Gateway to Nepal » Uncategorized http://www.gatewaytonepal.org Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:07:15 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 We’ve Hit Our Goal http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/weve-hit-our-goal/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/weve-hit-our-goal/#comments Fri, 31 Dec 2010 05:07:15 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=364 Another generous donation just helped us hit our goal for the bunk bed project. Thank you to everyone who gave financially to this project as well as all the prayers and encouragements.
It’s very exciting to hit this goal, but remember this is just one project we are working on. There is still need for more orphans to be sponsored and hopefully the building of another orphanage.

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/weve-hit-our-goal/feed/ 0 Quick Fundraising Update http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/quick-fundraising-update/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/quick-fundraising-update/#comments Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:04:01 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=362 Now at $3725 of $4000

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/quick-fundraising-update/feed/ 0 Update on Fundraising http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/update-on-fundraising/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/update-on-fundraising/#comments Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:45:35 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=360 Hi Everyone, Quick Update. As of last night we had raised $3425!!!!!! $525 to go!
Thanks you everyone for your support…!!

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/update-on-fundraising/feed/ 0 Quick Update http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/quick-update/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/quick-update/#comments Mon, 20 Dec 2010 02:51:56 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=358 About $1,000 dollars raised so far for the upcoming trip to work on the orphanage. Only $3000 to go.
Also, we need many more sponsorships for orphans in Nepal.

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/12/quick-update/feed/ 0 Virtual walk through of proposed bunk bed layout for orphanage http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/10/virtual-walk-through-of-proposed-bunk-bed-layout-for-orphanage/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/10/virtual-walk-through-of-proposed-bunk-bed-layout-for-orphanage/#comments Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:34:21 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=355 NEPAL BUNKBEDS(2)

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/10/virtual-walk-through-of-proposed-bunk-bed-layout-for-orphanage/feed/ 0 Next Trip to Nepal http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/10/next-trip-to-nepal-2/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/10/next-trip-to-nepal-2/#comments Sat, 09 Oct 2010 12:50:04 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/10/next-trip-to-nepal-2/ Hi Everyone,
Well, it’s time to revive this site, it’s been awhile since I have posted anything so sorry about that. I’m getting ready for our next trip to Nepal which will be in January 2011 so be on the lookout for updates to this site.

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/10/next-trip-to-nepal-2/feed/ 0 Orphans In Nepal In Need http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/04/orphans-in-nepal-in-need/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/04/orphans-in-nepal-in-need/#comments Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:34:31 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=313 It was 4:30 in the morning when my travel alarm went off, waking me up from the two hours of sleep that I managed to get in.  I’m not sure exactly why I had slept so lightly that night.  It could have been a number of things, like the strange noises of the Muslims or the Hindus chanting from the nearby temples, the music starting to emanate from the small shacks as local merchants prepared for a busy day of bartering, or it could have been my fears that had been aroused from a previous nights conversation reminding me of the “dangers” of the trip I was about to embark on the next day.

I had just finished three days of visiting local Kamiya (ex-slave) villages around the town of Dhangarhi in Nepal where I was working on assessing the health of Water Buffalo.  Marian, who I had been traveling with, had left for Tikapur a day and a half earlier and I was anxious to meet up with him again.  On the night I was supposed to leave my ride had been delayed significantly due to poor road conditions.  I had wanted to leave that night, but I was encouraged by Gopal (who was looking after me at Tikapur) to stay the night as I still hadn’t had any dinner to eat and it was getting late.   I continued to insist on leaving that evening but Gopal gently told me that I needed to stay the night and travel in the morning as the drive to Tikapur was not exactly safe.  The road to Tikapur passed through few villages and wound mostly through dense areas of jungle where if the vehicle were to break down, there would be no chance of someone helping us.  Not to mention the fact that I was probably the only Caucasian for hundreds of miles and there had been a history of kidnappings.

