A mix of what I've been up to since I last wrote.... enjoy!
Film / Party: On Friday, we all left the office early and went to see a film together. I had no idea that the cinema, the best in KTM apparently, is only 15 minutes walk from my house. I was warned in advance that it would be expensive, yet when there I found out the tickets were the equivalent of 1.50, and the popcorn 35p –so in comparison to the UK – blooming cheap! The film we watched was Hindi with only a little English here and there, funny to watch a film with everyone suddenly bursting into giggles and myself having no clue why! Lets just hope that some English speaking films will be coming soon. After the cinema, the whole youth action team came back to my house, was good to have them over and for them to see where I’m living and what I’m like when out of the office. My tiny kitchen was crammed with people all helping to cook, some even using the floor as another work surface – why not! They really are a great group of people, all of them living by the belief that everyone should feel comfortable to have a go at things as no one will judge them. They even managed to persuade me to play a song or two, not without me going the colour of a beetroot mind you. Strange how some days I can let myself go and don’t mind making a fool of myself, other days I take myself too seriously – am hoping this will change with time!
Lovely weekend: On Saturday I spent the morning sitting on the rooftop of a restaurant in the sunshine writing letters to home and in the evening I went along to my favourite bar for some live jazz, yummy food and great company. The next day I proposed a last min day trip with a friend, he suggested hopping in a taxi and just keeping going until found somewhere that would feel like a complete escape from KTM. So off we went, traveling until we found a small village overlooking the luscious green mountains, perfect. Really doesn’t take long to get out into the country, I should always keep that in mind especially when fancy breathing some fresh air! Have yet another cold, just seems like can’t get rid of the darn things here. In fact…. off to the doctors tomorrow to check it out as was up all night with hot and cold sweats and slightly delirious thoughts, brain has now managed to convince itself I have Malaria so thought best just to get it checked out. Would be the wrong time of year for it I know, but hey once my brain has something in mind it’s hard to think it could be anything otherwise - Will keep you posted on that one!
Weather: Monsoon weather is on the horizon and from the tasters we’ve had these past couple of weeks with thunder, lightening and rain pelting down from all angles … I bloomin’ well love it! Yet have to say, not sure how long the novelty value will last for. For now though, I am thankful that more water = hot showers again + more power, now back to 8 hours a day!! Note to self: Buy some plastic shoes.
Visitors: As volunteers in neighboring countries such as India are unable to get year-long visas, they have to hop over to another country and reapply again a few days later, This means – visitors for me! One friend is coming over at the end of April and another is coming for 2 weeks in May when we will do some traveling together. Can’t wait! Have also just found my friend Rhian will be coming over to visit in August, followed by my brother in Sept. Will break the news to my work tomorrow! Time was going quickly already (only 22 weeks left) and now it will really fly by!
JuJu: JuJu is the social activist/artist I was telling you about in my last blog all those weeks ago. Turns out my friends wanted to spend a week volunteering in Nepal and I thought he’d be the ideal person as he is always looking for extra brain power. He loved having them, and now they are back home he is in touch everyday seeking my help once again. Thing is, I currently have no time and I confess little inclination. I have definitely realized my charitable side has it’s limits, which is terrible when I think about all the things that people manage to do over here and what a generous person he is (he is even painting something just for me as a Nepali New Year gift) so I really shouldn’t complain!
Work - YOAC: Work is consistently up and down, though I am sure that is affected by the mood I wake up in the morning. For example, the other day after a fairly crappy weekend and then a terrible start to the week in work, I questioned what on earth I was doing out here. Some days I feel more self conscious that others, suddenly become aware of the language barriers, whether really helping at all and whether people want me here! I had spent the afternoon in a meeting with Friends of Youth Action, trying to finalize an event we’d been planning for a while, only for them to decide to cancel it…. without even telling me! I know the language is hard, but you’d think someone could have let me know rather than wasting my time. Is typical though, always think I am getting somewhere then find myself back at square one! Didn’t react very well as my patience was already low, in fact…felt so frustrated by it all that left office in tears. At which point I got texts saying the event is back on. Not the result I was hoping for. Tried to explain that they should only go ahead with it if they want to, rather than trying to please the ‘bideshi’ (foreigner). Called in sick the next day and found out later that in my absence they had a team meeting to discuss what had gone wrong and why I had got so upset. In some ways I was touched they did so, in another way I just felt embarrassed by how unprofessional I had been. Over here it is looked down upon to show any kind of emotion in public. Well, think I completely crushed that cultural taboo didn’t I!
