1. Project Report

Finally, it is that time again, it is March 4th and I land in Kathmandu. I have been looking forward to this for the whole year; I get my stamp in the passport and am allowed to enter. In front of the airport building, my friend Chhiring is waiting for me. We met last year, we share a lot in common, and so we have been in contact via WhatsApp all year. When Chhiring heard that I was coming back, she took the day off, so we have some time for ourselves. I quickly take my suitcase to the hotel, and then we continue on. Chhiring lives in the Boudha district, which is shaped by the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Bodinath Stupa. Radiantly white and very majestic, it rises before us, and I am always deeply moved by this holy building. We join the many pilgrims and walk around the stupa once in a clockwise direction, lighting every three butter lamps inside the stupa, then we turn into one of the alleys that are not as tidy and touristy anymore, and spend a few lovely hours together. In the afternoon, I crash into bed – I have been awake for 30 hours and sleep almost until the next morning.

After breakfast, I go to the secondary school, where two of our girls are currently attending. First, I speak with the principal Tsewang; I am welcomed with tea and a Khata, the Tibetan scarf. It is about maintaining contact, and I also want to show that we continue to care for our children and are available as contacts. The achievements of our two children have been good to excellent over the past year; I have been following that and was very pleased that Kushi successfully transitioned to the big school. Tashi is already in her second year in Kathmandu. We discuss for a while, then I ask Tsewang to bring the girls. A bit shyly, they stand in front of me, my first glance is at their condition; by now I know what is possible in Nepal. But the two are clean and tidy; the German mother in me has nothing to complain about 😊. I give them the souvenirs and chat a bit with them, by now Tsewang has left the room. He didn't do that last year, and I evaluate this very positively; he has a good eye on the children and takes care of them. There are many sponsors from the West who sometimes have a strange way of interacting with the children. After a while, I leave again and am very satisfied with the development of Tashi and Kushi. 

Back at the hotel, Dawa is already waiting for me; we are both very happy to see each other again. However, before the warm German hug, there is a somewhat more reserved Namaste with hands pressed together in front of the chest, and, of course, I receive a Khata draped around me. Then we set off, first for lunch, then we buy toys for the kids. I spot HoolaHoop hoops, which I also want; Dawa thinks that's nonsense. But I know that he almost never denies me a wish, so we leave the store with balls, new badminton rackets, skipping ropes – and 2 brightly colored HoolaHoop hoops. Next, we head to a fruit shop; the kids should tell me their favorite fruit, which I will bring them. In the mountains, fruit is not part of the everyday menu, and I find it more sensible than chocolate. With 12kg of fruit, we leave this store as well; we have gotten apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, kiwis, papayas, and pineapples; only mango is out of season. Thus, my time in Kathmandu is already coming to an end. I am excited to arrive in this loud, colorful, and cheerful bustle and love to dive into the chaotic traffic, the chaos, and the friendly togetherness. But I am equally happy to be able to escape this noisy, dusty, dirty stench full of poverty.

The next day, we slowly head north towards the foothills through the suburbs, and when we stop at a military checkpoint that marks the border between the Kathmandu region and the Trishuli region, I see it for the first time, snow-covered and beautiful: the Himalayas. I am reminded of skiing trips with friends when you drive over the hill by Lake Constance and see the Alps for the first time over the lake in Switzerland 😄. And again: it is not so different here, after all. You just don’t eat lentils with spätzle and sausage but with rice and Tarkari, the Nepali curry. So, with a view of the highest mountain range in the world, the journey continues until I eventually recognize Dhunche, the largest city in the Rasuwa district, which also includes Khangjim. From here, I am familiar with the area! Soon we are already in Syaphru Besi and stop by Baisano, our driver for medical transports. We pick up Kami, Dawa's wife; she had been at a wedding. Later I learn that wedding season is also during springtime in Nepal when my host Tashi shows me 6 wedding invitations. Not so different from us, I just say "lentils". 

The ride goes uphill, the jeep bumps over the rocky terrain, loses grip, and plows through small streams until we arrive in Khangjim. Finally, in many senses. Familiar faces greet me; I quickly bring my luggage to my room, then I run down the stairs to my children. They stand neatly lined up, with scarves and ceremonial drinks; I let the Nepali greeting wash over me. Then finally, with my neck full of scarves, I'm allowed to hug my children! I have been looking forward to them so much! Phurpu's front teeth have grown back; now they are missing for Ngawang. Tsering Dolmar and Palmu tell me how long they have been waiting for me, Yangzom looks at me first critically and thoughtfully, as always, then hugs me tightly. My children, 14 shining faces, many hands touching me. "Your hair is so long, you have curls!" "You have the same shoes as last year" "Yes, but a different jacket!" "Simone sister, we missed you!" It is nice to be back here. 

In the coming days, there are first several conversations with Dawa and our new children's home director, Pramod. After a long search, Dawa has decided on him; he is a father himself, speaks English, and surprises me with a very affectionate approach to my children. 

After the first few days in Khangjim, I am generally very satisfied; moreover, I feel as if I have never been away. So, I sit in Pasang's kitchen, having lentils without spätzle, drink tea with Kami, and put my children to bed. I will not mention that I ride a motorcycle with Dawa here. The real work begins on Monday.

It is good to be back here!