcomed into the school gates, the villagers congregated for the remainder of the ceremony . . . speeches, dances, and songs. They had even written a song (with many verses) about CHOICE and the big impact they have had on their lives.
Standing Room Only
Emma
National Anthem
During the ceremony, with many of the speeches in Nepali, we had the opportunity to people-watch, as we waited for something we’d understand. How could you not instantly fall in love with these people?!
Physical Touch is Part of Nepali Culture
We were treated to many performances and musical numbers.
Then we were treated to tika and flower leis again.
Caleb Receiving Tika
Hannah
Becca
To top off that part of the ceremony, we were given the traditional Dhaka topi hat.
Hannah, Cami, Madeleine
Chris & Becca
Nepali Scouts’ Dance
At one point, we were all invited up for a dance party and taught how to dance as a Nepali!
Hannah Dancing
Wonder what they are saying?
Accommodations
It was interesting to see that the school is central to the village. Everything is built around it. This is the place for any cultural celebrations, village gatherings, play time, and schooling.
School Building & Field
Two sections of the school were given to our group for our accommodations. They included school rooms and the library.
Outside of Rooms
I’m not sure how we lucked out, but our classroom ended up being the largest of the group’s. We have been keeping a running list of ‘things to bring on expeditions’ as we’ve gone along, so we were thrilled that our battery-powered lanterns (for frequent power outages), clothes line (for wet clothes/towels), and sheets (for private dressing) proved to be good additions this time.
Inside of Room
Toilets
Squat Toilet with a ‘Western Convertor’
Outdoor Bucket Showers
Not everyone was thrilled about bucket showers, but as soon as they experienced them, they were converted! A cold bucket shower is the most refreshing experience after a full, hot work day!
Cami Lovin’ the Bucket Shower
Our food was beyond delicious! CHOICE employs a whole team to cater for us during the week. They come with an idea of what to prepare, but then as they observe our eating habits, they begin to cater a bit more to our likes and dislikes.
Lunch Time
We got to experience traditional Nepali foods as well as some modified Western foods. Our favorite was fish and chips (fish with potato chips on top)!
Our Tiny Mess Hall
Our Amazing Catering Staff
Serving
CHOICE always has ongoing projects throughout Nepal, so when they have volunteers, they just step right into the work already being done. Our projects for the week consisted of painting new school furniture and helping install bio-gas systems, called ‘digesters’.
- Bio-Gas Digesters -
Bio-gas digesters were new to us, but the philosophy behind them is similar to why we installed vented brick stoves in Guatemala. Through these new systems, the villagers improve their health by not having to breathe in the fumes from open wood-burning stoves.
Collecting Firewood
They also help pull themselves out of poverty by not having to spend their entire day searching for firewood. They could actually start to thrive, not just survive!
Hiking to Villager’s Home
Hilly Terrain of Nepal
A bio-gas digester works best in Nepal because of the heat and farm animals. Using dung and refuse from the squat toilets, a methane gas can build up in the digesters’ dome, enabling the villagers to use it for their cooking fuel. Although we didn’t get to see a system through from start to finish, we had the opportunity to work on different stages of multiple systems being installed.
Each hole has to be about 6 feet deep and 10-12 feet wide. That’s a big hole to dig with just manual labor!
Observing the Work
Yak Gets Luxury Digs
Woman of the House
Other Observers
Once the hole is dug, the base is reinforced with concrete.
Then the hole needs to be partially refilled to create a dome in the centre.
Cami – Refilling Hole
Emma
Chris – Keeping the Sun Off
This dirt dome acts as a mold for the concrete dome.
Dirt Mold Packed Solid
Concrete is spread around the mold, then is left to set.
Spreading Concrete on Mold
Once set, all that dirt mold is then dug back out . . . by one person squeezing into the door of the dome. Thankfully, we didn’t see one at the digging back out stage – I don’t think I could do that!
Leaving Concrete to Set
Once all the concrete is set and the dirt dug back out, the entire thing is then covered again so it sits underground. The ‘smoke stack’ is where the dung is mixed with water and then goes into the dome to let mother-nature work its magic to create the methane gas.
Village Dairy Farm
During one of our afternoons, we took a walk to the village dairy farm so CHOICE could show us a completed bio-gas digester and how it has helped one family. It was truly eye-opening!
Having had their bio-gas digester for a few years, the family was more than happy to show how the system worked.
