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I thought traveling can be something more than just visiting a place and taking pictures, and the idea of volunteering in Nepal popped up in my mind while I was traveling in Tibet. I found VolNepal in Google, randomly, among more than a hundred of similar organizations and agencies. After a few e-mails with Anish, who became my first Nepali friend later, I decided to try teaching English in Polar Star English School. Though in Hong Kong I was a social worker and had some experience in teaching, I had no idea what to do in a Nepali school. "Oh well, just give it a go. I'll be fine", I thought, so I was on my way to teach in Chitwan.
Things did not go very well at first. I arrived Chitwan to visit the school, and found that they were going to have the winter holiday which lasted for 2 weeks. I was going to stay in Chitwan for 3 weeks, therefore I had to change my plan and make my visit to India earlier.
I came back from India after 6 week's time. I visited the school again, and this time I found that the school was going to have exams in less than two weeks' time, and I was expected to teach subjects in an extra-curricular mode, which was not what I expected. Anish fixed it quickly by suggesting me to change the placement to an orphanage, The Murry English School. We made a visit to the orphanage the next day, started with meeting the founder of the orphanage, Ajeev Sir (that's how everyone here calls him). He started the orphanage two years ago, receiving orphans from different parts of the country, and now there are 80 orphans living in the orphanage. At the moment the age of kids are up to 12 years old. They also receive education in the orphanage, therefore my main responsibility was teaching English to 3 classes, which sizes ranging from 6 to 20 kids.
That was the first time I visited a Nepali orphanage, and I was amazed by the innocence and happiness of the kids. I decided to spend my 3 weeks here. I was arranged to sleep in the same room with the kids, where I had my upper bed and a small corner to put my personal belongings. I ate with the kids in the kitchen which was built less then one year ago, enjoyed the simple but delicious curry potato and rice.
Teaching was of course an important part of my volunteer work. I was supposed to teach them English, but most of them are just so young and can hardly understand what I said in class. Effective teaching became more difficult when I started to realize what they means by shaking their head and saying "Yes" -- my god, it can mean either "Yes" or "No" or "I don't understand what you are talking about". I started to teach them to play in class, such as Chess and Scrabble, hoped they can listen and speak more English through playing. We all had fun.
Living with the kids was an unforgettable experience. I became not only their teacher but their big brother of them as well. They love to stick with me, play with me, talk with me, and ask me questions about everything. I am not sure how to describe the feeling when they come to me and hug me with their tiny arms, as if I was their beloved one. They are such innocent, adorable and enjoying their simple but happy lives together.
Time flies. It was terrible for me to say goodbye with them. I didn't know how to do it at all when I finally had to go. Maybe when they grow up, they will not remember this guy who had been living with them for 3 weeks, but I will definitely remember them.
Wish you all have a healthy and happy life, my dear!
Fred Lam (Hong Kong)
22nd March, 2008
The Murry English School, Chitwan
E-mail: tassiefred@gmail.com
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