(7/10/12, 9.30am, Nepal time)
This morning was my first day of work
at the orphanage. It meant an early
start; I was awake from 5am and was having tea and biscuits at 6am. I have to admit, I stood behind my bedroom
door for a few moments before I could muster up the courage to step outside and
make the walk on my own down to the orphanage.
Eventually I told myself to man up, that I had flown nearly 5000 miles
on my own and hadn’t come to any harm, so why should a five-minute walk down
the road be scary?
I visited the orphanage with my
supervisor yesterday, but it was on the back of his motorbike. It was a little daunting to know the local
people were watching me as I walked this morning, but I knew it was just out of curiosity. After all, where I live isn’t
exactly a tourist area and to see someone like me there must be a bit
surprising. Still, I had dealt with this the last time I was in Nepal and it
had to be faced again, albeit this time without 12 other volunteers by my
side. Luckily, all went well and I
arrived at the orphanage to see lots of little faces either smiling or looking
away shyly. I wasn’t sure what to do,
what the schedule was like. I headed for
the kitchen first, and asked what I could do.
Communication here was a bit of a problem, as my limited Nepali and the
little bit of English that Aama (mother) could speak meant there was some
confusion. Still, I was made to sit and
drink tea before going out on the terrace to brush the girls’ hair and put it into
pigtails, and to play English word games.
I also applied some cream on one child’s face to heal a sore-looking
cut. The children were all so well-behaved,
with each one helping another. The older
ones (the eldest being 14) were looking after the youngest, while some of the little ones
swept and tidied for Aama. I wanted to
tell them to stop, and to go and play or get ready for school instead of
cleaning, but I realised that my role today was as an observer, not someone
to waltz in and upset the balance. I
don’t think it is wrong for children to help with housework; it's good
practice for them to be tidy and responsible, but I’ve seen it so little of that behaviour in the
UK that it was a little bit jarring.
The children put aside their games
around 8am and sat down for breakfast. I
was hoping to help serve this but instead was handed a bowl of Suji, a pale,
sweet substance that reminded me of sugary porridge, but smoother. First tea, now food? This wasn’t what I was
expecting, and to be honest I felt a little uncomfortable accepting food from
Aama. I get fed at my home-stay, so it
was unnecessary, but kind and generous so I accepted. I think I will have to make it clear that
they should not give me tea or food there as I already have more than I
need. But this is just another example
of Nepali kindness; even when they have very little, they want to share. That is the great paradox, that in the
Western world we can be so possessive and territorial, and only look after our
own. I know I’m definitely guilty of
it. Yet here, they would feed a
stranger before themselves. It's
humbling.
The children gobbled down heaped
platefuls of rice and curry before washing up, changing and gathering in the
study room. One of the older boys took
charge and the children got into lines, and were ordered to ‘stand’, ‘hands
up’, ‘hands to the sides’ and ‘attention!’
I have to say, I grinned the whole way through... they were like a happy
little army in their school uniforms.
After this, they sang what I can only assume is the Nepal national
anthem, which they did beautifully. Then
they bowed their heads and held their hands clasped in front of them
in prayer. It was such a lovely
sight. After this, each little one
shouted their number in English before leaving the room in a neat line. They were like little ducklings, each
following another UK volunteer, Kit from Scotland. 3 adults including myself took charge of the
line and headed out towards the school.
Two boys stayed by my side asking me questions in English, quizzing me
on where I came from, where I am living now, and how long I will stay in
Nepal. I also had one tiny little girl
ask to hold my hand, so we walked together.
Honestly, these children are so friendly and polite, it is utterly
adorable.
As they arrived at school (after
crossing the main highway in and out of Kathmandu, crazy) they all turned and waved to
the adults, crying ‘bye!’ as they popped through the school gates. Some ran back out to high-five us, and some
came out just to say goodbye again, it
was lovely!
I walked back to my house, smiling to
myself at what a nice morning I’d had. I
had been so uncertain, even slightly fearful, at what it would be like. I was afraid of not liking the orphanage, at
being disliked. But I felt so
welcome, and it was a pleasure to be there.
I am looking forward to this afternoon when I can go and collect the
little ones again and take them back to the orphanage. I will have to think of games and things to
do with them to encourage their English, but I will spend some time planning
this and seeing what works. But
honestly, this morning has made me so sure that I am in the right place, doing
the right thing, and I'm so glad.
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