ECWZ caring people in need

One maoist leader is receiving a phone call from his colleague. They have advance technology and system. Both Govt. police and Maoist are involved in the programme. At least ECWZ tried to build good relationship among them. Maoist are the strong force in the remote area even today. This bulk amount of rice will save 84 families at least for a month. This is the biggest support for them. ECWZ still strongly concentrating on the construction of the school building and other few infrastructure in the remote villages. (See picture below the ruined school).

ECWZ working through and with needy people!!

Finally ECWZ distributed a huge amount of food (Rice) to the victim of landslide. It was possible only because of those people who contributed for this programme by sending money. We were planning to provide support to 67 families who were said to be affected by the landslide (according to media and Govt.), but at the time 84 families were present there to get support. I didn’t want to disappoint them by saying to no. As the result I was compelled to cut the drinking oil. We had around 2000 kg of rice and 67 litre of oil, but at last we distributed only rice. That was 30 for each family and was 2520 kg in total. It was the biggest support for those people. Head of the Maoist and Govt. both were invited as chief guest but because of the landslide, govt. officials were not able to present there. The Man carrying colourful bag is the head of the Maoist for that district. Both Maoist and govt. people were there along with the representatives from Red cross and local intellectuals.
Prem (Head of the Maoist) said that Maoist will support ECWZ (www.ecwz.org.np) and other genuine organisations who work in most remote area for the welfare of disadvantaged and needy people. People and organisation appreciating us for this kind of support. We will have no risk from Maoist to in every part of that district from now. They will be coping us. We should have good relationship with both Govt and Maoist because we work in grass root level.
Those people, who supported us by sending money, please feel proud for your contribution because your precious earning has been spent for the survival of the people who are suffering from starvation caused by landslide.

Hardship of life

This is not a scene of a movie, nor the state of a stone aged family. This picture was taken when the family survived even after they lost their shelter and land. The situation depicts us how hard was the life when people didn’t have safe shelter. The whole district has been affected by the landslide. Don’t know where to help? Whom to help? How to help?

Praying for a good luck!

Pictures ( which has white roof) are of the ruined village school building, which is to be rebuilt as soon as possible as children have nowhere to study except this building.These are the pictures of the poorest village of the poorest part of the remote district (According Poverty Alleviation Fund), which has been destroyed by the recent landslide. The school was newly made. Two rooms were finished before 2 days of the landslide but after 2 days it was destroyed. The houses are of the village houses that lost 10 people within few minutes at a same night. The disaster at the midnight swept everything. Those who survived are praying for a good luck. Good luck means no rain, if there is heavy rain again; there is possibility of the landslide again. The life and future of the school is very dark. We can see water coming from under the school. This is not the miracle but the symbol of dark future of the school and village. Let’s hope nothing wrong will happen to these poorest people.

Looking for support

These pictures are taken not to show any cultural variances but to provide some support to these poor people who lost their family during the disaster. The old lady is of 60 now and the girl is her granddaughter who is now 14. Except these two members, others were killed by the recent landslide. Neither the old lady nor the young girl can handle the family. It seems hard for them to manage food and clothing for them. They need support at least for upcoming few years then the girl will be strong enough to look after herself and her grandmother. The girl doesn’t go to school so is illiterate. The help could be food and clothing.

Another picture is of a family where 6 children are staying with their mother. Their father died three years ago and has very little land, which is destroyed by the landslide. The biggest child is 12 and the youngest is 2. Six children are born within 10 years and the lady is struggling to feed them. The mother and son refused the offer of educational sponsorship for the biggest boy, saying the boy is to look after household work and his brothers and sisters. One boy goes to school and hopefully others also will be joining primary school from next year. The lady has deep interest on educating her children but has economic problem. Living a widow life in traditional village is itself a challenging and still she has the challenge to feed and educate 6 children. She needs help. The potential help could be food, clothing and sponsorship of the kids’ education.

Farewell !!! what a tragedy!!

the pictures are of the greatest tragedies of human life. Why to these poor people? and why they killed? The nature creates and destroys!! the great tragedy!!
In one of the picture, people are wrapping the dead body by the rope. People wearing red shirts are maoist and wearing combat dress are army.

Team work (?)

In this picture, the people we see are from different aspects. some of them are from Maoist and some of them are from Govt. Police and maoist armies are working together I think for the first time. No revenge, no fight but cooperation and support. What a great scene!!

The tragic landslide made them compell to rescue because they are the human like us just with different philosophy. I wish Nepalese people could see this coordination forever to give up voilence.

NAMASTE!!

Destructive landslide!!!!

