ONE DAY TRIP TO SHYAULI BAZAAR, LAMJUNG WITH VPF

Fritz Von Philipp and Sybil Von Philipp, both arrived here in Pokhara on 03rd of March 2017 after observing the various on going project works in Kathmandu, Nepal. Von Philipp Foundation (VPF), Germany has been supporting various projects in Nepal since many years. Supporting orphanage/children homes at Pokhara, i.e. Child Welfare & Education (CWE) and Rainbow Children Home (RCH), college students and different schools,  River Side Health Center (RSHC) in Lamjung, these are the major key projects for Von Philipp Foundation (VPF) that brings back every year to Nepal for a visit.

We left Pokhara after breakfast and made in total travel of 94 km one way to Shyauli Bazaar.We took the road to Damauli, than afterwards to Bhorletar and finally 9 km off road from there to Shyauli Bazaar. The parking space seen here is in front of the River Side Health Center.

Day 1 in Pokhara after arriving, the visit to Child Welfare & Education, children home was done. The children had wonderful time with both Fritz and Sybil Von Philipp. On the second day, we moved to Shyauli Bazaar, Lamjung early morning to see the ongoing projects over there. The locals of the Shyauli Bazaar seen welcoming at the River Side Health Center premise. 

Wife of our staff Mr.Suk Bahadur Tamang from our health center, greeting for Sybil Von Philipp. Suk Bahadur Tamang has been working in the health center as assistance helper and gardener along with our other staffs.

River Side Health Center was perfect in shape. This is the health center from where we provide free medication and free treatments for the villagers. Last year report shows that for the year 2016 we had given free treatments for 2313 patients. 

Kantosh Gurung, CMA and Dental Hygenist, explained about the dental lab and his works that undergoes in the dental room that exists in RSHC. The health center provides dental treatments like extractions, filling and acrylic tooth making facilities as well. 

Kantosh Gurung was describing Fritz and Sybil more about the newly established acrylic tooth making facilities and was showing what he has done so far with the various patients who comes there for free services. 

Mould for making the acrylic teeth placed by our dentist Kantosh Gurung. 

 

Some of the work undergoing by our dentist Kantosh Gurung. He must be busy making teeth of various patients who will come to our health center to make their empty space again full and nice. 

Acrylic lab is full on swing. Nicely equipped and everything looks perfect and the work that our staff  Kantosh Gurung  is doing over there is so helpful and it's nice that the patients does enjoy taking the advantage of our services.

Mina Dura is our young lady and works as a full time staff for our health center. She is mid wife nurse and happy to work with the RSHC team.

A group picture with the River Side Health Center team was done after the observation of the health center part. 

At our River Side Health Center, we are even teaching women handicraft works. Weaving lessons are given them in free and this is women empowerment program and skill teaching for them to become self sustainable. 

On the day of our visit also, there were few young ladies doing the weaving works. Handicraft training for those village women is really a good work and it creates them some income generating program too.

Fritz and Sybil were both happy to see how we could use the unused part of the health center with the handicraft training. 

After the health center and handicraft was done, we were greeted by the villagers to the school area. The former project school has been now registered to the local government primary school named Shree Bindeshwori Primary School. From the next session which begins right after one and half month later there will be class running on up to 3rd grade.

 

In former time this school was known as Augsburg Haus Academy, owned by Midim Khola Resort Pvt. Ltd. but now onward this will be called Bindeshwori Primary School as the company has donated the land and it's inbuilt school buildings for the school. Fritz Von Philipp supported for the renovation works for the starting of the Bindeshwori school over here. 

Being the supporting sponsor for the renovation works, the villagers were happy to welcome him and express their thanks for the great work that he showed for the community school.

For the well being and good luck of school, Fritz Von Philipp hand over the statue of lion brought from Bavaria, to the chairperson of school management committee of Bindeshwori Primay School.

After the program of school inauguration was over, there was group picture session with all the people who took part on that day from different villages. 

After the school program was over, we went to met one of the single women for whom Von Philipp Foundation is supporting since a long time. She had a small shops, but it looked quite empty this time. Anyway we bought some candies and sweets from her, gave a little business time. 

