LANDED!!!!
We are a well-deployed “squadron”, ready to carry out a more than intense program of initiatives, events and ready for any “unscheduled”!
The group this year is composed, in addition to “historical Hanuman” (not in the anagraphic sense obviously!!), by the friends / members of the “Venice” group and by a group of volunteers with the “Adventures in the World -Volunteer” project. This gives an additional boost of energy and will fuel our days in Happy Home.
The first day, even if still under “jet-lag”, is of great celebration, for the Nepalese New Year, with a procession of masks and floats in the streets of Timi, with the throwing of colored powders, fortunately appreciated by the participants of AnM!
On Monday morning the Mission begins with the transfer to Happy Home… the roads interrupted by the widening works, the clouds of dust and sand, which insinuates itself into every pore of our skin, will characterize our crossings, immediately presenting us with one of the most challenging aspects of the Country… which grows, but what an adventure-“misfortune”!!!
At the village we are welcomed by the smiles of the children, and by the bougainvillea flowers collected in the valley, which immediately make us forget the fatigue of the journey.
The “revolution” begins…. We set up the rooms for the volunteers, starting the inspection of every corner of every room, down to every tap. of Happy Home; everything seems (fairly) in order, because the children, guided by Sharmila and Sàkkal, have arranged everything for a good welcome.
In the following days, we start the program: it is the second year that we welcome groups of volunteers through the membership of the “AnM Nepal Volunteer” trip. In addition to new participants, 4 volunteers from 2023, Emanuela, Eugenia, Gioia, Yvonne, returned to live the experience with the children again.
This new travel proposal proposed by Avventure Nel Mondo turned out to be an excellent experience, for the volunteers, for all of us at Hanuman and for the children in Nepal.
In fact, the formula also allows "strangers" to get to know our Association, living a unique experience in contact with the children in Happy Home: their commitment is to propose projects to stimulate the children, introducing them to new activities, both "playful" and new knowledge, which could be ideas for activities for their future too.
Music workshops are being organised, with Emanuela providing 2 guitars and a Ukulele, photography, again with Emanuela and the Calza sisters, small creations with coloured yarns, drawing (annual objective for the association’s rice paper Calendar), without neglecting sports activities (ping pong tournament – chess, and preparation for the Hanuman RUN which this year will once again involve the village and the Shree Chandrodaya Multiple College).
The participants organise the activities to be carried out with the children of Happy Home, in particular with the youngest, who fortunately still have a few days of holiday before the school year reopens.
And from the next day, we will wake up at dawn, with activities that will continue until sunset; the days begin with a “muscle awakening” and the Sun Salutation, on the terrace of Happy Home, in a soft light, surrounded by the Himalayan peaks; then, in groups, we dedicate ourselves to the workshops led by volunteers, interspersed with study and games.
During their stay in Happy Home, we at Hanuman, with our dear Nepalese referents, spend time with all the children, to check their academic progress and share opportunities for their future; since 2023 there have been 11 new children, almost all still at a young age, and their inclusion is requiring a lot of energy and attention from everyone. It is an initial education in the rules of the family home, which requires everyone's collaboration in order to be able to look after them, and accompany them in a "community" growth, in an environment very different from the one they were in until a few months ago.
But even the older children need a comparison to know their ambitions, and allow us to evaluate the best opportunities for their future.
In recent years, many children have completed their studies; with great satisfaction they have achieved a job, some even a new family, and in the following days they will give us direct testimony of their experience: Unnati, now a doctor, with a medical position in a clinic not far from Benighat; Suroj, a sports coach in Kathmandu who is completing a master's degree in sports disciplines; Aashish, a graduate in Science; Rohan KC (in a family home for many years), close to graduation and already a tourist guide, Dhurba who is about to become a Chef and has already done an internship at an international standing hotel in Dubai!