Work - Research: A few weeks ago I went on a field trip to the Far-West of Nepal. It was amazing! In just one day I got to see a completely different side of Nepal, from the rickety little plane flying high above the undulating hills, to a rickshaw ride down a ridiculously hot dusty road in the middle of a beautiful old fashioned farming village. The only downside to it all was getting bitten by mosquitoes as the night drew in. Ended up meeting two girls from Bath University doing a 3-month volunteering placement with a rural organization. Will be meeting up with them for dinner once they are back in KTM tomorrow. They were the only western people in that area so think they enjoyed chatting to me and are eagerly awaiting all that the capital city has to offer.
Work - Training: Will be running some training sessions this week as have decided I’ve put them off long enough and the only thing which has been stopping me is that I don’t feel experienced enough. Yet as they always say how they don’t need something perfect, they just want whatever I can offer them, then anything is better than nothing. Have to stop judging myself against UK standards. They are just all so eager to learn, devouring any opportunity like we’d devour a bar of chocolate. I feel very lazy in comparison! Not sure when I’m going to have time to do everything this month, so many different commitments, already feeling anxious about it yet know that from my experience so far that things just work out, they always do. A good thing to try and remember!
And on that positive note, I will wish you lots of love and goodbye for now, H-Bone x
P.s (because I love P.S’s). Thank you for all my mail this month – long letters full of juicy gossip, new music, new clothes, new contact lenses – feel refreshed! Thank you in advance also ma/pa for the package that is to be opened in a few weeks, you’ve made such an effort to make sure it arrives in time. Means a lot!
Tuesday, 7 April 2009
Wednesday, 4 March 2009
Long time no blog!
hellooooooooooo!
Sorry it has taken me so long to write this. Not only have I been busy in work but have been giving a lot of time to my friend out here who recently found out her mum is very sick. It has been an emotionally intense time and seeing her go through it whilst so far away from her home has made me realize more than ever just how important my family and friends are to me. I am so thankful to everyone for keeping in touch, and also for the letters/goodies people have sent in the post - Rhian your choccies were so yummy, though they didn’t last much longer than a day I have to confess!
It hasn't rained here for 6 months. The water shortage means bucket showers from time to time and an increase in power cuts. We now have only 4 hours of electricity a day. As my laptop needs to be plugged into the mains to work then blog writing is a little difficult! My patience has definitely increased, as has learning not to get annoyed with things that are out of my control. Doesn’t happen that way all the time mind you, I am human after all! Despite the days being scorching, it feels like it could rain any evening now and everyone is willing it to happen….‘come on rain’…. The occasional grey sky feels familiar and makes me feel at home.
Talking of home.... I miss it a lot! Although I am busy in work, I am also filling my spare time with other things – have joined a choir, started jogging (don’t be too impressed, only done one jog so far, got good intentions to keep it up though!), and have been strumming away on my guitar. Got a haircut the other day for just 70 rupees (70p)....bargain! May come back with a skinhead if I get too hooked on the cheap prices!
When I spoke to a friend a few weeks ago, she asked me how I was coping with the early nights. This made me realise that I hadn't updated people with how things are in that department. I feel very pleased to have met so many great people and am rarely short of someone to go for a drink with. I have caught up with friends from the UK who are traveling here, and have more people visiting in May who I will go traveling with for a few weeks. Safe to say I now crave time to myself and early nights once in a while. Can't have it both ways I guess! On top of this my spare time is taken up with dodging phone calls/texts from people at work in the wee hours of morn/at weekends, usually just contacting to say they miss me and ask me what I’m doing!
