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My name is Zandra Eccles and I live in Australia. I retired from the workforce when I was 58 years of age. Being a very active person I decided to go trekking in Nepal where I immediately fell in love with, not only the country, but especially the people. My experiences encouraged me to return to Nepal in an endeavour to find places where I could give of my time in assisting certain organisations. These included Mother Teresa’s orphanage and hospice, Shanti Sheva Gria, a leprosy home, both of these were in Kathmandu and the Namaste Childrens’ Home in Pokhara. On my fourth visit to Nepal I came across the Disabled Newlife Center in Kathmandu. I was invited to look over the premise by Shanti, the housemother. I found a place which was so poor, badly run down, children suffering from malnutrition, lacking education and living in what one could only describe as horrific conditions. Despite all this, the ambience of tender loving care and kindness from the staff for the children, led one to believe that something could be done to improve the situation. Over the next six years I worked hard to make myself known in the community in which I live. Thanks to the generous invititations to be a guest speaker at meetings, telling my story ‘Volunteering in Nepal’, also that of DNC informing the guests of what we hoped to achieve, I was able to raise in the vicinity of AUS$5,000 per year. This money I would take to Nepal and then spend it on what I thought best. The purchases ranged from furnishings, bedding, playground equipment, plants for the garden, both vegetables and flowers, computer set ups, kitchen equipment, food, outings and clothing for the children. A guaranteed donation of a AUS$1000 per annum during that time for three very important areas:
AUS$1,000 to employ
a second house mother. During my visits I worked with the children to build up a better life for them. Teaching them to respect each other, keep the place tidy, general knowledge in regard to hygiene both personal and round the premises. We spent a lot of time on craft work and we had a big Open Day – Art and Craft Show where the children sold their work and art. We raised over AUS$1,000 on that day which was amazing as many of the items were selling for very small amounts of money. It was a very necessary thought in my mind to give both the staff and children the confidence that they could come to me at any time with whatever problem they might have, and Auntie would do her best to sort things out. Before my final farewell we all sat round and I asked each children what they had gained from Auntie’s visit. The answers were varied from – keeping my room clean – being kind to each other – respecting the staff --- some of course too shy to say anything – however one boy got up and said: “I have learned that, despite being disabled, I have a good brain and can achieve anything I set my mind to in life.” To me this was the culmination of all the years spent in Nepal. I wish everyone involved with DNC good health and happiness. Remember that it does not matter how little one single person does to help, it is like a stone being thrown into a pond and the ripples spread far and wide. September 2010 |