Finally, we hurried up to our farm area and had a wonderful lunch before heading towards Pokhara again. After looking the farm area and having lunch, we started our journey back to Pokhara at 4:00 pm and was already at Pokhara by 7. It was a wonderful one day trip to Shyauli Bazaar and had a great day. Namaste!

VILLAGE TOUR : DIFFERENT PROJECT VISITS AT LAMJUNG

                                                   

On the date 21st of February 2017 we set the journey from Pokhara to Shyauli Bazaar but on the way we made the inspection program at Laxmi Primary School at Laxmi Bazaar about the use of donation amount, which i have already described in my previous blog. The off road bus ride and the program at school made our team tired but finally to reach the home, i.e. the farm area was great moment for all of us. It was moment already for all of us to take rest and enjoy the natural beauties that lies around the farm area.

We reached the farm area where i have a little guest house along with my vegetables farming, goats, buffaloes, chickens and ducks as well. It's always nice to be over there and right after the team reached the place, they were happy to have a good rest and share about the journey and program that was over for that day. 

Trust me, "We have no *  WIFI  *, talk to each other, pretend its 1995". 

And next day we were crossing the Midim Khola, the river which is beside the Shyauli Bazaar village is always an adventurous things to do. The water is cold and crystal clear. But when we were crossing this time, the stones underneath the water were so slippery so Kanchan my brother and Santaman, our smokeless fire place/stove builder was helping one of our guest to cross the river. 

Kaarster Nepal Initiative e.V. (KNI), Germany has been supporting for building the smokeless stoves for the urban villagers and that's why we came to this Bangre village crossing the river after our breakfast. Mr. Reiner Strauss, chairperson for KNI is telling about the smokeless stove and it's cooking methods for rest of our team. Santaman was happy to show us his work and by observing his work, we felt happy too.

In previous days, this fire place used to be open fire place and there used to be smoke everywhere. As we started with this project, making smokeless stoves for the village people. This has helped a lot for the villagers for not being inside smoke while cooking and this is more healthy. Even this sort of fireplace consumes less woods, more safe for small kids as well. You can see how much smoke used to come out in the previous fire place by looking at that wall which is blackened by smoke, but now the women is happy that with the help of us, no smokes is inside but they are passed outside via chimney and outlet behind her house. 

After the inspection of our smokeless fire oven project, we headed up for the next program. The big earthquake which Nepal had two years before had destroyed a mothers community hall, so in order to help for rebuilding it again, we were heading towards the village. On the way we saw these two big trees and Reiner Strauss and i was describing what these two big Bar and Peepal stands for and here it goes, "Peepal trees, referred to as the "female," are the more well known of the two given that Siddhartha Gautam is said to have attained enlightenment under one (known in the West primarily as a "Bodhi tree"). It's Latin name is fittingly "Ficus Religiosa." The bar, referred to as the "male," is well known for its unique tendency to drop roots from its branches that grow into strong, anchored trunks once they hit the ground. In the West, it’s known as a "Banyan."Both species grow into serpentine, stunning trees, and its an earned honor they are such a central part of Hinduism and Buddhism. But when they are planted together, they are regarded to be married or one who plants them together has to make marriage ceremonies along with great feast to the villagers. It is believed that planting them together and make their marriage ceremony will bring prosperity, good luck and you can overcome your all sin and will make journey to heaven after death too. 

As we reached the front yard of the destroyed house of the community women team. The village women greeted us with red tika and mala (flowers garlands). It was a nice warm welcome by all the villagers and right after this we went to the topic and gave our words to the villagers that we will help them to rebuild their earthquake destroyed community house. 

It's not only the mothers who are involved in the mothers community hall, but even the fathers are also engaged. For rebuilding that center even the men will also take part actively. Almost in every villages or towns, there is group of women and makes one team. That sort of group is called mother's team. 

As we returned back from the Bangre village after looking the smokeless fire place project and by having the meeting with the community women. The river side health center had it's painters working on the roof painting the zinc sheets. They were painting the primer and soon after the primer is don, dark navy blue color will give another coats on it. 

