Kalimati Orientation

"The curious are always in some danger. If you are curious you might never come home, like all the men who now live with the mermaids at the bottom of the sea.” (Jeanette Winterson)

This was an extremely tiring and stressful week. On Sunday we moved out of our house in Swayambhu and said our goodbyes. The group going to Sundrawatti left at 7:30 so most of us woke up to say goodbye. It was really sad. So to distract ourselves some of us went to the bakery for breakfast (which was amazing). When we came back we brought our bags downstairs and said goodbye to the Mahadev-Besi group. We won’t see each other for 3 weeks. The Kalitmati group got into cabs and left right after Mahadev-Besi. We went to our new house in Kalimati. The first floor is used for daycare and some women and youth groups. The second floor has an office, activity room, a bathroom, and 2 bedrooms (one for Ne and El and the other for C and L). On the third floor we have the kitchen and my room (which I share with S and Ni). We also have a balcony with a bathroom, a big open space and a staircase that leads to a roof top. It’s a beautiful house. We made lists of basic food and supplies for the house and after lunch we got into 2 groups to buy things. What felt like a very long time later we met back up again and while everyone went over scheduling with Su (one of the Kalimati Neplai staff), while I went with At (the other Kalimati Nepali staff member) back to out house in Swayambhu to pick up a few things. I ended up having to wait for L to come because I thought At would be taking me back to Kalimati (he couldn’t). So when L came we picked up some food that we couldn’t buy in Kalimati and loaded the stuff we had taken from the Swayambhu house into a cab. When we got back dinner was ready (cooked pumpkin and beets with a big salad) and we ate in candlelight (we loose electricity for about 2-3 hours every morning and night). We started a tradition called “how was your day honey?” in which everyone talks about how they feel and something significant they experienced that day. I said I felt weird without everyone else and others apologized for being a bit impatient while trying to get things done today. The lights eventually came back on and every one smiled. It was a long first day but it ended ok.

On Monday we went over house rules before going to lunch. Afterwards we went over last machzor’s progress with one of the Women’s group (called Didi-Bahini, which means big sister-little sister). It was really amazing to see how much work they got done and all of the cool projects they came up with. We were supposed to have a meeting with the Didi-Bahini group but only a couple members showed up and were a bit late. I was asleep by the time they got to the house. I felt so drained both physically and emotionally. I slept for most of the afternoon. Every time I opened my eyes I just wanted to be back asleep. I finally made myself get up and shortly after we had dinner (shakshuga and salad) and then sat around and talked for a while after.

Tuesday was a pretty cool day. We went to the Kuleshwore school and met with the Indreni group (one of the youth groups), spoke with the ECD teacher and got to see the kids for a bit, and then talked with the principal of the school. It was so great to get to see the kids and talk with them (even if my Nepali isn’t that great). They are so adorable and sweet. We left around 2:00 and had lunch and then S and I found an amazing supermarket where we bought some important things (like shampoo and cookies) and then headed home. We talked with Su and At about some project ideas we had been thinking about (photo exhibition) and then we were done! L and I were making dinner so we went to go food shopping. We went to the vegetable market first and bought a ton of stuff (not only for dinner but for general use) and this really nice guy helped us and even friended L on facebook! We bought veggies, cheese, and yogurt and then bought the rest of the things we needed at the supermarket S and I had been to. We made a good dinner when we got back (pasta with amazing red sauce and a killer salad) it was really fun! We listened to music and talked and ended up not destroying anything! We sat down and ate and then I left because I got too frustrated with everyone talking in Hebrew. I called my mom to talk for a bit which made me feel better. The night ended with me finishing a book (Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit) and starting another (Life of Pie), which made me happy.

