Archive for March, 2010

Well here i am up above the clouds somewhere between Nepal and Singapore. Somehow Nepal has spun its magic web around me, as i flew out with the unbelievable beauty of the mountains on the left of me, a part of me remains there with our 21 girls. Yesterday our last afternoon with the girls was bittersweet. We had a little afternoon tea party with a ‘happy memories cake’ and yummy Nepali ice cream- a gift giving and saying our last goodbye’s- that was the tough part! I must say that when i left Australia i was very excited about meeting our sponsor daughter, for those of you who don’t know, Anita was in the first group of girls that came to FMNCH. We have been her sponsor family since the start. We had established a relationship with Anita over time with Freja Aunty and Lars Uncle (now Lars brother to Anita) visiting, photos, letters etc. However being with Anita physically was more than i could ever have hoped for. From the first hugs to the very special moments when Anita was cuddling me and looked up, pulled my ear to her mouth and whispered contently- ‘now i have a mother,’ to the pleading voice of, ‘please mother, never forget me’. And just yesterday we had a quite private talk about us going back, tears, then the look in Anita’s eyes when she said, ‘mother i will miss you so much, please come back’. That is something that will stay with me forever. Everyone of the girls talk about their sponsor families and ask lots of questions. They do feel a very strong family connection with you and its really cute when they show you photo’s and talk about their families in Australia. Collectively i have never met a more open, loving, giving, unassuming and accepting group of people as our staff at FMNCH.

As i said to the girls yesterday, when people ask me how many children do you have? I will say 28 as they are all my daughters, and all hold a special place in my heart. Until i return next year, everyday they will be in my thoughts. I feel very blessed

xo Annie
(Mum, Grandma)

Coming home again……

Across 4 countries arriving in the fifth.  Nepal.
Exhausted both emotionally and physically we reached the sanctuary of Annapurna Guest House.  Bags dumped,  hot showers taken, food gobbled, we hit the rock hard beds and slab pillows which somehow felt like cloudy of luxury.  Just to be horizontal with no immediate meeting or appointments booked for the next day was like heaven.
The RAWCs team had arrived whilst we were in Africa and had gotten away to the land on time. No messages of any extra requirements greeting us at the hotel desk well done Lars ….Relief……
We slept for 14 hours straight. Woke and consumed a few cookies drank a juice and recrashed for a further 3 hours.
Eventually we ventured out into the streets of Thamel. It was a public holiday so there was an unusual calm and minimal honking of horns from crazed taxis competeing with motorbikes  and rickshaws for the remaining metre of roadspace.

A Godsend for our fragile mental state.

Foraging for food complete, a quick check to see if the shop we buy our felt Products for resale was still in business and this was about all we could manage with the remains of the day. Best option, more rest. The twilight zone/zombie like state of being seriously jet lagged…. seriously confuses you, seriously.

A new day and so much to achieve.

Breakfast, Internet to check emails for FMNCH and family etc, then the choosing of stock for our Aussie stalls. Decisions. What will sell what price can we barter. Pick up dates. Freight comparison costs. To the ATM. Deposits left. Hands shook and another mission accomplished.

Now for the reason we come to Nepal.

To the home of our 21 beautiful girls. My favorite part of any working day here. 3.30 when school is out!!!

No one knew we were coming to visit yesterday.

In the taxi ride to FMNCH Katy and i talked of Africa and the sadness we both felt about the situation we had just witnessed there. We discussed the saftey of our Nepal family and the humble levels of hope we offered these children some 4 1/2 years ago. Together with hard work, daily improvment in health, better diet, loving house mothers, consistant sponsors for each child, corporate financial help, donations of goods and cash and love, love and more love & not too mention a ….load of sausages sizzled,  we are where we are today. These special precious children of Forget Me Not, safe and proudly hopeful of a future.

Uganda Love Project requires sponsors.

Families to take care of these dear little kids who against all odds really have had the tenacity to cling to life. FMNCH has come onboard their sinking ship trully in their final hour. They hold the same hope as any child does. They long for love and warmth and food and learning.

The taxi arrived….. Thoughts gathered,

We hurried down the lane. Both of us eager to be with our young charges.