I went rafting at the weekend. Had no idea what I signed up to which was my fault for not reading the email properly, turned out to be a campaign drive to ‘Save the Botekoshi River’. 14 rafts full of people going down a fairly shallow river getting stuck behind one another! Even when moving it wasn’t exactly pant-wetting with excitement, but a fantastic place and good to get out of Kathmandu. The place where we went also has bungee jumping on offer so may give that a go next time! (As if Rathbone, as if!!)
Work – My research is really moving on now, have had meetings with other NGOS and organizations, including Save The Children and UN Nepal, and will be going to different parts of Nepal over the next few months to interview organizations and national volunteers. Has been a great experience so far and is really pushing my confidence. The divide in my time between VSO research and YOAC is causing a bit of friction/confusion amongst staff and myself, though the research has been good for networking and I’ve been trying to use this to YOAC’s advantage. I am linking them up with other orgs they can work with/support, which is something they are welcoming as they are in stalemate regarding their projects and organizational development at the moment. Further to this I have begun giving English classes, everyone seems to enjoy themselves, including me! I am also part of the VSON Annual Conference planning team so ……you get the hint, busy busy!
I am relishing the opportunities I’m being given and am trying to soak everything up while I have the chance. Just this evening I was introduced to an artist who has set up a charity working with street children. Every Friday he provides dinner and an art class to 40-50 kids and has said he would appreciate my help in how to expand the work he is doing. As this is a similar idea to one I toyed with whilst working with young homeless people in London, I hope I have time to help him out in any way I can.
Some days I think how quickly it is going and how I feel like 7 months more is not enough to achieve the things I want to, other times I am willing it to go quickly so I can be back home. But I know if I came back tomorrow, I would not be satisfied as still so much to be done out here. I am up and down each day. Can start one morning feeling like I’m going to burst into tears and by the end of the day I am smiling so much and feel like a big ball of buzzing energy!! Like today - for two hours I was on a high after a meeting with all YOAC staff, sounds crazy that a meeting could cause happiness I know, but people are pleased with the networks I’ve created and the possibilities for future campaigns/activities, so today it feels like I am really adding something to the organization. Lets hope it continues!!
Big love to all, H x
p.s. Congratulations to those of you who waded through the above, sorry it was so long!
p.p.s….Still welcome any calls if people are free sometime, missing you lots!
p.p.ps….On my walk in to work today I got hit on the head by a water bomb, thrown from top of building, pesky kids!! On Tuesday it is ‘Holi’, the festival of colour. On this day children and adults spend the day throwing coloured water over each other, it seems like the kids have started early! GRUMBLE!
Sorry it has taken me so long to write this. Not only have I been busy in work but have been giving a lot of time to my friend out here who recently found out her mum is very sick. It has been an emotionally intense time and seeing her go through it whilst so far away from her home has made me realize more than ever just how important my family and friends are to me. I am so thankful to everyone for keeping in touch, and also for the letters/goodies people have sent in the post - Rhian your choccies were so yummy, though they didn’t last much longer than a day I have to confess!
It hasn't rained here for 6 months. The water shortage means bucket showers from time to time and an increase in power cuts. We now have only 4 hours of electricity a day. As my laptop needs to be plugged into the mains to work then blog writing is a little difficult! My patience has definitely increased, as has learning not to get annoyed with things that are out of my control. Doesn’t happen that way all the time mind you, I am human after all! Despite the days being scorching, it feels like it could rain any evening now and everyone is willing it to happen….‘come on rain’…. The occasional grey sky feels familiar and makes me feel at home.
Talking of home.... I miss it a lot! Although I am busy in work, I am also filling my spare time with other things – have joined a choir, started jogging (don’t be too impressed, only done one jog so far, got good intentions to keep it up though!), and have been strumming away on my guitar. Got a haircut the other day for just 70 rupees (70p)....bargain! May come back with a skinhead if I get too hooked on the cheap prices!
