Fun Times~

I keep thinking of all the fun we had in the library and what joy and enrichment the library is bringing to the children and community of Bandipur each day. I think we can see and say that it brings joy and enrichment to those of us who visit as well. I saw the faces on many of the visitors who visited the library and had a place to interact with the children in reading and visiting together. We sang songs, did craft activities, read books, completed puzzles together, did Yoga Kids together...we spent time together...it was so nice!

I am so excited to continue to spread this work to other villages in Nepal as well and have thus been inspired to create a non-profit organization to raise funds to help support literacy and empower Nepalese children through educational enrichment~ building libraries, supporting scholarships, mentoring and teaching, training teachers, and supporting sports and the arts in schools and communities throughout rural Nepal. :)
Does it sound challenging~ well, maybe, but every little bit helps, and step by step I believe we can make a difference. This inspires me each day and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of helping in Nepal. I am grateful to everyone who has supported and helped in big and small ways the work we've done so far! I am looking forward to sharing the journey with as many who want to join!


Namaste Nepal-Helping Himalayan Children
will be working to accomplish many goals in the future! I will keep you posted!!!
:)

Heather

Kind Generosity!

I have been so blessed to meet kind and generous individuals from around the world who are inspired by the library. Many Nepali visitors who come to and through Bandipur are impressed and inspired to help...it's fun to share the library with them, and then they realize, that...indeed we can make a difference...I am not "special" in this regard...it's a matter of "doing it"...
:)

A lovely couple from Holland made an impromptu donation for the library yesterday...I will purchase puzzles and books with their generous donation...it was so nice!!!

Having fun~
and will be home soon!


Love~
p.s.
Happy Birthday Joseph~
love you!

~Yoga Kids & Other Such Fun In the Library~

The days are going by quickly, and quite frankly as often happens, it's hard to keep track of day or time while in Nepal. It has been quite fun working in the library and seeing the children continue to thrive, grow, and explore books and learning.

Yesterday we had a great time in the library as I brought a lap top with me and played a Yoga Kids dvd for the children. We all did yoga and it was a grand time! Last year the founders of Yoga Kids (a yoga company based in Chicago) traveled with us to deliver scholarships and they donated many of their wonderful items to the schools we sponsor and recently sent a generous donation of books and dvd's to the library! It was FUN!!!! I took a lot of pictures of the kids doing yoga, laughter and stretching were abound! We will definitely continue this practice! Thanks Don & Marsha...I can't wait to share the pictures with you all!

We have been doing "crafts" and reading with the children. I am finding this to be helpful for the kids and the librarian as well...modeling and mentoring, building relationships...all so crucical.

I think we have found three places in Chitwan area for libraries where we currently sponsors girls for their schooling. These places are already "built" meaning we will not have to build them from the ground up...tis is a good thing! Still have much to do, but of course, you all know...I am in HEAVEN!

The people, young and old are so kind to me and so appreciative of the work done here. I've also been meeting many others who do work here and I've learned a great deal of how to continue forward with the work to be done.

very exciting...
and charging, charging, charging those batteries!!!!

:)

THANKS TO ALL OF YOUR WELL WISHES, Comments, and prayers!
(and I would appreciate it if people wouldn't post their long religious speeches on my blog...so NOT COOL! And I can't find how to delete it... )

NAMASTE~

Heather

January 9, 2010 ~ Progress~

This past few days has been really very exciting. I arrived in Nepal on January 4, 2010. I was able to visit with part of our Madhav Ghimire group who had already arrived in Nepal in December...I was sad that part of the group had already left the day before I arrived. I wanted to meet them all!

I visited the bookstore in Kathmandu to fill a few "orders" for the library. The complete Harry Potter series was the big purchase and provided through a donation from Youko (thank you)! I was also able to purchase about a dozen books wtih cd's and a variety of "other" books that looked interesting.

After a night in Kathmandu I left for Bandipur.
I arrived in the evening and after eating a delicious dal bhat slept soundly in my "old bed" in Gaun Gahr, thankfully minus the spider! As I woke in the morning I began to visit my friends around the village. It was great fun to see familiar faces and to be greeted so warmly. Many of the children in the village greeted me with "Hello Heather!" and it surprised me...but made me smile!

I was able to visit the library in the afternoon where, Biju was waiting for me. Of course she had received the news of my arrival and she greeted me warmly with laughter and smiles. The library looks very good and I could see that she has been doing a remarkable job. I feel grateful for her, she is dedicated and caring.
I delivered many "gifts" I had brought to my friends in Nepal...one of the most special gifts was a collection of "Power Rangers" that one young man had been waiting for patiently... When his mother told him I was coming, he said, "Oh good, my Power Rangers are coming." (Thank goodness I had them for him...he was SO very happy to get them and it was fun to see him opening them...truly special!)