The girls are eating their afternoon tea.  Just out of school. They spot us from the dinning room window and from the laneway some 30mtetre from the gate, you can hear them rejoice.  The laughter begins. The kisses and hugs begin. I am grateful for everything these chidren have here and the love they hold for me. Above all I am grateful for their sponsor families. People who put their hands up for a few bucks a day to let another soul know that that are not alone in the world.
For example. Does Basundhara know she is loved? Not just by her sisters and her house mothers? She sure does!!! She knows that Geoff and Stephanie Andrews love her from afar and have hopes for her life. They have supported her financially and emotionally from the distant shores of the land of OZ. What benefit do they gain? …. Possibly like me, they gain soul strengthening, heart enlarging satisfaction. Or maybe it’s something different for them.
I know what FMNCH has done for my heart. I never knew I could feel so much and that really my hands could make such a difference to another human being.
Dancing, singing, homework, cooking chores, excitment. Study study study.
Sunday sees the end of year exams for all the children except Sheha who is on a college study programme.They have all improved on their academic position in pre exam tests. Climbing places and improving positions.
Soon enough it is dark and we must leave or there will be less chance of a taxi.

Hungry, heart warmed and arm in arm, Katy and I leave by the lane to the main street.

We are bursting proud of these children. So very proud to be a part of their young lives and of how far they have come.

The magic of hope is alive and well here. I see what it has done in Nepal for 21 kids.

I’m hoping with love for Uganda…..

~*~ Andrea

Andrea and Katy travelled to Uganda to check out Forget Me Not’s newest project…The Love Project! This is Andrea’s journal….

Katy and I embarked on our journey to the Afrian nation oh Uganda on what I can only describe as heartbreaking yet hopeful.
After 38 hrs of uninterupted travel and 5 hrs of nap sleep, 3 countries in transit finally our feet touched the soil of Africa. Uganda. This beautifully lush landscape with the bluest sky above is home of FMNCH’s Love Project.
39 little souls, 1 housemother and terrible terrible poverty.
Katy and I carring with us our current 17 Sponsors well wishes arrived outside the terminal to be greeted by the largest smiles I think I have ever seen. Florence our hostess and mother to the gang along with beautiful Hannah,15, baby Abu 1 year and 2 little tots dressed in their Sunday best cream frilly dresses holding a bouqet of simple flowers each. These little charming girls are Gift,2.5 and Florence,4. Shyly the greet us with the softest tones of “Welcome Aunt” and “thankyou for loving us”
I could tell this was going to be a tough week. I dared not look at Katy and noticed she was not looking at me either.
Together with Frank, husband to Florence we bundled into the sedan. 2 large suitcases full of goodies from OZ, 2 wheeling cabit bags, 2 backpacks, 2 bouquets, three tots, Katy, Ande, Florence, Pastor Frank and the driver. Oh and Hannah of course. Don’t ask me but we set off for the Home. I enquired after about 45 mins and a young teenager on my lap, how much further.  With the reply, ‘God will see us there safley’ I thought at that point my dead leg was winging it’s way to heaven.
1hr 15 later and crippled, exhausted, excited and overwhelmed we seemed to be winding our way down the worst roads I have ever seen. It had rained all afternood and the road was 10cm in ‘Childers Red’ red mud. No place for a packed sedan but onward the driver went slipping and sliding and bottoming out on each bump. How can people live in this I thought?
I let me mind fly to my home of manicured grass, crystal swimming pool and aircon. I was surely on another planet.
We stopped and bailed out. On the small cement verandah stood a see if black faces and white white teeth in bodies of varying height. And there it was,  as with the beautiful children in Nepal and everywhere else I have roamed, laughter,  beautiful, singing laughter!! The language if everyones heart on this one glorious planet.
I recognized a few faces as Katy and I had studied the pictures we had received. Steven the young 4yr old Katy and I now sponsor along with Mietta and Clarrence. Jackie Alimo charming face and full of eagerness to touch we 2 Mozongu (whites)
We were taken inside this humble abode of crumbling cement render and makeshift curtains. Cement floor with muddy footprints everywhere. And a sea of smiles. We sat and each child introduced themselves.  Kneeling at out feet holding our hand and whispering their names to us. Again I thought I would loose it when Steven looked into my eyes for a fleeting second and said hello.
After the intros came the tea and the dancing. Beautiful gospel songs about hope and thanks for us being there and comming from so far to love them.

