A big thank you to the volunteers from all at Bhakta Vidyashram.

Beatrice and Anjali  in the classroom.

I want to say a big thank you to all the volunteers that have worked at Bhakta Vidyashram the last couple of weeks. You truly did make a difference and brightened up the lives of the children. Thank you for sharing your love and your time!

Comfort zones? What are they?

During this journey much of what I have been writing about has been about doing what you love, living every moment to count and not to be trapped inside your own world. The art on the road trip is one of those moments for those who have taken the plunge to join us. During the course of finding volunteers for the trip, I have been amazed at how many people are not prepared to leave their comforts behind to experience something they have dreamed about. I had requests for free flight trips, all expensive holidays, warmer weather, beds, showers and everything that this trip is not about. This is for us to experience every moment, not to be distracted by internet, phones, TV, and all the other things in life that ties us down 9-5 every day. I am so excited that three wonderful girls and a dear friend is joining me and my husband. They have expressed their willingness to brave the cold nights, leave their hot showers behind, sleep on the floor, use a squat toilet outside and give up their privacy to sleep all in one room for 10 days. Nothing of these things matter, when you see the smiles the children will give us in return.  Why do we so cling to what we know, fearing that we might not adapt to the unknown. And having the longing to experience life, but holding on to your fears. I too did that for many years of my life, but my husband and I have a dream and a wish to bring hope, creativity, color and imagination to children. I pray and believe that with this trip many of you will see and experience the joy as we will. It has been very difficult for people to understand the reasoning and it has been an even more difficult journey to gain support. But we are still here and have not given up, and for the first time I can see how things are happening. We are still very much working on the new library as well as the donation of science and biology equipment to the school in Kathmandu.

Just a story I wanted to share about how our thoughts can be heard. For those of you that have been reading the blog have read that we often go out for an 8 mile walk here in the park. The other day coming back my feet was really tired and hurting and I was thinking maybe I should get a pair of insoles as the shoes are still in great shape. But with our budget being so tight it was a tossup between a good pair of insoles which I know is $50.00 or a new pair of hiking shoes which I will need for Nepal. And behold, two days later I receive an email that I had been the lucky winner of a pair of Dr Scholl’s inners. A competition I entered weeks ago. I just needed to go to that machine that measures your feet to see which type I would need. When these gifts are given to me, I realize that my prayers, dreams, thoughts and wishes are listened too. Sometimes how we receive it is not as we had thought we would, and if the universe listens to something that we might think is so unimportant how we can doubt that our prayers are not heard. Even though I feel like giving up so many times, I am awakened again and given new hope and faith.

The school we will be visiting.

I came across this poem by accident this morning and it so rang true as to what I have experienced and wanted to share it with you. I pray that your faith will be restored and you can follow your dreams.

MY COMFORT ZONE
By Author Unknown

I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn't fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I'd never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.

I said it didn't matter that I wasn't doing much.
I said I didn't care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I'd never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.

If you're in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!

A big welcome to our new volunteers arriving soon.

I just wanted to extend a big welcome and a bigger thank you to Beatrice, Antonia and Anjali that will both be starting at Bhakta Vidayashram School around September 10. We are very excited and happy to have them visit the school and sharing their time and love for one month. Also thank you to Faye, Matt, Alice and Aoife that will be joining them for a few days during their stay in Kathmandu. If there are any volunteers that would like to join and teach English at the school, please email me at watersfromheaven@gmail.com. We do not charge any fees to any of our volunteers. The school is within walking distance of Thamel, in the heart of the city, making it convenient and close to everything.
 join us on facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/226172887417708/
Or view our slideshow  http://changents.com/watersfromheaven

A question of time??

I have to ask you this question. Is everything black and white to you or do you believe in the spaces in between? Do you live by what others say is the truth or do you question life and live by your own truth, no matter how crazy it might seem to others? Or do you dream of living your truth and are caught up in a bubble where you feel there is no turning back?

My mind is always questioning, trying to find my own answers and finding my own truth. But I do feel that sometimes we get caught up in life and others truths, not seeing beyond and forgetting about the in-betweens. Time is one of those things that make us run, struggle and something we cannot turn back. It only goes forward. But sometimes time is on your side and other times you never even see it coming. When I was younger I started questioning the concept of time. What makes us hate and love it so? Is it something with a mind of its own? For me time started having a personality, a wisdom, a life. Is it a healer, as time heals all pain it is said by everyone? Have you ever looked at the clock and counted how long one minute is? Turn your head away and look at how it speeds up. I used to believe time plays tricks, it can speed itself up when you are not looking and sometimes make a day turn into 2, or cut it in half. Time is so important and we forgot to live in the now, forget about using each minute that time gives us to live what we believe in. Once that minute is over it is gone forever. But where does it go, to the spaces in between I ask? How long is five minutes for a child sitting in a corner? How long is five minutes for you? A blink of an eye for us. So what is time, how long is one minute, and who is right? That is where imagination comes in. That is what WatersFromHeaven is all about. To let children use their imagination, find their own truths and see that there can be spaces in between, where there are other choices to live by.