Not feeling like being stranded in the middle of the jungle and kidnapped (which was probably very low risk), I gladly conceded to Gopal’s advice and stayed the night.  At 5:00 the next morning my driver and I embarked on the two our treck to Tikapur.  Visibility that morning was about five feet. The roads that were supposed to be paved seemed more like dirt roads, and the dirt roads seemed more like dried up river beds.  Needless to say, it was bumpy!  I tried to catch a nap, but whenever I dozed I found myself jolted by a large bump or not wanting to fully fall asleep so I could brace myself if we had to stop suddenly if something or someone were to appear out of the dense fog in the middle of the road.

In the early light when we passed through villages we could begin to make out the shapes of people and farm animals moving  like ghosts in the thick mist.  After a couple hours of driving the road began to improve and the fog began to lift and we emerged from the woods into a small town.  We had a arrived at Tikapur.  We drove down what seemed to be the main road lined with many small homes.  The town seemed to still be sleeping.  We came to a traffic circle and went down a straight dirt road that was in the processes of being improved.  The feeling of this road seemed different.  Houses were in better shape, the side of the road was cleaner.  There was something special about the road we were driving down.  As we neared the end of the road on the right was a long brick wall with gates and behind it hid a long square building in conjunction with a tall pink Mediterranean style house. The driver slowed and pulled in front of the gate.  I got out of the car, stretched, and was reminded of how cold it was when I was able to see my yawn vaporize in the air.  We went up to the gate and knocked.

We heard some rustling in the house and then footsteps approaching the gate.  When the gate opened a man with a bright yellow jacket and holding flower necklaces in his hands greeted us with a smile that melted away the stress of the last couple hours and rough nights sleep and left me with sense of peace and safety.  He said hello in broken English, shook my hand with strong firm grip and told us his name was Parsu and then proceeded to place the flower necklaces over our heads.

Parsu invited me in through the gates, while the driver stayed behind with the car, which is customary in Nepal and India.  As I walked through the gates I was surprised with meticulously cared for gardens and various fruit trees.  Parsu began to name the different trees and plants on the way to his house.  We strolled down a walk way and onto a porch to his front door where we took our shoes off and he invited me in to his home, still with that calming and genuine smile.  I took my shoes off on the porch and stepped into a small living room with humble furnishings.  The windows were open even though it was only barely 50 degrees outside.  I sat down on a small futon like couch and Parsu sat across from me.  He explained to me again that he was Parsu, that this was his home, and he was the pastor of the church across from the house.  He than began to ask me if I liked the road that we drove down as he was on one of the town boards and was able to get enough funding to have the street that his church and school are located on improved.   I recalled the change in the atmosphere when my driver and I turned down Parsu’s road.  He asked me if I would like some tea, and being desperate for a hot drink to warm me up I gratefully said yes.  A few moments later he delivered the tea for me and then sat down again and stared at me smiling.  After a few moments of awkward silence, but never once breaking his contagious smile he said “I think brother Marian must be up by now.”

You may be asking at this point, “why the long winded story about traveling to Tikapur.  I thought this posting had to do with orphans in Nepal?”  It does, but I wanted to begin by providing my own story of how I met Parsu to hopefully paint a better picture of the kindness, gentleness and caring that emanates from him and his household.  Before I even met Parsu, I had experienced the impact he is having on his community just by turning down his street.  And at that time, I did not even know that was the street he lived on.  Finally making it to Parsu’s house and then walking through his gates into his humble gardens was like entering a safe harbor after crossing a stormy sea.

Marian had told me about Parsu and his family and all the work they are doing in Tikapur and the surrounding Kamiya villages.  Parsu’s family including his daughter and son-in-law (Sophie and Madan) are doing an incredible amount of work to help orphaned children and to help make better lives for ex-slave families in their surrounding area, on top of being the pastor of a quickly growing church.