Soon Steven was on my lap and so far he has not left it.
It has been humbling to meet these kids. Who have nothing,… Really nothing. But for these few days they will have Katy and I and the love of 17 Sponsors.
This morning we  arrived at the home on our Bodaboda’s (motorbikes with a comfy double seat) to find Livingstone sitting solemnly in the armchair chewing on a piece of plastic and Akim loitering behind him. I enquired as to why no school today. And if they were well. To be told by Florence that as the school fees are seriously in arrears week by week children would be send home. These two little boys were the first to be asked to go home. Their new FMNCH calico bags, lay on the floor slightly muddy with a lonley notebook and gnawed pencil inside.
I had to leave the room. I know that crying for these kids will serve no purpose but trying not to cry for them took all the strenght I could muster. I looked at the sky and again thought of my usual pristine surrounds, my own children who sparkle with good fortune and again I am bought undone.
Again I cannot look at Katy….

Today was spent drumming, singing, dancing, motorbike riding to and fro. Emergency run for nappy purchase Extra bannanas, cordial, a box of water, biscuits and of course 2 Quick cokes.
The children had huge African Drums to play that had been hired for today and yowza those kiddies got da rythum Sista!!
And dance……..sheesh!! Once again I found myself up shaking my tail feather with a wig type traditional belt thingamabobby strapped over my bottom in order to really really shake it.
I got a stitch…
That was from the laughter at watching Katy doing her thing as well. I think the only expresion I can use is “LOL!!”
 Then came our drumming lesson. Katy got the single beat beat beat rhythm and I thought yep easy as… But then my sequence was demonstrated…. tikka ta ta tikka atatara boom boombabsboom and repeat. Uh ho… Let’s just say what ever happened today has passed. And leave it there!

Drumming party over, and the last drip of orange mango cordial supped we mounted our trusty Bodaboda’s and sped off into the sunset.

May we all feel blessed for all that we have!
Andrea

My Last Visit To The Girls
“I was a Blubbering Mess”

Meeting the Girls for the Second Time

I am not sure if I will be able to really put into words the type of expression I want to describe, here.

The second meeting of the girls was in fact more emotional and more powerful for me, and since I have spoken to a couple of seasoned campaigners and they seem to agree or at least relate to what I am trying to say. So please realize that when writing this I don’t have kids, I don’t have anyone who relies on me, who looks up too me, who actually requires me.. Now I am not writing that for some type of Ugh or sympathy, I am trying to make you realize how much impact these girls have had on me, coming from my point of view. I don’t have a child that no matter how many times they moan about having to go to bed, or that they can’t go out with there mates to the beach or park they will have forgotten it in the morning and love the fact that you are Just There !!

The afternoon came, the Taxi ride we survived, The path we walked and the screeching, laughs and cries of joy came and then the most powerful of all.

The look in the eyes of every single girl of acceptance to a higher level, of Ok your back !! Ok you really are one of us, you care, you are now my friend, my family, you are now never going to be forgotten. The look of joy, happiness and love in simply just seeing you there. Just having you in there life, just having you hold there hand when you are talking to some one else, just having your arm over there should when sitting having a cup of coffee, just placing your hand on their shoulder while standing looking at photos on the computer, just sitting and answering there questions about, Love, Life, marriage, Babies, Australia, Parents, Weight…. Yeah… School work, Jobs and any other subject they might bring up !! Just a simple hug, they get so much joy and in turn I was transformed into a Blubbering mess… Well inside anyway…

This being one of the most simply powerful moments in my life to date and then to tell you now it just gets stronger each and every time I go and visit defies my ability to describe how I feel in words….. Sorry…

Happy Holi

I felt like I was storming the beaches in some country gone crazy.

Just walking to the hotel the day before the Festival of Holi was a real challenge. As water bombs whistled past our ears we ducked and weaved dodged taxis and rickshaws. It was histerical.