So that brings me back full circle to how much time we have left until this trip. Three and a half months. It is going by so quickly and sometimes so slow.  Up until this point I have not been able to collect any cash donations for the art program. So I have to ask when I look at time, should I feel concerned or do I keep my faith that it will all work out. The one thing I do know is that it will be as it should. I do stand with a foot in each emotion, like skipping back and forth, human nature I guess. Part of the donations will be used to purchase 600 sheets of craft paper amongst other things. None of the funds donated will be used towards our own expenses and we are not asking volunteers for any fees. I am sure most of you have been asked so many times for donations, and for me it is has not been easy to become humble and ask for your help. But it is a journey, and I have to learn and grow from this experience. COMMITTED is a nonprofit with whom we are collaborating on this art project. This is the link that you could use if you are able to make any donations to the program. $5.00 is able to stretch very far in Nepal and your assistance would make such a difference. 

 http://www.cminepal.org/donate/donate-index.htm

 Your donation will be tax deductible, please email me at watersfromheaven@gmail.com after you donate and send me the details. Thank you so much in advance! 

Dates are set for art trip to rural areas: Volunteers needed.

I have just received news that the Sri Raithane Secondary school at Thangpalkot Village of Sindhupalchowk District will be one of the first schools we will visit on the trip. Our plan is that we would leave on the 8th of January to the 18th.The school has offered us accommodation in one of their classrooms. And they have been so amazing and offered to subsidize our meals by 50%. COMMITTED has agreed that they will assist us with the bus fees. I need to add that you will be living under very basic conditions and it will be cold. But I can guarantee that this will be an amazing adventure for those of you that would like to experience the culture and spend some time with the children. Please do contact me at watersfromheaven@gmail.com if you have any questions. Or join our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/226172887417708/?ap=1

You can also look at this link and see the projects COMMITTED are planning for this school. Please give them your support. http://www.razoo.com/story/Cmi

We will sleep in one of these classrooms.

Although one of the least developed, this district can be one of the finest tourist destination attracting both national and international tourists. The tourist places of this district include, Langtang Himal, Langtang National Park Jugal Himal, Panch Pokhari, Tato pani, and Gaurati Bhimeswor. People here depend entirely on agriculture for their survival. Since the district is geographically hilly, there are very less fertile land and the yield is very less. So, the lifestyle of people is not easy. This district is easily accessible from Kathmandu, but due to various reasons, it is not well developed, and is called as a remote district. 

Would you give your shoes?

What a day it has been. Such a roller coaster, but so beautifully is it unveiled. I had gone for a walk this afternoon as it is a time for me to recharge and get in touch with what is going on in my head. I usually go for about an 8 mile walk in a park close to our house. Those of you that know Houston know it is about 92 degrees, but it kind of cleanses me by the time I return.

To give a picture of the park, there is a gravel/stone walking path and you can see from there a neatly tarred pathway. Your choice as to which one you want to walk. Today I decided to walk the stone path, and while I was walking it I had this vision in my head. Please note this is only a vision. I looked at the nicely paved road on the other side and I was wondering, why I am I walking here on this stone road. Why am I walking on the side where nobody is walking? I felt so completely alone at that moment. And I thought "stop stop,can somebody please give me some shoes so that my feet does not get so hurt if this is the path I need to walk." Why am I walking without shoes on the difficult road? Why did I not choose the easy way on the other side?

And at that moment I had a flash of a time a couple of years back. How amazing is the universe in showing you its messages. I had gone with a few friends to a trance party that was out in the mountains. We had to park the car at the foot of the mountain and we had a bit of a trek until we reached an open area where the party was held. We decided to walk a bit further until we found a space where we could pitch our tent. On the Sunday afternoon, I decided to go and lie down in the tent and left my shoes outside. Around 5:00 PM, at least close to it getting dark, my friends came to call me so that we could pack up. When I got out of the tent I had realized that my shoes were gone, and we came to the conclusion that somebody needed the shoes as they must have lost theirs or maybe thought it was theirs. Not sure what happened there. So now we had to start thinking of how I was going to get back to the car. It was getting dark, the road back was thorny and stony, rocky and pretty impossible to walk all the way back bare feet. It would not be possible for anybody to even carry me as we had so much gear to carry back and the road was pretty long. So my dear friend Stelios said that I should wait a minute and he will be back. Not long after he returned and he had a pair of shoes in his hand. And amazing it was my size. He had spoken to some girls and somebody had given the shoes as they were able to bring their car pretty close and she did not need them. I never knew who they were and every time I wore the shoes after that I would always tell the story. Then one day I was telling this to Netti, a girl I had met a little while after that. I had the shoes on and told her how grateful I was for those shoes. I wore them actually until they eventually broke and could not be fixed. She smiled and said that it was her best friend’s shoes. She was with her friend and they camped just a few meters away from us. I was so touched by that gesture and wore those shoes with such pride. Sometime after that Netti and I ended up on the journey to Nepal together. I do love you guys….