I had gone to Tikapur to meet up with Marian and help with the planning of a new zip line that was being built to make easier passage across the river for local villagers, farmers and school children, as well as to help plan for a new school in the town of PremNegar.  In addition, I had been told that Parsu’s family were caring for many orphans, all girls who were in his care for various reasons.  Some their parents had been killed in Nepal’s recent civil wars, others their parents simply could not afford them and gave them up, knowing that Parsu’s family would provide them with food, shelter and a good education. On my trip I sat down with all the girls at once to talk to them about their stories and ask them about their lives in an effort to raise awareness of the need to share the responsibility that Parsu has of financially providing for these orphaned girls.   I’ve compiled a short profile for each of the girls seen in the picture above.

Seema

Age: 7

Village: Makri

Time at Orphanage: 1 year

Reason at Orphanage:  Her father died (reasons unknown).  Her mother then deserted her with grandparents.  Seema’s grand parents could not take care of her so brought her to the orphanage.

Favorite thing to do:  Play rope (jump roping with other girs and other games)

Seema wears a constant smile.  She is full of energy and loves to play.  Sophie (Parasu’s daughter) runs a school down the street and Seema attends there.  Although she is seven years old, she is learning to help around the orphanage and home (when she’s not playing).

Seema

Age: 11

Village: Bashhaha

Time at Orphanage: 5 years

Reason at Orphanage:  Mother and father could not take care of her and so they brought her to the orphanage.  Seema

came from a large family and often the youngest girl may be given up so that the family can afford to feed the rest of the children.

Favorite thing to do:  Seema enjoys dancing

Sonu

Age: 13

Village: Amaura

Time at Orphanage: 5 years

Reason at Orphanage:  Similar to young Seema, Sonu’s father died and her mother could not take care of her, so she gave her up to the orphanage.

Favorite thing to do:  Sonu enjoys reading.

Ranjita

Age: 14

Village: Darhma Pur

Time at Orphanage: 4 years

Reason at Orphanage:  Ranjita came from a large family with 4 other brothers and sisters.  Her father and mother could not afford to take care of her and put her in the care of the orphanage.

Favorite thing to do:  Ranjita likes knitting.  She especially likes to knit shawls and sweaters.

Junu

Age: 11

Village: Lukaramandi

Time at Orphanage: 4 years

Reason at Orphanage: Junu had 3 brothers and sisters.  Her parents could not afford to take care of her and gave her up to the orphanage.

Favorite thing to do:  Junu enjoys art, especially drawing.

Maya (means love in Nepali)

Age: 12

Village: Bandi

Time at Orphanage: Unkown

Reason at Orphanage: Maya’s father was killed by a Maoist rebel.  Her mother works, but still could not afford to take care of Maya and all of her 4 brothers and sisters.

Favorite thing to do:  Maya like to sing.

Akriti

Age: 17

Village: Baghmara

Time at Orphanage: 11 Years

Reason at Orphanage: Akriti’s parents were not able to take care of and feed her as well as her 5 other siblings.

Favorite thing to do:  Akriti enjoys serving.

Akriti is very kind and has a servant heart.  She helps around the house, church and orphanage and enjoys cooking.  She is soon to leave the orphanage to continue school.  Akriti has a tight bond with Parsu’s family, especially Sophie his daughter.

Throughout the days at Parsu’s house and the orphanage I was able to witness the tight bond that these girls had and was able to get a sense of their serving hearts, loving personalities as well as their ambition to succeed in life.

Before I went to Nepal I sent a letter out to many friends and colleagues letting them know about my trip to Nepal.  Originally, I had asked people to contribute to agricultural projects going on and many friends and co-workers were very generous and gave.  However after seeing the need to help take care of these girls, and to allow Parsu to continue to be a help to future girls in need, a portion of those funds raised (approximately $1260.00) will go to sponsoring three of these girls for a year.  It costs about $35.00 a month to provide food, shelter, electricity, school and medical for these girls.  These are just some of the girls in need, there are other orphans who have been paired up with families in rural villages that also need sponsorships.

