Cause Based Christmas

       Every time I come back from a trip, humanitarian or not, I am racked with feelings of guilt, sadness, thankfulness, and confusion. How can I live in such an amazing place where I am so blessed yet others live lives where they just wish they had access to clean water? I have seen some very deep and heavy things on my trips and many times I return home just in time for the holidays which is an overwhelming contrast.
      Holidays where we shower each other with gifts upon gifts upon gifts. I've had to find the balance of living my life with my holiday traditions and presents but also feeling good about where my money is going and how I am serving and helping those in need.
      I've been asked many times about the places I visit or the organizations I come in contact with. I've also been asked, "What can I do?" I think one thing we can all do this Christmas is find balance in our gift giving and have a cause based Christmas.
      1. Scale back on the amount of gifts. America is a consumer based society but we consume SO much and we throw away so much that is still of use or value to others. Instead of showering children with gifts why not pick a few more meaningful gifts and then give the gift of time together.
      2. Serve. The holidays are a great time to serve. Pick something to do as a family or a group of friends. Food banks, homeless shelters, and drives galore. It is an easy time to find service be it through your local community, school, library, etc. My go to websites are:
              https://www.justserve.org/
             https://www.laworks.com/calendar
             https://www.volunteermatch.org/
        3. Upcycle. I have many crafty friends who take items from garage sales, the side of the road, or things they may have thrown away and turn them into beautiful gifts. Old plates and broken lamps turned into stacked jewelry holders. Pringles cans turned into cute containers to hold homemade cookies. Broken glass frames lined with chicken wire and turned into earring holders. The possibilities are endless.
         4. Buy with a cause. Not all gifts can be centered around giving back but what about those that can? I believe strongly in shopping local, supporting small business, and finding companies that give back to the community be it in your own backyard or global. Here are some of the people, organizations, and non profits I support full heatedly. I have focused this year on giving the gift of sponsorship or at least giving actual gifts that in some way support others.

California Wildlife Center

IG: @cawildlife
https://www.facebook.com/californiawildlifecenter/

Each week I volunteer at the CWC, an incredible organization that rehabilitates injured wildlife and then releases them back into their native habitat. They have sponsorships that make great gifts. I use these to sponsor for the little ones since you can add a plushie to your gift. Does a 6 month old really need extra gifts? With the little plushie and a sponsor they are saving the lives of animals.
Cheapest sponsor: $50 Hummingbird
Most expensive: $1500 Sea Lionv

Raksha Nepal

@raksha.nepal

Raksha Nepal  Is the shelter I volunteered at in Nepal. They house 60 girls who are all victims of sexual abuse, assault, trafficking, etc. The leader there, Menuka, is one of the most inspiring and powerful women I have ever met. She runs this organization so well and has thought of everything these girls need. You can read more about my experience here.   Donations of any amount can be made through Help International. ( @helpintl) 

https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1441387?code=Website .  Make sure you check you want your donation to be used for a special purpose and on the drop down menu click Raksha Nepal. 

The Gem Studio

@the.gemstudio

I met Matt while serving in Uganda. In fact, we had Thanksgiving at his orphanage in Africa. You can read about it and see photos here.  Since then Matt has started a studio where you can go and make your own rings and all proceeds go to the orphanage. The only downside is that this is in Utah but let me tell you this orphanage as well as these rings are incredible and totally worth a trip. How fun to give the gift of a silversmithing. Check out his instagram to see the beautiful rings you can create. They now offer rings for purchase! They have trained the girls from Raksha in silversmithing and rings can now be purchased and all proceeds go back to them! 

Child Of Hope

@childofhopeuganda

https://www.facebook.com/childofhopeuganda/

Also while in Uganda I was able to tour the slums. It was a heartbreaking situation but an organization has stepped in and is giving kids a fighting chance through education. You can read about my time with Child of Hope here.  You can sponsor a child for 20E, you will have to do the exchange into USD. I sponsor a child each month and I can tell you the money is going to a great cause with inspiring people who are leading the way. You can sponsor a child here.

OSSO

@ossovolunteer

http://www.orphanagesupport.org/

My very first service trip was with OSSO. They work with orphanages in Ecuador and now have their own orphanage. This is another organization I use to sponsor a child.  The sponsorship is $30 up to $500 a month.  If you don't have enough to sponsor or are looking for another way to donate they sell incredible cards that the kids make and other items. These make great gifts and support the orphanages. 

Causebox
@causebox
https://www.facebook.com/causebox/

This is more for those of you who still want to give actual gifts, things. This company finds other companies or locals who are making products that are socially conscious and often support others in struggling areas. It is a subscription service where you can get boxes 4x a year filled with items that have a good cause. $49 a box. You can also order the box just once. My last box I ordered because there was a necklace that was made from recycled animal bone by local women in Africa. This year I ordered two boxes and am taking it apart to give pieces to those friends and family in my life. 