     

And I realized that I need not feel alone as the universe will always provide. It will know what we need before we even ask for it. And thank you to the universe for always knowing our hearts. 

The questions we ask.

Over the course of this year I have been asked this question so many times. So why are you doing this? What made you decide to do this? Why would you do this without any monetary compensation?  And believe me you are not the only one asking me that, I still ask myself that question many times each week, thinking that there is so many easier things I could do. Thinking I must be crazy, why work two jobs so that we can afford this trip. Can’t I just donate some money or support a cause and I have done my little part.

It is one of those questions I have tried to explain and answer, but it is not something I can really put into words. For those of you that have ever made the decision to listen to what the universe whispers in your ear will understand what I mean. It is something that I just knew I had to do. The why, how, when and where was what I needed to figure out. It was a journey in itself to me, to come to the point of not struggling against what I knew. Surrendering yourself is not an easy journey, one that is still a battle for me every day. When so many doors close, there will be that one door that only lets in a glimmer of light and I will knock harder the next time. But for the first time in my forty two years I have found a peace in what I know, I have stopped asking myself the question why why why. I was so determined to find out the reason to everything that I forgot to just be quiet.  My life has always been such a puzzle, some very difficult times, when I questioned my life, and why I needed to go through everything I did. Now I do understand, as without those strengths and lessons I could never have been the person I am now. But I am still learning every day. But since working on this project and dream I am finding my inner strength again, the purpose I needed to be who I am now.  

The bigger question I get is why art? Why are you focusing on that? Believe me, it is not something I just decided on one day. For some reason the universe has guided me to come to this point. I still don’t know if this is where my purpose would be, but it has been very exciting to see how a small seed has sprouted. Art, reading and dreaming is the one thing that played such a big part in my childhood. As a child, things were not as rosy as it is in many homes. During the week I remember counting the days till the weekends. Not because of family outings or playing with my friends. I counted the days till I could lose myself in my books and drawings. On Saturdays I remember waking up and spending the entire weekend in my room. Reading reading and drawing. Losing myself in dreams, hopes and believing in wishes. Whatever was happening outside of my room did not matter. As I was allowed to be happy, smile and dream through books and pictures. And for that reason I know how important it is for each and every child to have the opportunity to know that wishes and dreams do come true. For them to see beyond their situation, to use their imagination. There is nothing more special than when a child for the first time creates something, something that they made. To see the light in their eyes and the excitement and beauty in them, and it is the most precious gift for me to be a part of that. That is my reward, which makes everyday worth it. There is no way I can put a monetary value on that.

At this point we have no funds to purchase art supplies. But I have been working on collecting used supplies, bidding on a site where I sell and buy. I do not know at this point how many children we will be able to involve as it will depend on the collection. But I hope that you can be a part of our dream and bring color into the schools of Nepal with us. Maybe it is a time for me/us to have faith in what we believe, no matter how the odds are stacked against us. I have heard from so many that this is not the kind of projects people sponsor, but I believe once each and every one of us think back to when we were young, how important creating, dreaming and wishes were in our lives, then it all will be. Can you imagine never……    

Art on the road is moving forward: Any volunteers want to join in January?

Great news everybody! Slowly but surely our vision for this project is coming together. We are joining hands with a non-profit organization called COMMITED http://www.cminepal.org/. They have been doing work in the rural areas of Nepal and we will be visiting a few of their schools. COMMITTED is currently undertaking a project to extend the Sri Raithane School to include grades 11 and 12, as currently the children have to walk 2 hrs to reach that school. By completing the additional classrooms they will only have a 2 minute walk to school and give the children the opportunity to complete High School. Please support their efforts and donate at
http://www.razoo.com/story/Cmi?1311349877 .

We will be visiting 3 schools which are approximately 20 minutes walk from each other. Depending on the number of volunteers and the amount of art and craft supplies we can collect, will determine how many children we can involve. These schools are in the Sindhupalchowk District, and we will reach it by local bus. The dates are still being determined and discussed with the schools, but we plan to visit them during January month. I will post dates as soon as I hear word. The community has been so amazing and offered the volunteers that are joining on this project free accommodation in their homes. Your only expense would be food, which we can arrange with the community. But the cost for that would be minimal. I do have to ad that it is a very cold time of the year, and there will be no hot showers, western toilets or comfy beds. We will live with the community and eat the local food. This is a great opportunity for people to experience the Nepali culture and at the same time work with the children at the school. We will be organizing art and craft classes and outdoor activities with the schools. My dream is to bring color and imagination into the classrooms, to give each child the chance to dream. I am currently working on collecting art from other parts of the world and have been approaching schools to hear if they would want to be a part in the art exchange program. You do not have to be an artist to volunteer, as I myself am not one. Love for the children and everything colorful is very important. I have added a few pictures from the area to give you a better idea of where we will be going. Do email me for more details at watersfromheaven@gmail.com. 

Children's books needed for small library.

If anybody is travelling in the near future to Kathmandu and has space for a few books, it will be very much appreciated. Please email me and we can arrange a pick up or drop off. Even one or two books are more than what we had before. Thank you to all the volunteers that are working so hard on this project.