I am just arrived from the village. I was there after 3 days of the disaster, We were the first to distribute the victims anything... That means even Red cross and Govt. body went there with nothing. maoist and the army together helped people to rescue and people from other villages also helped but still 6 bodies are missing. We distributed 85 set of readymade clothes, and other organisation and govt. provided some money but I think they need food. If there is heavy rain again, I don't think 75 family will survive but rescuing them is really a hard task even for the Govt. I took the responsibiity of the education of the family of victims and that's our primary responsibility. But I will be trying to get more help for them. We need at least 50000 Nepalese rupees that would be about 750 US $. I think that would cover the cost of 30 kgs rice for 75 families. I think this will be the best idea. Yes and clothes, we need about 60 kgs. of clothes or about 800 pcs of clothes so everyone will have cloth and food. I think this will be far better than the help from Red cross and the government. I would like to request to all people who read this email, please let's cut half the price of lunch and dinner for few days and send to us, that won't make you die but would save the life of several people. I went there and interviewed with the victims relatives and took their pictures.. we must do something. I know Govt and red cross are now away from their responsibility. This is our major work area. I am talking to chief district officer and police head of the district. I met the head of maoist from the district, he knows me ( don't know how?) and said that they will be ready cope with us and won't be interfering. That is good. I worked whole day with police, govt. officials and with maoist. Now the political situation has been changed but the nature is being aggressive towards us. The illage people have their own food for upto 3 or 4 month a year and this year they have lost that too. I think we should try to provide them food for about 2 month. The monsoon will be finished by that time and people will start to look for another alternative, but before that they have nothing to support themselves. One lady of 60 has lost her son, his wife and another two member including her husband. She has only granddaughter left who is just 14. how they will survive? I am sure noone has the right and complete answer. I met another women who has got 6 kids and all of them are below 12. 12 year boy is the head of the family since in rural village male is the head. He is trying to do whatever his father used to do before he died ( household work and responsibility of the brothers and sisters). His mum thinks she won't have anyone to help her if she send her son to school. The son doesn't listen these things, he thinks he has got a lot of responsibilities to look after his family. I think this is one of too few situation that has made me too upset. I reached the village after crossing three huge and destructive landslides on the way. I couldn't see into thrie eyes because their eyes ask for help and I am afraid if I am not able to help them. They have expectation from every single visitor in the village. They want to survive and the most tragic moment was one when everyone went away giving them 5 kg of rice and some fast food to eat on the way. only 9 family got the tent and rice. 66 family got nothing wheras they have equall risk. I have got some positive response from few people. Please lets do something. Our joint efoort will save them and will bring a new days of happyness after the tragic disaster.

The Influence of ECWZ Project!!!

The 19-year-old boy is back to school after a couple of years. He is studying at 7 classes while the average of 7-class student is 13, this has been a great surprise for everyone. But for us this is the best achievement of the project. The boy left school quite 5 years before and went to India for work. Now he realized how important is education and is back to village to join school again. I am sure this boy will be an example for everyone and it will surely discourage the kids from running from home and from leaving school voluntarily. Before 3 month, I was traveling back to Kathmandu from village and I met one of my villagers with his son. I asked if the son’s school was closed then he replied that son left school without any pressure and reason. The 14-year young boy was studying at class 7, and he was accompanied to his father for work at city when he had vacation at school. But later the boy preferred to earn money rather than wasting his time at school and in village. The parents are strongly aware about the importance of education but the boy has no interest at study. This is what I say the TREND. In his village (northern part of my village), most of his relatives work in city( the labor work, none is educationally qualified) and earn a little bit. His senior relative brothers are at work in the countryside in different region, so he is persuaded for that trend. His seniors used to leave school generally after 5 class and he tried to do same. His perception is that education is to earn money and if we can earn money without study, why to go to school?This boy is example for such children in village. It’s very hard to change the strong perception of the children. I can feel proud to say that I am the member of ECWZ. I can realize that we are making a difference. Westerners and the local people like this big boy really can make a difference in the life of village people. That’s why now I am concentrating how we can mobilize western volunteers and local roll models to establish the new educational based trend.Potential porters of past are at school at present!!

Thirst of democracy!!

Everyone who wish to restore democracy in Nepal must appreciate this girl(?) for her amazing enthusiasm. The thrist of democracy is putting her in front of everything. She doesn't know where is her shoes? she even doesn't know where is she going. Just concentrated on how to restore democracy. This is really amazing. I really appreciate this lady and think her committment and enthusiasm should be rewarded. Whoever you are please, proud on yourslef for what you did. One day you will be paid for your honour, patrionism and intelligence!! Keep it on!!

Potential porters of past are at school at present!!