Little Princes

http://conorgrennan.com/little-princes/

https://www.facebook.com/nextgenerationnepal/

@nextgenerationnepal

Know of anyone who likes to read? Buy them this book. It will inspire them as well as help to support a children's home in Nepal. It is honestly one of my favorite books of all time. It would also be great for book club. Many people are getting this book from me this year. :)

Consider Christmas with a cause this year. If you have any questions please ask!

Krochet Kids

https://www.krochetkids.org/

This beanie was in my Causebox and was incredible quality. So soft, so cute. So, I ordered another one and LOVE it. Fast shipping, great quality, comes in a cute bag and makes an excellent gift. The best part? You can virtually meet the person who made your beanie. They are providing jobs for women in other countries.

Pinch Me Therapy Dough
https://pinchmedough.com/
Kids love slime and putty these days but this dough has a cause. Each purchase helps pay for a soldier's stress management training with bootstrapusa. My friend Sarah and I saw this in a cute boutique in Morris, IL and she sent me some for Christmas. It smells so good and feels incredible!

read more "Cause Based Christmas"

Little Princes

After coming home from Nepal I had a rough adjustment. The next morning I had to be up at and school at 8am which was about 8pm in Nepal. So the time adjustment was hard but what was truly difficult was being catapulted back into my regular routine. Starting a new school year is hard enough. Starting a new school year while jet lagged and emotionally beat up is a whole new level of rough.
Just coming home and seeing my bed... my bed that costs more than the Nepali people make in a year... my bed that is all white because I have a shower and can clean myself every day... my bed that I got to choose which sheets I wanted and the thread count... that bed where I was able to ship myself a mattress, in a box, from the connivence of my home... that bed where I get to go to bed each night in a place that is safe, locked, heated, or cooled, a place that is bug free- for the most part- and where I choose when and how long to sleep.... that bed where I go to bed on a full stomach... that bed.
That bed that very few have in Nepal. So yes, when I opened my bedroom door I had a bit of mixed emotions.
And that people, is just my bed. Walking into school, getting into my car, driving on paved roads, seeing police who will help you and who you can trust, meeting my students with all their brand new... everything...
All while coming from Nepal just a day earlier. The stark contrast was very tough. I didn't have time to process everything I had experience and so I just dove right in putting my feelings on hold. Through the next two weeks I was able to share bits and pieces of what I experienced with those friends, roommate, teammates, but to them it is just a story. Something that happened far away. It isn't real. They can't fully imagine anything I am telling them and that is really hard. That is one of the hardest parts of travel. No one truly gets it unless they have been there.
It was in this hard time that I received a message on instagram from one of my past students. She told me that she admired me and that there was a book she read about trafficking in Nepal that was one of her favorite books. I jumped on it. I ordered the book that day and began reading it the day it came.
The book: Little Princes
This book was the number one thing that helped me process my experience. Every single one of you needs to order this book, read it, and then tell a friend about it. It is not one of those books you can't stomach to read. It is one of those books that makes you want to be a better person, it inspires you, it teaches you, it makes you laugh and cry but leaves you with feelings of hope. This book is powerful. It is a true story. It was a gift to me in my time of need.

So please. Get the book. Support NGN. Read it.

By the way if you are ever looking for organizations to donate to, talk to me. I have been on the ground with them. I have seen ones that do 100% good and I know of places that are in need and will use your funds for the right things. My donations go to these places each month and I know they are in the right hands.

read more "Little Princes"

Nepal: The Final Thoughts

When I came to Nepal I had a really bad attitude. I was hormonal, tired, and cranky. It was hot, humid, dirty, and there were spiders. So many freaking spiders. Enough that I couldn't sleep at night. The air pollution is so bad that everyone has respiratory problems, I developed a cold quickly and so many had lice and parasites. I was terrified and upset about the trekking we were going to do and wasn't happy that we were sleeping on concrete floors in the cold rain. There were days when all I wanted to do was go home. I had decided I hated Nepal and never wanted to come back. I knew and could see how bad my attitude was and I didn't know why I was feeling so upset and frustrated. I felt bad for feeling so negative but I didn't know how to change it. 

Well, I changed. My group was a main factor. There were 50 people who came to Nepal, a huge group. They broke us into 3 smaller groups and I was so incredibly blessed by my group. Each person added so much and we had the most kind hearted leader. My group was so upbeat, positive, funny and encouraging. We laughed at our homeless encampment, joked about the spider eating child, they protected me from the real spiders, we ate together, hiked together, cried together, truly it was a blessing. They were so patient with me on the hike and just so incredible. 