Can we change the future of even just one child?

Learning a new song in class

As you might know by now I will be in Kathmandu for December and January month, working on a few projects at the school. During my last visit to Bhakta Vidyashram a request was made by the teachers to ask us if we would be able to raise sponsorship for the children’s school fees. Unfortunately many of the children are in the position that their parents cannot afford to pay the school fees required for them to stay in school. They leave school at a young age, because there are no funds for uniforms, school supplies or any of the other necessary items they need for school. In Nepal, education is not compulsory and many of the children are taken out of school to start working at a very young age. My hope is that we can change things for the children and allow them to complete their education, giving them a better future. I am planning on my visit at the end of the year to interview children as well as their parents make a determination as to those who are the most in need. The school fee per year for the younger children is just under $5.00 and the older children just under $10.00 depending on the exchange rate. If anybody would like to sponsor a child I can vouch that this money would go straight to the children’s school fees. As you have read before, we don’t use any of the donations to pay for our expenses, flight tickets or administration fees. These cost we carry ourselves and all donations go straight to each individual project. If anybody is interested in assisting with sponsoring a child, you could also choose to assist with school supplies for the sponsored child or maybe a school uniform. I would shop for these items myself during my visit and supply you with the necessary receipts as determined. During the winter months it gets extremely cold in the classrooms and I was hoping to maybe be able to purchase some shoes, gloves or a hat for the sponsored children, depending on the need and also as per your request. On our last visit we were only able to donate 67 backpacks, but many of the children are still without back packs. There are currently only about 150 children at the school, and the numbers are slowly dwindling because of the state of the school and the cost of keeping the children in school. I truly hope that somehow we will be able to assist the children in continuing their education. And without your help I cannot do any of this.  Thank you for giving me a few minutes of your time by reading these words :}.    

Dhanyabad to all

Dhanyabaad from all at  Bhakta Vidayshram

I just wanted to thank each and every one that has written me over the last few days. For those of you that have offered to bring books from all over the globe and those that are and will be in Kathmandu that have volunteered their time to number and catalogue each book. Without your support none of this will be and could be possible. I am so excited to see a dream come true not for me but for each and every child that will have the opportunity to read the stories and fairytales we all grew up with. To give them the opportunity to lose themselves in the stories we loved and whom many of us now read to our children and grandchildren. I do hope those of you that will be in Kathmandu in December can join us when we hand over the books to the school. We are still very much looking for any basic children English books. The ages of the children range from Grade 1 to Grade 10. There are approximately 150 children at the school, so not a very big group. If anybody has any time to assist Shreeju during the coming months with cataloging and collecting books, please email me at watersfromheaven@gmail.com.

The school only has 3 cabinets that can lock for us to store the books. As you can see from the picture the cabinets are not in very good shape. If anybody has a cabinet standing around at home that is not being used, please do keep the school in mind. The classrooms have no windows and there are no doors. This leaves the children and everything inside completely exposed to the rain, wind and all the elements. For that reason we need cabinets that can lock so that the books can be protected until we can raise enough money to upgrade the building. 

Library books

Our first big delivery. Thank you to Singapore from us.

A library in the making!

Shreeju and Bernice with the Principal and Vice-Principal discussing the library.

Need to restore this if possible.

A couple of months ago when the idea of a library for the school was discussed I had only thought maybe we would have a few shelves and a few books for the children. And how that has changed! I am so thankful to everybody that has been collecting books and has donated them. We are still very much looking for anybody travelling to Nepal that might have space for a few children’s books in their luggage. Book by book we are building up a collection. We are looking for used books that are basic English, nothing too difficult for them to read. Shreeju, has with the help of her friend and Bernice and Joses started with the numbering and organizing of the books. She hopes to give each child a library card when we have it set up. If anybody would like to donate a few dollars to help her with purchasing the cards and making a numbering system for the books, it would be such a blessing. We are very much dependent on small donations as we do not ask any fees from the volunteers or use any of the donations for our overheads. The school has three cabinets that can lock that we are able to use. I have added a picture. As you can see these cabinets are not in very good shape. If there is anybody in Kathmandu that has a cabinet in their house that they do not use or of if there are any carpenters that can help us renovate these cabinets, do email me at watersfromheaven@gmail.com. I am so excited that the children will have the opportunity to read books and share the fairy tales and stories children all over the world reads. Thank you to everybody for making this dream become a bigger reality than what I had dreamt it could be.   

Identified at last.

School identified!

The entrance.

Not many of you know, but up until recently the school did not have a name board. If you entered the area it would not be identified as a school, until you see the children running around. But I am really happy that a board has been placed at the entrance and it can be known as a place where learning is taking place. Let this be a new beginning a time of birth. Let this not be a school anymore where time has stood still. 

A New Day

I read this beautiful poem today written by Praveen this morning and wanted to share it with everyone.