If you would like to sponsor one of these girls, or provide a donation to help Parsu’s and his family’s mission to provide a “safe harbor” for these girls, you can go to the donate page (http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/donate/online/) and choose to sponsor a child.  Or if you have questions about the sponsorship, you can contact me at Jason@gatewaytonepal.org

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/04/orphans-in-nepal-in-need/feed/ 0 Wall For Nepal http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/02/wall-for-nepal/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/02/wall-for-nepal/#comments Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:55:20 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=307 Support for Gateway to Nepal is gaining momentum at Ridgeview Middle School in Oromocto, NB Canada.  In my previous blog I wrote about the 3 different language classes pulling together to provide school supplies and even donations for the ex-slaves in Nepal.  Well, they’ve done it again, but this time, word is spreading through their school and more kids are getting involved.  They have raised additional funds that will supply several children with many months of school, clothes, food and medical supplies.  They also now have a space on the school wall called “Help Nepal:  One Step at a Time”.  On the wall they place a footstep for every 35$ dollars they raise, which is the amount it takes to sponsor a child for a month in Nepal.  Several of the children have started doing their reports on Nepal and have raised awareness in their local churches.  The support from Ridgeview continues to be overwhelming and I can not thank them enough.  I’m looking forward to going to Ridgeview and meeting all these amazing kids who have reached out beyond their school with their love and compassion for a people in need.

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/02/wall-for-nepal/feed/ 0 Off to Nepal http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/01/off-to-nepal/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/01/off-to-nepal/#comments Wed, 27 Jan 2010 15:30:44 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=302 Well folks.  This is it.  I’m on my way today.  I sincerely thank you for all your amazing support through your thoughts and prayers and for everyone who has donated to this project.  Please continue to pray for this trip and the people of Nepal.  When I get back I’ll be sure to keep this site up to date with stories from Nepal and the ongoing work being done there.  I’ll see you in a week and a half.  Peace and Joy.  Jason

]]> http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/01/off-to-nepal/feed/ 1 Middle School Students in Oromocto, New Brunswick Support Gateway to Nepal http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/01/middle-school-students-in-oromocto-new-brunswick-support-gateway-to-nepal/ http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/2010/01/middle-school-students-in-oromocto-new-brunswick-support-gateway-to-nepal/#comments Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:52:03 +0000 Jason http://www.gatewaytonepal.org/?p=299 Out of all the support Gateway to Nepal has received for this trip, what has touched and blessed me the most is the support that the students from Ridgeview Middle School in Oromocto, New Brunswick Canada have provided.  Three different language classes at the school pooled together their resources (school supplies and even money in their piggy banks) to pull together an amazing $140 dollar donation and a generous amount of school supplies for the kids of Nepal.  More importantly today I received many notes from the kids today where they expressed their concern for the children in Napal, curiosity about what Nepal is like and their best wishes for me and the trip.   I want to personally thank the children of Ridgeview for their support, thoughts and prayers.  I also want to thank Monique, their teacher for sharing Gateway to Nepal with them and getting involved.  The support they have provided will have a significant impact.  I hope to visit them to tell them about the trip on my next trip to New Brunswick.

I wanted to share with everyone the amazing notes they sent me today.

Jason,

The students are with me and we want to wish you luck in Nepal.
I wanted their voices to be heard so todays lesson they gave me messages to send to you and your group.
Thanks for taking the time to share this experience with them.

All the students are supporting you and your team it is a very worthwhile cause.(Lauren) Please tell the children there, that we say hi. (Hanna) Thank you for your work with the ‘Gatway to Nepal project’.(Zach) Can you please send us pictures of your trip? (Blake) Good Luck with all your projects like the zip line and our prayers are with you. (Ayden) Be careful on your trip we realize that it is a dangerous mission. (Cori) When you get back we look forward to reading more on your Blog about your trip.(Shania) I hope you get the Zip line up and running so that it helps the villages to rebuild.(Todd) Thank you for giving the supplies to the children in Nepal. (Hunter) I hope all the children will get good use out of the supplies that we have sent.(Hanna) Thank you for helping all the people of Nepal.(Matt) and all the families (Jackson) I hope that slavery in Nepal is a thing of the past.(Owen) Is it easy or difficult to help the children of Nepal?(Taylor) I hope that the children have all that they need in Nepal.(Brett) I hope you have a great trip.(Alex) I hope that the people of Nepal will have better Health with our help.(Raven) I hope that the people will get clean drinking water.(Blake) I send you all my best wihes for all of you in Nepal.(Kennedy) I hope that the prices will go down on ‘Moo,s’ so that more people will be better nourished.(Alex) Good luck in Nepal.(Taylor) Never give up.(Zach) I hope that even with all that hard work you have a great time in Nepal.(Maddie) I hope the children will like the supplies that we sent.(Tanasha) I hope the children can find some time to have fun.(Holly) I hope you have a safe trip.(Kelsey)