So now I sit here on the plane and I want so desperately to fully process the last weeks of my experience but I think open weeping may not be accepted in this very small environment. The last week of the program has done it again, it's tugged on my inner soul but in a different way.
Being at Raksha has been an enlightening experience. Before Nepal I knew nothing about sexual trafficking and abuse. I had no idea what was going on in Nepal and frankly all over the world. I lived in my ignorance bubble.
The most shocking experience and the one that ripped my heart was going through the massage parlors. I touched on how as we ascended the stairs into these deeply dark establishments all hope and life was sucked from the room and my soul. Evil filled the darkness in a way I've never experienced.

In these small makeshift rooms women are sexually assaulted and abused. Listening to them talk and tell their stories was heart wrenching. Watching their tears fall knowing that there were countless women in these circumstances was too much too process.

Knowing there are so many men who come to these places and take advantage of these women made me feel ill. But then going back to the shelter and seeing all the girls who have been raped and abused was the real kicker. Little tiny innocent children. 

Four year olds. Four year olds! I want to cry and scream and punch all at the same time. How can a grandfather rape his own grandchild because he is mad at his daughter for marrying outside her class? How can a stranger lurk in the forest and kidnap a girl on her way to school? A teacher raping his student? A group of men grabbing a young girl and gang raping her? A brother forcing himself on his sister and leaving her pregnant? 

The level of.... I don't even know. I don't know how to process the stories I heard. I don't know how to process the emotions I feel. But you know what I do know? I know the girls at Raksha are some of the kindest and most well behaved girls I've ever met. They look out for one another. They smile. They laugh. They serve each other. They love. These girls are an inspiration to every volunteer. Sitting in prayer room with them and listening to them pray, meditate and do affirmations was a beacon of hope. 

I'm struggling a lot with coming back to America. I recognize that I have a life to live there but how can the world be so vastly unfair?
How do I cope with my cush life? Im struggling listening to people around me talk about their 'problems'. I'm struggling to feel sympathy for those minute things that seem to control our lives- things that aren't even important at all. But I also know that when I come back, I too will fall back into my life. I'll complain about the internet not being fast enough, I'll murmur at my job, I'll whine it's warm outside... so where's the balance? How do I remember and feel all the feels of Nepal but live in America in such blessed circumstances? Is there more I could and should be doing? Sometimes I think so. But I also know that I have the power to educate and change 30 young minds each year in my classroom. I can share my experiences and inform others. I can keep donating and supporting people like Menuka who have the power to make change. I can live on less and give more. I can continue to ground myself in service. 

But part of me will always sob when I think of these women, the thousands who are being abused for simply being women. It makes me angry at America for sexualizing women so much. It makes me sad that our TV and movies and riddled with sex and a sexually driven culture. It makes me upset that we don't respect ourselves more. It makes me ill that women all over the world are being trafficked and abused. 

I'm scared to go home and get back into the grind of life. I'm scared of my friends asking me about my experience because I'm not sure how to share yet. But mostly I'm scared of forgetting and falling back into my life. I need to remember. I need to keep these feelings, these raw feelings, I need to remember the smiles and playful giggles of the girls. I need to remember that we can always do more. We can always be a little kinder. We can always do a little more service. We can make changes. We can be an example for good. We can and we need to.

I hope that you will consider your own life and all that you have to be grateful for. I hope that if you have extra to give you will consider one of the many great organizations I have worked with. Raksha Nepal is an incredible organization that needs help financially and will do good with all that you give. You can donate through help international and I know that those funds will go to a great cause. I'm inspired by the women there and I know we can work together to continue progress. To make the world a better place a little at a time.

read more "Nepal: The Final Thoughts"

Days for Girls

On Saturday we were able to go to Days for Girls.

Here are some notes I took as Maya was telling us about the organization:10,000 a year trafficked from Nepal to India because they like the lighter skin- taking for sex and for organs - found girls who were skinned and killed for skin graphs on other people to lighten their skin
Menstruation is taboo so no one talks about it you're considered dirty put into cow shed or away from everyone even in city must stay in another room cannot go into the kitchen or any other part of the house - can't touch anything one girl was put into the shed and bitten by a snake and died
Can't afford pads so
They use old clothes and tie it around- some tribes would use grass- spreading disease and giving them bugs
They keep the pads cut into squares so they don't look like pads when they are drying them. Girls are made to feel like they are dirty or cursed for menstrating. After talking with Maya we learned about days for girls and the work they do. They make reusable menstraul pads and then distribute kits and educate girls in classes at schools etc. we were able to help cut and fold up pads that were assembled into kits. I've seen this program in action in Uganda and it's incredible. I think I'm going to organize my friends into a sewing group once a month so that we can keep helping at home. It's so frustrating and sad the way menstraution is treated and how girls are treated.

read more "Days for Girls"

The Hike Project

When I signed up for HELP you better believe I had no idea that a ten mile backpacking trip each way was going to be involved.