This is the beginning of a new day.
I have been given this day to use as I will.
I can waste it, or use it.
I can make it a day long to be remembered for its joy,
its beauty and its achievements,
or it can be filled with pettiness.
What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes this day will be gone forever,
but I shall hold something which I have traded for it.
It may be no more than a memory,
but if it is a worthy one I shall not regret the price.
I want it to be gain not loss, good not evil, success not failure.

How many days do we let go by without even registering it. When I was a child and I guess for many of you it was the same. The days were so long and every day was an experience, good or bad. Our days did not feel like it just was another day of working, looking at the sunshine from our workplace wishing we could enjoy its rays. I do feel that life is so fast pace and is racing by me and all of us. I must be at that age now when I look at my life and look at the future and say, “What do I want to give back to the world? How can I make even just a small change?” But I have also realized that with trying to juggle everything in my life I do lose sight of the important things around me, I lose those precious moments. But trying too not wander too much off the topic, why I was originally starting to write the post today. As in my heading this is a story of a school that has changed and is changing my life, without them even knowing the journey I am on. Where this journey goes nobody knows.

I am hoping that with bringing the reading program to school as well as the art that we could give the children a day that they can remember. A day that they can cherish, and with dreaming and expression give them days to enjoy. To not let their school days go by as just another day, easily forgotten.

As you might have read in my previous posts we are slowly starting to build a library for the school. If anybody is travelling that way, please do let us know if you have space for a few books. You might feel that 2-3 books is not enough, but 2-3 books added to another 2-3 books makes it 6 books. I have been writing companies looking for posters for the school, but without too much success. Most companies do have organizations that they are already sponsoring.  I would love to give the school some biology, science, geography and educational posters to use as teaching aids. If anybody has any contacts do let me know. It can be used or slightly damaged. The school has also requested some mathematical calculators. If I can collect a few they could rotate them in the classroom as now they not have any available. If you might have some lying in your drawer that you are not using, please send it our way. We had supplied them with 50 math sets, but if anybody has any of those it would be great too.

Thank you for reading and hopefully our roads would cross someday who knows?

What is the difference?

I read a passage today and it made me smile. 

"The only difference between those who volunteer regularly and those that do not, is that the volunteer watches about one hour less of television a day." 

It is so true as my time relaxing has definitely shrunk, but not that I miss anything by not watching television or a movie. It really means that each and every one of us can make a change in this world. You do not have to look at others to admire them for their work. We need to look up to ourselves and feel proud of what we do. I have had this struggle in my head since I returned, knowing how difficult it can become and thinking to myself, “Is this what I want to do? Won’t it just be better to spend my holiday on a beach and forget about it all? Won't my life just be easier?” Deciding to make that change is a sacrifice, but would I rather have a meal in a restaurant tonight or know that I have changed the live and the education even if  for only one child.      

During the last year I have met such amazing people, many from people that have written me. I have to make special mention of the Listia.com members.They have opened their hearts and trusted us with their donations of books, school supplies and anything else they could add to the collection. There is a time when you make that choice to surrender your live and your future to what you know you need to do. At this point, as I mentioned before I am still in that space of debating it in my head. It is a difficult choice as the tropical beaches do sound like a much better idea. But when I think of the children and their beautiful smiles I cannot see myself on that beach anymore. My husband is standing beside me through all this, listening to me going back and forth. We are working on a five year plan, as by that time we hope to be debt free, which will allow me to spend more time in Kathmandu. At the moment I have a part time job and that gives me the flexibility to have more time to work on projects for the school. I have no idea what the future holds, I have to hold my breath in amazement sometimes at what can be. But I pray for patience each day, not asking for what I want but what they need.

We have made the decision that we need to go back at the end of the year to work on a few other projects at the school. As of now we do not know how we will pay for our tickets, but I have faith that somehow we will find that ticket that will drop in price. I am thinking of planning some Art and English classes for the children during their holidays in January. It will take some planning, but I am not even sure yet if the children would attend as this will be a totally new concept for them to have extra activities during the holiday time. If there is anybody that would like to help out during that time do send me an email. At this point it is still an idea that needs to take form. The only thing is January is a very cold month, not really colder than December. But I am not sure that the children would want to spend any more time out in the cold classrooms. They are writing exams in December, but I really have no idea as to how they do it. It is freezing cold during that time, and there are no windows, no doors only bare bricks and cement. Maybe somebody would donate us a space to use, or we can find a way to make the classrooms a bit warmer. Manish has been thinking of putting clear plastic over the gaping holes to keep some of the cold out. Keep reading.... 

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude."
        - Thomas Jefferson

Can we spark an interest in Science and Biology again?

