This year held for the very first time at Seafront Oval under a grand marquee….

Forget Me Not brings Bollywood to the Bay!!

Namaste from the Ambrey family – Sharyn, Graham, Tessa and James.
 
A belated journal due to our family members each succumbing to illness during the trip which has unfortunately followed us on to our Singapore leg of our holiday
Where do you start?  Put simply, a journey and experience which will never be forgotten (not because of the illness, I might add).  We arrived at Kathmandu Guest House on the Sunday to find Lars himself had been unwell so it was decided to wait until the arrival of Annette and Illea Cameron the following day for our first visit to the home to meet the girls and staff we had heard so much about, and especially our little Gyanu.  Our memories of this very first visit – laughing smiling girls, calling from the balcony upstairs “Hello Aunty Hello Uncle”, leis placed around our necks in greeting, being made so very welcome, and girls taking our hands and asking our names and whether we were a family.  Gyanu was nowhere to be seen at first, quietly hiding behind some of the older girls but then the moment we had so eagerly waited for as she was scooped up into our arms.  The journey and organisation was all made worthwhile.
 
Each afternoon with the girls was different as we came to know their different personalities – some very confident and outgoing, others more shy and reserved but each girl a beautiful soul.  What we came to realize is that these are very happy and contented girls who know they are much loved by their sponsor families, house mothers and all those associated with the home.  Our memories of these afternoons – games, craft, singing and dancing, cuddles and kisses, arms just simply draped around our necks, questions asked about our family, cheeks pinched, Tessa and I having our hair done, and quietly talking with the older girls – Sneha, Goma, Dyksha and Devaki – about their hopes and dreams for the future.
 
As we only had six days, sightseeing was crammed into our mornings – a flight to see the majestic Himalayas and Mount Everest; several temple visits – the monkey temple, Boudhanath, Durbar Square;  the beautiful walled Garden of Dreams;  a trip to the World Cultural Heritage listed city of Bhaktapur;  and of course, shopping.  Thursday morning saw us travel to Ranepawar to see the land – simply beautiful outlook. 
 
Friday we celebrated Lars’ birthday.  What excitement and activities! – birthday banner at the entrance to the home, a truly beautiful letter written to Lars by the girls on the computer, singing Happy Birthday and clapping out Lars’ years, delicious cake and a wonderful lunch prepared by the house mothers.  Gyanu squeezed herself between Graham and myself to eat her meal.  We laughed to see Alisha hide her plate under the table when Navatame offered her salad (children are the same everywhere). And of course, this was followed by the girls’ beautiful dancing (we finally got to see Lars dance) and balloon popping.
 
Before we knew it our last afternoon with the girls had arrived.  Little Junu attached herself to James and demanded his attention for the afternoon.  It was wonderful to see James Brother’s  interaction with the girls during the week, although he did not have any choice as they pulled him to join in their games, the craft and photos.  I might add that James initially had not been too keen on making the trip being a sixteen year old boy.  The ‘goodbyes’ seemed to take forever but garlanded once again, presented with gifts, photos taken, we made our way downstairs for the final hugs and kisses from the girls and house mothers and an extra special hug for our Gyanu. My last memory – little Anita wiping the tears from my eyes with “Don’t cry Aunty, don’t be sad – you will come again.”  And we will.
 
 
Sharyn, Graham, Tessa and James Ambrey

24th March 2010 – Shova Singh, President Malai Nabirseu Bal Griha

We are all gathered here today on the auspicious occasion of Ram Nawami to celebrate the birthday of our girls. Ram Nawami is one of the holiest Hindu occasions that commemorates the birth of Lord Ram.

The legend is cited to prove how Lord Ram always lived a life of righteousness against all odds. He was born to destroy the evil and protect the weak as he embodied the highest ideals of mankind. And we should uphold this truth.

Now having said that I would like to welcome our Chief guest Mr. Dharma Raj Shrestha, Executive Director, Child Welfare Board; officials of Social Welfare council, Rotarians from Australia and Dhulikhel Chapter; distinguished guests and friends to enjoy this moment with our young girls who have grown one year older today.

Let me take the opportunity to enlighten you on some facts and figures about Bal Griha. Having started with just six we have now grown to 21 beautiful girls aspiring to be productive human beings who I certainly feel will contribute towards nation building once they grow up. We at Bal Griha will leave no stone unturned to see to it that these children are provided the best as far as we can for them to stand on their own feet and succeed in life.

One good example that I can share with you today is that one of our girls completed her School leaving Certificate Examination in 1^st Division and is pursuing Nursing Course with the financial support from Australian donors. We hope that all our girls will follow in her foot steps as well. We will guide and support them in every which way possible to reach their goals.

We are proud to have finally managed to buy our own property in Thansing, Rani Pauwa in Kakani VDC with the generousity from our Australian supports and fundraising efforts. Our hearts go out to them for their assistance…….thankyou so much. Once the building projects have finished we have plans to accommodate 60 children.

