I have to give a special thanks to Santos and Allie. Allie is Santos's fiancé and a past volunteer from Australia. She has been wonderful in helping me communicate with the family. Santos is responsible for getting me up and down the mountain from Pokhara.
It is exam time at school and the students have been studying hard to get good marks. Their drive to do well without being scolded to study is crazy. Of course there are exceptions but for the most part it seems they know that they must study hard if they want to make it further in life.
In the morning the teachers have an hour to help the students review and then they are off to take the test. Each day is a different subject and the students all switch rooms to mix it up. Considering the rooms are very small this is their only choice and makes a lot of sense. For the most part the students are quiet, but they are left alone in the rooms often due to the lack of teacher to classroom ratio.
There are so many positives and negatives with the differences here. It's quite hard to decide who has it better off in some cases. There are the obvious differences that show developed countries have better schooling such as the classroom, technology, resources, and hygiene in general. However, despite the lack of those things as I said before they are happy and found a way to make the best of what they have. Who can argue with being happy?
The painting in the classrooms is coming a long long way. I know that it is not changing the world but it sure has brightened one small part of the world! The kids have been going nuts every day that they return to see a new picture or a new coating of paint on the walls. The kids rush over to peek in the room and chat excitedly.
Last night I got very excited about the project and decided to tackle an entire room as quickly as possible before the light faded. If I am being honest I am totally impressed with myself. I did not think that I would be able to do an entire room, let alone make it look the way I did.
At home I found some old lights and strung them up and played music. Unfortunately it had to be Justin Bieber because they love him. When I pressed play we had a dance party and the kiddos sang, danced, and played the air guitar.
The kids also presented me with earrings and a necklace that they got for me. It brought tears to my eyes. They used what little money they had saved from previous birthdays to get me something small. Needless to say I haven't taken it off and won't for awhile. To make it even more special they got a lei for my mom and sister as well!!! So precious!!!!
This morning on the way to school I stopped as usual to look out over Phewa Lake and admire the view. It never gets old. Akas, Amish, and I took a little break and snapped a few photos. Akas fell over the weekend planting rice and has cuts all over his face, he truly is a monkey baby!!! I can not stress enough how amazing my walk is in the morning. The two big trees are mystical in a way especially when the fog hangs over the mountains where we live.
Today the students were excited again and made me take some pictures with them in the painted room. Very cute. While they were taking their test I edited a before and after picture and it is crazy to look at the difference.
Today it also hit me where I am. I am halfway across the world. Although I have met many people and had a blast with them I have ended up for three weeks in a village by myself. On my way here I never believed in a million years I would be placed out of the city, let alone by myself. And although I hated it at first this has been an amazing experience. I've already extended my stay because I am doing way more than I thought I could. The feeling I got this morning while watching the kids was indescribable. The differences in living here stopped being a shock and are not affecting me the same way. I expected the differences at this point, and although it is a struggle to change lifestyles so drastically, I've become accustomed to it. At least as much as a Westerner can at this point.
Currently I was able to obtain Wifi in Pokhara. I came down to buy the last load of paint in the city. Like usual, I got more ambitious and have decided to paint the outside of the school as well. I have become addicted with making these kids smile.
Keep the donations coming! Every dollar counts and truly is making a difference at this school!
P.s. The shower girl from the other post is a family friend. Her name is Clarica (cl-are-ee-ca) The mystery is finally solved!
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