When I spoke to a friend a few weeks ago, she asked me how I was coping with the early nights. This made me realise that I hadn't updated people with how things are in that department. I feel very pleased to have met so many great people and am rarely short of someone to go for a drink with. I have caught up with friends from the UK who are traveling here, and have more people visiting in May who I will go traveling with for a few weeks. Safe to say I now crave time to myself and early nights once in a while. Can't have it both ways I guess! On top of this my spare time is taken up with dodging phone calls/texts from people at work in the wee hours of morn/at weekends, usually just contacting to say they miss me and ask me what I’m doing!
I went rafting at the weekend. Had no idea what I signed up to which was my fault for not reading the email properly, turned out to be a campaign drive to ‘Save the Botekoshi River’. 14 rafts full of people going down a fairly shallow river getting stuck behind one another! Even when moving it wasn’t exactly pant-wetting with excitement, but a fantastic place and good to get out of Kathmandu. The place where we went also has bungee jumping on offer so may give that a go next time! (As if Rathbone, as if!!)
Work – My research is really moving on now, have had meetings with other NGOS and organizations, including Save The Children and UN Nepal, and will be going to different parts of Nepal over the next few months to interview organizations and national volunteers. Has been a great experience so far and is really pushing my confidence. The divide in my time between VSO research and YOAC is causing a bit of friction/confusion amongst staff and myself, though the research has been good for networking and I’ve been trying to use this to YOAC’s advantage. I am linking them up with other orgs they can work with/support, which is something they are welcoming as they are in stalemate regarding their projects and organizational development at the moment. Further to this I have begun giving English classes, everyone seems to enjoy themselves, including me! I am also part of the VSON Annual Conference planning team so ……you get the hint, busy busy!
I am relishing the opportunities I’m being given and am trying to soak everything up while I have the chance. Just this evening I was introduced to an artist who has set up a charity working with street children. Every Friday he provides dinner and an art class to 40-50 kids and has said he would appreciate my help in how to expand the work he is doing. As this is a similar idea to one I toyed with whilst working with young homeless people in London, I hope I have time to help him out in any way I can.
Some days I think how quickly it is going and how I feel like 7 months more is not enough to achieve the things I want to, other times I am willing it to go quickly so I can be back home. But I know if I came back tomorrow, I would not be satisfied as still so much to be done out here. I am up and down each day. Can start one morning feeling like I’m going to burst into tears and by the end of the day I am smiling so much and feel like a big ball of buzzing energy!! Like today - for two hours I was on a high after a meeting with all YOAC staff, sounds crazy that a meeting could cause happiness I know, but people are pleased with the networks I’ve created and the possibilities for future campaigns/activities, so today it feels like I am really adding something to the organization. Lets hope it continues!!
Big love to all, H x
p.s. Congratulations to those of you who waded through the above, sorry it was so long!
p.p.s….Still welcome any calls if people are free sometime, missing you lots!
p.p.ps….On my walk in to work today I got hit on the head by a water bomb, thrown from top of building, pesky kids!! On Tuesday it is ‘Holi’, the festival of colour. On this day children and adults spend the day throwing coloured water over each other, it seems like the kids have started early! GRUMBLE!
Saturday, 7 February 2009
update!
Hi everyone,
So as some of you may know…I have now moved into my new flat. (Pictures to follow) It already feels like home, and am now used to the 4 locks I have to get through before I’m through the front door (!). It’s not that this area is any less secure than other places, just that I happen to live with a very lovely, yet slightly nosey and security conscious landlady. Though perhaps she should be more worried about people inside the vicinity not out, as her husband rather fancies himself as a hit with the ladies! I am on the ground floor, the landlady and her family live above me, and another British woman is on the top. I’ve been very busy recently, so still not had a chance to pop up and say hello to this mysterious ‘Lynn’ they speak of, but am sure I will bump into her sometime soon.
The area I’m living in is the best location I could wish for. Lots of shops/supermarkets/ fruit and veg stalls/bars/restaurants/cafes nearby. Really is a lovely area, and close to about 15 other volunteers too, can’t complain! Takes me 45mins to walk into work each day, prefer to walk due to the crazy bus drivers, though have to say that if I’m having a down day then the walk in does nothing to help my mood - busy streets lined with men ogling/making crude comments…you’ve heard it all before so will stop there. On a good day, I let it wash over me, and focus on the great things about the city, it’s vibrancy for example, and the fact the days are beginning to get longer and much hotter. I’m in short supply of t-shirts, so Mum if you are reading this…any chance you could pop a few of my tops I left behind into the next parcel you are sending?! Nearly combusted on my way into town today!!