Wednesday was full of meetings. In the morning we met with the head of the daycare (Sun) and got to see the daycare and then kids on the ground floor of our apartment. They were so adorable and sweet! I plan on being a frequent visitor! After lunch we met with the SAY club (Struggle Active Youth) which is one of the youth groups we work with which is with older kids, and then we met with 3 members of the newer and younger women group. These people are amazing, The kids want to learn about everything. They want to have fun as well but they made it very clear that they want to really get something out of the meetings. After we met with 3 members of the younger women’s group (Ujaalo). They were sweet, funny, and just as curios about us as we were about them. If possible I would really liked to be involved in that group! When we were finished Ni and I went to Thamel. I dropped off my laundry (which I usually do by hand but had gotten a bit out of control since the move to Kalimati) and then sat at a café and used the internet. I wrote mails, went on facebook, and skyped with my parents. I was in a very good mood…until after dinner. Once a week each area must have a group meeting. For the first 5 weeks C and Ni will facilitate and for the second 5 weeks S and I will be in charge. Now the activities that they came up with were really good (1. Writing an adjective for each person in the group about how you viewed them this week and then writing one on how you viewed yourself. Then we had to read what everyone wrote and then people would say why they wrote what they did. 2. Each person giving and taking something from each person. i.e. I give X Strength and I take their positive attitude) but it was not my cup of tea. The first activity could have gone very wrong very fast. When it got to my turn I read what people wrote about me (acclimating, pensive, closed, letting it go, between comfortable and uncomfortable, and testing) I said I didn’t want to know.  I asked about 2 of them and that was it. The second was ok but it took FOREVER. I was in a very bad mood afterwards. I took a shower to wash off the bad feelings I had and then S told me people from Mahadev-Besi had called for me. I called them back and talked to GB. He made me feel so much better! He told me that they really missed me and couldn’t wait to see me next weekend (they are apparently visiting) and just really made me smile. I went to sleep in a much better mood.

On Thursday it was Thanksgiving. We got up and went for another painting project with the Israeli embassy and kids. We spent the whole morning there. We painted, hung out with the kids, got to see M, O, and N (our Israeli guides), which was, awesome and just hung out. Then At (Nepali guide) went back to Kalimati with us for some lunch and then we went to the Saraswati school. They ended up not showing up but while we were waiting At told us a bit about his childhood in school and how he became involved in TBT. He is a really wonderful and interesting person and I am really happy to have him as a guide. At night everyone wanted to go to one of the movies for the Human Right’s Film Festival, I didn’t want to go because since it was Thanksgiving I wanted to be on-line talking to family and friends. So I went by myself to Thamel and set myself up at OR2K. First I met this really nice Danish girl who was there. She said her and another girl she had recently met from Germany were going to see the new James Bond movie and invited me! I didn’t go because I was afraid of going back to Kalimati alone that late at night, but we made plans to meet up again! Then I enjoyed a long uninterrupted time on the internet with delicious food. I was in an excellent mood when I finally came back to Kalimati (plus I picked up my laundry so I had clean clothes)!

Friday was strange. I went back and forth from being happy to annoyed all day. First we went with Sul (Nepali guide) to Saraswati School to meet with the ECD teacher. It was really boring. I couldn’t really understand the teacher and the same kinds of questions and answers were repeated. We had a quick lunch and then we finally started the division process (which groups each of us are going to be working with). Youth (Me, S, and C) was easy enough: S and I are doing the Happy Child Club and Say Club, C and I are doing the Saraswati Club, and S and C are doing Indreni Club. Then things got complicated. We started to divide education and there were a couple people who just made things very difficult. Then I really wanted to help with Daycare (which I can do) but I also wanted to be involved with the parent and staff meeting. El made a big deal about how she wanted to do it so I let her have it. But then when it came time to divide the women’s groups El and Ni wanted to do all three groups. S and I mentioned that we wanted to help as well and everyone helped S but not me. I was very irritated. I feel like sometimes I am not listened to because I don’t speak Hebrew. When we finished Sul told me she would help figure out a way for me to be involved with a women’s group, which made me very greatful to her. I was pretty annoyed after and really wasn’t in the mood to go to go food shopping for dinner. But I went anyway and I’m glad I did. We were in the middle of picking out some vegetables when I saw a little boy who I played with earlier in the day at daycare. Then I saw his mother, who I had also met a couple days ago, she works at the market. I went over to say hello and she immediately recognized me! Her English was really good and she started asking me all sorts of questions. I told her about her son and how he had been really good today and how well her could throw a ball and all sorts of things mothers like to hear. She invited me to sit with her and in a minute other women came over to smile and stare. They all said I was pretty and laughed when I blushed. They brought me tea and sat with me and it was truly one of the best moments I have had here. I had to leave too soon because I had to go and cook but I promised I would come back soon. I was in a much better mood after that! The afternoon was spent cooking for our American/Israeli Thanksgiving inner in Nepal. We had a very good menu:

