Checking up on Baluwa village

We took advantage of a break in the monsoon rains to take some of our friends out to Baluwa village to check on progress of some projects there - sponsored by Rotary Clubs in Nepal (Dhulikhel) and New Zealand (Tauranga Te Papa, Matamata, Papamoa). It was some of the other guys first trip to the small rural villages and they were in for a treat! As we got out of the cars at the school we discovered that the children were so grateful for the help that they have received that they had formed a clapping guard of honour for us. This bought huge smiles to all our faces and we all had a ball with the kids. A truely humbling experience.

All smiles as we arrive at the school

Some village ladies who served up tea

This child was born with club feet, this mother is mute and has two other children. A New Zealand Rotarian has sponsered the cost of corrective casts ($150).

We went for a look at some houses built by a group of New Zealanders in the surrounding village and shared a cup of tea with the locals while we discussed further projects in the village. We also inspected the site of a new high school being built by the villagers. The great thing about this is that the villagers are doing a lot of the planning and construction themselves and we are moving to more of an advisory role, This means than we are equipping people with the tools to help themselves and not creating a cycle of dependence.

The site of the new High school

This is Sankers brother, Sanker is the boy who we helped get treatment for a tumor in his groin. He is now working in Kathmandu and helping his brothers attend school.

It was a great morning and good to share some of our work with our friends. Also good to catch up on some of the great work that has been done while we have been away.