They have a pressure gauge to show how much pressure is built up in the dome. If too much pressure builds up, the system pushes it out a refuse end of the underground dome and it can be used to fertilize their gardens. Truly nothing is wasted!
When the gas line is turned on, a simple click of the lighter, and there is the cooking fire! Simple, yet live-changing!
The change was quite apparent in the family’s living quarters. Flowers were planted outside the home as there was time to beautify their surroundings, rather than just scrape by to live.
- Painting New School Furniture -
Because our second project was a little less tiresome than the bio-gas digesters, we saved this for our afternoons after we had a bit of rest.
Caleb Sanding
Before our arrival CHOICE had built all the new school furniture from the supplies the villagers had saved up for. Our job was to sand them all down then prime and paint them.
Emma & Madeleine
Becca
Because the school furniture was in such a prominent spot for the villagers to get to, this was the time that it felt quite apparent that they do not solely accept handouts. The villagers did not sit in their homes watching us all work on their behalf, but rather, they put aside whatever they needed to do and came to work alongside us. No matter what we were doing, they were more than willing to work.
Village / Volunteer Workforce
Cami Priming
Hannah & Emma
The sanding and priming went quite quickly. Then we had to wait for everything to dry, which wasn’t too long under the hot Nepali sun!
Drying Furniture
However, just our luck, a storm was blowing in soon afterward so we hurried back up the hill to cover as much as we could!
Problem Solving
As the Storm Rolls In
We were really lucky that the storms always came when we weren’t in the middle of something. Because when they came, they came with a vengeance . . . winds, heavy rainfall, hail, etc. But then the sky cleared up with less haze, soft farm fields, and beautiful sun.
Caleb – Painting
Attracting More Helpers
Emma
It was wonderful to see all the kids get down and dirty as they worked. Paint splashes on your trousers? Who cares?! Every time those trousers are worn, some sweet experiences will be remembered.
Cami
Caleb & Dallin
Playing
We definitely came to work and help make others’ lives easier, but one of the greatest benefits for us to serve is to actually be with the villagers. We end up learning so much more from them than they could imagine!
Observing the New Comers
It took a very short amount of time for the villagers to join in some of the activities we brought with us.
Frisbee
Those that had already had some English in school could communicate a bit, so we taught them a simple hand game: “Double, double, this, this. Double, double, that, that. Double this; double that. Double, double, this, that.”
Teaching Hand Game
Older Helping Younger
The kids really got the hang of it and it seemed we would go on for a good hour, trading partners. My hands actually got bruised on the outsides from some ‘hard hitters.’
When there was some arguing about who was next, we’d have to count them out and they’d form a type of queue for their turn. Sometimes we had to try to do the hand games in 3-somes, just to get everyone in.
Waiting in the Queue
When our hands were tired, we tried to teach them other games. I thought ‘duck, duck, goose’ would be a fun one to play . . . but teaching it seemed to be the problem.
GOOSE!
I got everyone to sit down in a circle and explained / pantomimed how we go around the circle, saying ‘duck, duck, duck’ tapping each head LIGHTLY. Then when we get to the person we want to chase us, we yell ‘goose.’ They did really well with the ‘duck, duck, duck’ portion, but as soon as I tapped someone and said ‘GOOSE!’ they all started chasing me!
All In for the Chase
After awhile, we finally got it right and they really enjoyed playing – our circle had to keep getting bigger to allow for more players.
Working it Out
Cheering Them On
Full Speed Ahead
The best part about teaching the kids these games was seeing them play them on their own.
Aside from that, we played a CHOICE vs. village volleyball game . . .
Volleyball
. . . . and “face-painted” hands and arms.
Emma & Hannah “Face-Painting”
Artists at Work
Emma Getting Some Artwork
The older village girls were great with hairstyles and were more than thrilled to have some blond hair to play with!
Hannah Getting Hair Done
One of Cami’s Hairstyles
A Master at Work with an Audience
Madeleine’s & Cami’s Works of Art
But no matter what we were doing, it was great to see our kids interact in their own ways.
“Emma’s Girls”
Truly, with such affectionate villagers, how could you go wrong?!
Cami and Friends
Living and Loving
One of the amazing parts of CHOICE’s program is being able to stay in the villages and experience the culture from sun-up to sun-down.
Village Shop
Village Home
Village Shops
Village Street at Dusk
There is nothing like seeing how daily life truly is for a villager, no matter how they contribute to society . . .