After only one day in Bandipur (I was able to visit all the hilltops and favorite places ...."re-charging" sites...LOL...) I headed to Chitwan to meet up with our group and visit schools and villages in the jungle region. It was fantastic to see everyone again and to go through the process of honoring the girls in their homes, villages, and schools. Although it had been a year since seeing them, it still felt as if it was only a day, and everyone was very happy.

Namaste!

I have many stories to share~ and photos...
see you all soon.

Love,
h.

January 2010 ~ The Adventure Continues!

I will leave for Nepal on Saturday, January 2, 2010! I'm very excited to be visiting Nepal again to continue the work of the Madhav Ghimire Foundation and to further the work of supporting literacy in the villages of our Scholarship recipients.

I have been receiving updates, messages, and pictures from our friends in Bandipur concerning the library and it seems things are going well. Biju, the librarian has done an amazing job in continuing to maintain an environment of welcoming all castes and ages into the library so everyone is able to enjoy and learn together, regardless of their "position".

I'm very excited to visit and see how things are going. I have collected more learning games for the kids, books, and donations for more supplies.

During this three week trip I will visit the homes, schools, and villages of many of the scholarship girls and look for the next library location. The goal I have in mind is to build/make a library in each scholarship girl's village. The benefits are for the girls and their communities. Supporting the teachers and education in these villages is also beneficial to all and a great joy as well.

I will be posting here and share my findings and explorations...joys and sorrows....
and love with you all. Namaste Friends...thank you for being an important part of this journey and this work....

Love to All~
and
Happy New Year as we continue on this Journey of Love and Learning.

Heather

Reminders~

As I share my pictures and experiences with friends and family I am reminded over and over again of special moments in Nepal.  I miss the simple pleasures of living in Nepal...sometimes the smallest things in life are those we appreciate the most. It feels that way to me. Here are few things I miss and I love about Nepal and the people I met through the summer.

As I walked through the village each day I saw children "playing"... these sweet girls are preparing food for their babies...small girls "dress up" so they are beautiful like their mothers and aunties.
I adore the flowers and plants in Nepal~ such a variety and amazing colors~ everywhere you look you can find natural beauty and amazing views surround you...whether near or far....

This picture shows the dining area at Gaun Gahr Hotel in Bandipur.  The hotel is rustic, but BEAUTIFUL beyond... a Newari family home originally it has been renovated back to it's original beauty. I learned much of my Nepali here through dialogues with the staff... and the food was incredible! Rabindra is an excellent chef ~ "ek dom meto chaa" ~

"Birdie drinks" ~ Nepali people all "birdie drink" so they can all use the same water containers without worry of sharing germs!  I am still working on this skill~  :)

I appreciate the challenges of everyday life when I am in Nepal and realize it is not really the "things" in life that make us rich or poor, but more so...the love and connection we have with others... (photo is of typical stove inside a Nepali home).

I miss the moon in Nepal~

I adore our scholarship girls~ they are all so wonderful! It was a great experience to get to know them more personally. I was amazed by their desire to learn each thing I shared with them. It was nice when they became more relaxed with me and I really got to experience each of their personalities in the group and separately. I cannot wait to see them again to continue to see them grow and develop. They are beautiful young women...  :)  so fun!

I love the Nepali women's dress~ they are so elegant as they work hard and carry the burdens in their lives. These ladies would walk through the village each day going about their business. Umbrellas are used for the rain and the sun, and often both sun and rain are experienced within one hour's time in the summer! I have a great respect for Nepali women~ I found them to be strong, kind, compassionate, and patient. 

The Himalayan Times ~

Shortly before the Library opened the Himalayan Times  in Kathmandu asked a question in the paper about which is better...the internet or a library! I simply had to submit a 200 word response...

and I just found it on the internet just tonight!

Mine is on top!!!

Exciting to bump into this because I did not know if they printed it or not!

:)

fun!

http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?id=Mjk4NzE=#

that's the link....

Here's what I wrote:

Internet Vs Libraries: Let’s enjoy the best of both

Internet Vs Libraries: Let’s enjoy the best of both

2009-08-29 1:37 PM

Although it is true that modern technology offers those seeking information certain benefits, there is no comparing the use of the Internet and the experience of visiting a good library. A library is a gift to all because libraries offer individuals the opportunity to explore and experience the very essence of the authors’ efforts, wisdom, and knowledge through the ages. We quite literally hear the voices and capture the essence of writers through time. The library is a reverent place that offers each individual, the opportunity to learn and understand if they so choose. Knowledge in the library is free to all. The Internet offers many of the same benefits, so we are truly blessed with both at our disposal.

With great appreciation, devotion, and passion for libraries, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to open The Children’s Library in Bandipur, Nepal on Monday, August 31, 2009 at 4:15pm. With the gracious help of Digumber Piya, and many donors, the library will be a place where children, teachers, and community members can visit and have the best of both worlds — a library with books and the Internet as well!

— Heather Guay, 
California, USA/
Bandipur, Nepal