Stichting Veldwerk at Nepal

Secretariaat: Stichting Veldwerk Postbus 163 1850 AD Heiloo The Netherlands

Tel:+31 (0)72-5339585 veldwerk@gmail.com IBAN nr. NL51ABNA0543703266 Attn. Stichting Veldwerk, p/a Egmond binnen Bank: ABN-Amro 543703266

Happy birthday and our 5 year's anniversary......

Yes, our children's home is officially 5 years old.
On May 15th in the year 2002 we started with a small home in the middle of Thamel, de tourist area of Kathmandu.
16 children in distress and one mother without a job, shelter and food. This mother, named Debhoki, has now five years later, become an educated and experienced seamstress and will soon start her own shop. School uniforms and the typical Nepali dress "Kurta Surwal" are her specialties.

The first 16 children are all very well; they have grown and are healthy.
Now we have 35 children living in the home, of which the two oldest boys are living outside with the idea of “independent living under supervision”. They are in their last year of school and next year they have to take care of their selves and live independent. They will get our help and support whenever necessary. This independent living under supervision is their first step back into society. And we think this is the way it should be, just like in the Netherlands.
Of many of our children the date of birth is unknown; therefore it is convenient to celebrate it together with our anniversary. All birthdays on the same day! Otherwise you keep celebrating, when we will have 50 children in our home.

Friday is the best day for celebrating birthdays. The children go to school during the day, but in the afternoon they get off earlier. When the children are at school we can prepare the home for the party. The children don't know in advance, the party is always a surprise.

It is Thursday afternoon, one day before the party, and what happens? The Maoists start a strike in the schools under the motto "teachers want a higher salary". All schools closed immediately. Our school as well and all the kids were at home at this Friday!

They were happy, but I wasn't. How to decorate the house, wrap the presents etc.....?

I know what to do, let's send them to the Zoo, someone says.

But they have been there six times before...., little boring right? Someone else says....

Then lets go to Bhaktapur, they have never been there. Ok, good plan, so we arranged a bus that same Thursday afternoon that would pick the children up at 10:00 o'clock Friday morning.

But that morning it was raining cats and dogs, there was thunder and lightning, because the monsoon season had started in Nepal

"We can't send the children to Bhaktapur in this weather....?" And besides, because of the limited space we have, the party will be outside on the roof terrace, that's going to be nice today......

But there is a museum in Bhaktapur and what I was hoping actually did happen: the weather got better. So the children had a good time in this old King city, and when the returned to the home that afternoon, taddaaaaa......!!!!!!!

The house was decorated with very big balloons and flags. Just like the previous years I ordered a big and very tasty cake and Restaurant 1905 was there for catering: Coke and Fanta, special party-rice, delicious vegetables, tasty chicken, and presents....!!

Soccer shoes, domino, jumping ropes, colored stickers, drawing books with Mickey Mouse pencils, toy cars, etc, etc....
The presents where mostly collected by our visitors, many thanks to them. Besides we bought a new rain suit for every child, which is necessary in the rainy season.

After opening the presents, the children showed their dancing skills. They small ones are also dancing now, so nice to see!
Then a big plate of delicious food and the day was complete, but not before taking a picture of the first 16 children of 5 years ago.
So with some creative problem solving the day ended well; party succeeded, and one care less for me. Up to the next five years! Will the first ones be married at that time, or will I be a grandfather already? Who knows!

Greetings from Kathmandu,
René Veldt

Stichting Veldwerk
Nepal.