Namaste from Nepal

Nepal.
My first reaction was, honestly, shock and panic. The buildings and homes look, by any western standard, abandoned and on the verge of collapse. There is a trash strike in the city right now, so the streets are literally filled with mountains of trash; making an ideal playground for the plethora of homeless street children. The roads are crowded with little buses, tuk tuks, motor bikes, and cars. There are lines on the road (which have existed for a grand total of 2 years), but they mean nothing. Driving here has been reduced to a constant game of chicken.

Upon my arrival, I was met in the airport by the other volunteer at the Ama Ghar orphanage, McKenzie. She has been here for three weeks now and is finally starting to get her feet on the ground. I am so thankful to have her here to show me the ropes in this foreign land. I can tell already that we are going to be great friends. I had been expecting the culture shock and, sure enough, it hit me like a wave the minute I left the airport. As we headed toward the Ama Ghar orphanage, I was caught somewhere between speechless shock, tears, and nausea.

The Ama Ghar orphanage is, thankfully, about a half an hour outside of Kathmandu. It’s surrounded by other orphanages (or homes as they are called here). It is so sad how many unwanted children there are in this country. Because of the Maoist rebels, many of the families in the Nepalese countryside have either been killed, or forced to abandon their houses and children in order to survive. Only the lucky few are taken into ‘homes’. The rest end up as street children or are trafficked as sex slaves into India and Thailand.

Ama Ghar is a wonderful home for the 38 children living here. It is simple but comfortable. I was greeted by one of the elderly ‘house mothers’. She blessed me by putting some sort of red chalky powder on my forehead. Still feeling very shaky, McKenzie took me to our room and helped me settle in.

My fears and doubts were completely forgotten as soon as I met the children. Slowly they began to trickle in, starting with two bold girls bearing hand-colored welcome signs. The rest of the children were a bit shy at first, but in no time I found myself being bombarded by the names and faces of 38 little Nepalese children. Sandesh, Meena, Manju, Popo, Krishna, Rama, Sahjanna, Ashim. How am I ever going to remember all of those names that feel so foreign on my tongue?

I can already tell how truly special these children are. They range from 5 to 17 years old, and are so good hearted. They have seen so much hardship, more than I can even imagine, but they are some of the happiest children I have ever met. They are constantly singing, laughing, and joking with each other. The only thing that they ask for is attention and love. Both of which I have in immeasurable quantities.

Even though I’ve only been here for two days, I already feel completely at home. I am going to start working with the Little Sisters Fund on Saturday. I’m not sure if this makes sense, but I know, without doubt, that this is exactly where I need to be right now. That this is exactly what I need to be doing. I am so thankful to be here.