Buddha to Business

I've spent the past week in Thamel and now we have a love/hate relationship. I have in Thamel Nepal friends that are kind and genuinely look out for me, scenic cafes where I sit and read, and amazing food - these things I love. The ugly sights that come with such a tourist trap include glue sniffing kids (although discrete), women who carry a baby in one arm and milk bottle in the other, and the loud rock and roll music that offers only sleepless nights..oh..and of course the 'business' that runs from 10pm to 4am outside my two-storey window - these things, I do not love.

The Daily Routine
Every morning I unplug myself from earplugs, get dressed and head to the street. I am greeted by amazing staff here at the Northfield Inn, including the security guard. For the first two days, every time I saw the security guard (Mr. Curious), he wanted to 'chat' about me and the day and yada yada. I noticed that a pattern was developing and so I taught Mr. Curious the peace pound (in Nepalese, the Shanti pound). Now, each time I see him (4 to 6 times a day), we share the peace pound and I'm free to go.



I have breakfast on a terrace with fresh squeezed OJ, milk coffee, and eggs on toast before heading to the Internet cafe where I work on the project proposals and business plans. Yes, plural. Each day, there is something new for the entrepreneur and since my mind is always rotating new ideas, it's hard not to speak up and offer some suggestions and create my own potentials of business. So, I do.



By mid afternoon, I'm done with work stuff, go for a hot shower because 4pm is the best time for hot water, and then head out for dinner - my new favorite restaurant is located in a huge book store. By the time the rock bands start playing, I head to my hotel room to catch a movie or read up on the Dalia Lama. Sometimes I'm lucky and get a phone call from Canada...sometimes.

New Perspectives
It should be to no ones surprise that since being submerged in such a rich Buddhist culture that I too am gaining a new perspective on humanity and the meaning of happiness - the peaceful principles thriving in this country is almost overwhelming. Sometimes difficult to see the peaceful practives among such honest people then to learn of private orphanages, unjust NGOs, and poor government initiatives.


I realize that placement organizations take the money they have collected and feed nothing to the orphanages or schools where they place volunteers. This is a thriving business in Nepal and unfortunately, if there were to be another political disturbance, those dependant on international aid and volunteer staff will crumble. Plus, because of how money talks in this country, a foreigner can open a private orphanage and do whatever he or she wants - sell for adoption, child pornography, or just live off foreign aid. This is not accepted by locals however, the government has no regulations to protect these children. Plus the parents who are misled to believe that their child is going to gain opportunity in the big city only too late find that their child has been shipped to Italy for adoption.


Not all stories are ugly...volunteers are the ones keeping things in check, ironically enough. For curiosity, I trade products such a can of milk powder, that I personally open, blankets or school books for information. For example, I ask a store staff to translate for me and what comes out is complete honesty in false need. Granted the ones on the street at 1am are in trouble. I also trade stories with volunteers, rather, I listen to the stories like the 22 year old man from Denmark, who cried in frustration and hopelessness that his volunteering is doing nothing. Hundreds of stories exist where young volunteers are faced with an overwhelming reality of unjustice to children - espeically the rural places.


I try to offer young volunteers, and myself, an understanding of difference between what is needed versus what they want to give. Only from within a country can the change in social programs, education, and justice truly come. Large organizations and international influence can be crucial to assist a country's development but for a single volunteer, the role is different. Through their time, compassion, and hope the role of the volunteer is to empower the children they meet to find happiness and to pursue Independence. Money and 'things' create dependencies that not only insult educated Nepalese but truly do not teach independence.


HFHI
Habitat for humanity has developed group saving programs and are now building a bamboo roofing factory that is affordable and sustainable for Nepalese living in the plains. This type of change takes years of planning, preparation, and implementation. The visa alone, for one staff doing this work is $5000USD...you can thank the Nepalese government for that.



Slowly, I'm finding my place in Nepal. That said, I certainly have not forgotten that my flight leaves for Canada on January 10th. xxx