Neither did I know I would be using my $10 target backpack, in the pouring rain and mud, for 8 hours up insane footholds.

But... 8 hours of hiking, with a head cold and I made it!

I'm actually super impressed with myself. I've never done anything even remotely close to this. And guess what we do the other ten miles in one day. Twenty miles people!
TWENTY!

We hiked through rice fields and to an area of goats that was so gorgeous!

Look at this little goat herder. She's so cute.

I feel so accomplished right now and I didn't see any spiders today!

Sunday: this morning we woke up and headed to do some farm work. Oh before that we had some porridge that tastes just like cream of wheat, so good! Then the farm work. So you know all the pictures with the terraces? That is what we were clearing and working on. We had scythes and were chopping away and the grasses. You would not believe the bugs that came out of the grasses and mountain. So. Many. Bugs. It was also insanely hot and humid. I'm really pushing my comfort limits this project, that's for sure. We found a little dog that did the hike with us and has been hanging around.

This afternoon we walked back down the crazy mountain and helped a family plant some seeds.

They then invited us into their home for tea and corn.

In this photo the left is the bed and the right is piles or corn that are being dried. They had goats and chickens and a cow.

Isn't it nuts how we are all human on this planet but have completely different experiences?
monday: today we hiked out. It took 6 hours and I've never in my life sweat so much. I was soaked from head to toe the whole time. When the sun came out I literally thought I was going to die. Going down was surprisingly harder than going up: so much pain in the legs.

That's about all I have to say about that hike. Well, and ... I'M FREAKING GLAD IT IS OVER!

read more "The Hike Project"

The House Project

This morning we left at 5:45 to our other project: the house project. HELP partnered with an organization called Choice. Choice does some awesome work here in nepal and while on one of their projects they decided they wanted to help this family build a new house.
So we walked a bit and then boarded a public bus. The bus put more and more and more people on it until it was insanely crowded and people were hanging out the front. After a bit we got off the bus and then into jeeps. 4 across the row which was fun, like sardines. I was next to Elyse and Jace and Jackson. We had so much fun on hour 3.5 hour ride. I love Elyse she is amazing and so much fun. We chatted and played some car games.
When we arrived at the site we dropped our stuff and had some toparamen for lunch with some egg in it. We are sleeping in a giant concrete box. Literally it's a building being built and has a square room all concrete. We are in sleeping bags on the floor and surprisingly it's cold which is worrisome because it is wet cold. The people who bought "sleeping bags" from help have fleece liners for real sleeping bags which is crazy bc they are going to freeze. This is roughing it. Three days no shower, a squat toilet, and concrete floors. Mud and rain.
Okay so drop the stuff and then pick up some tools and hike 1/4 mi to the work site.

Then we saw that there is nothing there and we are the first there to begin cutting out the spot.

For the day we carved out the mountain and tossed dirt until the crazy rain came.

Also I'm pretty sure we found a pot farm.

Now we are laying on the cold cement floor, wet, waiting for dinner. This is going to be an interesting three weeks. Also the first time in my life I've been three days without a shower.
I will tell you my group is such a huge blessing they are making this experience much better. :) I love them! Day 2. This morning after a hell sleep we awoke and headed to breakfast. Did we talk about how we paid a man for cardboard in order to have insulation? I hope we did because we straight up bummed it last night and let me tell you when it's cold and wet with humidity ain't nothing dryin anytime soon. Including your sleeping bag and your body. We kind of look like a homeless community. Bunch of stuff strewn about, sleeping on cardboard on the floor, no showers and covered in dirt. Makes me so grateful that I have a home with a warm cozy bed at home.

So we ate eggs and rice and then headed to the work site. The food here is great!

Oh I forgot to tell you Elyse and I have the sickness. Got the sore throat, ears, nose. Ugh. :(

Also it poured rain while we picked away at the mountain which was just funny.

We hiked back and ate lunch and then hiked back and whacked some more at the mountain. Then it once again began to pour and yah know... at some point one runs out of clothing....
oops.
Hindsight.
Anyway. Today was funny. Laughed a lot at our circumstances because it's just so funny. I mean how many people have slept on cardboard cement in Nepal while hacking away a mountain in the rain with a squatter potty? Ok yeah the 50 people from help but not many others.
Move had some crazy experiences.

Tonight we ate more ramen and eggs and are currently hiding out in the shack they deem to be a restaurant that makes good food!