My last blog talked about work and their expectations, and have to say…not a lot has changed. In fact, I have continued to be thrown in at the deep end, and have been putting 100% into it. In fact…I’ve only had one real day off this month, as weekends have involved AGM’s, strategy planning, workshops, all of which I’ve attended in hope of building better relations with my colleagues. As this is the workload they are used to, they can’t see why I might be feeling tired/bogged down, yet in truth this week has been a little too much for me, and have been told by my country director to say no to weekends and look after my health, or I won’t be able to keep it up for the year. Was hard saying no, as I really want to prove to them why it was VSO chose me for their organization, and when I say no to work I feel like I’m being lazy/not trying. This is something I will have to get better at, and learn not to feel guilty about giving myself time off. I know I am trying my hardest, and that is all that counts. Look forward to enjoying my work, and not feeling anxious about what the day will hold/what they think of me. I’m sure that will come with time. So once again, a very honest account of how I’m feeling, though see no reason in pretending otherwise. I’m a little homesick, a little out of depth at times, but know it will pass and I will look back with fondness about my time here.
Hope that the cold weather isn’t getting people down, I know If I was back I’d suffer from a few grumps and slumps due to the short/cold days, so anyone with the same problem as me….I advise numerous cups of tea, biscuits and a nice warm bath. If it snows again….be sure to build a snowwoman, who ever makes the best Helen look-a-like will win a fabulous prize (not too sure what yet, but I’ll make it a good’un!) Much love all round. H xx
p.s…..Oh dear…. my landlord is playing 50Cent, and singing along very badly, making a bad song that even bit worse. Delightful!!
p.p.s…..I don’t have easy access to skype from now on, but if any of you wish to contact me…you can add credit to your skype accounts, and call from your comp to my mobile. Works a treat! 6 hours ahead of UK, and about 12 hours ahead of U.S in case anyone fancies a good ol’ Rathbone Chinwag!!
977 980 3977307
So as some of you may know…I have now moved into my new flat. (Pictures to follow) It already feels like home, and am now used to the 4 locks I have to get through before I’m through the front door (!). It’s not that this area is any less secure than other places, just that I happen to live with a very lovely, yet slightly nosey and security conscious landlady. Though perhaps she should be more worried about people inside the vicinity not out, as her husband rather fancies himself as a hit with the ladies! I am on the ground floor, the landlady and her family live above me, and another British woman is on the top. I’ve been very busy recently, so still not had a chance to pop up and say hello to this mysterious ‘Lynn’ they speak of, but am sure I will bump into her sometime soon.
The area I’m living in is the best location I could wish for. Lots of shops/supermarkets/ fruit and veg stalls/bars/restaurants/cafes nearby. Really is a lovely area, and close to about 15 other volunteers too, can’t complain! Takes me 45mins to walk into work each day, prefer to walk due to the crazy bus drivers, though have to say that if I’m having a down day then the walk in does nothing to help my mood - busy streets lined with men ogling/making crude comments…you’ve heard it all before so will stop there. On a good day, I let it wash over me, and focus on the great things about the city, it’s vibrancy for example, and the fact the days are beginning to get longer and much hotter. I’m in short supply of t-shirts, so Mum if you are reading this…any chance you could pop a few of my tops I left behind into the next parcel you are sending?! Nearly combusted on my way into town today!!
