Pamela Gist

Thailand and Nepal

December 2013/January 2014

 

Three weeks in Nepal (and a few days in Thailand) working with Namaste Nepal ~ Helping Himalayan Children (NNHHC) was life changing. I took the trip to conduct research exploring the benefits of a special "Chahari" classroom NNHHC funded, run by another amazing organization, Maiti Nepal (both of these organizations are well worth supporting - check them out!).  The Chahari classroom supports children in crisis, many of whom had been rescued from sex trafficking.

 

We visited schools NNHHC supports, gave new school supplies to the children they are provide scholarships for, visited the family of one of these children, bought books and visited the libraries they built and support, and visited Rangsit University in Thailand, a partner organization where three of the scholarship students are now attending school. As our generous host wanted to show off his beautiful and culturally and historically rich country, we also trekked into the mighty Himalayas, rafted down a rumbling river gorge, were poled on dugout canoes along a serene misty river full of wildlife, rode elephants through the jungle on the lookout for rhinos (successfully!) and tigers (no luck), drove endlessly through indescribably beautiful scenery, walked through tiny and fragile villages hanging magically onto the edges of  narrow mountainside roads, visited temples and palaces, and explored a medieval city of narrow, twisting streets and ancient gods. 

 

The beauty in the countryside could only be surpassed by the that of the people. They greet you always and everwhere with hands together as if in prayer, a slight bow, "Namaste" and a wonderfully welcoming smile.  Namaste means something like 'the divine in me recognizes the divine in you. ' It is used for hello, good-bye, thank-you, and just about anything else when you don't know the language. Saying it, and having it said back to you, repeatedly, is incredibly powerful.  The wonderful village of Bandipur will always feel like a second home; I cannot wait to return.