The school has requested that we assist them with science and biology teaching aids. They have supplied us with a list of the items that is needed. At this point it is impossible for them to visually teach and show the children experiments or even just simple things as to for example how the eye works.  Most of everything they have in the school is broken or not usable because of age deterioration.  As you can see from the pictures that I have added. I can only imagine how difficult it is for the children to understand the book knowledge without seeing it in practice or even just shown on a chart. I had never imagined that a school could teach under these conditions. They supplied us with the children’s examination results, and it exceeded my expectations. These are children that are motivated to learn, no matter how difficult the situation might be. There were very few children that failed and most did very well. Our goal is to supply the school with this much needed equipment so that there can be a renewed interest in these subjects which many of us loved and found fascination. We have volunteers that are currently working on finding all the equipment that is needed and we are looking at a budget of Rupees 50 000 for everything approximately $714. I truly do hope that we can move this mountain and make this possible. My dream would be that each and every child could finish school, and not be taken out of school due to lack of facilities and no educational materials. At this point the number of children graduating is around 10. Can we change their future? Please email me if you could assist in any way, we always need helping hands and ideas. Our email address is the same as the PayPal address watersfromheaven@gmail.com.



First Impressions and thoughts

I wanted to officially welcome Tal as our new volunteer at the school. He is from the USA and will be teaching English to the 5^th and 6^th grade. I had asked him to write something for the blog about his first day and his impressions of the school, which I added below. Thank you for volunteering your time and I am sure it will be just as rewarding for you as it will be for the children.

Tal in the classroom.

"I had been to the temple courtyard that adjoins the school before but I had not the slightest idea that there was a school here. There was no sign or banner announcing it. At the time I saw a few children in uniforms playing around what looked to be a construction (or demolition) site. So of course I was a bit surprised later upon arriving on the first day after the students' exam break to see that indeed this was the location of the school and not a condemned building in the midst of being torn down. Quite the opposite, it's as lively a place as any other school building, brimming with activity and morning vitality. I knew beforehand that the school's resources were extremely limited but one really has to be there to appreciate the reality of that situation, and what it means to the students and faculty there. On the first day back there were no classes being held, as only a trickle of children (perhaps a quarter of the student body or fewer) were in attendance, and the school was awaiting a new delivery of government-provided textbooks, expected in a matter of days. In lieu of class, students socialized and frolicked in and around the classrooms, while my over-protected American sensibility caused me to cringe at all of the potential safety hazards: the high, rickety railing comprised of a wooden beam held precariously in place by a length of rope tied at either end; the stacks of loose bricks; the four-storey drop from the open-air classrooms and the cement below; etc. But, as I had seen countless times before in Nepal, the children played, unsupervised and either oblivious to or coolly aware of the dangers there, managing to magically avoid catastrophe. I would see groups of kids clustered together - the older ones offering a shy greeting, the middle grades shrieking and unabashedly piping up in English, and the very youngest going from silent self-containment to spontaneous dance parties within the span of a moment - and greeted them as I walked by and looked into the mostly bare rooms. I spent much of the time that first day crowded into the faculty lounge while the teachers talked, ate chow mein, and read newspapers. Since I had been expecting a ceremonious greeting during which I would have to give a speech, I was a bit thankful for being more or less ignored for a while. A few of the teachers who spoke some English introduced themselves informally, and the others were polite but less outgoing. I spoke for a while to the vice-principle, trying to get an idea of how a typical class is conducted at BVS, what the children's routines and expectations are like, and what I could possibly have to offer, coming from a different culture and way of doing things. He stressed the fact that many of the teachers tend to stay very faithful to the exercise books, often teaching from them verbatim. I left our conversation with the feeling of being in a place where the pedagogical models, educational objectives, and notions of discipline are often very distinct from those to which I have been familiar, and I admittedly had some serious doubts that my own perception of how school should be might run into some difficulty in finding compatibility with the way things are done here. I think and hope that I can overcome such trepidation in the long-run because I feel this place, these people, and my assignment (5th and 6th grade English) are worth it. One need only set foot on the small courtyard of the school to see that it is in need of all the basic things that even the poorest schools back home take for granted. Indeed, looking at the crumbling and half-finished building that houses BVS, it seems a place that is naked of most qualities that we in the West consider necessary for a functioning school. Most, that is, except the mutual enthusiasm and energy of the people there, adults and children alike, things that I saw very much in evidence. The school has people who care and want to be there to accomplish things together, and thus the place has an unmistakable inner glow to it - in addition to all the natural light."

Step by Step

I have been so excited about all the amazing things that have been happening and thankful for all the hard work behind the scenes from everybody. Nepal had just celebrated New Years and is getting ready for the new school year which will be starting tomorrow. Our two new volunteers will also be starting their first day at school. I am happy to report back that we had received donations for the sports equipment. Magdalena and Bhesh Raj have been shopping for cricket set with balls and stumps, a volleyball, 4 badminton rackets, some shuttlecocks and a long skipping rope. The school has allocated a spot to put up the basket ball ring. I can only imagine how much fun the children are going to have with all the new games. We also received a donation of 150 metal 1 liter water bottles for the children. With these bottles they will be able to transport boiled water to school or collect water at other water spots. We are arranging a handover next week, and I am so sorry to miss the occasion. We will be posting pictures and updates for everybody to share the day with us. We are currently planning and working on another project for the school. The school has no science equipment to teach science and biology to the children. They have supplied us with a list of equipment that is needed and our volunteers have been scouting for prices. The estimated cost is around Rupees 50 000, (+-$714) for everything. This would make such a big difference in how the children are taught as they cannot do any experiments at this point. If anybody could assist us with a small donation it would be greatly appreciated. Step by Step we hope to change the school into a place where children would want to come to learn.