Next meeting was held on Shyauli Bazaar mothers community hall. The mothers team of Shyauli Bazaar named as Gaumati Devi Aama Samuha, and it's community hall was also supported by us and they are happy now that they have this center for meeting and for doing programs. Today's program was focused on the future plans and needs for the Bindeshwori Primary School which is going to be run in Shyauli Bazaar on the former Augsburg Haus Academy used to be. The chairperson of the teachers and parents association Mr. Ambika Bhandari, the head master Buddhi Sagar Pokharel, teacher Sharada Prasad Pokharel and different parents were there in the meeting. 

After the meeting at the Shyauli Bazaar's mother community hall, we came back again to the handicraft training center which is inside the River Side Health Center premise. Anita Ghale was busy weaving the loom on that day but normally she is the person who makes the cutting and different handicraft items. She is teaching to the various women who comes there for taking the weaving lessons. We are teaching the women for making them self sustainable and for developing their skills too. 

We have been always thinking for our own marketing and producing our own products. This will help us more in being a self sustainable one day.  Hence we described what sort of handicraft items can be built over there and how everything is done. 

These are the different items that we produce in our handicraft and still more designs and items are on the way to be made. The pure cotton threads are dyed at first into different colors and the women weave it into the different patterns, shape and sizes. After the weaving is done, they are made for different items. Everything is hand made and women works. 

I had kept 525 broiler chicks on 2nd of January 2017, we did sold most of them already. Some we took to Pokhara and some were sold out at local market. From those which we kept and who were alive with us still, some had to sacrifice their lives for being our food. My brother Kanchan was preparing a grilled chicken for the guests for the dinner. 

Candle lights dinner, gossips about the project works, sharing about the trip and experiences so far in Nepal, it was all great moment for all of us. Truly sharing the best part is to be in one place together, smile to each other and make happy ending for the whole busy day by summing up with nice dinner and talks.

But only the dinner was not all indeed. The community mothers team and some men came to our farm house and they were singing and dancing. This is a traditional way for greeting or welcoming guests in the village. Normally after the program is over, you have to give little donations for them. This fund is collected by the mothers and uses for their social doings. 

It was already quite late and was time to go for bed but if you are among the villagers and if there is the music and dances, than what you need to do is just wait until they stop on their own. So no choices are there than  joining them on the dance floor. The music is typical folk music, drum i.e. Madal is played and the women sings on their own. Little Rakshi (local alcohol) is always better for those who are shy to dance. 

Yesterday was busy day but after the wonderful time that we had for the whole day and with the dance in the evening, it made us fall good sleep. Early morning we had our breakfast and everyone got ready to move back to Pokhara. This will be another 40 KM journey to Lake Side Pokhara. Most of the part will be off road drive. Narrow road inside jungle, up and down the hills and some time bit scary but you will enjoy the trip.

And after the breakfast we took the group picture in front of our farm guest house. Happy faces along the way and good memory to be kept for forever. 

After 7 Km bus ride, we came to Ram Bajar and saw that preparation for Shivaratri festival was going on at karaputar Mahadev temple area. Shivaratri is the hindu festival and for the festival many people will come here to lit the oil lamp for the whole night and stay awake. It is believed that if you stay here with the oil lamps by lighting it for the whole night, those who doesn't have babies, they will be granted babies. For offering holy cow milk to the God and for staying with the oil lamps (diyo batti) many visits this temple on Shivaratri. 

Trust me again, we have no *wifi*, no air conditions, no toilets inside the bus, talk to each other, pretend its 1995 and sit tight, hold tight for another 3 hours. See you in next episode. Namaste!

HELPING COMMUNITY SCHOOL, LAXMI BAZAAR, LAMJUNG, NEPAL

It's been a long time that i always wanted to write something in our blog and the reason of this blog was created was for sharing some of our works what we are facing or going through but it never happened, still thinking that it's never to late for good start, i am writing something for you all, i hope you will all enjoy reading this and viewing my stuffs.

Laxmi Primary School is a government community school for the various students from class nursery till class five living in Laxmi Bazaar and it's surrounding villages in Lamjung district. The children who doesn't have good access to go for the private schools and the community people who believes that the community school is also good for their children they are the one who send their kids over here. 

On 12th of Feb 2017, the school had it's 27th annual function and 26th parents day celebration where Child Welfare & Education (CWE) donated  educational materials and playing items to the school in co-ordination with its partner organization Kaarster Nepal Initiative e.V., (KNI), Germany.