They told us about their experiences, during a weekend spent all together in Happy Home; did not they hid the difficulties they encountered, but rather highlighted the strength and tenacity with which they were overcome, and they certainly gave the best example for the children; from their own words, they can draw the push to achieve their goals, with commitment to school and personal growth.
During 2023, 3 new projects were completed, which we will be able to inaugurate in the following days, with the participation of the community and district representatives, as well as the Minister of Education.
The first big celebration took place on April 16 with the inauguration of the Hostel built at the "Shree Chandrodaya Multiple College"; in the presence of the Minister of the Province of Bagmati, Mr. Shalikram Jamarkattel and the President of Hanuman Ets, Francesca Meneghello. Thanks to the contribution of the company Altana Srl and the entrepreneur Mrs. Marina Salamon, it was possible to build this important structure.
The building is spread over 4 floors, and will house 100 students, selected from the most disadvantaged castes. The school board has arranged for the maintenance of the structure and its guests with a minimum contribution from the same, using the ordinary school fees and community aid. Each room is furnished with bunk beds, with bathrooms on the floor for boys and girls, in addition to the common kitchen that serves as a school canteen at lunchtime.
The upper terrace has been equipped with a structure that also allows spaces for teachers.
The Hostel is dedicated to the memory of Mrs. Grazia Biondi Salamon.
The second inauguration will take place on April 18, for the reconstruction of the “Shree Janagaun Primary School”, in the Dhading district, financed by our friends from Abrm Odv and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, in the presence of the President of the Municipality of Benighat Rorang Mr. Krishna Bahadur Thapaliya, the President of the Cooperative Youth Organisation Nepal Mr. Dinesh Kumar Kandel and the President of Hanuman Ets, Francesca Meneghello. It is a great satisfaction to see this intervention completed, because it constitutes the completion of the reconstruction project of the schools damaged by the 2015 earthquake.
Fortunately, the community and especially those responsible for the school have, in the past, made sufficient arrangements to overcome the emergency, such as the demolition of the lateral part, which allowed the central classrooms to be safeguarded. This intervention was very complex, as the earthquake, and subsequent landslides, had led to a progressive collapse of the hill on which the school stood. The construction of the new 6 classrooms was therefore preceded by the leveling of the land - an intervention supported by the community - The project was presented in January 2023, with construction planned between April 2023 and completion in spring 2024. The school will therefore be able to welcome students in complete safety!
The third inauguration takes us to Chitwan, the day after April 19, for the opening of a multipurpose hall, built above a wing of the "Shree Jana Jiwan Secondary School", in the presence of the President of the Municipality of Benighat Rorang Mr. Krishna Bahadur Thapaliya, the President of the Cooperative Youth Organisation Nepal Mr. Dinesh Kumar Kandel and the President of Hanuman Ets, Francesca Meneghello. This school has been offering, for some years now, "artistic" activities in addition to the usual school programs, such as moments of reflection / yoga meditation, musical or artistic meetings. This large auditorium can accommodate up to 300 people, and is equipped with an audio-video system.
This is the occasion to extend a heartfelt thank you to our dear friends Laura Sandri, Giorgio Bergamini “il Lupo”, and Gilberto Martari “il Gibe”, dedicating this new room to them, as a testimony to their historic participation and closeness to our projects.
Finally…after so many races…a fun break! We all set off together on a safari in the Chitwan Natural Park, with a three-hour jeep ride, immersed in the greenery, meeting rhinos and crocodiles!
We return to Benighat, for the last days in Happy Home! Saturday is the day of the great “Hanuman Run” running race, in the morning for the big kids, and in the afternoon for the little ones.
The sporting spirit invades the village…and we welcome the volleyball challenge, which will see us lose in the first match but victorious in rematch!!! What a fan base!!!
On Sunday instead we go down to the river, in full relaxation, even if we walk under a scorching sun, and we enjoy a nice break with a fresh coke!
We will meet again a few days later, for the final greetings and the return to Italy.
Still shouting
HANUMAN GO!!! HAPPY HOME GO!!!
Irene