Each time one of us was hit it bought so much joy to the locals. Katy was a great target coping several direct hits. I ducked to the opposite side of the street and huddled her across. Water trickeling down her face like a comrade  who’d taken a hit. Whack, I coped a flying ‘lola’ to the calf. Cold and wet we we reached the safety if HQ Annapurna Guest House. Katy’s back pack dripping as there was a leaking UXB punctured but not empty inside the front pouch. Crazy day and yet still 24 hours from the acutal Festival.

We rose early and set out to FMNCH as we promised.
Water bombs whilstled past our ears and splattered on the windows of our little taxi that was packed with 5 of us. Kathmandu taxis are small suzukis.
We banged on the gate and begged for a brief reprieve to deliver our bags to the dry safe zone of the meeting romm and that was the end of any hope of survival.
As the sun shone the water flew along with the calls Happy Holi. Soon enough out came complete buckets of water to be dumped on you unexpectedly. It was chilly to say the least. Devaki was named the bucket queen as she managed to get at least 1 bucket of icy well water and dye over anyone with their back turned.
 
Goma was a crack shot, managing to get a direct hit on the neighboring girls front door way and spash everyone inside.
 
In a moment of sanity I gathered my thoughts and looked at these dear souls all playing and celebrating together. A real family, large and happy.
Lars ran past me with a water soaker held against his chest. His face covered in colour like a solider with camoflage paint. He wore a grin from ear to ear!  
Several girls chased him and
squeaked with delight as he turned and fired his weapon at them sending each one in every direction laughing hysterically.
As we all dried off in the warm sunshine, I looked over the rooftop railing to the empty battlefield below littered with small spend cellophane bags. The grass every colour of the rainbow. I was once again overwhelmed to tears at the joy that is Forget Me Not Chidren’s Home.  

Mel and Craig Manley are treasured sponsors of Forget Me Not. This was their first visit to the Forget Me Not family in Nepal, but it certainly won’t be their last! Thanks Mel and Craig – and see you in Nepal in November!!

After leaving the beautiful countryside of Rani Pauwa we returned to Kathmandu to see the girls….and pick up Craig, Andrea & Katy. Being Craig’s first visit he was excited but a little apprehensive as to how the girls would receive him…..no need to worry….by the time we arrived at FMNCH to meet the three new arrivals, the girls infectious laughter,   huge smiles and many cuddles made him realise just how amazing the love at FMNCH is and what an amazing impact it has not only on the girls but upon all of those who are privileged enough to experience life at FMNCH.

Saturday was a day and a half. It started with a gym session at a local gym with Lars and Carla. Craig and I enjoyed the fact that there was no power, hence we could not see our reflections in the mirror as it was dark….until Lars opened a window….Carla gave a nasty abs workout…then off to “Java “for breaky.No we did not go the massive iced chocolates with cream, waffles with cream like Lars and Carla…but how come they look like that???? I did go the Pancakes…yes I know it defeats the purpose…but when in Rome…do what the 26 year olds do….ha ha. Then back to the Guest House to get back to FMNCH and bundling 21 excited girls into a school bus amidst avoiding water bombs, albeit not too successfully and bouncing along to the local cinema to see “My name is Khan”.

Many of the gang have already updated you with the goings on here so I will skip to the Holi Festival which was held on Sunday. What a day! Carla had organised white shirts and skirts for the girls and House Mothers….and for me….thanks Carla…and we arrived at FMNCH to everyone throwing red dye and water at each other. Luckily we had a warm day! After seeing the wonderful colours available out in the street, Craig, Katy and I ventured out into the streets to gather more ammunition….purple, orange, lime green, hot pink, turquoise, gold and silver dye! Fabulous stuff. The locals celebrating Holi were overjoyed to see Tourists braving the streets and took every opportunity to “bless” us with dye bombs and water on our way back to FMNCH. I managed to garnish a group of very mucho teenage boys with masses of hot pink dye…..oh yeah! But why did it look so good in their shiny black hair???

After several hours of throwing dye and attempting to miss (not so successfully) dye and water bombs from every direction we started to clean up. I had the job of washing the girls’ hair. What a hoot. We drew water from the well….until we lost the bucket DOWN the well. Then uncle climbed down the well and got the bucket…no rope, no harness no problem…..!The girls hair returned the beautiful shiny, glossy black lustrous hair….mine stayed a fluro shade of pink with a twist of orange…..hmmm.

