Shanti Children Give Back
There has been so much loss and sorrow these past weeks after the devastating earthquakes in Nepal that I thought I would share with you a little ray of light. Something uplifting amidst all the destruction. It shows the spirit of Nepal and of our sweet Shanti children. This is the story of a few of our kids who have been helping with relief efforts despite their own fears.
Saatman just finished Class 10. He is from the Dalit or Untouchable caste. He is a very bright boy and gets top grades. He went on a two day volunteer relief mission with neighbors from his village in Chitwan, to help in Gorkha, the epicenter of the first earthquake. It is a devastated area of small villages. He messaged me on facebook about his experience. In his own words: "We set up our journey early in the morning and reached there after seven hours and we walked for two hours (carrying all the food goods), then we started our distribution program. We slept there in tent. Then we stayed there for another day and helped them for shelter (building shelters) and we returned. Really didi, it was my unforgettable movement (moment?). Still I am very happy to help them in such a situation. And what I learned is that even small help can be greater in such situations."
Sumi also just finished her Class 10. I was actually visiting her and her family when the earthquake struck on April 25. She has five sibling and with her parents was living in one small room. Since the quake they have been living outside in a tent. She wrote to me: "Hi didi (older sister). From today I am going to teach the/some children till their school is reopen. It is organized by some local school. I can teach them Math".
Tshering is a Shanti graduate and is now a nurse. Her dream is to come to the U.S. someday. She has been volunteering to help Tejendra by giving health education to our kids and families. They all love her! "Dear Pam didi, Tejendra and I went to four houses today. And yes, the families were so happy to see that you were concerned about their health from that far place. We gave awareness about the consequences that may result because of our small carelessness and provided the information about the use of mask, soap and (water) purification drop and how to properly use that things. I am so happy to do these things. Thank you Pam didi for giving me opportunity to help with the students of Shanti. It is my pleasure truly.”
And…many of the children at Pegasus hostel weighed and packaged food supplies that we funded (a huge project) and made parcels to distribute to 80 families in 2 villages in hard hit Sindupalchowk. A number of the older kids went along for the 15 hour trip to give out the parcels to the villagers whose homes had been destroyed.
They repeated this, preparing food parcels for another 97 households in another remote area of Sindhupalchowk and distributing these along with metal sheets for shelters in a second relief trip.I am so proud of them.
Even in these hard times, the kids are lending a hand and are learning the pleasure of being of service to those who are struggling. A real Light in the darkness. Jai Nepal!!