Patricia in Nepal: "The experience has been unbeatable, everything I've experienced has been good!"

Patricia in Nepal: "The experience has been unbeatable, everything I've experienced has been good!"

Patricia in the kathmandu project.

“Funny, affectionate, kind, grateful, responsible…” Patricia is missing adjectives to define the youth of the Kathmandu NGO with which he collaborated during the month of July. His interest in Buddhism led him to this project and now he still feels “a bit like I'm there”.

What attracted you to the solidarity trip to Nepal and the project?

I really wanted to volunteer with children. Besides, I have been reading about Buddhism for a long time and I was very attracted to go to a country with a large Buddhist community. When I read that the project was working with children of Tibetan origin from a remote village with little access to anything, I decided to help! I also met two volunteers who were there last year and they spoke highly of the experience to me. That finished convincing me.

with the youth of project, of various ages.

Did you have doubts or fears before deciding to participate in this solidarity trip? How did you get over them?

I had the uncertainty not knowing the reality that I was going to find, and I did not know how the young people in the project would accept me. But once there everything was flowing and little by little we were gaining confidence. In the end this experience something unforgettable for me.

What are the children and young people of the NGO like? 

They are great! Funny, affectionate, kind, grateful and they take great care of each other. They also treat volunteers with great kindness and respect. They are very responsible with their homework, at home and at school. ohI would be missing 1000 adjectives more to define them!

The boys, girls and youth of the project They are fun, loving and responsible.

What activities did you do as a volunteer?

The daily activities were Spanish-Nepali or Spanish-Tibetan exchange, and help with homework from school (thank goodness that the volunteers with whom I shared the experience controlled mates, I had forgotten them!). There were days that if there weren't many homework we would go out to play soccer, handkerchief, or any game that occurred to us.
In the time that I was there we did two excursions, one to a waterfall and one to the monkey temple, and both were great fun. In addition, there were days that I accompanied them to school in the morning.

Can you tell us an anecdote? 

One day I showed Jigme the video of a cousin of mine who is also missing her arm (she sent me several videos of her daily life to try to help Jigme with the things that are most difficult for her on a day-to-day basis). His friends came over to see what we were seeing on the mobile and he said “look, mine is bigger”.

Excursion with the kids of the NGO on weekend!

They say about this project that volunteers, kids and coordinators are like a big family, is that true?

They are a big family welcomes volunteers as one more member. This is achieved with respect and following the guidelines and way of acting of the coordinator. They respect and admire Nyima who is a super-mommy who helps and teaches them every day.

Did you meet interesting people during your trip?

I have shared the experience with two other volunteers and the truth is that we got along great, it was fun and enriching to be with them! In addition, during the trip I have met many interesting people, with some I am still in contact. In Kathmandu I met two lamas from a Gompa (a mix of fortification and religious center) in Boudha and spent a lot of time talking with them. One of them sends me photos and videos of Boudha frequently and makes me feel a bit like I'm there.

Volunteers, coordinators and boys and girls are a big family.

Did you take the opportunity to travel around Nepal, what places did you visit? What route would you recommend to a person who is going to the project? 

In and around Kathmandu:
    • Near the project house, you can walk and take a route to see these three places, it is an easy route and can be done in one morning without any problem
        ◦ Kopan Monastery: here they give meditation and Buddhism classes in the morning, normally
        ◦ Amithaba
        ◦ Pullahari Gompa
    • Boudha: nobody should miss this place, and if you go in the morning you can enter the gompas where the monks are praying or making pujas (offerings). Without a doubt, it is the area where I have spent the most hours.
    • Kathmandu Durbar Square
    • Garden of dreams.
    • Temple of the monkeys: Swayambu.
    • Pashupatinath (Hindu).
    • Patan.
    • Bhaktapur.
    • Nagarkot.
    • Pharping.

Beyond Kathmandu:
    • Pokhara: ideal for trekking, or yoga and meditation retreats.
    • Lumbini: visit the place where Buddha was born and all the monasteries that surround it.
    • Bandipur: a very small city with stunning views of the Himalayas.
    • Gorkha: Visit the Gorkha Durbar Palace, a Hindu pilgrimage site of Newar architecture.

The welcome and trust of the young people was the best of the solidarity trip from Patricia.

What did you like most about the experience?

All the love that I have received, the smiles that they give you in the morning. Being greeted with a "good morning" or dismissed with a "good night". That they want to give you more food for volunteering. They want to treat us super nice! Also, when they give you songs or dances it is very exciting.

Patricia collaborated through Tumaini with the Kathmandu project from 1 to 31 July 2018.