Monday saw another Yoga session with the human pretzel. Even though I am NOT flexible, the session was fantastic. It just makes you feel SO good…. Craig headed off to Rani Pauwa to see the land with Lars, Katy, Andrea and Jas. Well they went in the bus and Lars rode a pushy all the way …as you do. Carla and I got into negotiating mode and set of through the streets of Kathmandu to purchase decorations for the upcoming ball.

Manjet (Manager of the Annapurna Guest House…and all round nice guy) took us to the markets. What an interesting place. Carla and I went through these very old buildings up tiny ladders, through very small tunnels, up more tiny ladders…..to come out in a small space full of fabulous textiles and other amazing articles. Then the negotiating began……

Later that afternoon we arrived..Albeit a bit late…back at FMNCH to play with the girls….our favourite part of the day! Lars bought his pushy back with him and we spent hours going around and around in circles, taking the girls for rides on it. It was such a thrill to see the girls receiving so much joy from their bike rides. We take so much for granted in Australia…

Tuesday was our last full day……Carla and I went to The Om Family Centre for a yoga session. Oh boy was our beautiful instructor flexible…..a tiny little girl who could twist herself into tiny little knots…with a great big smile on her face. After this I experienced a Shamanic Healing from one of the masters at the centre. It was a fabulous experience and I intend to go back to this centre when next we visit Nepal.

Manjet took Carla, Craig Lars and I back to the markets and a few other places to try and finalise some ball decorations, merchandise etc. Another fabulous experience. I just wanted to sit there and absorb the sights, sound and smells…..so much to do so little time…..

Come 4.30 we arrived at FMCH…..to a big surprise. The guys had organised a surprise 40^th  for me. Like they didn’t have enough on their plates! I can’t tell you the feeling of having 21 girls, 4 house Mum’s, and the FMNCH gang awaiting me with cards, smiles and hugs…..I was truly overwhelmed…in a great way….lost for words…and those of you who know me ,know that this is quite a task!

I was also treated to not one but two birthday cakes! The girls sang me “happy Birthday” …and clapped once for every year….their poor little hands must have been stinging by 40!

I treasure this day. My heart was soooo full of love and gratitude to being exactly where I was privileged to be….at FMNCH surrounded by wonderful people with an amazing capacity to give love in all of its shapes and forms.

My eyes well with tears of joy at the memory. After all the excitement of the birthday cakes we commenced an art workshop. Dikshya organised the girls for me and arranged the appropriate seating and water buckets. We then distributed the canvases, paintbrushes and paint. I asked the girls to paint whatever is in their heart…what makes them happy….wait until you see the pics. They will be on sale at the ball in June. They are amazing. 

The girls painted until there was no more light to see. Then Craig brought out the fluro bracelets…what a hit they were. He ended up covered in fluoro bracelets…they were hanging from his ears much to the delight of the girls!

Then came time to say Good bye….Oh my Goddess…keep it together Mel, keep it together. No such luck. I tried very hard but was unsuccessful. “No crying Aunty, be happy”. To think that we won’t see the girls for while just about broke our hearts…It is hard to describe how quickly a strong bond forms with the girls. Those of you who have been to meet them will understand, those of you who haven’t…I could not recommend a more worthwhile experience….

Thank you to all of the FMNCH team and to the February FMNCH Tour Group…..we just loved every minute of our trip. You guys are so much fun to travel with. To the founders and management teams- you should be soooo proud of what you have established. It is truly an expression of love in its highest form. Thanks for letting us be a very small part of the journey. 

Lots and lots of love,

Namaste

Mel and Craig

Jason Wall,  friend and Forget Me Not Family member from the beginning, came to my office two days before I was due to leave for Nepal and asked if he could come too! What could I say but, “Sure!”. Here is Jason’s first journal of his first meeting of the girls….we are sure it will be the first of many…

So, where to start..?, Well Namaste first of all to everybody.

