s.e.n. newsletter - january 2015

7/26/2019 S.E.N. Newsletter - January 2015

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NEWSLETTER

JANUARY 2015

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or

even touched--they must be felt with the heart."

(Helen Keller)

Introduction– A New Year has begun and new challenges will surely confront eachone of us as we follow our chosen paths through 2015. Old and unresolved challengeswill undoubtedly follow us, sometimes as reminders of our fallibility and at other times,as reminders of the shear enormity of the challenges which we have chosen to pursue.

It is no less so with the efforts of S.E.N. The social inequalities and injusticesprevalent throughout Nepali society, continue to plead for social change. The problemsloom so large, that many shrug their shoulders and turn away, feeling that there is naughtthat they can do as individuals to bring about change or to make a difference.

But if such individuals unite, work together in unity, then change is possible. It remindsone of the fictional story regarding a beach that was strewn with stranded star-fish at lowtide. A lone wanderer was to be seen bending down, picking up a star-fish and castingone, then another back into the sea, time and time again. A passer-bye remarked that itwas a pretty useless task, there were thousands of stranded star-fish and throwing a fewback into the ocean would not make a difference. Bending down once more, thewanderer grasped yet another star-fish and threw it back into the sea. “I made adifference for that one!” S.E.N. will go on ‘picking up star-fish’ in Nepal. Why not

help??

Rina and little Lachsman – Close to the beautiful Boudha Stupa in Kathmanduand not far from the Hyatt Hotel (room rate $160 nightly b&b = NRs 15,753), is whatS.E.N. refers to as the Boudha Shack Village (site rent monthly $20 = Nrs2000 permonth excl meals) home to approximately 150 migrant Indian beggar and street hawkerfamilies. ‘Rina’ is one of the inhabitants.

A young beggar woman with two small boys and an abusive, wayward husband who

‘drinks’ what income he earns. Rina is thus solely responsible for generating sufficientdaily income to feed herself, her two children and to pay the site-rent for her bambooand plastic tarp covered ‘shack’. ‘Extras’ cannot be budgeted for.



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Thus Rina has had to face severe hardship over Christmas and the New Year with theyoungest of her two sons (Lachsman) being diagnosed as suffering from pneumonia.This necessitated the child being hospitalized for all of 10 days. The attention given ina Nepali hospital is purely medical. The basic care of the patient is the responsibility ofthe relatives, in this instance, Rina. She was required to stay with her child for theentire 10 days! Fortunately, her sisters cared for the elder child (Rama).

Treatment is not free in Nepal. Not even for children. No money = no treatment. Plainand simple! Thus Rina had to beg and borrow the sum of NRs 10,000 (round figures)to meet the hospital costs. Bear in mind that her average income per month is aroundNRs 3,500 ($35). However, for 10 days there wasn’t any income as Rina was unable tobeg! The poor young woman has now a NRs10,000 debt in addition to having to findsufficient income for this month’s food and rent. Frankly: She desperately needs help!

NRs10,000 would clear her debts, which in Western currency amounts to approximatelyUS$100: ₤68; Aus$130; €90. If you would like to help Rina, then kindly send yourdonation to the S.E.N. PayPal account via [email protected] (Label:Rina). If the donations exceed the amount required, then it will be applied to buying agas cyclinder refill for Rina’s simple 2-ringed gas cooker, thus avoiding her having tolight an open wood fire in her shack, the smoke of which is of course a major cause ofpneumonia….as her doctor has told her!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BoudhaShackVillage

Kamlari – ‘Nirmala’ ‘I do not know my parents anymore. They sold me intoservitude when I was five years old and I had to scrub floors, wash dishes, collect

firewood, etc in this dirty guest house. Such a girl who is sold like that is called a‘Kamlari’ girl. (Girl Rising - Nepal: http://youtu.be/L32OeswN47U

I was rescued when I was just 10 years old and ‘Shanta’ became my ‘foster-carer’ andher Papa Eric found a sponsor in Australia to pay for my food and clothes.



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My mama and papa are so poor, they live in the jungle near Chitwen and only have a plastic tarp over their heads as a home. Their food is what they can find inthe jungle as they do not have money. I never see them anymore since I was 5.

Now as a 12 year old, I am so lucky and happy to be able to go to school in Kathmanduwhere I board in the hostel, My school is teaching in English, so I must only speak

English at school. Nepali is my language, which is like Hindi.

But my happiness may have to come to an end, because there is no money to pay for myschooling. I need another sponsor for my education which costs a lot of rupees!

Every month Shanta (my foster.carer) has to find an extra NRs4000 or nearly NRs50,000 each year! That is impossible for her, so I will have to leave school andstart work I guess.’

That is Nirmala’s story in short! A beautiful child worthy of support. It is necessary forNirmala to live in the school hostel as her foster-carer ‘Shanta’ is herself a student (forthe past 6 months in the UK) and it is practically impossible for her to care for Nirmalaproperly at this time. Despite Shanta remitting close to Nrs3000 per month to theschool for Nirmala’s care from Nirmala’s original Australian (Canberra) sponsor, thereremains a shortfall of some NRs4000 (US$41; ₤ 27; Aus$51; €36) Nirmala thusdesperately needs a second sponsor for her education. Such sponsorship is bestarranged direct with S.E.N. by email to [email protected]. Donations

can also be made to our PayPal account via the same email address (label: Nirmala).

