Category Archives: Development Work Overseas

Honouring Fridays: November 20th, 2009

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As I snuggled down into bed for a few more minutes of warmth and rest this morning I wished, for just a moment, that it wasn’t Friday.  This particular Friday represented the end of calm and the beginning of a rather severe work storm.  For the next seven days I will be attempting to support the organization I work with in the following ways:  1) hire a senior level Program Director, 2) hire a finance and administration officer, 3) co-host a workshop with the Association of International NGOs in Nepal and the Department of Education, and 4) plan and co-facilitate a 3-day strategic planning retreat.  It all feels rather overwhelming placing me completely out of my depth.  Somehow the work of 2 months seems to have been packed into the next week.  And like anything difficult sometimes the best way is not around, but through.  So, I will keep my eye on the sunny spot in the distance when the hard work is complete and we can celebrate our achievements.  Until then, the head is down and the ploughing through has begun.

  • High school friends. There was a time when I thought that  I would never lose touch with everyone I knew from high school.  And then we all lost touch.  Looking back it actually wasn’t that gradual – I escaped to my own adventures immediately following high school and was so absorbed in myself that I think I forgot my roots.   It was not an intentional happening but due in part to geographical distance and in part to the need to find out who I really was.  So, after many years, it has been so wonderful to see that some of those friends are slowly circling back, thanks in large part to facebook.  This week one such friend was in Nepal and so he and his fiancée joined us for a lovely dinner.  We had both changed but yet we were also absolutely the same.  The conversation was spectacular and the company comfortable, familiar, and inspiring.  Thanks to BK and L for a great time and for reminding me that those distant friends from high school are still friends, regardless of how far we may have drifted.  Hope to see you again soon.
  • A busy week ahead. A busy week ahead means that work is happening which means that somehow our work has become important once again which means that someone cares which means that we can secure time and commitment from them which means we can achieve some of our goals which means that our donors will be happy which means that we may get more money which means that our work is slightly more sustainable which means that my work here is almost done.
  • Thinking like a duck. I have found a new inspiration for a more zen-like state of mind (and I will admit that zen is not my natural state of mind, so it does take me some rather intense work to achieve anything remotely close to zen-like mind).  The inspiration is ducks, particularly duck plumage.  I need to learn to be a better duck and waterproof my “feathers”.  Let more things roll off my back without sticking.  In the end, the stressors tend to be things I cannot control anyway – so why not “duck” them!
  • Goodbyes. This weekend some of our good friends and bananagrams partners, Anil and Julie, are departing Nepal and heading back to the UK.  The poignancy of goodbyes here is influenced by the fact that often these may be people that you will never see again.  But in this case, I am thrilled to say goodbye as they are returning to a wonderful life in the UK and will get to spend Christmas with their daughters and extended family.   Plus, I know we will see them again in a few short months during our trip around the world.  Safe travels friends and look forward to seeing you in May!

Honouring Fridays: November 13th, 2009

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Today is our 1-year anniversary of arriving in Nepal!  I can easily recall the feelings of excitement, nervousness, and uncertainty that rumbled through me. I remember it being colder than I expected and that the sights, colours, smells, and sounds were overwhelming.  I noticed the other day while riding a small tuk-tuk home from work that I was almost dozing during the ride – day-dreaming and not thinking about where to get off, what to watch out for, and what to do next.  What a change from when I would have my nose pressed against the window to see every moment of the trip.  I clearly have some comfort and ease with life in Kathmandu now – I live with more confidence.

And arriving today are 16 new volunteers – tonight we will welcome them with a party – and I can only hope that the same feelings I had one year ago will be slightly eased through conversations with those of us who have learned to live here with confidence.

For myself, I have learned that it takes courage, patience, persistence, flexibility, and a good sense of humour to enjoy life here – may I carry these abilities into the next year full of adventures!

  • The beginning of the fresh produce season! Like any food growing endeavour, there are certain seasons in which certain vegetables grow the best.  As we move into the cool months, Fall if you will, we join many countries around the world that are engaged in harvesting.  The vegetables coming into our local shops these days are incredibly delicious and almost cartoonish in their bold and vibrant colours.  The cool weather has brought back the orange glow to the carrots, the deep purple sheen to the onions, the creamy whiteness of the cauliflower, and the ruffled and dewy leaves of bright green spinach and mustard.  There is no question that the vegetables we are eating are the freshest we have seen in a long time.   It is a wonderful time to cook in Nepal and to reap the flavours, colours, and tastes of a wonderful harvest…not to mention the beautiful bundles of golden yellow ripe rice stalks draped across in the paddies.
  • Functioning governments. Granted that there it is something of an oxymoron to place the words “functioning” and “governments” in the same sentence.  But I sometimes think that the Canadian government is possibly the most efficient, well-oiled, and proactive bureaucracy around…in comparison that is.  As Nepal struggles to overcome poverty, lack of infrastructure, impossible geographic terrain, drought, poor health care, human rights issues, and education development what holds them back nine times out of ten is a government that simply doesn’t function.  And by “doesn’t function” I mean a government that actually doesn’t meet regularly and when they try to meet the whole process is derailed due to a agitating groups blocking the parliament from meeting.  And not just for a day or two, but for months going on years!  Not to mention the corruption, deceit, lies, targeted killings, and oppression perpetrated by many government officials.  So, despite the petty and often ridiculous antics of politicians back home I am actually pretty grateful for how much our government does for us…regardless of who is in power.
  • Christmas carols. So, normally in my books November is WAYYYY too early to bust out the jingle bells and sing along to deck the halls.  But, being away from my regular traditions and seasonal cheer I allow myself to break the rules.  So, on a powerless night last week I did the unthinkable and turned on my Christmas playlist.  And it was excellent!  Something so simple that immediately feels familiar and happy.  I think what makes Christmas carols so good is that they really do bring an atmosphere of cheer and suddenly I am remembering all that is so wonderful about this time of year.    So, on your next “silent night”, bust out a carol and feel grateful for everything you love about Christmas.
  • Finding the right words. There is nothing more satisfying than being able to take a feeling that has stuck with you for a time and put that feeling into words.  When the words can tumble from your mouth and sound like a perfect description for something previously indescribable, it is magic.  I believe that these kinds of words are the sweetest to hear.  They rumble and resonate with the heart and the brain, satisfying both the heart’s need for expression and the brain’s need for explanation.