Shop Keeper
Jeweler
Blacksmith
Miller
We were able to experience the ‘real deal’ – the true beauty of a somewhat untouched country . . . .
A Rare Clear Day After a Storm
. . . while being able to witness up close the hardships, struggles, and poverty.
Carrying Grain Home
Plowing Fields After Storm
“Namaste”
But above all, to see the true strength of survival, inner strength, happiness, and unconditional love.
Emma & Princess
Shopkeeper with Cami
Shopkeeper’s Bunny
Girls in Schoolyard
Becca with Girls
Choice Team
One of the key elements in CHOICE’s model is that they have an ‘in country team.’ This team is full-time, working with villages to help them pull themselves out of poverty. They are teaching others to be self-sufficient, not making them dependent.
With In-Country Director, Bishnu
They are able to do this because their staff is part of that culture. They understand how to bring villages the tools they need at the appropriate times, forming a partnership with them.
GC, Kiran, and Chandra
It truly is amazing to watch how it happens as they help the villagers break out of a cycle they have been in for years, because they don’t know any different. What an amazing influence these great individuals have made in the lives of others!
“Step hash” Kids
And not to forget these amazing kids – rock stars in their own right!! They spent their spring break in a camping situation with squat toilets and bucket showers, painting and digging for hours, but showing their capacity to learn, work, and love in an environment unfamiliar to them.
I recently ran across a quote from Audrey Hepburn that said, “As you grow older, you will discover you have two hands; one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” It may have taken me half my life to figure that out, but my hope is that by involving our children now, they will be so much further along that road of progression and be able to do amazing things!
Farewells
The village had hoped to give us a grand send off (similar to our arrival ceremony), but due to school exams and other events going on, they just had time for a “short” ceremony the evening before we headed out. It was actually perfect for us!
School Ceremony
School Kids
Farmer Attending Ceremony
The village school board gave a few speeches and presented us each with individual awards – along with the traditional tika and scarves.
Caleb
Cami
Hannah
Emma
We were thrilled to be able to leave behind our frisbee so the school children can continue to play.
Frisbee Diplomacy
School Board / CHOICE Team
We were really grateful to have the Ashton’s with us. It made this experience even better doing it alongside great friends with late nights full of Uno games.
“Stephash”
The next morning we headed out to the bus to load up and say goodbye to all the villagers. Not an easy feat!
Leaving the Schoolyard for the Last Time
As we loaded onto the bus, we looked out and saw a couple children playing our game “Double, Double, this, this; double, double, that, that . . . ” It made us feel that we were able to leave a little bit of ourselves in this tiny village in Nepal. We definitely brought part of Chiti back with us!
Leaving the School Gates
Becca– your blog is amazing!! LOVE all the pics…and how you wove into your blog the work and model of CHOICE. I so enjoyed being there with you guys. It was an incredible experience for all of us. Hope you continue to think of us for future opportunities to serve. There is so much to do! and so much we CAN DO! GOD bless you and your family. I’m sure we’ll talk and connect soon.
Keith
Becca,
What a tremendous experience! Enjoyed every photo documenting your mission work in Nepal. The world would do well to have more families like yours. I can imagine the difference you made to many & how those you impacted will long remember the blessings you bestowed.
Bless you & your family,
Love & prayers,
Janice
Becca-
What a wonderfully human story you have told. I love the example you are to your children of joy in service. I love looking at all of the faces, those serving and those being served. This is truly the Saviour’s Way. Thank you, thank you for sharing your holiday with us.
Much love always,
Holly
(I just wish I could be there to give you a hug!)
Becca, I have been on 3 different expeditions with CHOICE to Nepal over the years and must admit that your blog is the most thorough representation of what people can expect when coming on an expedition to Nepal. The photos and descriptions remind me especially of my first Choice Humanitarian expedition in 2010 with the elaborate welcome ceremony and farewell…your group was also lucky to be in a village where the children were around to play. Our post earthquake expedition last August was in an area where the children were in school a ways away from the village where we were working so we did not get to see most of them.
Choice Headquarters staff would do well to have a permanent link to this blog entry on their webpage-it would be a great tool to help recruit other families to have a similar life changing experience.
Despite the smog, or rain, or culture shock of poor infrastructure, the warmth and friendliness of the people shine through all of that. How can one come and serve these colorful, peaceful, giving people and not fall in love with them….? It will pull you back again and again.