Enjoying Spring in Nepal
Every year, a few members of the Mitrata Board of Directors travel to Nepal in the spring. While there, they participate in strategic planning meetings with our NGO partner Bhuvaneshwori Satyal Foundation's (BSF) staff and board members. They also assist with the transition between grades of our elementary-aged children. They meet with our sponsored children to hand-deliver letters from their sponsors, and obtain updated photos and information for their sponsors.
This year's trip attendees were Mitrata's Fundraising Committee Chair and Board Secretary, Jennifer Rashet; and Board Vice-President and Sponsorship Committee Chair, Danny Williger.
Keep reading to hear more about their experiences on the Spring Board Trip to Nepal!
“Board work trips are task focused, and we began by taking the afternoon for a shopping trip to Thamel, an area of the city where we met with several merchants to procure fair trade items for the Mitrata Holiday Bazaar. Beginning the second day, we toured the Banisthali and Swoyambhu Contact Centers, as well as the main BSF office. We met with all of the staff and teachers, observing classrooms and general operations.
An essential part of the Sponsorship program is the exchange of letters between sponsors and sponsored children, and while there we delivered 137 letters to 110 sponsored kids. Receiving a letter from a sponsor is a major event for the children, and the letters are accepted with excited anticipation! Then they gather to write letters back. It’s a loud and joyous time for all involved! While meeting with the children we also take photos and record short videos that will be shared with their sponsors.”
- Danny
“Danny and I were able to spend time with the kids by photographing and video-taping messages to their sponsors and watching them write letters back to their sponsors. The kids were all doing so well, and it was fun to spend time at the Contact Centers watching them play and do the simple everyday thing like standing in line to brush their teeth and wash their hands, having lunch, reading books and learning in their classrooms. ”
“One of my favorite memories was having lunch with the children. We sat on benches with them, had the same delicious high protein meals, and watched them quietly consume massive amounts of dal bhat and veggies. The children were so well mannered…they ate every morsel on their plates, raised their hands when they wanted more, and the Contact Center cooks lovingly served each of the children, watching to make sure they had enough nourishment.”
“We took time to talk and play with all of the kids, to learn about their lives and accomplishments, and to encourage their studies and the pursuit of their dreams. While we work hard here in the US to provide for their education and care, sitting with them, getting to know them, learning more about their lives and their histories gives us a deeper and richer understanding of who they are and why they work so hard to move from their impoverished histories into lives of healthy productivity. Their motivation and drive are powerful forces. Knowing that I play a small role in providing what they need to accomplish their goals is the greatest joy I’ve ever known.”
- Danny
“When we weren’t at the Contact Centers, Danny and I spent quality time with Leena and Yogesh. We tried delicious Nepali dinners and an authentic Newari lunch in Bhaktapur with beaten rice, peanuts, veggies, curd style yogurt, and more. I tried all kinds of delicious foods that I have never experienced before.
We also went on an amazing hike with Yogesh... although Yogesh ran and we walked!
One of our other trip highlights was celebrating Nepali New Year 2082 with Leena and Yogesh. We were able to watch and listen to some of the bands/parades with children loudly beating drums, and playing instruments.
Thanks to the BSF team and children for such a memorable and wonderful visit.”
“While we are mainly task focused during the board work trip, we also take the time for fun! We visited UNESCO World Heritage sites Changunarayan and Bahktapur for the Nepali New Year celebration, and welcomed 2082 with a traditional Newari meal, visited temples, and joined in a vibrant and colorful procession featuring many traditional instruments. The Nepali New Year is a celebration of new beginnings. While moving with the Nepali people through Bahktapur’s Durbar Square with BSF’s Leena and Yogesh Satyal, I couldn’t help but think of how our work helps bring new beginnings and new opportunities to the children we love and serve. Mitrata and BSF join forces to provide all the kids need to create promising new beginnings, moving to fruitful lives that lift them, their family members and communities into health, prosperity and hope.
Being part of this process has been the greatest gift I have ever known.”
- Danny
