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GVN Home > nepal > diaries

Steven Galbreath writes...

...about his experience while volunteering in Nepal.

Monday 14 April 2003 (Nepalese New Year) – Kathmandu
Woke this morning at 5.30 and checked out the first sunrise of 2060. Training for most of the day but also got to go shopping and walk about the streets. Just an amazing atmosphere and vibe, the sights, smells, sounds are all just so different.

Wednesday 16 April 2003
Today we travelled to Bihunkot. It is just so beautiful. The Annapurna range is stunning, breathtaking just so unbelievable. I have to pinch myself to realise it is all happening. On the way we stopped for ‘chiyaa’ and I walked up the hill to where some kids were playing cricket. Joined in their games and talked in my disjointed Nepali but mainly their English. …They all seemed really excited that they were talking English and with and English speaking person. Took some photo’s, major stoke.
…Finally arrived at Bihunkot School as it started to rain and then pour and then hail, oh and of course there was also some thunder and lightening thrown in. Ran into the classroom and waited out the rain. Talked to the kids and realised how little Nepali I know.

Friday 18 April 2003 (Good/Raamro Friday)
Woke up at 6.30 and helped didi spread the wheat (gahu) and drank some chiyaa. Washed my clothes and hung them out to dry….
…After dinner I went outside to wash. Bahini was there and held the torch. She also poured the water on me. I just applied the soap and they poured. Fantastic service. They laughed when I took my top off and washed my body. I guess it was pretty white. Probably need the torch.

Monday 21 April 2003
Woke feeling way tired and could tell today is going to be a cracker. Class went down a treat. We handed out letters of the alphabet to the class and got them to come up to the front of the class to spell out the alphabet. Then handed out letters for the colour words…ie R…E…D in red and got those kids to come up and spell it out. Also had a picture of a house and shed and animals to stick on and colour. Lastly the whole school made a rainbow by hand paint. Looked awesome.

Wednesday 23 April 2003
Being sick all I can think of is home. Naturally I would rather be sick at home in a familiar setting than sick in a strange place. Especially one with a different toiletry system. A huge shame because I am really enjoying being here. Busy, tiring but fun. Each day before class I felt anxious that the class will run smoothly but once it starts I really enjoy the kids, their smiles and making a fool of myself. Working on the toilet is physically demanding in the heat of day but I was starting to have a rapport with the locals. Only a week left in Nepal and possible only a few more days here in Bihunkot. So I hope I get better real quick and can start back doing some ‘helpful’ work in the community.
My family is so nice and trying so hard to help. I don’t want to appear lazy.

Saturday 26 April 2003
Woke up this morning and meandered over to Matt and Andy’s to get the camera. Sat down and played with the kids and took some photos and headed back over to the girls’. No school today but we were going to teach the teachers….so to speak.
Just when Rachel had finished preparing that Davendra arrived and said that we had to leave Bihunkot now and travel back to Kathmandu because there is to be a strike on tomorrow and the next day and if we don’t go now we may miss our flights! Oh man. Ran back to my house, packed my gear, ate daal bhaht and some wonderful eggs and noodles that we had given amaa and then headed over to school for a rushed farewell. Very sad and anti-climactic as we had planned another dancing and singing evening for that night. Said goodbye to our families and ran down the path to Baglung.