We went to the top of the hill where my village is. It was September 2005. We were there to take footages for the documentary. Carl, Katie and Hari were with me at that time. We reached at the top of the hill after the hard climb of four hours. We met some temporary shelters made by the nearest villagers. They shift to the top of the hill in that season (July to November) with all of their family and pets. We had to capture little footage of their lifestyles, activities and had to take interview to children and to parents. We went to the ground where few kids were looking after their pets and were playing. She couldn’t answer the simplest question we asked, then we moved to a temporary shelter where about 25 children and few parents gathered. We asked question to few of them about their plan after 5 class. They said they are going to stop study because they can read and write Nepalese script now and none can cheat them in labour work. We gave little speech there about the importance of education. Hari( my brother) gave little speech in local language, and we informed them that we were going to start a project there to assist them for study. After 8 month, when I went to school with Nara to launch the project, I saw both the boy and girl who were talking about leaving school after 5 but they are admitted at 6 class now! That means they changed their mind? I hope so. Similarly from another village none left school after 5(normally they used to leave school after 5 or after failing at 6 or 7 class). These children would be laborer or porter now if they left school but luckily they are at school now and let’s hope they won’t give up the spirit they have now. They deserve the leadership of the rural community in the development and other field. ECWZ is always aware of it’s role to upgrade the life of these disadvantaged locals

Freedom At Midnight

Freedom At Midnight
It was crowded night at 23 April 2006, People were furious and frustrated with king and his autocratic Government. It was right 11 pm on 23 April 2006, everybody tuned to the media channels and televisions. King was giving his speech for the people of Nepal. He accepted the people as the supreme power and finally agreed to restore the parliament. King was breaking his own government. People left house and went down to streets for demonstration. It was to share the joy of victory over the autocracy. Nepalese people have flowed the flood of blood many times in the history. In the war against English, against Tibet/Chinese, against other states and lots of times. But for the people ‘s welfare, for the right of people there was few greatest revolution in the history. The revolution without violence. Millions of people participated in the demonstration.
In the 20 days Non-violent revolution thousands of them injured, dozens of them killed. The children, youths, adults and almost everyone were in the street when there was curfew in the major cities of the country.
In 1950, 1960, 1971, 1978, 1988, there were some great demonstrations. But at the midnight of 23 April, it was said that the people of Nepal were independent and were the supreme power; more powerful than the king. After few days, the restored parliament declared that the Govt. is not the His Majesty’s but it was Nepal Government. Government of 25 million people. The declaration of the parliament made people the supreme power and restored all the human rights and cancelled all the Acts and sections in the law which was made to run the autocratic government.
Some people didn’t want this to happen whereas millions of people were waiting for this since hundreds of years. Now Maoists are being very positive and are supporting Govt. and people to formulate new rules and policies. Now we can do legal things from the name of mother too. Earlier we couldn’t identify ourselves from the name of mother but now we can. Hopefully there will be lots of positive change in the country. Once again we will be able to call this country NEPAL, THE LAND OF PEACE. Lets hope the freedom delivered at midnight will last forever in this Himalayan Kingdom as long as THE THIRD POLE (Mount Everest) stands at the top of the world.

One more step through the destination!!

After the determent effort, we could launch the project successfully. I have spent most part of the days in last few year for such activities. Thinking about doing something like the project has been daily routine for me. I always wanted to do something for the deserved group of people and society, that really have the meaning in itself and can make a difference. As great people say “ Everyone has something to give, no matter how small or big that is”. I also had something to give and still have some. I have the awareness, I have the knowledge, I have the education I can offer these things to other. I am actually trying to give these things through different ways. I know how long I needed to wait for this and don’t know still how long I should.
Sometimes one of my inspirational sister used to write “ even a small thing can make a difference” to make me feel better. And I am realizing now that was true. Even if that is not too big but my small effort has started to show it’s consequences. Now people are sending their kids to school for secondary level. Although all people are not doing what I wanted them to do, but number of students at school from remote villages are increasing rapidly.
I have my family, my uni classes, project and other things too. I am having the great time of my life except money. Anyway I am surviving with honour, respect and self-enthusiasm. This is very hard to achieve in life but I have got that. I am really happy to be born in this place and in this family because now I am having such a great time. If I was born in any western countries, may be I would be earning few thousand bucks a week at most, but I would never be hanging around these people and I would never be here doing all these things.
Now there are 75 children we sponsored for this year. Some of them are orphans, some have single parents but all of them are from poor families and are from remote villages, who need to walk like 4 hour each way to reach school and to get back to home.
I want all of our kids should not be the bad example for their villagers. They need to get a good job and prestige in village after they finish their study. To make them qualified, we need to provide them some technical/skill trainings so that they can survive having a good job after their study. They are one who are changing their family and society. They are social motivator and will be doing something to make a positive difference in their society. Still there are lots of poor, lower cast and needy kids waiting for sponsorship but we have very limited resources so we can do nothing now even if we would love to help them. But I am sure, we will be doing something for them also. I have great expectation from them. I would like to call them and say” hey wait!! We together can make a difference.”

