The October Update

I’ve been here over a month!  Boy time flies… This past week WPC had a very successful launch of our first awareness program.  It was thrilling to see the program come together so quickly.  We decided to partner with a local facilitator who has experience teaching child rights.  After quickly finding a projector, printing a banner, and some crafty PowerPoint work, we were ready to pilot our first program.  We covered a number of topics including our basic needs, harms caused against children, and ways to protect themselves from the harms that children face such as trafficking, starvation, disease, and harmful religious traditions.

For the most part the class responded positively.  The students were engaged, asking questions, responding to the facilitators inquires, and volunteering information.

When I arrived the girls greeted me with flowers:

After the three hour program we sponsored kaja (snack) for the students from a ‘local restaurant’. Nepalese love Ramen Noodles, or Snacky Noodles as they are called here, loaded with handfuls of hot peppers. I’ve found my taste buds are not only adjusting but craving spicy. This morning I tossed my attempt at eating oatmeal for a heavily masala-ed plate of rice. Mitosa!

With our first program complete, there are some changes I’m hoping to make to the material going forward to add additional focus on human trafficking risks.  We are planning to resume our program after the festivals, presenting to 7 schools, rather than our originally intended 3.

This week started Nepal’s largest Hindu festival called Dashain.  Dashain is the celebration of a Hindu Goddess, Durga, and her victory over a treacherous demon who threatened to take over Devaloka, the home of the gods.  To celebrate, most temples in Hetauda are filled with special reenactments of the battle, adorned with gold and other ornaments.  During the 10 day celebration, Hindu’s and Christians alike use the time to visit with family and enjoy a break from school and work.  Sadly this year has led to mild
disappointment as many people have found it difficult, if not impossible, to travel due to the fuel shortage.

The fuel shortage is just one of the effects we are feeling due to the border blockades and Tarai protests.  There has also been a shortage of imported goods resulting in an uptick in cost of goods, some commodities doubling in price. Many restaurants are only open during peak hours and have set up wood stoves in the back due to the lack of cooking gas. People are seen stockpiling goods and siphoning gas all along the streets.  I’ll hopefully be traveling to Kathmandu at the end of the month and will be able to confirm the current state of the capitol at that time.  From what I hear the issue is much worse, magnified by the higher population and lack of local agriculture.

Yesterday I had the girls who are staying during the holidays over to watch The Little Mermaid and enjoy some tasty popcorn and chiya. Such a classic. After Ariel traded her fins for feet, I started a typing class to teach the girls how to type “like an American” – fast without looking. After about an hour all the girls could successfully type home row without looking at their fingers or making mistakes!  Impressive!

Next week the office is on holiday.  I will be attending a conference with topics completely unbeknownst to me. Should be interesting.