                                   

            Green salad (including cheese, cherry tomatoes, and pomegranate seeds)

            Rice with nuts, raisins, and beets

            Cooked pumpkin

            Yogurt sauce

            Mashed potatoes with onion

            Fried apples with vanilla ice cream

It was so delicious! There were ten of us (the 7 of us and N, M, and her husband). We all sat and ate and talked about our first week. After dinner I did an activity: we all wrote down 5 things we are thankful for. We shared one of the things we wrote and then everyone had to keep their list for a day where they felt frustrated and ungrateful. After dessert the conversation turned to all Hebrew so I made a graceful exit. But all in all it was a good night.

Saturday was very relaxing! I woke up and made breakfast and read. Then I walked to Thamel with S and L. We sat outside at a café and got coffee and used the wi-fi. Then S and headed back to Kalimati to meet with the SAY Club! 12 kids came and S and I did an introduction activity with At helping to translate. When we were done he spoke to them about upcoming goals of this machzor and some project ideas. It was really awesome to finally do something even though we mostly just observed. I really hope I get to know these kids in the next couple months. I took a shower in the dark again (no electricity, last night as well) and then I talked to O in Mahadev-Besi and Sh in Sundrawatti! It was so great to talk to them and know that they are doing well. Plus I miss them both a lot. I think some people from Mahadev-Besi are coming here next weekend, which would be amazing!

Now it’s going to be a long night. No one wants to go out and after another week of orientation that’s all I want to do.  I want to go by myself but everyone makes a big deal about it. I understand that this is in the States or even Europe but it still frustrates me. It’s still early (7:15pm) so perhaps things will change. I am really glad this week is over. We are settled in, we have gotten to know the area a bit, and are more than ready to start working!

Signed,

Ready to Go! 

Orientation Week 5

“Here’s to the misfits, rebels, trouble-makers. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status-quo. Quote them, disagree with them, glorify, or vilify them. You can’t ignore them. They change things, push the human race forward. Some may see them as crazy, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” (Jack Kerouac)

Sunday was all about youth. The seven of us who are focusing on youth had a meeting in the morning all about the youth organization TBT started called Hami Yuva (history, goals, future planning, projects, etc.). After lunch we went to Kalimati for their board meeting. Twice a year HY has a board meeting in which leaders of the youth groups from each village come together. These are some of the most amazing kids I have ever met. First they did a presentation of migration (kids who migrate from their villages to the city to find work or get a better education) which was really interesting and then we split up into our areas. I went with S and C to sit with the kids who lead groups in Kalimati. We played a game with a big die that had a question on each side, whatever side you rolled on you had to answer that question. It was so great getting to even begin to get to know them. They are smart and funny and so good natured in spite of everything they have been through. When we all came back together again we played a game called The Namaste Game! The seven of us were divided into 4 teams (called Kalimati, Ranimala, Mahadev-Besi, and Sundrawatti) and it was basically a board game in which you got Namaste points when you answered a question. The number of Namaste’s awarded was determined by the kids. It was SO much fun!  We got really competitive and everyone was laughing. It really got me excited to move to Kalimati and start working.