Finally the ECWZ Project is launching!!

I am sure all people who know me are wondering why I am not writing any blogs now. It's true but I have got lot's of simpliest problems and unfortunately they turned to be the biggest for me. Anyway after the long waiting and fluctuations, I am going to see our project launching. I bought atationery things( e. g. pencils, pens, inks, geometry box, pencil box, etc.) for the 75 students, that may be the enough for those kids. Still I need to buy text books, school bags, dress( shirt, pant and hopefully shoes as well) and excercise copies.
These all are possible because of Nara. I am thinking of writing a seperate blog ro introduce her. I decided to choose her as the leader of ECWZ( our NGO) after meeting her. I was thinking of making someone who is staying in Nepal for long time but since Puja( Laura; my sister) broke her leg and everything is went down, I had to look at someone. Because of this amazing( probably the most forward lady I have ever seen) lady, this project is going on.
I would like to thank specially to Nara, my family and all of the executive members from ECWZ. The website proccess is taking too long time and our members seem to be not in touch; what a shame!!!
I am interested in jurnalism and I love to be a free jurnalist in future. I will try to raise the voice and the picyure of the most remote part of Nepal. There are no any reporters from any National daily.
The reason I couldn't write in this blog is the non availability of computer and internet access and I can't spend my whole day by writing this in the cafe since I need to pay 20Rs. every hour. But I will defenitely try to write blogs regularly with the activities of ECWZ and will let you know what the ECWZ Stars( sponsored kids) doing in village?
We cut almost of the budget and started to manage the project is minimum cost with basic sponsorship. We have got nearly 20 Kg. of cloths from Australia, which is fantastic!!!
I am finally running towards my dream!!

The Essence Of Tihar Festival

Well, the Tihar is the one of the biggest festival for Hindus. I celebrate this and honestly my favourite festival is Tihar. The songs, Deewali, Laxmipuja( worship to the Goddess Laxmi; the goddess of wealth), worship to Cow( national animal of Nepal and holy animal), worship to Crow(the messenger for people), worship to dog( the God of death Kal-bhairab(Yama) rides the dog and the dog helps us to cross the hell to go to heaven. According to Hindu Epic, there is the river between hell and heaven and everyone supposed to cross that river to get into heaven. The river is dangerous; with dragons, bog snakes and other terrible obstacles. The wisest people can cross that river easily and worst people are distroyed at that river.), and Bhai tika( putting tiks of seven colour by the sisters to the brothers), the sweetest dish( Sel roti, Anarasha and other...), Ping(swing), Deuse-Bhailo( the special song wich is sing only at Tihar), etc. are the things which makes the festival more interesting. Specially songs are best and the gathering is entertaining. There is the legend once in holy period, the Yama the King of hell was going to take away people from their life but his two sisters Ganga and Yamuna( Ganga is name of holi river which was in heaven but the people from earth need that river in earth so that is here in earth. Now Ganga is in India. Yamuna is also the river) decided to stop the action of their brother at least for one day. They both went to their brother at the day of Bhai Tika and put tika on his forehead and requested him not to kill the man at least for that day. Finally the Yama was happy to do so. So it's like the excuse from the death for this day. Every sister put the holy water around their brothers and that is the boundry which is out of Yama's reach. Yama can't cross that boundry. They break a hardest fruit that is to break(remove) the obstacles of their brothers. Anyway it's the culture and we have to appreciate the culture. The Tihar my best festival, I really missed in some ways.

The hardest things for the street children and orphans

Whereever we go to meet the street kids, we want to know how they are there & how their life there? We ask several questions to them. They give answer simply. But we never try to think what can be their feelings after talking about their past & their hardest part of life? No one likes to remember their worst days. That makes them weak & can can ruin their present. The street kids have nothing to ruin because they are already ruined. We can get our work done after doing our work and just leave them. At most we share their pain with tear for few minutes that's all. They don't seem to feel sad suddenly but later it's result can be unbelievable. They may think that people are making the joke of their life. They have lost their best childhood days & trying to have fun in present with few laughs. Our work can disturb them to laugh. That means all the time sad & there is no way to escape except having drugs. We adults also smoke, take alcohol when we are in trouble, similarly they have the same heart but they are quite stronger than us If they are surviving. Just guess if someone asks about the untimely demise of our parents simply like what's your name? Who can say this is not making the joke of their life? We have to be like human at least in front of these children. But unfortunately I couldn't be that myself. There is only one thing that is convincing myself is we are doing in favour of these children. Almost the children lie about their life & experience I think it's because they don't want to open their past.
So, let's try to be human. Not for all time but for sometime. For the sake of those innocent and sad children. And let's stop trying to hurt them.