This has been a long time coming, not only the fact that I have now been here for nearly a week but the fact that I have wanted to get to Nepal and in particular Kathmandu, for years, not the least since being involved with The Forget Me Not Family.

Just the name Kathmandu conjures up some wonderful images, some wonderful thoughts in ones mind, images of far flung wild frontiers of unexplored lands, of wild untamed cultures. Generally, of a people who survive, they don’t seem to do much more than survive. They battle amazing odds to get through there daily life, one that we as westerners, generally, would and do find so foreign in the concept of mere survival. The “Daily Grind” so to speak, really, for most is the Daily Grind in the very basic form as buy, prepare, cook, eat, do what you can to make a “Buck” and well get up and do it all again the next day !! For instance, today there was power for only 7 hours out of the 24 !! that’s a regular occurance…..

Poverty, is that why, I don’t know, The culture, the Class system I hear about, and from a westerners point of view, the complete lack of infrastructure, or the perceived lack off !! I am sure it is there in some way shape and form !! Its just hard to see from “Our Eyes”

Now Please, by no means do I mean to judge or imply that my initial response to this incredible place is negative, Its not, its just such a vast gap in what we perceive to be the ideal way of life, or at least what we are all striving for to what we actually need to do to simply survive on a daily basis that we have lost the ability to realize what is important to us, what is really important to us !! Do we need the flashy cars, bikes, houses, manicured back yards, do we need the I-pods, computers, stereos, designers wear, name brand shoes and latest glossy magazines ??

Or do we need to realize that to have someone there by your side to help, love and live your life with you, to achieve the simple things in life is not only so enjoyable and rewarding but it also spreads like an infection and makes the society we live in a better place….

Anyway Jason… Enough of your rambling !! What the readers want is not your take on life, love and sorting out the worlds problems, they want to hear about Kathmandu and The girls !!

I am not actually sure how to start, as you may already of worked out !! So lets start with the flight into Kathmandu as so many of my predecessors have done…..

Just as one would take the rustic charm of an old fence paling and use it to frame a scene from the Australian out back, with its browns, oranges, sun burnt golden scene, so did the cotton wool, like marshmallow clouds that were lite up by the sun take the rugged jagged, dramatic edges of the Himalayan mountains and frame their own picture. A picture that words can not describe, well my words anyway. Majestic, Huge, Wild, Wondrous all come to mind. These clouds were glorious in the bright clear blue sky, with sun shining and amazing clarity all the way to the top of the amazing mountain range. Pan down over the clouds to the land below and well that’s about where the clarity stops….. You did not realize, but you were about to start to breath that wall of dark, thick Smusttion…. Yeah, smusttion is my new word for what you breathe in Kathmandu… Its of course a mix of Smog, Dust and Pollution.

The airport gives the newby traveler to Nepal a wonderful introduction to what they are about to receive. Chaos, Mayhem and Madness !! But it is wondrous…. Yes wondrous Chaos, Mayhem and Madness… You are not to realize it, but your senses are about to be given the ride of there life. A ride that will see them polluted, bashed and battered, a ride that will see them caressed, nurtured and cared for. A ride that will also see them confronted, confused and down right shocked…..

You first of all get to do the Taxi rank shuffle, followed by the Look for your name head tilt and then in my case, the, “Oh Shoot, I didn’t get the number of the hotel head wobble……

Of course these all add to the adventure. The Taxi rank, when you realize it’s a Taxi rank looks more like a farmers market car park that has vehicles only fit for bush bashing all lined up. The Look for your name head tilt, well you don’t want that to be too obvious or you’ll get every man and his goat offering you a room, and then of course if you a bit silly like me and do things at short notice and no planning, then you finally realize after an hour and a half that nobody knows you are there and you now need to remember the name of that dam hotel they keep telling you about !! Lucky you kept that piece of paper and are able to get to a phone.

Then have the manager of said hotel send a car, and oh so politely kick a regular out of his room and then because you are from Forget Me Not, you have a bed for the night !!!!

The Annapurna Guest House is wonderful, they are ever so help full and I actually do believe, apart from giving them regular business that the manager really is appreciative of the sort of work Lars and The Forget Me Not family are doing !! He delivered a cake to the home today and we were all ensconced in the children having hugs, playing games, talking, singing and dancing when he arrived and he had such a happy smile on his face, one of such genuine warmth. He really did seem to be so impressed with the goings on and he seemed so happy to see us all there and the girls enjoying it so.