Monday was not a great day. Neplai class, lecture about Nepal’s political history, and then code of conduct meeting. We had to get into our village groups and create a code of conduct describing our approach to certain things, we had to come up with our approach to our work, the Nepali staff, and motivation/ideology while the other groups had other things. I got really frustrated with everyone because they were all speaking in Hebrew. I felt like an afterthought. They would talk for a while and then finally ask if I wanted to add anything. I was annoyed at them and annoyed at myself for not understanding. Clearly I was NOT in the mood for community building afterwards (we were split into 4 groups and each had a topic: advantages/disadvantages of being an outsider or insider in a community). However, at the end B (one the head Nepali staff) talked about his appreciation to TBT volunteers. It was hard to feel moody and sad after that. My group also made me laugh so by the end I felt better. After dinner we watched a documentary on the many Neplai women who are exploited and abused in Kuwait and focused on a women named Dolma Sherpa who was accused of murder while working in Kuwait to earn money for her family back in Nepal. It was really interesting but super depressing. To cheer ourselves up I sat on my bed with Sh and O and we showed each other pictures of our family and friends back home which was really great. Then GB and Al came and made us all laugh so by the time I went to bed I felt happy.

Tuesday was a great day! We had lessons in the morning and then after lunch a bunch of kids from Kalimati HY came for Tihar (see Wikipedia)! They put on this huge performance of different dances (traditional and even break dancing!) and sang songs and got us to dance as well! Two different groups came so we were watching and dancing and hanging out all afternoon! Some of the girls wore traditional Nepali outfits and the boys were all decked out in very fashionable skinny jeans and glasses. They are so talented! I absolutely loved them and was so excited at seeing some of the kids I am going to get to work with! We had a free evening so a bunch of us walked to Thamel which was awesome because of all the lights up for Tihar. Then I had dinner with S, Ne, and Ni at OR2K and after we looked around the shops before heading home. I spent the rest of the night with Sm, O, GB, Al, and two of Al’s friends that were visiting. I had a very good time.

Wednesday morning was good because I slept in and then got breakfast with Sm, GB, and E. The rest of the day was all lessons. D did a lecture on population growth, we finished our thematic presentation for Friday, we got a welcome letter and booklet of information for each area, we had a brain storming session with our thematic groups for activities, and then we ended the night with a meeting for the facilitators. In each area 4 people act as facilitators for a once a week meeting with the group (2 people do it for the first 5 weeks and 2 for the second 5 weeks) in which we talk about problems, concerns, thoughts about the work or program, etc. By the time the meeting ended it had been going on for 2 hours. I was beat.

Thursday was our last official day of orientation. I had to get up early to make breakfast with Am (we made awesome oatmeal). Then we had a ceremony for signing the code of conduct we had created. Each area had a copy and everyone signed. We also signed another TBT contract which was very similar to the one we signed before the program (no drugs, no relationships with the Nepali staff, being conscious and respectful to the people around you, etc.). Then we had a closing ceremony. N had a stack of paper with a memory from orientation written on it. He would hold them up one at a time and tape it to the wall and then we talked about them. Some where funny (no water), some were from lesson (human rights), and some were general (USA presidential elections). When we were finished we had a free afternoon! I went out for an afternoon with GB and Al. We went on this ride that had been up since the beginning of the week for Tihar. It wasn’t made well and looked like it was about to fall apart (so naturally we had to go). I can’t speak for them but I was scared silly! We laughed and I tried not to pee my pants. Then we went shopping in Thamel for things we would need for the village. We had dinner at Food Bazar and headed back to the house feeling very refreshed. That night we had a party for the end of orientation. We played a game (that is apparently very popular in Israel but that I had never heard of) in which you passed a package wrapped in many layers of newspaper around. When the music stopped the person who was holding it had to take off a layer of paper and then answer the question or do the action that was written on a card. It was fun and everyone had a good time. The rest of the night was spent eating, drinking, and dancing. I finally crashed, too tired to even turn off the light!

Friday morning each thematic group presented the project we had worked on. The women’s group had made dolls, education had started coming up with ways to have ECD (early childhood development) meetings with teachers, agriculture had started a booklet which was very detailed and descriptive for helping more people learn about farming, and Youth (my group) planned 3 lessons to help teach areas about raising money (getting grants) for their youth groups. Everything went well but unfortunately we were all pretty exhausted from the party the night before! Our final meeting was about scheduling for the next 3 months. We got the dates of the seminars (we have 4), the first is local in each area, the second is at our main house in Swayambhu, the third is with the Nepali staff and the location will be decided, and the last one is the last week of the program in the big house. We also got dates for holidays and winter break for the youth. Then we were DONE! I relaxed that afternoon and then around 6 headed over to Thamel with people who were eating at Chabad. I met Sm and GB there and we got Japanese for dinner! Then we went to a couple bars where AL joined us. The four of us listened to music and had a great night! Then we got back to the house Sm and I had major girl talk! We have gotten really close this past week, which is awesome but sad because we are going to different areas. But it was a great end to a great night.

