Kathmandu, Nepal

Originally written 11/02/2009

Arriving in Kathmandu was surreal. Surprisingly the first thing that has stuck in my head since we arrived was the off loading of 3 or 4 brand new UN labeled Toyota Landcruiser’s from shipping crates. It made me feel like I was in a war zone.

I would have to say that Dhaka, Bangladesh was more intense - the people, the rubbish everywhere, the small streets, the unstable buildings, and did I mention the people?! They just stared at you with burning eyes! I've heard someone describe it before as a 'leering' look. But perhaps Bangladesh prepared me for Nepal. So far the worst thing is the pollution, preventing us from seeing the beautiful mountains surrounding Kathmandu. And the hocking and spitting! Have I ever heard such a horrible noise that just makes me want to dry reach?! Walking down the street is like a game of hopscotch, don't stand on the spit or you're out of the game!

Perhaps things haven’t really sunk in yet. The fact that I am living in Kathmandu, Nepal. However today I was reminded as to why I am here. Everyday I get picked up by an ADRA vehicle and while I was waiting today, I could see a man on a wheel chair/bicycle sort of thing coming towards me. The closer he got, I realized that there was a small boy next to him. The bicycle had a winding handle that enabled the man to turn the wheels. It was very slow and could've been faster walking. The man's legs were like jelly, it was like he had no muscle or bone in them, and they were tucked up on a part of the bike. The little boy must have been his son and had his dad's arm around him to keep him from falling off. The boy's backpack was hanging off the back, so they must have been going to school. Seeing this absolutely stole my heart. The determination of a father to take his child to school? The boy could've walked and gotten to school faster.

But it made me think of hope, and how despite peoples' predicaments, there is always hope. Whether it be to be healed, or trying to make the best of a situation. And I guess thats how I see development work. We're not coming in to just "give new legs", but to work with communities to see how we can help them, what is it that we can provide for them? If its nothing, then we will leave them alone. But if they just want some vegetable seeds, then we will help provide some.

I think I have become a bit obsessed with this man. I'm already thinking of waiting for the ADRA bus a bit later in hope that I can see them again tomorrow. We will see.