Farewell to Nepal - a final post

Last evening our Action Autonomie Nepal representatives Man and Gocool, hosted a goodbye dinner for us at the students’ home.  Many special guests including teachers, principals, and others who have mentored and guided both faculty and students throughout the field school joined in the festivities.  Great food, heart felt speeches and a great chance to visit, discuss future plans and say goodbyes. It has been such a great experience and it is difficult to see it end. We are leaving behind very dear friends.

 Two young men that worked with Stephanie and Caroline, Rona from the Day Centre, Stephanie, Lolita, and Devi

 Gocool, Sarah, Isha and Tina

Each student received an appreciation certificate from AAN and recognition from community representatives. Here is Gerrit receiving his certificate.

Walk softly and carry a big stick...

A good motto when in the jungle and one that was practiced by our guide as he led our group through a jungle walk safari.  Our Chitwan long weekend was full of amazing adventures including a jeep safari, a paddle down a river in a dugout canoe, a visit to an elephant breeding center, and for some, a chance to swim with the elephants.   Monkeys, wild boar, eagles, storks, rhinoceros, deer and beautiful vistas and scenery made this final excursion very special.  Our own ‘eagle’ eye Gerrit spotted a crocodile in wait just below the surface in a shallow river bed at an antelope watering hole.

 The group on our dug-out canoe ride

 Rhinos at rest - can you spot the frogs on his back?

 Heavy traffic in downtown Chitwan

 Amanda, all wet, at the elephant bathing spot

Off for another adventure

On June 3^rd, we’ll pile back onto our bus with our trusted driver Rana and Gocool our guide, to begin our 4 day trip to Chitwan National Park.  This park is located in southern Nepal, on the Indian border.   Gocool has arranged a number of excursions and jungle adventures for us.  You can check out our accommodations at Safari Adventure Lodge

Community Practicum Appreciation

This week marks the completion of our students’ community practicum experiences before our final excursion to Chitwan National Park on June 3^rd.

So many people at each site contributed to the success of this field school and to the students’ learning experiences.  As a small token of our gratitude, we presented Certificates of Appreciation on behalf of Camosun College to each of our practicum hosts.

Rona Sharesetha, Teacher, Child Care Center

Mr. Ram Kumar, Principal, Himalayan School



An Evening of Appreciation

On Sunday evening, on behalf of Camosun College, we hosted a dinner at Helena’s in Thamel to express our gratitude to our host representatives, Man Bahadur Katri, President of Action Autonomie Nepal and Gocool Timalsina, our guide and trusted advisor.

Over the past year, Man and Gocool have worked diligently to communicate, plan, organize and prepare for this International Field School.  Their efforts and consideration for our students and faculty have made this an exceptional experience for everyone.  Man and Gocool have organized and arranged excursions, cultural experiences, housing, food and practicum sites and countless other details that have contributed to the success of the 2011 Field School.  We all learned much from our 2009 experience and we are very thankful to our hosts for all they have done to make us feel welcome and comfortable in this amazing and beautiful country.

 Isha, Caroline, Tina, and Steph

 Sarah, Amanda, Stephanie, Isha, and Caroline

 Man and Gokul with certificate from Camosun College

A gift from Stephanie, her friends and family

Stephanie Little, an Early Childhood and Care Education student planned and organized fundraising events in Victoria and Delta prior to our departure for Nepal.  At our appreciation dinner Stephanie presented a donation to Action Autonomie Nepal that will allow one Nepali student to attend school for a year.  The generosity of many of Stephanie’s friends and family will ensure that this student’s tuition, books, accommodation and clothing expenses are covered and that the student can continue his or her studies for one more year.

Stephanie presenting her gift to Action Atonomie Nepal

Hospitality

On Saturday evening all of the Camosun visitors were invited to a family dinner at our AAN host’s home.  Man and Lolita manage this children’s home where 24 children live.  We were treated to a lovely dinner outdoors in the garden and as is the Nepali way, we enjoyed warm hospitality throughout the evening.  The night wrapped up with some of the children performing Nepali dances and as is the Canadian custom, our students reciprocated with a rousing rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody

 Man, Maneesha, and Lolita, House parents and two of our hosts at AAN

 Deepok and Lolita

Bohemian Rhapsody...



Plan B

While most Canadians were enjoying the May long weekend, our students headed back to the day care center and school placements on Monday for the week.  This Tuesday and Friday, we had word of strike days here in Kathmandu and throughout the country.  On strike days schools, many businesses, public transportation and services are temporarily shut down as people representing different political ideologies gather to protest aspects of the proposed new national constitution.  We’ve seen groups of people listening to speakers and speeches on street corners, and peaceful and organized marches through major streets.  On strike days we stay in our neighbourhoods, close to home and away from the action.  Fortunately, our host agency has two children’s homes within walking distance of Camosun student housing so our students have been invited to spend strike days with the children at these homes and to have the opportunity to learn more about the children’s home lives.  

The strike days have also given us a chance to explore our neighbourhoods on foot, without worrying about cars, taxi, bicycle, and animal traffic.  We’ve noticed many new developments in the suburbs; fields of corn or rice tucked in small spaces between large gated homes.  There are several apartment complexes being built throughout the area; not much different than Victoria in so many ways.  We do see a lot of children playing in the streets and in front of the shops.  We haven’t seen many parks dedicated to children’s play but these don’t seem to be necessary here – the kids always seem to find a game to play that doesn’t require much other than creativity.  A stick, ball and cardboard boxes become the foundation for a game of cricket, a bicycle tire turns into a hula hoop, and a string and a ball – well, it’s amazing how many games can be created with a couple of every day items. 

 A mix of rural and urban

 A youth centre- table tennis and courtyard

Major shops are closed during the strike, leaving ample sidewalk room for pedestrians

 Cricket in the street