 Though the donation was made on 12th of Feb by the Nepali representatives, the chairperson from Kaarster Nepal Intiative e.V. and his friends visited the school on 21st of Feb. The villagers and the teachers of that school welcomed for the whole team. They were waiting in Laxmi Bazaar, in the street and greeted our team with Tika (red powder in your forehead) and Mala (flowers garlands). 

Panche baaja "five musical instruments" team were leading ahead by playing a great Nepali music for our team  and the villagers up to the school. Panche baaja is a set of five traditional Nepali musical instruments that are played during holy ceremonies,especially,marriages. Panche baajas are usally played by the Damai (Miji) and the Gainre; these are castes in the Hindu tradition, regarded as low caste in Nepal. The Pance Baaja includes the jhyali (cybals), tyamko (small kettledrum) or dholak (drums), damaha (large kettledrum), narshiha (a long S-shaped trumpet), shehnai (a folk oboe), and Karnal (a wide-mounted, straight trumpet with a bell that resembles the datura flower.).

After a walk of 15 minutes up to the school with the music played by Panche baaja team and villagers our team member were greeted by the school students who gave flowers in hand for welcoming us into their school premises. 

As the team entered the school, Mr. Reiner Strauss explained to the team about the supports and bit about the school. We explained that the school which was in need for the extra educational materials, supports and playing items, that was given for them and we were trying to see what has been done so far to our supports given to the school management team. 

Among the computers received by the school from the various sponsors, we also donated  two central processing unit (CPU) for the school computer lab. This reduced the burden for the students to wait for their turn and use the computers during their computer lesson or practical assignments in a same time along with their class mate.

 

Beside the various supports which was included for the children and school, one of our support was the wall paintings with the study materials along with beautiful pictures for the children. The beginners level have the beginners alphabets, numbers and pictures where as the level of the words and the pictures rises up as the class increases up. It was great watching those beautifully painted walls for the kids and well newly managed room for the children via our supports. 

I still remember that during my childhood, my first English lesson was in grade 3. I only learnt my first English alphabets when i reached in grade 3 but today in the co-ordination with our partner organization KNI, we were able to paint the wall of the community school beginners / early childhood development class, i felt proud my self and this will definitely make lots of ease for the teachers to teach also and kids will enjoy the class too. The happy faces of the school were thankful to us.

After the class observation was over, the school performed their PT and march past for us. It was incredible to see the synchronization of the children all together. This is still practiced in the schools of Nepal before the school starts at 10:00 PM. It must work for the children as a little exercise and refreshment before they go for long day class taking.

The school teachers and chairperson from school management committee presented the letter of appreciation for Mr. Reiner Strauss (president for KNI) in the behalf of the great supports and contribution which was done for the well-being of the school and students educational development.

 

In the program it was stated for all the people what were supported to the school and we told that we will be always in a friendly relationship for providing the further more supports needed towards the needy students and school progress in future too. I was overwhelmed by the entire people, teachers and students love and warm welcome  that they provided to me and to my entire team for that day.

 

Nepal and any program here will not be complete without the music and dances. In order to add a nice musical flavor for our entire team, this beautiful girl was dressed up with the traditional Gurung (ethnic caste group) cultural dress which was also donated by us and presented us a nice cultural dance. It was a great moment for all of us for joining the dance too. 

It was even a time for the women to join the celebration and the music of the Panche Baaja couldn't stop few of the village women to come to the dance floor and they started dancing. Normally Panche Baaja music is rare and is played occasionally as mentioned before also that only in special ceremonies it's happening, so many Nepalese enjoys fully to these sort of music when they get the chance to dance and sing along with them. 

It seems like that this little cute pie is thinking, "what the heck is going on...". Everyone were in the good mood with big smiles seen in faces, almost everybody were dancing, singing and enjoying the time. I can promise you that, she will be happy to ride the swing and the slide for the first time in her life from tomorrow onward as it was also one of our gifted gift for the school. 

Everything which  starts good has to also end up good, so in order to capture the memorable moments from the Laxmi Primary School, Laxmi Bazaar, Lamjung, we took the last final group picture for that day and move forward to the next journey towards Shyauli Bazaar. There we will be staying two more nights and we have further more things to do over there too, do please stay connected for the next blog to know  further more. Namaste!