Honouring Fridays: September 4th, 2009

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The countdown to September 15th has kicked into full gear! The excitement of 4 weeks of vacation combined with visitors from home arriving on that day is making the days fly by. Plus September and October hold the biggest Hindu festivals (akin to Christmas in Christian countries). First is Dashain which is a large, 10-day, family celebration with lots of sacrifices, meat eating, dancing, singing, and returning to home villages to give prayers and offerings to family members. Then about 2 weeks later is Tihar (like Diwali in India) the festival of light. So, lots of joy and celebration ahead has left me feeling incredibly grateful this week – the cup runneth over with goodness, prosperity, and happiness!

  • Pants with no holes. Such simple pleasures really. After toting some rather tired-looking clothes to Nepal, hoping that they would wear themselves out while here, I discovered that they listened. But only in the form of large holes in the crotch (too much information? sorry), while the rest of the fabric is like new! Ordinarily, I would just buy myself a new pairs of pants, but when your entire 4-pair pants wardrobe is in cahoots and decides to commit collective suicide and to reveal your bits to the world, it means war. So, those old pants got a new lease on life this week thanks to a neighbourhood tailor. After trying about 6 different shops and getting full belly laughs from the proprietors about my large-thigh problem, I finally found a man who was willing to help. Granted, he and his friend spent a good ten minutes exclaiming and laughing to each other about how fat I was, but finally he agreed to help. The solution, while not perfect but absolutely acceptable, was to cut about 3 inches of length from the cuffs and use those two pieces to sandwich the weak fabric in the middle. So, 4 days later and they are as good as new…we will just overlook the fact that my entire pants wardrobe is now an awkward mid-ankle crop…
  • Cinnamon rolls. I inherited a big jar of yeast from a friend who was moving back to Canada from Nepal (Hi Anne! Say hello to Vancouver for us!), along with a great big bag of walnuts and an almost full can of dark Canadian maple syrup (and many many other lovely kitchen items…I am also grateful for hand-me-downs!). Inspired to bake something that reminded me of home, I quickly decided on the comforting yeasty-ness of cinnamon rolls. When I was younger my mom would sometimes get up very early and bake us fresh cinnamon buns before school…such a treat (I also remember the homemade elviss mcmuffins…real cheddar, English muffins, egg…my absolute favourite!). The husband loved them – he ate most of them in fact – and the maple walnut crunch with cinnamon was delicious! The bun recipe was an adaptation of The Pioneer Woman’s but instead of the maple glaze on top I  slathered inside butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon.  It may not feel like Fall here but it sure did taste like it!
  • Money. The pain was all worth it. I received word this week that the National Campaign for Education, Nepal (NCE Nepal) with whom I am working, has been approved for a rather large sum of money for this year and two more years funding contingent on success this year. It amounts to about $100,000 USD, in Nepali rupees is close to 7,769,999.69 NPR. To put this into context the majority of Nepali families in villages live on 3000-4000 NPR or less per month…this is BIG money! The proposal writing process was probably one of the most painful and exhausting times I have had here in Nepal but I couldn’t be happier that at least it was all worth it. This will be enough to hire two more staff and do some really exciting work on education advocacy including research, policy advocacy, and setting up regional advocacy networks. So, it is an exciting and wealthy time for NCE Nepal. It makes me slightly sad to be leaving and unable to see the implementation of all these great ideas. But it leaves them in a good spot…all I can do now is hope they use it effectively and ethically.
  • English translation errors. Last weekend we went up to near the Tibetan border to stay at a lovely resort called Last Resort. A beautiful and peaceful place to recharge the internal battery and refocus on what is inspiring about Nepal. We enjoyed the company of good friends, good food, and adventure! But I also enjoyed this – almost more than anything…I am still chuckling about it actually. 🙂   Whoops!   Just a bit more space needed between the first 2 options and the last option, unless of course vegetarian is in fact a new gender!  And I was thinking that this would be a good submission to Engrish.

More perspectives on aid and development work

In my continued effort to wrap my brain around the aid and development field and my endless internal debates about what I really think, what I think I should think, and what I am actually seeing, I am always thrilled when friends, who have much more experience in this whole biz than I, send me links to things that throw new ideas into the mix.

Many thanks to K for sharing these short videos, from Beyond Good Intentions.  More food for thought 🙂