Shanta and Nirmala



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Shanta – potential art teacher 'Shanta' is a young Nepali woman who hasbeaten the odds by gaining a place at the Rudolf Steiner inspired Emerson College in theUK to study 'Visual Arts' as a stepping stone to becoming a Steiner-Waldorf teacher.

https://www.pinterest.com/leo8839/appeal-for-shanta/

Her struggles to date were described in the last issue of the S.E.N. Newsletter. The past5 months have been a real awakening for Shanta with respect to the differences betweencultures, as well as to the wonders encountered when experiencing the Visual Arts.But all too soon, this stage of her career training is coming to a conclusion as Shantaprepares to pack her belongings and head back home to family and friends in her nativeNepal.

Once in Kathmandu, Shanta hopes to be able to initially pursue her art studies locally. Ifplans evolve as hoped, then she is keen to travel to Australia to gain even moreexperience in the arts by having periods of ‘internship’ with reputable Australian artistsin New South Wales and Tasmania. She has already received an invite to ‘intern’ in theart department of a Steiner-Waldorf school in Queensland and art studio in Tasmania.With a keen interest in Early Childhood, investigations are underway to find aninternship in at least one Steiner-Waldorf school kindergarten.

All this of course, costs money! Shanta has none! To date, S.E.N. has raised ₤2000 ofthe ₤4000 goal, monies that will be applied towards partially off-setting the education

and accommodation costs at Emerson College. Donations are urgently sought to meetthe outstanding ₤2000! Any sized donation can be sent to our PayPal account [email protected] (label: Shanta). Anyone wishing to make a bankdeposit donation should contact S.E.N. at the same email address, for bank details (thereare accounts in either the UK or Australia).



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Maitreya Pathshala Waldorf Inspired School situated in Pokhara, Nepal, isnearing the end of its first year of existence. In our last Newsletter, the attention ofreaders was directed to the need for volunteers to contribute to the work of the school

and the bio-dynamic farm that is an integral part of the community, for it is the farm thatgenerates a goodly portion of the income needed to operate the school as a socialinitiative for the socially deprived families in that area. The community has in factwelcomed numerous volunteers from the Europe, Asia, New Zealand and most recently,from Sydney, Australia in the form of 4 high-school graduates of ‘Glenaeon’, the RudolfSteiner School in Castle Cove, Sydney. A report written by one of the volunteers is asfollows:

The amazing thing about the Steiner-Waldorf community is that it is large enough to be foundin pockets all over the world, and small enough that it still feels like a big family, a home away

from home. This was our experience at Maitreya Pathshala. After a crazy few weeks in Indiaarriving at this little school and farm at the base of the Himalayas, was like a breath of freshair. We were greated by Sofiya who gave us a tour of the farm. They grow many kinds ofvegetables and tomatoes, and also own cows which are milked twice a day.

Sofiya also showed us the classrooms. At the moment they have only established asmall kindergarten, but the familiar circular rug, the seasonal table with faceless dolls and theSteiner-Waldorf classroom aroma made me feel right at home.

Unfortunately the children were on their winter break, so we were unable to join any of theirclasses. During the winter months though, the children of Mustang (northern Nepal) descendfrom their snowy homes in the mountains to escape the cold and board here in somebuildingsat the rear of the property. It was really nice always having these children around.During the evenings they would show us up with their superior hacky-sack skills and teach usother games.

We spent the days building a rock garden out the front, and painting the schools logo, a lotusflower, onto the front of the building. All the neighbours, particularly the children, appearedfascinated by our work. We seemed always to be working to an audience.

Sofiya’s delicious cooking kept us well satisfied. One of the evenings she taught a us how to

make ‘momos’. We all gathered around the table while she demonstrated how to fold thedough to create beautiful styled bundles. Our clumsy attempts to imitate her caused a lot oflaughter on both sides.

Unfortunately Ritman Gurung (co-founder) and the other teachers were in Kathmandu forteacher training for most of our stay, but we were able on the last day to share breakfast onour last morning. Sitting under the sun with views of the beautiful mountains we atehomemade bread and feta cheese, delicious curry and cheese made from the milk of the newmother cow who had given birth only the night before.

Overall we had a lot of fun. I would love to return someday to see the next stage of the

school’s development.

Alison Pooley



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Ritman Gurung was delighted to be able to host this wonderful group of young people.The school teachers were grateful for the teaching materials that were also gifted to theschool.

I am delighted that there is now a connection between Maitreya Pathshala and Glenaeon,especially as I am most familiar with Glenaeon having taught there between 1995 and2002 as a class teacher!

Steiner-Waldorf Education in Nepal - There is an increasing interest inSteiner-Waldorf educational methodology in Nepal. An article written last year andfreely available on the internet describes this(https://www.scribd.com/doc/237846103/Article-Waldorf-in-Nepal-April-2014). With

increased interest, there is thus a growing need for experienced teachers to share theirknowledge in ‘workshops’. Several have been held in Kathmandu and elsewhere overthe past couple of years. More are needed!! See: http://wen-nepal.wix.com/wen-waldorf-in-nepal

This is a call to all Steiner-Waldorf teachers who contemplate travelling to Nepal, toconsider volunteering their services by offering a short course over a period of 3 -4 daysin their preferred area of expertise, perhaps joining up with another known traveller so asto share the experience!? If you are interested, contact S.E.N.([email protected]) with your suggestions.

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‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’

(Helen Keller)

Our Facebook presence: https://www.facebook.com/papasendeavours

s.e.n. newsletter - january 2015

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