GORA! precious people and as Bank?

There are many coloured people in the world. When we see many people in a same place, it seems like some are more precious than others. The most respected people in Nepal I got are Gora(tourists) people. Only whites are respected. Blacks are hatred no matter they are from America or from Australia. So white is favourite colour in Nepal. Wherever I went during our research, I was respetced. I felt great hospatility for me too. It was the best days of my life(probably). Even the directors from big organisation were happy to talk to me. It was crazy!! When we went to village & met people there, everybody were curious to see my companions. Fortunately they were the most kind people & quick to learn everything. Gora with very good manner & smile attracted those people. Their days was best only because they saw Gora & even talked to them!! Even the educated people & my family members were seem to be proud to me because they were the host family for Gora & their son was the guide of them. Even my one relative went to my friend to suggest me not to spend more because I might have earned a lot(they think Gora as the bank). In village may be many people are meeting my family to talk about my marriage hoping their daughter's future will be best with me!! It's too crazy. Everyone look at me with respect. Are Gora people something more precious than us? Or are they more than human? Like Superhuman? I don't know why people think so about these people. None think that they have problem as our's. I got noone who thinks even Gora can be poor like us.

Anyway Gora are also normal human. Only difference between these people & us is the culture & social composition. They have better opportunities & different management with advanced technology. They have the feelings like our's, they feel pain, hurt, they have the characteristics like us. But it's interesting to think about these things.

A Long Walk Through The Rough Way Of My Life

Don't know how & from where to start? I am walking on the rough way of my life very well although my life was very tough in the begining. I think that life is an adventure so we have to dare it. Now I think all these obstacles r just for wisdom & I always try to overcome them. They r just for new change. I am trying to bring revolutionary change in my & other's life. I know this is very complex task but I need to dare that. I have heard a saying that we must be very very good at something, which is very very hard to do. Only then we will be success. Although I couldn't feel any charmness & preetyness in my life, I am trying to express how happy life is.

Although I grown up in a tough environment, I couldn't be too strong. Even small things can change my feelings. This is really hard for me to deal with. I always try to be more patience & will be trying untill life is no more. I got many opportunities for study, & for other but couldn't get that everyone wants to get after getting good educational qualifiation. I know I deserve better opportunities but the environment I am living in is different. Unlike other region, here I can do best only If I have money & power. Indeed wealth is nothing but sometimes it is everything. The case of sometimes hapens here. While I was small I used to imagine what will hapen If I become a doctor? Not only I but everyone like me have dream like this but too few of them achieve whatever they like. No matter how intellegent you are & how needy you are, you can't get better opportunities unless you have good power.

Still I am trying to achieve my goal without these. I am creeping to reach that destination. Too few people are encouraging me & helping me. Almost time I feel ashamed & self humuliated because of that. How much thay can help me & for how long? Until death? I practiced many lifestyles but I couldn't get rid of dependency. Everytime I need someone & something to help & fortunately I get all the time. If I see through the eye of my society & it's people, I am great but I could never be great in my own eyes. People, friends praise me even in small action but I could never be praisable in my own eyes. I can hardly find my moment of joys. I could not smile from my heart. I have everything from one angle but still not happy with my life. I always try to discover what is lacking in my life? I have friend, families, well wishers but why still sad? May be this will be the question for me all the time.

I will be moving ahead with this simple question. May be because I couldn't get what I deserved? I run with my documents in many streets hoping my certificate with good first devision marks will be rewarded but I return with frustrated face. My labour is insulted everytime. Another part of my life is bend to social issues. Actually this is my greatest hobby & I want this to remain only hobby. I got many people involving in these field to be corrupted that's why they need to manage money for their family, their education, etc. Because they took these field as their profession. I think it should not be like profession & like business. May be my life will be tougher than this but I won't take these as my profession. I am struggling for survival of own but still thinking about other's life. This seems funny but I think at least I can try. I know failures are the pillars of success. I am welcoming more failures only to see how success like.

I am eager to feel deep smile from my heart. Let see what hapens next. I am looking at my target but I don't know the way. That is narrow, rough & probably not safe. But still moving on to feel how life is. Only to kiss my dreams!!!!!!!