Melodie’s Napal Testimony

Namaste! That’s Nepalese for hi or hello, which is exchanged with other trekkers from around the world in the Himalayas. A month ago, an article in the Chronicle on the Kamlaris in Nepal said Namaste was a greeting of good will. It is even more than that. It is like my spirit or soul touches your spirit or soul.

18 months ago I was fortunate to be able to visit Nepal. We spent the first part of our trip trekking in the Himalayas—which borders Tibet. During the second part of our visit, we traveled in the central Terai area near Nepal’s southern border with India. It was Dasain festival time, a big holiday much like our Christmas and New Year. Sunil, our trekking guide, traveled south with us to return home to visit his family. He invited us to a festival. It turned out to be a visit to his family’s home, where no foreigners had visited before.

I talked with Sunil. He talked of putting his own education on hold so his wife can complete her education and become a teacher. He talked of wanting his daughter to go to school and go further than he has gone. He talked of his village school not having a library, something we take for granted here. A library will enhance the children’s development of basic academic skills. A library will help them better their life. A library with its books will provide students with a world beyond their immediate environment. A library will help develop literacy and combat ignorance.

In the Terai, we also saw local villagers, many of whom are poor farmers and lower caste Tharu. Women were cooking outside over fires, threshing grain from the fields in the village streets, or doing the wash outside in big tubs. Many homes do not have electricity. Rather than an SUV in the garage, I saw one home with an elephant under the overhang—probably a wealthy person’s.

The trip made an impression on me and I wanted to return—no; I needed to return. Although it is one of the poorest countries in the world, Nepal is beautiful—the scenery and the people, who are so warm and caring. The wound of their worldly poverty stands in stark contrast to their spiritual richness and blessing.

For the past year, I have been working to learn about Nepalese education, meeting new and wonderful people, and, more recently, fundraising for Sunil’s village school library. CCSM has been very supportive of the effort. The Mission, Service, and Justice Ministry is providing monetary support. My husband and I will also be visiting an orphanage outside of Kathmandu, and will be bringing friendship bracelets and letters to the children made by the Sunday School children.

During coffee hour, I will outside to answer questions and provide more information to those interested. My granddaughter, Kelsey has made bookmarks to sell in support of the project, and we welcome your questions and interest.