I got to sleep in on Saturday! Then got an amazing breakfast with Sm, M, and Ei. Sometime around mid afternoon I took a walk with Sh and El to the tailors to pick up a shirt they were fixing for me. After that we just walked for a while, savoring the beautiful day. When we got back to the house it was time to pack. I took the majority of my clothing, medicine, and books in my big backpack (along with way too much dirty laundry that I hadn’t had time to do) and the rest I put in plastic bags and out them in the storage room. For the last dinner I went to OR2K with Sh, S, O, Sm, M, Al, and GB. We got a ton of food and ate our way through, sharing everything and talking. We took lots of pictures and made sure to get a couple of the eight of us. These are the people I have become closest with and I am really sad that only one of them (S) will be with me in Kalimati (O, Al, and GB will be in Mahadev-Besi and Sh, Sm, and M will be in Sundrawatti).

It’s weird that orientation is over. Some days felt like they would never end while others flew by. I am still not entirely sure what these next couple months will look like but I am ready to find out. I am still worried that I am not that close with the majority of the people coming with me to Kalimati. It’s hard for me to depend on people in general and even harder when I don’t feel a strong connection. Hopefully things will change and by the end I will be closer with at least a few of the members of my group. I guess it’s appropriate that I finished my book yesterday (Shantaram, it might be the best book I have ever read and I beg everyone to at least look into it!) because the ending of the book closes on a scene in which things are wrapped up for a very brief moment but the reader knows that there is much more to come. Which is exactly how I feel right now.

Signed,

Ellipses… 

Things I have absolutely had enough of

Not having enough free time

My very hard and loud bed

Group time

Debating every little thing

Overcooked pasta for dinner

People coughing and sneezing

Hebrew

Dust and pollution

Honking cars, trucks, and motorcycles

Orientation 

Orientation Week 4

“When you look at the world perched on heights of arrogant, blind power, separated and disconnected from those who have lost their livelihoods, lifestyles, and lives-farmers and workers everywhere-it is easy to be both blind to the valleys, of poverty and the mountains of affluence.” (Vandana Shiva)

This week was extremely special. From Sunday to Tuesday we went to a Village called Ranimala (about a half an hour from Mahadev-Besi). We left Tuesday afternoon by bus and arrived in Mahadev-Besi where we got onto a truck, which took up precariously up a mountain. We arrived in Ranimala just before evening. The sun was setting and we watched it from the most amazing view. We had a Tika ceremony and took lots of pictures. It felt even more special than usual because so many kids and women came to see us and welcome us. Then we split up by village (Kalimati, Mahadev-Besi, and Sundrawatti) for sleeping arrangement. The Kalimati group (my group) was spending the next 2 nights in a community called Chakmake. We would be staying in the homes of people from the village! Ne and El stayed in one house, C and L, in another, Ni and M (one of our wonderful Israeli guides) in a third, and finally S and I. A little girl came and took S and I by the hands and led us to her home where we would be staying.

