Stichting Veldwerk
Postbus 163
1850 AD Heiloo
The Netherlands
veldwerk@wlink.com.np
IBAN nr. NL51ABNA0543703266
Attn. Stichting Veldwerk,
p/a Egmond binnen
Bank: ABN-Amro 543703266
|
Secretariaat: Stichting Veldwerk Postbus 163 1850 AD Heiloo The Netherlands |
|
Tel:+31 (0)72-5339585 veldwerk@wlink.com.np IBAN nr. NL51ABNA0543703266 Attn. Stichting Veldwerk, p/a Egmond binnen Bank: ABN-Amro 543703266 |
José is a good friend of mine. We've known each other for eight years, more or less out of the same educational background, MBO activity planning.
José followed my journey to Nepal from up close and now the time was right for her to do this kind of work herself. Before her departure, she managed to gather some money for the projects she would like to do in Nepal. By the time she got here we had to look for a work environment that would meet her wishes and capabilities the most. In the end she developed a small creative program for the Mother Theresa Children home and our own Harmo Niwas. The children are very exited about her program. The story of Jose:
Creative activities at Hamro Niwas
Three large shelves were emptied in the big closet and four were added. That way we had room for all of the 27 boxes. We ordered four small benches and one big bench at the carpenter so the children actually had a place to work instead of sitting on the floor. Besides that we put some extra shelves in the closet where they kept all the supplies like presents, shool- and play material.
René.
Jose Detollenaere
In my profession as teacher in social science at different schools in Alkmaar I wanted to pay more attention to Nepal; the poverty and stichting Veldwerk. So I booked a trip to Nepal from October 29 until December 23 for holidays but also to do volunteer work. This would give me the chance to get more insights about the country, its inhabitants and their culture. My colleague Olga de Wandeler gave me the opportunity in her classes to talk about my trip to Nepal and the volunteer work I was going to do. “The poor kids club” gave me their savings pot afterwards. They had been doing chores for neighbors, friends and family and saved up to 60 euro. I could bring that money to Nepal and help the poor children.
In Bergen I work at a place where children stay after school: “Alles Kits”. Here I promoted the portraits I made of the children and sold 5 of them to their parents for 50 euros a piece. My family and friends also added some money to that. So with a healthy dose of idealism, willpower, positive energy and money in my pocket I got the opportunity to do something for the children that would add to their wellbeing and happiness in life.
Hamro Niwas
The 27 children between the age of 2 and 15 years looked very good and were open and friendly. It showed that they liked being in the home and with each other. One of the boys came up to me spontaneously and showed me his drawings. He made them in school and he told me he wanted to be an artist. I thought that was amazing and I asked him if I could make a portrait out of him. He agreed and all the children gathered around. The ice had melted.
Next day I brought each child his or her own drawing book that I had made myself. They were thrilled and that same moment they sat down on the floor and started drawing. Most of the children didn't have enough drawing pencils or a box to store their pencils. The caretakers aren't so fond of pencils because the c children sharpen them on the floor and never clean up the mess. So all creative material stayed inside the cupboard.
Together with Julie, one of the volunteers, I made an inventory of the material I found in the closet. It was not enough to use for a creative program.
Rene Veldt, told me they didn't have a lot of time for creative activities. In Nepal children spent their free time doing homework or extra lessons in English and at Hamro Niwas they do the same. But for the younger children there are possibilities as well as for the other children on Friday afternoons (that's when they are free from school).
Buying the material
With the money from Holland I went to look for shops specialized in creative material. After one week, thanks to a Nepali boy, I found this shop: “Vicky Stationars”. They had all sorts of paint, ink, pencils, paper and brushes. The rest I bought in supermarkets and shops for kitchen-, school- and sewing articles. The last shop for 8 dyed pieces of fabric to make sort of parachutes to play ballgames. Once I got to the stores I bought every child a box in which they could keep all their stuff, like a drawing book, a small box of drawing pencils, an eraser, a pencil sharpener with a lid and a drawingbord.
Adjusting the closet space
First creative afternoon
Friday November 14, 2003 it was time for the first creative afternoon. The volunteers; Janneke, Julie and Roos, helped me with all chores on the side. The boxes were handed out and to make it recognizable, every child made a drawing which we attached to their own box. After we finished I couldn't resist to give all of them a sticker in the shape of a heart which they out on their box or drawing. The boxes went into the closet and everybody thought it looked very nice.
José said goodbye and is already back in Holland. But every Friday and sometimes Saturday the boxes come out of the closet and everybody starts drawing. José thanks a lot in name of the children and myself. We will surely use your material and gifts with great pleasure.