Maybe the rain will stop? The only clothes we all have left are the panamas we are wearing...

Day 3 This morning after another restless sleep we awoke around 7am. Elyse and I went down to the little restaurant while everyone slept and we had some boiled hot water which was nice because it helped us to breathe and to be able to swallow. I'm so nervous about the hike tomorrow because I can barely breathe.
Then we headed back on the small hike to the worksite.
This is the house that is falling apart that we will be replacing:

Today we worked on moving the huge rock and demolishing the mountain.
We moved that huge rock which was quite the accomplishment!
If you look closely you can see a blue dot- that is Carli on the hike to the worksite. Really pretty right?
It's still wet and cold and we are all in wet clothing- it's the perfect storm for sickness.
At 3 we got into the jeeps and started to head back down the mountain. There was major construction so it took awhile to get home.
Then we had to board a public bus which was very full. We got about half the volunteers in there and then realized we wouldn't fit so had to take them all out. We did make ourselves fit in the other bus though. So funny. So packed.

Then we had to get off the bus and walk up the hill to the shelter. We only got lost once woohoo!

read more "The House Project"

Raksha

For the last three days we have been working and staying at Raksha as well as some projects in the city.
This has been the hardest and most touching part of the trip. The other night I was sitting in the prayer room surrounded by 50 girls ages 4-18 who are all victims of sexual abuse or trafficking. As I sat there in meditation, Chant, and prayer, it hit me and the tears began to flow. It's easy to forget when we are playing, dancing, studying, or just talking that each girl has an individual and horrific story of sexual violence. Many will never have children of their own, they will fight the emotional trauma of what was done to them for the rest of their lives. How blessed we are to live in a country that fights sexual abuse and stands up for women and their rights.
The first day we helped the girls study and prep for their exams and then walked them to school, wishing them luck. When they returned from school we studied more, did lice checks and removal, translated and worked on a menu, had a sane party, ate together and just spent time together.
The next day we had the opportunity to attend a festival where Menuka the founder was speaking. All who attended were in their best saris and looked so beautiful. We had an Indian feast that was so delicious. We then spent time at the office with the younger children, children only 4 years old who were abused so badly. One child was kidnapped and taken into the forest where she was raped repeatedly and left for dead. A four year old. My heart is filled with rage and sadness, hurt and pain, so many emotions. Yet the children are so resilient and keep pushing forward.
We then traveled to a Hindu Mecca where they cremate their dead and we were able to witness that ceremony and worship. We ended the night at a Buddhist temple.
This morning we headed to a village. One girl who had been abused was reintroduced to her village and to help them be self sufficient we brought up these sewing machines so that they could have a business. One of the reasons Raksha is so great is because they not only rescue the girls, they rehabilitate them, give them legal care, teach them skills and in some cases are able to help them reintegrate into their village. Upon arrival we were met by many village women and the girls family. They fed us corn and cucumbers fr their garden. Then all the women gathered in the community center for a quick celebration. They were so happy and excited to have a means for income.

read more "Raksha"

A Emotional Contrast

Today was rough, emotionally. We went and toured the massage parlors. Behind the tourist streets down little alleys lie the massage parlors and dance clubs where women are working as prostitutes.
As we ascended the stairs a literal darkeness swept over everyone. All light left and it was so heavy you could feel it.

When we entered the small shanty there were makeshift rooms with a single bed in each.

I cannot express the feelings that overcame us. At the second shop we talked with the women. One told us her story of how she left her husband because he was abusive and an alcoholic and she was the sole provider for her two young daughters. She had no where else to go and had to work at the massage parlor where she serviced 10+ men a day for the last few years. She rents a room and has to leave the girls home alone. When the police come they have to pay the police or be arrested. As she told her story she began to cry. Menuka offered her services and said she would take the girls during the day while she was forced to work. The next place was a workplace of one of the moms of the kids here in the shelter. She was married, arranged, at 14. After being raped the husband left her bc she gave birth to a girl. The woman tried to go home but the grandfather then abused her daughter. She was forced to flee and ended up at the massage parlor. Menuka found her and the daughter lives here at the shelter while the mother is getting training so that she can get out of the prostitution.

