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Thoughts heading into a new year

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Every year around this time I tend to be amazed at how fast time seems to fly.&nbsp; This year in particular. I’m four month into my fellowship with only 2 more to go. How has this happened so fast? Will time please slow down?
The last week or two has been spent planning my remaining time here in Nepal and reflecting on 2015.&nbsp; To be frank this is my favorite time of year, specifically for the excuse to lock myself in solitude and spend quality time thinking, reflecting, planning. Some years has started with a spiral of self-pity as I pull up a failed list of goals – didn’t drop the weight, or kick the chocolate habits, or drink less, or do more or give more etc.. But this time around I found a more positive outlook during my self-reflection. Am I finally easing up on myself? Or maybe it’s maturity? Or maybe due to the complete removal of external pressures?&nbsp; Regardless, the easy forgiveness of shortcomings and recognition of positive aspects to the past year has left a lightness in my soul that I wish I could pour into all of you.
Going with the theme of planning and looking forward, I’ve highlighted many of the concluding plans with the Women’s Protection Center in Nepal in my post below.&nbsp; I must forewarn that this reads much like a status report [and I think part of me is missing writing them].
During the next two months, we have large goals here at WPC. With our pilot phase completed and materials reworked and finalized, we will be aggressively moving into our delivery phase. Up until this point, I have spent much of my ‘down time’ wandering the populated city of Hetauda, venturing only as far as my legs could take me.&nbsp; Now we will be reaching the outskirts of the district, working in schools that can only be reached by foot and where overnight accommodations are ‘few and far between’. I’m assuming that means I won’t be collecting Starwood Points so I’m considering packing my tent and newly purchased sleeping bag (shot out to Sonam, I can’t wait to use the lightweight down 15 degree this summer).
We are coordinating with about nine schools for January and 9+ (a to be determined list) for February.&nbsp; To select locations for our program, we acquired a list of all the government run secondary schools in Makwanpur back in September and built a priority list based on past relationships, geographical proximity and greatest need. The district of Makwanpur is broken up into 46 Village District Communities (VDC’s), each having at least one to two free secondary government schools. With an annual budget of about 25-30 programs a year, we easily have developed a long term plan to accomplish our goal of reaching all Makwanpur.
Thursday will be the first program that will run with our new material. I am SO excited. Can I say that again? So very excited.&nbsp; Working off feedback from our pilot, we spruced up our original agenda to make time for more interaction and group discussion.&nbsp; My goal is to ensure we hear the voices of the students rather than simply social preaching and hoping something sticks. This will be done through case studies, discussion questions, and brainstorming sessions. And to the West Monroe readers – we also added, believe it or not, a survey, to provide students the opportunity to share their thoughts on the program and hear additional ideas for future improvement.
Within the program there are three different stories that we profile, all from girls within our home, to describe the harms of child abuse, discrimination and child trafficking. Each story is impactful, saddening me each time I polish those particular slides. We share the story of Asha* who’s dad would beat her and burn her with cigarettes after drunkenly stumbling home from his 12 hour shift as a rickshaw driver. Pemba* who was raised to believe she was worthless and stood no chance at having a future because of the ‘untouchable caste’ she was born into. And Gita* who was approached by a family friend with promises of a better life and offered to help her obtain a visa to work abroad.&nbsp; Gita’s situation perfectly highlights the power of awareness as his proposition triggered her memory from a past program she attended and ultimately protected her from unknowingly entering an agreement into sexual labor. It’s somber stories such as these that confirms each day spent here is working towards something greater, in a country that so desperately needs a light. (*Names are changed)
My remaining time spent at the office will be dedicated to creating a financial management and business basics course for our students graduating from our vocation training this February. The idea of our program is to add some additional training to teach the women about different work options, the skills involved, and basics of finance. We will also add content to cover entrepreneurism and how to start their own shop in Makwanpur.&nbsp; Next week, I’m going to host a couple interviews with local women to start my research. At the completion of their six month training program, the graduating students will be asked to demonstrate their sewing craftsmanship and upon obtaining passing marks will receive a certificate of completion.&nbsp; With this certificate, the women will be highly marketable and able to apply for work as a seamstress, one of the primary sources of income for Nepali women.
Certificates in Nepal are rather symbolic towards their changing society and are held in high regard, often framed like a diploma you would find in a doctor’s office.&nbsp;&nbsp; Here, it’s a symbol for intellect and economic independence.&nbsp; When applications are submitted for a new job, the applicant will submit a stack of their certificates illustrating their life’s achievements dating back to&nbsp;their graduation from secondary school. The pride tied to receiving a&nbsp;certificate is understandable when you consider that Nepali citizens have only been allowed to attend school&nbsp;since 1951. &nbsp;Prior to the 50’s schooling was reserved only for the royal family.
Comparably, at this time in the United States, schools were about to be desegregated from the Brown vs Board of Education trials and&nbsp;children were reading the recently published “The Catcher and the Rye”. &nbsp;The fact that Nepal is only educated to the second/third generation is apparent now more than ever as the country seems to be splitting at the seams from one crisis after another.&nbsp; From an outside perspective, a lot of pressure resides on the younger generation to compensate for their populous expansion and infrastructural weaknesses. Even the basics like roads, water supply and consistent electricity are severely lacking….
Although, I must say the lack of electricity and continual supply of internet has been such a blessing.&nbsp; You know when you go on vacation and bring a book or two to read? Well in this comparison, I’m&nbsp;basically on a six month vacation with endless books available by download (properly timed of course). Currently I’m starting a new one on building character.&nbsp; My take-a-way thus far is that character is individually defined deeming it necessary to have introspective conversations to understand what define yours, reflecting on the traits you value in people you admire sprinkled with common trends influenced by societal pressures and cultural expectations. Stepping into 2016, will venture to explore what changes I need to make to live in a way that uplifts said values.&nbsp; Maybe that’s what I’m doing now? We shall see.
Stopping here before this turns into a full blown journal entry. Happy 2016 Friends, Family and the Unknown.

Every year around this time I tend to be amazed at how fast time seems to fly.&nbsp; This year in particular. I’m four month into my fellowship with only 2 more to go. How has this happened so fast? Will time please slow down?
The last week or two has been spent planning my remaining time here in Nepal and reflecting on 2015.&nbsp; To be frank this is my favorite time of year, specifically for the excuse to lock myself in solitude and spend quality time thinking, reflecting, planning. Some years has started with a spiral of self-pity as I pull up a failed list of goals – didn’t drop the...

Thoughts heading into a new year

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