We met the father and mother of the house and they showed us where we would be staying…up a latter in a tiny room with corn under the beds and goats in the nest room! All we could do was laugh! Then we went downstairs for food. We got served this really go bread and potatoes. We were so happy the meal was light because we were still a little nauseous from the bumpy truck ride up. Then S looked at me and said, “I think there is more food.” I looked but didn’t see anything else in the small hut. So we finished our plates (as we had been instructed to do) and headed back upstairs. We were in the process of taking out stuff from our bags when the little girl was back. “Dal bhaat” she said happily and waved for us to follow her. S and I looked at each other with dread. We were already full and very worried about not eating and offending our hosts! Reluctantly we headed back downstairs and did our best. We learned that there were two other children in the house, a younger girl and boy. They all watched us and laughed at our attempts to talk in Nepali. However we knew we sounded funny so we laughed along with them. We went back up to our room and was visited by B (one of the Nepali staff) who had wanted to make sure we had settled in ok. “And don’t be worried,” he smiled “if you hear some noises on the roof. It’s just the mice.” MICE?! “But they can’t get in so don’t worry!” We were worried! As we lay in bed (we decided to share a bed in case we got scared) freaking out, all of a sudden one of the goats let out a loud MEHHHH! We started cracking up and then we were silent but the sound of one of the goats taking the loudest pee I have ever heard. Needless to say it was not the best night sleep I ever had.

The next day (Monday), after S and I brushed our teeth very awkwardly outside with a bottle of water next to cows and roosters, we had lessons all afternoon. We had a lecture, GG lead theater games, D taught us some basic fighting steps from the army, and Eli talked about nature and trees. It was really nice being outside and learning from each other instead of a lecture. Afterwards we had khaajaa (snack) and then had free time! We got to relax and hang out and enjoy the outdoors. I played cards with M, Al, and GB, sat in a big tree, and went on a swing. I went back to the room and read and relaxed with S. It was a great afternoon.

That night the youth of Ranimala put on an amazing dance show for us! They were FANTASTIC! Kids from different age groups had learned and made up dances and performed for us! They were all so happy and free and I loved watching them and seeing hoe much fun they had. At the end we got up and danced all together. We were outside in the cold under the most beautiful and clear night sky. When I looked up I could see more stars than I had ever seen before. It was magical.

On Tuesday morning we had our first village meeting. M took the Kalimati group to this classroom in Chakmake and her and O read us a story called “Crazy Glue” and then we had to lay down and close our eyes while they traced our group outline. Then we had to find where we had lain and write two things: something the group didn’t know about us, and something we can contribute to the group. It was really emotional for some reason. Three people cried (not me) and it was heavy and unexpected. As nice as it was that those people felt comfortable enough to share those things I felt really uncomfortable because in no way did I want to share like that. I know I wasn’t expected to, but I also didn’t want anyone to think I was holding out. Overall I think our group got closer and it was the start of a good foundation for Kalimati. After our village meeting we packed up, said goodbye to our families (Tika ceremony and lots of pictures) and headed back to Swayambhu (which ended up taking a VERY long time because of traffic). That was the end of our Ranimala trip!

On Wednesday night (after a day full of classes and lessons) most of us went to a jazz festival called Jazzmandu. It was at a really nice hotel, which kind of freaked us out at first. It started off really slow and boring but after the first act we were dancing non-stop! The third act was the best one and the group was funny and super talented and made us all laugh! We had so much fun together and I was really glad that people convinced me to go!

Wednesday night was great but Thursday and Friday I didn’t feel well. My stomach hurt and I missed a major group activity of games with the Nepali staff and getting our TBT shirts. I was really bummed out. My bad mood (and stomach) continued to Friday when we met with our thematic groups to work on our next project. I got really pissy and frustrated about not being able to understand Hebrew. O made me feel better so by the end I was in a better mood. I spent the afternoon sleeping until Shabbat and then after dinner stayed in and recovered.

Saturday I felt much better and was able to function during lessons. We had a good group time in which we did a spin off of speed dating. Half of us made a circle and the other half made a circle around us. Then the inner circle faced the outside so everyone was across from someone. We got asked a general question and then had five minutes to discuss with the person across from us. Every five minutes we would rotate so we got to talk to different people. It was a chance to talk to people that you may not talk to besides the usual chit chat. I really enjoyed it.

That night E and I went out to dinner with the Aussies to say goodbye. They are done their program and head back to Australia. We had a good dinner at a place called Funky Buddha and then after they left E and I had coffee and dessert at Roadhouse Café. We got to have girl talk and hang and relax for a bit. It was a  good end to the weekend and to a long week.

Signed,

Steady As She Goes