After our flight to Mount Everest, we had to spend the rest of the day volunteering at a charity here in Kathmandu. We chose to do our work at the SOS villages: they have two facilities here: a home for disabled and mentally handicapped children as well as a home for abandoned, orphaned or displaced children. It was really inspiring. The staff were some of the most compassionate and gentle people I have ever met - and the kids were just great. One little girl (aged 2) lost both legs in a fire when she was 6 months old so her mother dumped her at the facility because she was too much too handle. She was so beautiful. When we asked the director what were the greatest needs for the home, he shared with us a list of things that the Children's Committee had voted as things they wanted to save up for. The Children's Committee is an organization made up of the children of the SOS villages - and each child gets to vote on, and decide, virtually everything of importance in the facility - from rules to punishment to what they are going to fund raise for. Top of the list was the need for a TV for the common room so they could have "movie night" once a week. (They already have the DVD player but only a very small TV so all of the children could not watch together). We immediately got in a taxi, went to an electronics store, bought a large new color TV (which was ridiculously cheap as it was some knock-off brand from China) and delivered it back to the home. They were beyond excited. The photograph is of one of the bedrooms for some of the girls. The older girls get their own bed - the younger ones share a bed. Aren't they beautiful?
Here's Rainey at the electronics store. We had to end up getting a separate taxi to haul the TV back to the home.
We just found out that we are leaving tonight for Bahrain. We spend the night there and leave tomorrow AM for Cairo. We are staying at a hotel at the pyramids which apparently looks right out at the pyramids. We can't wait !!! I have always wanted to go to Egypt - and here we are - on our way. I will send details of Cairo once we are there.
4 comments:
Sounds like "Little Hearts" has a new project. I am so proud of how well you are documenting your travel!! Next thing you know you'll be prowling the scrapbooking aisles of Hobby Lobby. I'm so jealous of your journey and so proud of your accomplishments.
Wendy
Following every step with envy and admiration. Wishing you continued good luck.
What a wonderful thing to do. I can't imagine how happy the kids were. Are these kids there to be adopted or is it more like a foster care place where they are taken care of until they grow up?
Heidi
that sounds great!
i am traveling to kathmandu in september, and i will be buying a computer for somebody. could you tell me what store you went to? do you happen to know if it is difficult to get your hands on a computer there?
thanks!
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