Menuka said of the 200 massage parlors only 15 are legit and the rest deal in prostitution. The man in charge controls everything and the women have to come and work for very little pay but they have no where else to go. No education, no skills, and no where to turn. It's a very broken system that is sickening and heart breaking. How do you change an entire way of thinking? A corrupt government? A society? The women need education and skills to be able to leave. They need help and they need a society that values women. This culture still has a class system. They still have arranged marriages. They still have shame based consequences. When so much of the country is in extreme poverty and no way out, how do you help? How do you work with a place that is so rural you can't even get into the villages without hiking all day? How do you get more schools so that children don't have to walk 3-5 hours to school and risk rape and abuse on the way? How do you inform people of the lies that fake 'helpers' tell them? How do you keep kids from being taken into the city for a better life only to be put into sexual trafficking? Where do we start? Well, I'm here. I'm learning. I'm telling you their story. There is hope. Raksha Nepal is an incredible organization. Menuka has devoted her life to helping these women and in so many ways. She not only rescues them but she then provides help for their children, gives them skills, helps them legally... she is an inspiration. There isn't much we can do from america but we can spread the word, we can donate. Giving money to the right organizations does help. They need funds to make changes and we can help. When I look at life here vs life in the US, I actually feel ill. It makes me sick to my stomach. How am I supposed to go home to my cush life and back to problems like: he said this, he doesn't like me, that boy didn't open the car door on a date, ugh the internet isn't fast enough.... yes, we all have problema but we are so blessed. So blessed. We need to be aware. We need to do more. And we can. That's the beauty. We can help, be it ever so small, we can. Rakshanepal.org check them out

Here are some notes I took today:
95 percent of Nepal is this jungle type so ppl have to walk hours to school and are lidnapped and raped on the way bc it's the middle of the jungle no clinic no help no one to hear them
Only 15 of 200 are real
Has 8 and 6 yr old had to leave husband bc he was an alcoholic and abusive kids stay home alone while she works 10-12 clients a day has to come here at 10 drops kids at school then comes here then after 4 school is closed and they have to walk home alone one day she came home at 9 pm and kids were missing- ended up being at friends. It kids have to take care of themselves she's been here for two years
They were staying with grandfather but he was bad so she had to take them and they have to be alone bc she has no one else to care for them
Wanted to take them somewhere safe like a school to live but can't afford it
So she is in a rented room now
Education was not priority to daughters- illiterate bc wasn't able to go to school parents discriminate male bs female
A lot of organizations will take kids and sell them so women can't trust those who offer help.
This is truly one of the darkest things I've ever experienced. And the contrast? Right after this wenheaded to a church meeting where Elder Christofferson of the Quorum of the 12 was speaking to the branch here in nepal. They had finally translated the Book of Mormon into Nepali and the members were going to be able to read it in their native tongue for the first time, ever. It was so motivational and strong. Such a sweet spirit and we got to shake Elder Christoffersons hand and say hi.The stark contrast between dark and light was so strong.

read more "A Emotional Contrast"

Orientation/ Welcome

In the morning the girls have meditation and prayer and then karate. Afte karate we had breakfast and then a welcome. We all sat on chairs and the girls did some beautiful dancing for us. Then they had us shut out eyes and when we opened them they had this huge canvas poster made with our faces on it and an adjective. They had facebooked us and picked a picture. Well the one they picked for me is hilariously old and my name was Juicy Jessica 😂.
Then they put scarves on us and a tikka- the red dot. After that they had made us each cards and then more dancing. They then introduced themselves and told us what they want to be when the grew up. There are 50 girls of all ages and they are so cute.
Following this the girls left and we had a meeting with the founder of the shelter. She is an inspiration and so incredible.
Here are some notes I took while listening:
Raksha Nepal
-6 and 8 year old boys found on street almost dead, older brother was feeding younger brother dirt to keep him alive - father's brother raped mom and then she committed suicide
-13 year old raped by own brother and gave birth came in at 3 month old- father died in earthquake mother went to kwait brother was 18 mother said to look after sister brother began to do drugs and raped sister repeatedly mother would call and check in and brother never said anything. Neighbors didn't know- in Nepal in very poor areas they don't care- once she gave birth people found out and he police brought her to the shelter
-3 year old gang raped by uncle
- can't have kids
-during natural disasters one of the biggest issues is trafficking people come in and say we want to give your daughter education in Kathmandu and so children get sucked into trafficking
-parents will send their kids to the city bc they have no options and an "ngo" is offering education
- sometimes women lose their husbands or need work and get sucked into prostitution
- lots of girls do have families but going home isn't safe
- 50 girls two types of victims one from their own family those never go home the others who were victims of teachers or neighbors home is welcome but there is social discrimination
-sex traffic and exploration is very taboo and shameful
- of the 50, 31 perpetrators are in jail, a few are under investigation - This shelter has a legal team
- girls are referred here because the owner is known in the community and with the police
-victims take a long time to heal their soul, they are here for a long time
-15 of the girls are on medication for psycho-social
- one girl was raped by 4 people when she identified the perp they had a lot of money and were not sent to jail- she now is studying to be a judge
-5 raped by teacher
-10 by uncle
- 5 from father
-2 from grandfather
- some gang raped
- all of these girls who are abused by their family sometimes they can't come to the shelter others can
- according to the psychologist it takes a lifetime to rebuild jay emotional damage
- they are triggered by things for example they took the girls to the movie and the movie talked about a rape. One girl couldn't attend school for a month after bc of the memories and damage it resurfaced.
- they do self defense every morning as well as yoga and meditation
-there is not another organization who is giving this type of relief or shelter
- the founder said she would never have criteria or stipulations on who she would help because as a child she couldn't get help bc she didn't meet the criteria - she takes in anyone who needs help
-when a girl first enters (25% from police 25%government ...
They see a psychologist then legal support is provided - only within 35 days can you arrest a perpetrator - have to go to medical test within 24 hours
But people from villages have to walk 5-7 days to get to the city to a Dr
- if a girl tells her story to family many times family will shame them and tell them they are bad and why would they accept that
- girls who come to this shelter did not come here easily
- takes a long time for the girls to build trust with the shelter they give them 3 months and then they put them on a schedule with the rest of the girls
-girls are looked at as less than
-gangsters or political power men have these restaurants with singing or dancing but behind the doors is prostitution so menuka began to speak up
- 1 year ago they bought bigger property which gives girls more confidence , more space to take more people
- no child protective services here parent owns right to child at all times no matter what
- kids are all renamed for their protection