Current state of science and biology equipment!



Basketballs and game time funds needed

The school grounds is the first section. The temple grounds (furthest) are also used by the children to play on.

Namaste everyone. As you might have read on a previous post, I had written about the need for sports equipment at the school. After a meeting with the school they had shown a big interest in having a basket ball for the children. As I had mentioned they only have two footballs at this point which had been donated. The school had pointed out a place where the hoop could be fitted. The children have not had the opportunity to play with a proper basket ball and ring. They do not have a proper court or too much space available, but they would use the space they have. It can bring so much excitement to the children, as for them each day has pretty much been the same. We have priced the equipment, the price of the ring is Rupees 800 (+-$11.50), the net Rupees 150(+- $2.15) and there are rubber balls for Rupees 675 (+-$10.00), not too sure about the quality, there are better quality basketballs available for Rupees 1025 each (+-$15.00). For a total of around $28.00 (hopefully we can negotiate a better price) we will be able to make such a change in their day. I am not one for approaching people directly for funds, as this is still new to me and I do not know too many people in Houston. But if anybody is willing to donate a few dollars it will be so much appreciated. None of these funds will go to our pocket and everything will go directly to the school.

“This is my home, where’s yours?”

“This is my home, where’s yours?” I walked into one of the classrooms that were empty as school was out for the day. These words were written on the class room board. “This is my home, where’s yours?” Strangely enough every time I think of the school this image comes into my mind. These few words have made such an impact on me, just like so many other experiences I have written to you about. Just has me thinking, for so many of these children this is their home, this is where they spend most of their time. Many of these children do not have a home to call their own, this school represents that to them. This is where children should feel safe, where they should be cared for, loved and where they should receive an education. This is our obligation as adults to make these things possible to all children of the world. This school has been left behind and most nothing if anything has changed for over forty years. These children are not in a safe environment as the building is not structurally safe for them. The teachers do not have the teaching equipment to even teach the children science. There is no safe drinking water at the school and not even a few English books that they could read. This is their home, this is their reality. This is where they sit in the classrooms each day exposed to the elements as there are no doors, not even windows. Could we blame them for not wanting to go to school, could we blame them for thinking that school is not important. This is their home, where‘s yours?

At this point I have no idea how we are going to raise the funds or even how to raise it. I have met an amazing group of young people in Kathmandu on my last few days in the city. They are all working so hard on setting up plans for what we need to do. I feel truly blessed to have them by my side. We have a wish list of things we would want to do for these children, and one by one we hope to mark them as completed. But we do need your help to make this possible……..

Foot balls and break time

I am actually a bit late in adding these pictures. When we first arrived at the school we had noticed that the children were kicking around a plank and using it as a football. Some children were using an old frayed string as a skipping rope. We realized that the school had no balls, bats or items that the children can use for group activities during break time. After discussing it with Nicole we decided that she would go halves with us on purchasing two balls and a pump for the school. We negotiated a price of 1500 rupees for all three items. (For those who do not know it is about 71 rupees to $1.00.) On our return at a later date I was so excited to see that the teacher had taken the children outside and they were playing a game together as a group. As children we so often take even just these basic items as a given, and we always had something to play with. Here they used whichever items were available and still they had so much fun, laughing and smiling even if it was only just a plank. During our visits to this school not once did I ever hear any child complain, or ask anything from us. They only wanted to give us their smiles and love. How much can they teach us and here we are thinking we are the teachers.
I am thinking of adding more items to the collection like maybe a cricket bat, basket ball and some skipping ropes. If anybody would like to assist us so that we can make this possible, please do send me an email to watersfromheaven@gmail.com. We have also set up a paypal address for donations using the same email address. We only need to do small little things like this and it can change an entire day for these children. On the last visit to the school it was with so much joy that we entered the classroom and saw the children using the coloring pencils and crayons. With your gifts you have added the color to their day, as we had hoped too. Would it be possible to add some more fun to their play time?  

News paper article and Appreciation letter.

This is a copy of a newspaper article that was posted in the The Rising Nepal on February 27, a Nepali newspaper. I do hope that we can raise enough awareness to assist this school in the future.
We received a letter from the school which I wanted to share with everybody. Thank you to all that contributed to make this all possible. With special mention to our cash donors Prilosec OTC, the Zumba dance club in Houston, The Nepal Association of Houston, Biju and Mr and Mrs K.Smith. Also thank you for the school supply donations from our neighbours and friends at Nottingham Forest townhouses, the Nepal Association of Houston members, the Swank and Haugen family, Mr Kem Clark from the Wikki Stix Co, Kori as well as our friends. Also thank you to Oliver, Nicole and Bhesh Raj for all their assistance in Kathmandu.