With their motto ‘Service above Self’. And Secondary motto ‘They profit most who serve best’, the Rotarians from Australia have just completed fencing our property in Rani Pauwa which was befitting of their motto. They camped at the site in order to fast track the fencing project notwithstanding the luxury of modern accommodation that they could afford. I really do not have the words to express my deepest gratitude for the work that they have done which is commendable. Thank you guys for coming half way around the world to support the cause of the Girl Child.

Last but not least, this would not have happened if it had not been for Lars Olsen who believes and champions the cause of humanity. Thank you Lars for making our cause a reality.

Finally, I would like to thank all who have gathered here today for taking the time out despite their busy schedule for a great cause. HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRLS!!! TODAY IS YOUR DAY GO HAVE FUN.

From our eldest girl, Sneha

Honourable Chief guest, officials of Central Child welfare board, Committee members, Rotary Club members of Australia, Forget Me Not Children’s Home CEO and my sisters of Malai Nabriseu Bal Griha.

First of all I’d like to thank you all for giving up your precious time to be with us today. Your presence here is a great inspiration for us. It reflects your love and care towards us.

We, the 21 girls of Bal Griha are extremely grateful to you for providing us a home and giving us a good education.

I, Sneha after passing my SLC in first division I’m now studying to be a nurse in Om Health Campus. Without your help I would never have been able to study nursing. I’m very grateful to all of you especially my sponsor in Australia whom without their financial support my dream to become a nurse and serve humanity would never have been realized.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Finally I’d like to wish all my sisters a very Happy Birthday. May you all succeed in life and have a bright future.

Thank you all once more.

Sneha.

It’s taken me a long time to write this journal article because i had no idea where to start.
1st impressions of Nepal- busy, dusty, noisy and chaotic, small cars and bikes everywhere and narrow streets. Horns of every description tooting and the noise of the building and people going about their normal lives.

I was so concerned that i would be so touched by the situation that the girls were in that i would be too emotional and not be able to look at the things that i could do to help as being of any consequence.
How wrong could i be?! The girls are so happy and loving. The house rings with laughter, music and happy voices.

Yesterday we went to meet them after school and they were so happy to see u and show their friends their numerous Aunties and Uncles.

The house mothers do a fantastic job and the girls are well mannered and extremely well cared for.

Today i will complete my checks of the girls teeth and if everything is as good as the first 12 i have checked, then i dont think there are too many concerns. So far there is very little decay and most of the girls are brushing well. Like girls worldwide they are more concerned if their teeth are straight and white. They love their own little dental mirrors even if they’re too small to see how their hair looks! One of the girls has some staining on her teeth but this is superficial and she has no decay, so i will be checking all the products available to help get get rid of this.

There is such a family, caring atmosphere in the how that i now believe there would be no way you could divide the girls up or feel that they would be better off somewhere else. Saying goodbye to them will be hard but it is made easier knowing how much they appreciated everything and how openly they greet all visitors.

When it is possible to return one day, i will. Namaste forget me not girls, you will have a place in my heart forever.

Also a very big thankyou to everyone involved with this trip for making me feel so welcome.

Namaste, Robin.

Namaste everyone.

My overall feeling on arrival at the orphanage was one of unreserved love from all the children, from the youngest to the oldest. They are a delight to be with and so appreciate the smallest things you do for them. We are so lucky to have such loving staff at the home, all of whom treat the children as their own.
Serene Valley School (soon to be Apex life college) which the children attend is an excellent school with strict but loving staff who have no second thoughts of sitting little ones on their knees to give them love and comfort. So refreshing and a crying shame it couldnt still happen in Australia.
Nepal and especially the metropolis of Kathmandu is a vast area of extreme contrasts with a lot of shanty/hovel housing against a backdrop of a stinking river/canal full of raw sewerage and garbage thrown there by people and government workers, in which children walk and play. Contrasted again by a rich upper class living in million dollar mansions with servants. All this is overseen by a completely inept and incompetent government. Ok, enough of the negatives now.
Nepal itself overall is a very beautiful country full of friendly people. Of course the most of all are our 21 girls whom im sure will become model citizens and maybe make a difference in their own country, all to the thanks of one boy and his dream of giving love and hope to parentless Nepali children. Lars has tirelessly worked these last 18 days towards the next phase of his dream, namely FMNCH eco village for boys and girls.
As a father he makes me so very proud and humbled by his tenacity to help, which im sure inspires the wonderful Forget me not team of executives, members and volunteers to continue their great work in supporting these goals and ideals of FMNCH.
In summary, i will be very sad to leave the children as they really do think of the sponsors and their families as their own families and treasure any contact like photo albums, letters, phone calls and any little loving thing that is sent over. But i am also comforted by the fact, god willing that Annie and i will again give them all a hug in 12 months time.

Namaste to all.
George.

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