At this point I could go to any of my numerous headings I have !!

Holy Day

Goats Heads and Butchers Blocks

Meeting the Girls for the First Time

Meeting the Girls for the Second Time

Chitawan

The Rice Ceremony

The Fish Markets

That Night…….

I will of course start with “Meeting the Girls for the First Time”….

It was my second day here, I had survived a walk the night before through the local streets of Thamal without any Holly Madness, more of that later… There was Craig, Mel, George, Annie, Louise, Arie, Lars and I.

We had done The Taxi ride, I mention that because, its an event, each and every time you get in one of those things, it’s really an event to be amazed at, you survived…. No not so much so that but just that the car survived !! Again, more on that later…..

As we walked up the path to the home, there were knots in my stomach, so nervous was I. I was nervous of meeting these girls that I had only ever seen on DVD’s or photos. I was Nervous of how they would react, Nervous of How the Staff would react to this stranger traipsing into there world and almost expecting acceptance…… (I am sure that’s not how I felt, but can’t help but thinking that’s what it must of looked like.) I saw the building and realized I had seen it before, I noticed the roof, the balconies and then the most amazing screeches of joy and happiness as we were spotted by the girls and then there were the smiling faces.

I am so frustrated at my self for not noticing the first girl that came and grabbed my hand or threw their arms around my waist or jumped on a chair and clung them selves around my neck, at not getting the name and reaction of the first who asked me my name. It was impossible. It was a Blur, and wondrous, joyous amazing beautiful blur of acceptance and joy that I have never experienced before. NEVR.

They were real, they were beautiful in their simply being. It was so much more a powerful moment than I ever imagined it would be……. But there was more to come.

The house mums made us coffee and tea, the kids fed us apple and grapes, they rode bikes, laughed, danced, hugged the afternoon away and it was a Blur. Katie asked me later that night while waiting for the others in a restaurant, what I thought about meeting the girls for the first time was like. Well it made me have “another moment” !!! I had had a few that day, and believe me, I don’t do “Having a Moment” easily….

There was more to come….. The second heading I will write is “Meeting the Girls for The Second Time”….

In case you were wondering what has happened to Management Committee on this trip, wonder no further!  As well as Lars Olsen, our CEO, we also have Kate van Doore, President and Andrea Nave, Sponsorship Chair, who travelled to Nepal, and Kate and Andrea, onwards to Uganda. Due to complete busy-ness (!) we haven’t had time to complete journals as yet….but here are the first words from Andrea about her second trip to Nepal….

Dreams Awakening.

My feet touched the ground, my heart started running.

We three, Katy, Craig and I were greeted warmly and whisked away into the chaos that is the streets of Nepal.

Awake and Alive!

Garlanded, and eager we reached the comfort of Annapurna Guest House. The home away from home of Team Forget Me Not.

After a quick settle we were off to see our Girls.

As usual their home was ringing with laughter and squeals!

I was greeted as a long lost precious friend. Tears brushed aside, hands and cheeks held, finally my Ruma was at my side grinning from ear to ear. “How was your journey Aunty? I am so happy you have come back to me.”

From the shyest of beginnings this young lady has blossmed. She stands as a proud member of a large family. Respected within her position as one of the older girls. Willingly taking on responsibility and care for those around her.

During afternoon English class I was surprised at the growing confidence levels. They are all bigger obviously but their confidence and the sureness in their eyes sparle from deep within. These are contented, secure children.

Sneha stood up front and described her new college life. How she enjoys the practicle days at the hospital and very much loves the study. Later that afternoon we all had our pulse and our blood pressure checked and noted.

It’s inspiring to see her so gently comanding as her stethoscope is retrieved from round her neck and she calls for quiet so she can hear your heart beating.
I’m sure mine was doing double time as she looked intently at me with her serious ‘adult’ face.

Potential unfolding…. FMNCH’s dream awakening…..

Namaste ~*~
Andrea Aunty Happy at home!!