It was a powerful meeting and so emotional to listen and hear about these stories. The girls are so happy and full of smiles and resonance. They are kind and well behaved.

Once our meeting was over we got onto buses with the girls and headed to a gondola which they had been wanting to do for some time so we had this outing with them. We each paired with a girl and went up the mountain in our gondola. It was beautiful. The dog came in think though and was a white out. At the top was a park we played in and there was a temple atop as well.
We ordered some moma that was so so so spicy like inedible. Then we headed back down the mountain when the rain stopped.
When you travel with a group of 100 it takes a long time to organize so getting home took a long time.
Once back home I discovered part of why we were getting so many spiders is because there is a missing panel in our window so I used a plastic bag and some big spray and patched that up. Good thing too bc this morning there was a monster spider on window outside our door.
That night we went to prayer and meditation. We all sit in a room on the floor and clap and chant while the drums are played and someone is singing.

read more "Orientation/ Welcome"

The Program Day 1

Monday morning we met Nicole and then headed into the market for some shopping. We had a great morning and found Kurtas- the tops we have to wear for super cheap which was great! After a little exploring we headed to the coffee shop to meet up with the other people from the group who had arrived early.
The frustrating part is that we found out that people were flying in through 10pm that night so there were no plans for Monday...
I wish I had known before because I would have not flown in as early, or spent more time in Abu Dhabi, or done more research on what to do etc.
We ended up walking to the office, dropping off our stuff, walking around town, having lunch, sitting in a coffee shop for hours.
Then at 8:30 we ended up going to the office again and hung out on the roof. More and more people kept arriving. We had a pizza party on the roof which was fun and the pizza was good. Got to spend time talking with Nicole, Katelyn - who went to africa with me, and her friend Elise. They are all so awesome! Also Kelsey who is from New York and found thisnplace through Chelsea a famous Instagram and photographer.
Around 10:30 we started loading the buses and began the journey to the shelter.
We arrived around 11:30 and found our room assignments- not really sure why we were assigned rooms and couldn't pick them but such is life. The shelter is an old hotel so our accommodations are much better than I expected. We have a bed and about 5 ppl in each room with a bathroom and an all be it cold shower; a shower.
As soon as I was about to walk into my room- massive spider on the curtain. Another one in the corner. One on the floor. Another bug on the pillow. Um. My freak out started and has not stopped.
I couldn't sleep last night bc I was so terrified every time something itches or touched me. I think I literally have arachnophobia. It's consuming my entire mind, it literally makes me cry, heart beat fast and is an irrational fear.
That morning- biggest spider I've ever seen in my life right in front of my foot. Webs in every bush with giant green ones, webs in ever corner with fat FAT round ones, and the worst kind the super juicy big ones... always near our door. I'm miserable. I know it seems so stupid and I hate even writing it bc I have so much to be grateful for but I want to go home. I've never felt like this in a country and I don't know what my issue is. But I will tell you I despise spiders and this is my worst nightmare. I know it could be worse, I know I should suck it up and deal with it and I know the reason I'm here but that's why this has got to be a phobia- it's all I focus on. It's literally disgusting.

read more "The Program Day 1"

Exploring Patan

Today was great! I'm having an attitude change and it's better!

I don't even know where to start! So this morning we met with a Shiva again- guys hiring a man for. Full day for $25 was the best thing that ever happened. You, I, we, need to do something like this in every city. It makes it was easier and you learn SO MUCH! Problem is I learned too much that I can't remember. So we first got in a taxi and headed to Patan.