My last blog talked about work and their expectations, and have to say…not a lot has changed. In fact, I have continued to be thrown in at the deep end, and have been putting 100% into it. In fact…I’ve only had one real day off this month, as weekends have involved AGM’s, strategy planning, workshops, all of which I’ve attended in hope of building better relations with my colleagues. As this is the workload they are used to, they can’t see why I might be feeling tired/bogged down, yet in truth this week has been a little too much for me, and have been told by my country director to say no to weekends and look after my health, or I won’t be able to keep it up for the year. Was hard saying no, as I really want to prove to them why it was VSO chose me for their organization, and when I say no to work I feel like I’m being lazy/not trying. This is something I will have to get better at, and learn not to feel guilty about giving myself time off. I know I am trying my hardest, and that is all that counts. Look forward to enjoying my work, and not feeling anxious about what the day will hold/what they think of me. I’m sure that will come with time. So once again, a very honest account of how I’m feeling, though see no reason in pretending otherwise. I’m a little homesick, a little out of depth at times, but know it will pass and I will look back with fondness about my time here.
Hope that the cold weather isn’t getting people down, I know If I was back I’d suffer from a few grumps and slumps due to the short/cold days, so anyone with the same problem as me….I advise numerous cups of tea, biscuits and a nice warm bath. If it snows again….be sure to build a snowwoman, who ever makes the best Helen look-a-like will win a fabulous prize (not too sure what yet, but I’ll make it a good’un!) Much love all round. H xx
p.s…..Oh dear…. my landlord is playing 50Cent, and singing along very badly, making a bad song that even bit worse. Delightful!!
p.p.s…..I don’t have easy access to skype from now on, but if any of you wish to contact me…you can add credit to your skype accounts, and call from your comp to my mobile. Works a treat! 6 hours ahead of UK, and about 12 hours ahead of U.S in case anyone fancies a good ol’ Rathbone Chinwag!!
977 980 3977307
Friday, 30 January 2009
video!
Here is a video of photos/vid clips of our first two months training made by our IT volunteer Rex, hope you enjoy!
http://rex-files.ca/2009/01/30/looking-back/
http://rex-files.ca/2009/01/
Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Youth Action Nepal (YOAC)
1. Youth and Politics
2. Peace, Justice and Development
3. Human Rights and democracy
4. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
5.HIV and AIDS
6. Migration and Rights of Migrant Workers
7. Gender and Inclusion
8. Hunger
They lobby the Government, run campaigns, events and awareness programmes, training and workshops. With a recent and dramatic change in government, a new constitution is currently being drafted. YOAC are advocating on behalf of young people for the government to implement a National Youth Policy recognising the rights and value of young people in
Ÿ Fundraising
Ÿ Proposal writing
Ÿ Editing/proof readings reports and newsletters
Ÿ Writing press releases
Ÿ Project management
Ÿ Teaching English: As there are power cuts for nearly the whole day, YOAC are trying to usethe hours without electricity productively, and this is one way! I am starting to really appreciate the struggles people are facing, and how organizations and industry are suffering with the power shortage.
Ÿ Researching National Youth Volunteering: This is the main reason VSO placed me in
A perfect example of the ‘what-on-earth-am-doing’ feeling…
I managed to wing my way through the speech with as much Nepali as I could muster, and it seemed to do the trick. After the meeting I breathed a sigh of relief, and tried to scurry away to reclaim the last few hours of my weekend. No such luck, I was asked to attend the new committee’s first meeting where together we would draw up an action plan for the year ahead. Bonkers. I feel like I’m just winging it at the minute. Nearly cracked on the way home, just felt so exhausted having had no time to catch my breath over the weekend. I feel like I am constantly being put on the spot in work and being asked to do too much too soon. On the opposite side though, I should be grateful I am being given the opportunity to get so involved. The more challenges I overcome the easier things will get. I remind them that I am only contracted to work 5-days a week, and also that my job role is not to do their jobs for them but to act as an advisor. I will ask VSO to clarify both these things with them, if not I fear I will go doolally!
Apologies for the above rant! Just to reassure you that things on the whole are going well, I have been made to feel very welcome by everyone I have met so far and am feeling positive to have been placed with such a proactive group of people.
Hope things are a going well at home. Wrap up warm! H x
Found a house, lost a house!!
Was sooo excited yesterday, as found an amazing flat in a great location, and would be sharing the same building with friends. Went to sign the contract this morning, and someone else has taken it, as happens all the time over here! Grrrr, back searching again!
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