Colourful Holi

Nepal Trip Journal- March 2010

I arrived in Kathmandu on Monday 21st February. The hustle and bustle of Kathmandu airport was exacerbated by the strike action that was being held that day. No cabs. If I had of had a dollar for every time a lovely Nepalese man said to me…” Miss, your friend not coming…you been here over hour…strike day..he not coming” we could be well onto stage 3!
Heeding the good advice of my many new friends I employed the services of a private operator and also a Tourist Guide …who had the appropriate ID and took off into Kathmandu- Thamel in search of The Forget me Not Group.
After a bit of hide n go seek I landed at Annapurna Guest House with the wonderful Manjet who tracked Lars down and took me on his motorbike to the Forget Me Not Childrens Home to meet up with the gang and of course….to meet the girls!
Nothing can prepare you for your first visit. A lot runs through your mind prior to your arrival, however that blows out the widow with your first hug from one of the beautiful girls.
There is just so much to tell….I know many of the other group members have been very good in keeping you all posted with the happenings of the next few days……I very selfishly just wanted to absorb every moment and have not posted an entry until now….so I won’t go into detail about the amazing experience of the assembly at Serene Valley School where we watched the girls receive many awards with such pride, and met their Deputy Principal who has so much love for his students; visiting the land in Rani Paua- wow! I will digress here! We were so taken in by the beautiful surrounds of Kakani and Rani Paua. The bus trip up gave us a good insight for what we were in for, but nothing prepares you for your first view of the Annapurna Mountain Range on a clear day.The sky is bright blue, the snow capped mountains crisp white, the ground is literally paved with gold and silver…there is a mica in the rock/soli that glistens and reflects so much light…it sparkles silver and gold….so beautiful. The energy of the place is so strong and you know by feeling it that this is truly a special place and the children will be so happy here.
The local people were very curious as to who we were and where we were from….they were especially happy to bomb us with water…..I think you get extra points for bombing tourists!
Carla and I were lucky to meet……well we were laughing together after they bombed us….2 beautiful girls form the local school Anjita and Sumitra. We called into their school the next day unaware of how much attention we would attract….its funny though kids are kids wherever you go. The teenage boys showed off and yelled out from the safety of their groups, the older girls giggled and talked shyly and one or two brave souls came up and asked us one thousand questions then the rest of the kids followed and wanted their photos taken…..Hoochy Lou ( so named after her ability to consume Piro Prem’s Hooch),Carla and I attempted to clean out the dwelling on the land….after trying to negotiate the purchase of buckets, brooms etc in the village. We ended up with a “loaner” shovel that had to be back to its owner by 2pm and intruding on a swarm of not so friendly wasps who have constructed a lovely home on the walls of the hut….we decided we had gone as far as we could!
That night we were treated to dinner under the stars at our guest house …Ari had fallen to the dreaded verius squirtius bottomus (VSB), a treacherous but common disease amongst travellers in Nepal, so Carla Hoochy Lou and I wandered up to the Shiva Temple accompanied by fearless Chocco and had a magic time observing the goings on of the universe…..
The next day….. George succumbed to the dreaded VSB and after a day of avoiding food to stem the flow……became ravenous! Hence he has since been known as Ravenous George…and has been an many an adventure! The group has written a whole series on the Adventures of Ravenous George and include such tales as Ravenous George and the case of the disappearing toilet tap, Ravenous George and the Cheese & Ryvita VSB Fixer, Ravenous George & his precious honey, Ravenous George learns to share…..and an M rated version…ravenous George and the case of the curious concubines! The first edition will be in print by July and all proceeds will go the FMNCH……. predicted as a best seller……well it will be for the first 10 copies anyway!
Piro Prem took us up to a trout farm for lunch the next day…..where a Nepalese Fabio was attempting to seduce a lovely young girl with a trout dinner ( very expensive …about $17/kg) and beer! She was onto his wily ways and we think she survived his persistent charms! Inspired by the very fit Carla and Lars….I took up an offer to walk back to the village with Carla….it was soooo beautiful.The sun was setting behind the snow capped mountains…amazing views….great company…the perfect end to the perfect day!

I have so much to tell….however will do another entry later………
Lots of love

Namaste
Mel