Oh Kathmandu, Oh Kathmandu

We arrived today back in the city after an 8 hour trip from Pokhara. Despite a few hairsplitting moments, the entire bus and passengers arrived safely. Sitting here writing this blog so many thoughts go through my mind. This journey from the beginning has had so many ups and downs, some days more than others, but it always seems to bounce back up again. Questions I have had, issues that needed solving, prayers that has been answered, and amazing stories, plus sore feet from all the walking. As you read on my previous post, my big question has been how to keep in contact with the school? I had thought the volunteers would be the answer, but I also knew they would move on and then I would not know what to do from there. I had hoped that somehow we would meet a contact here in Kathmandu, somebody that shared the same commitment as we do and had the time available. During this visit it has been one of my biggest questions, as nobody had the time to commit. But quietly in the background there was somebody that was working just as hard as us during our arrangements with the school. One of the staff members at the place where we are staying was always ready to sort the supplies, take us shopping for buying the supplies, taking messages, carrying packages and ready to give advice when we needed it. Bhesh Raj told us of how he was helping one of the children at the school in his village with school supplies. He said he was planning on doing it for the entire classroom and it would cost him 6000 rupees, if he saved and did not spend his money. I knew we needed somebody that could meet with the volunteers, introduce them to the school, and coordinate our messages. I had spoken to Greg today on the bus about asking Bhesh Raj if he would be willing to help us with the program. And before we could suggest it to him today, he made the suggestion. We are so very happy to have him helping us. We would need to arrange to get him a laptop. We know of somebody that will be coming here in April and we have an old laptop we can give him.  The only thing is that it needs a new hard drive that we think might cost around $100.00 to fix. If anybody has an old laptop to donate that we could give to him instead of having him fix this one please do let me know.

We will start working on the program tomorrow with ideas and then we will have a meeting with the school to discuss it with them. At this point the water as well as the school building project is still an uncertainty. I believe things will become clearer as time moves on.

Bhesh Raj

One day at a time



We have taken quite a few steps during this trip.

 We arrived in Pokhara a few days ago, after long local bus journeys, going through Devghat, Tansen, Butwal and then Pokhara. The roads were hair raising, on the edge of world it seemed sometimes. Thought I would share a moment that had me thinking today. We had gone for a hike to one of the smaller villages a couple of hours away. On our way back we noticed a young man with gloves and a big refuse bag on the edge of the lake. There were two young Nepali boys in a crouched position, talking to him. They asked lots of questions and looked very curious. They asked him what he was doing and he told them that Pokhara was such a beautiful place. He said that he was picking up the waste and cleaning up the area. They told him it is such a big task and he said, “All it takes is doing it one day at a time.” He smiled and continued chatting with them and cleaning up as he walked along.  

It had me thinking all the way back home. Here was one man doing it one day at a time. A big impossible task it may seem to all of us. How can we make a difference in the world? Can we make the stand, to look at nothing as impossible? We walked by all the dirt and waste every day, looking at it and shaking our heads. Thinking how sad the beautiful area looked. And here it only took one man to make a change. We never know how our actions can make an impact. For how long will we be the ones just looking at the needs of the world, thinking somebody should fix it or do something about it? Or will we be that one young man/woman that will put on a pair of gloves, grab a bag and say, “One day at a time.” Can we help revive a school, or will we belooking at it from the side thinking it is too impossible for one of us to make a change. That it is too much work or we do not have the time. We only have to do something small and look where it can expand too. This would go for anything in your life that has been your dream. The image of that solitary young man picking up papers by himself will be with me for some time to come.  

A Day Of Giving

Oliver handing over school supplies.

 And what a day it was! We all woke up early and started carrying back packs and supplies down four flights of stairs. Everyone was excited and even the guest house staff all pitched in helping us. Biju had arranged a vehicle to pick up the supplies and after it was all loaded we were all off to the school. It was a buzz of excitement as we off loaded, everyone trying to catch a peak at what was happening. The school had invited all the parents to attend as it was a big event for them. First all the children were lined up and we were formally welcomed by the school with a speech. They asked me to say a few words and Biju translated it. We handed to supplies and back packs to each child and the vice principal gave each child a tika as they received their gift. The children were called and their parents escorted them. It is a moment I will never forget, a smile a thank you and a moment of connecting with each child. It made all the hard work worth it as the children clasped their back packs. I so wish we were able to give each child a back pack, but we hope to do it soon. Every child received a package of school and art supplies. A big thank you to everyone that made this possible. Then after everyone received their gifts there was another speech and all the teachers received tika’s and scarfs. We felt very honored when asked to participate. Greg gave the teachers a tika and I handed them the scarfs thanking them for their work. The local newspapers were there to report on the story and it was in two newspapers after the event. We then enjoyed a small meal with the school that consisted of a slice of apple, a sweet and a local snack. It was such a special day and I wished everybody could have been there to see the joy and smiles of the children.  We all can make a difference no matter how small it may seem as you never know where it might lead. We have taken the first few steps on a journey that has been such a rollercoaster of emotions, happiness, sadness, joy and frustration.

Greg in a moment.

Me handing over the backpacks.

Nicole with the children.

Oliver receiving thanks.