Dennis visits the school in July
December 31st, 2011 by Dennis Crommentuijn-Marsh
first time to Nepal
Having been with the charity for 7 years and not yet visited the school, Dennis was in a unique opportunity this summer to spend one week with the school in Nepal. It was an amazing experience.
Don’t go in the monsoon season!
Firstly, it was the monsoon season, so Dennis can lay claim to having been to Nepal, but not really seen any mountains! But that did not matter too much as he was too busy teaching the children in their academic topics, inspecting the new building work, and buying clothing for the children. There were a few landslides and occasionally the roads resembled more rivers, but the temperature was very comfortable, albeit a bit humid.
A warm welcome
The first welcome at the school was wonderful, and made him feel like royalty. The school music band played, the children lined up in 2 rows in front of the school, and the flags were out! A cup of sweet tea, and a sit down, and then down to business. Yeshi and Tensin were kind enough to let Dennis sleep at their house. The local vegetarian food was wonderful.
All lessons in English
Dennis taught the children English, Mathematics, Science, Social studies, Music and Biology in classes I to VI. All topics are taught in English, and the children are well behaved. Mind maps were used to teach a number of the topics. Music was a lot of fun. They did “the lion sleeps tonight” with all the movement for rain and the roaring lion. It was great seeing first hand how the school runs, and lunch was at the school, mostly consisting of a plate of rice with dahl or rice pops. the only lessons that are not taught in English are Tibetan and Nepalese!
Purchasing new clothes
One day Tensin went to the market to discover where the cheapest underwear and socks could be purchased. In the afternoon Dennis, Tensin and Yeshi went to purchase 80 pairs of underwear, vests and socks. That evening it was all handed out personally to each child.
The building work progresses well
It was also great to see how the building work was progressing. Mr. Ram, the site manager, and his team are building the school. The school is being built at the edge of a rice field. So deep foundations are required as the soil is quite wet. They had completed all the foundations, and the pillars for the first floor. As it is on the edge, it is slightly higher, thus it has a wonderful view over the rice fields and the adjacent edge of Pokhara.
The school performs a dance show
On the thursday night the children were invited to do a dance show at another Tibetan school, about 30km away. It took 1.5 hr to get there. The schoolbus had 40 children and 12 adults in it. They are making great use of the bus. We went in the afternoon to have sufficient time to set the show up. In the evening all the children and people from the local village came to watch the show. Dennis was allowed to sit at the main table together with the head of the school. The hall was completely full, and the show was fantastic. The children did a fantastic show, and the locals rewarded this by donating money. They managed to raise £70! Afterwards they had dinner and went to sleep in the same hall.
goodbye but nor farewell
The week went quickly, and it was very intense and emotional. It was great being there and seeing everybody. It is interesting how such experiences stay with you for a long time.
Dennis is looking forward to returning with his family when the new school has been completed.