This is a royal city. I believe a king used to live here. You have to pay fees to get into these massive areas and some are unesco sites. Ok so we head into one of the squares and start to learn about this big festival where they sacrifice 54 bulls and 54 goats. He said it turns into a bloody mess and the blood stays in the square for a long time since they don't clean it up.

That happens in here with all these beautiful carvings.

The king used to sit where I'm standing and do an offering in here.

Many of the temples were destroyed in the earthquake and many more are undergoing reconstruction.

As we explore I'm still gathering information on schools and water supply. This is a local tap below is a well. Kids go to school here 6 days a week so we saw many a children out today, Sunday. Those in uniforms are going to private school. In the last 20 years the government made public achool
free but many in the villages have p walk an hour each way to school. In the villages still many children do not attend because they have to help provide for the family. The city schools get a month off inbetween sept and oct but do have school in summer.

This is a water hole that they blocked the plug and during a festival the men swim in it- it's holy water I believe or something like that.

Religious service going on. There is so much rich culture and religion. Everything is intertwined in religion. It's incredible.

A taxi ride to Bhaktapur.

Another royal palace. So many temples. We are more
momo from a rooftop with a gorgeous view:

As we walked around we learned that this city is known for its pottery. We saw how they layer the pots and then burn them for 24 hours.

Then we saw someone making a pot and he let us try.

There was a goat chillin on the temple steps/

Women getting water from a well:

Then we got to go see papermaking. It was awesome!

They make it from this bark and then lay it out to dry.

And then came the rain. SO much rain!

So we had our first experience on a public bus which cost .20 to go the same distance it was for an $8 taxi. Either way- so cheap!

Oh I forgot we also got to see a wood working studio and see the crazy intriquite wood carvings. Then saw some from the 12th century. It's amazing the detail that goes into all this.

read more "Exploring Patan"

Nepal. The Beginnings.

I'm not going to lie when I got here I was in such a bad mood. Now remember that the day before I was in Abu Dhabi- super nice airport, amazing hotel, air, hot water, posh baby posh. When I stepped off the plane in Kathmandu... the humidity slapped me hard- then had to board a bus and be packed like sardines to enter the most basic airport where I was put in the wrong line multiple times and then had to wait in a huge line to put my luggage through a X-ray... to leave the airport....
Also, that was the world's longest run on sentence. Anyway I get to my hotel which is not nice at all, even though I paid double other hotel and hostel prices, to find a huge harry spider on the wall, a shared bathroom with a nasty stink and a room hotter than ... yeah. I was mad. Mostly because I was tired and hormonal but I was not a happy camper.
I'm not sure why. I've been in this type of situation countless times all over the world. And I know I should be happy that I have the opportunity to be half way across the world experiencing a place many won't ever get to. But sometimes we're just unhappy. But I'll work on that attitude! It's also important to know and recognize that travel isn't all fun and games 24-7 and that it's ok to not like a place.
You know the stark contrast between countries is also shocking. How can there be such diversity? Such completely and totally different ways of living? I think we forget sometimes theassive differences between countries, cultures, regions, people. It's mind boggling to think we all live on the same planet but are so incredibly different and in such different places monetarily.
Can't help but think what if I was born somewhere like his? Or Abu Dhabi how different would life be.
Anyway after somewhat sleeping I had a much better attitude. Started the morning with breakfast on the roof.

Then Shelby, who is here early with the program, and our other bunkmate and I headed to a walking tour. It ended up just being the 3 of us and it was great! Shiva took us all over the city and gave us so much information.

Nepal is like many other third world countries. They all have a lot of similarities.

For example the power lines, no traffic laws, tons of scooters, produce and food being sold all over, shantily built places being held up by beams...

Clever ways of selling things. Also, so much religion and culture.

Prayer wheels.

This was Shiva our tour guide. He was amazing. I booked him to take me all ove tomorrow too because for $10 why wouldn't you aquire a private guide.
Oh man, the food here is delicious! We had momo for lunch- veggie dumplings- so delicious. And the grand total: $1.70

I went back to the same place for dinner. $1.90 got me thampku or something like that.

Saw Garden of Dream: a pretty garden to walk around and explore.

Went to monkey temple which was amazing bc there were baby monkeys everywhere! There was this pool and the monkeys would climb to the top and cannon ball in. It was hilarious to watch! Apparently they were as hot and nasty as we were.

Overall, it was a good day. I should write more but I'm so tired. It's 7 and I'm turning in.

Also, just don't judge these outfits I've got going on the next few weeks.

read more "Nepal. The Beginnings."