We send our prayers your way. The students did not have time for letters however I am sure that you can keep their words in your heart to bring with you to Nepal.

All our best

I hope you have agreat trip to Nepal. (Alex) I hope that your teachings will flourish in Nepal.(Emma) I hope you have a great expereince in Nepal.(Alyssa) I hope you can share your photos with us.(Cole) I hope that you were successful in accumulating supplies for Nepal.(Shawn) I think that this is a very worthwhile project and I hope that we help many children to have the opportunity to go to school.(Riley) I am certain that the people of Nepal will appreciate all your help.(Mackenzie) I hope that you get a chance to help the students in the schools.(Taylor) I hope that you have a great time in Nepal helping the people.(Jason) What type of things are the students learning in Nepal? (Isabelle) Good Luck in Nepal with everything.(Allistaire)and (Lesha) I hope that many children will get the chance to go to school.(Emma) I hope you are able to bring and send lots of pictures.(Carly) I hope that the weather is good in Nepal for you to get your mission completed.(Marcail) I hope that you make many friends.(Abby) I hope that your work will lead to great success in the future of all the people of Nepal.(Hanna) I hope that you capture on camera lots of amazing pictures of your journay in Nepal.(Erik) I hope that you meet many nice people.(Jessica)and (Kristen) I hope that you raise lots of money and supplies for your journey to Nepal.(Colton) I hope you have a great and safe trip to Nepal. (Cullen) I hope you are given the opportunity to help many people in Nepal.(Tyrell) I hope that there are many others that are donating to this worthwhile cause.(Emma) I hope that all of you find some time for fun in Nepal. (Cole) I hope that the children learn a lot in the schools of Nepal.(Riley) I hope that all of you need to make a difference.(Cole)

Sending all our prayers with you.

Finally here are the questions and comments from my Homeroom grade 7class of students.

I hope you have a great time in Nepal helping the children.(Abbey) I hope that the children will enjoy your visit with them.(Emily) I hope that the children will be happy receiving the school supplies that we have sent for them.(Maggie) Thank you for making a difference in the lives of others in Nepal.(Josh) It is wonderful that you are giving up your time to help people.(Dalen) Best Wishes on your missionary work in Nepal.(Lauren) Will you be living with a family when you are in Nepal?(Alyson) How did you go about doing this work in Nepal? What was your inspiration?(Catherine) Will you give us details of the work you were able to achieve when you get bcak please?(Rebecca) Could you please take pictures of their homes and schools for us? (Dalton) I hope that the weather is good for your missionary work in Nepal.(Liam) Do the children play any sports or games in Nepal?(Mikayla) What types of food do they eat in Nepal? We know they eat rice and milk, I just wondered what else. (Maggie)and (Dalton) Could you update us on the results of your trip? (Salena) The work that you and your group are doing is remarkable, thank you. (Haley) What village will you be visiting on your trip? (Cullen) What type of transportation are they using there? (Sam) How many people will be joining you on your trip.(Liam) Be careful on your trip and best wishes your way.(Nick)

Thanks Jason

My sevens had lots of questions. We are really excited about this experience and are confident that your efforts have already made a huge life not only to the people of Nepal but to the students of a Middle School in Oromocto as well. We are blessed to be  part of this project.

I hope you enjoyed these as much as I did.  There are several questions that the kids asked that I will answer when I get back from the trip :-)

Jason

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