I was recently asked if there were any items the children need over there so I said I would put a list on here.
They need toiletries such as toothpaste and toothbrushes as well as hair brushes.
They also could use school supplies such as paper, pencils, pens, crayons and flash cards.
Small toys are appreciated and clothes such as underwear and t-shirts were suggested. I was told they really like shirts that represent other places like Mickey Mouse or a US flag :)
I don't really have any new information. I am continuing to research and learn as much as I can before I leave.
Thank you again for all your prayers!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Helpless Colony
I received my assignment yesterday which means now I know which orphanage I will be working with. I was placed in the Helpless Colony Orphanage located in Hattigauda Kathmandu. There are 18 orphans ranging in age from 5 to 14. I will be staying in the orphanage where I will be helping the children complete their homework, stay clean, play games, sing, and go on field trips to places in the city such as the zoo. I'm excited to see the village and meet the kids.
I also contacted a church located in Kathmandu. I haven't heard back from them yet, but I'll let you know when I do.
I also contacted a church located in Kathmandu. I haven't heard back from them yet, but I'll let you know when I do.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Why IFRE and why Nepal?
When I first began looking for a place to go for this mission trip I was looking at Africa or China but really had nothing specific in mind; the only thing I was certain about was that it would be something with children. I looked at several organizations and the locations they had available. I even emailed 2 or 3 of them. Then my sister directed me to IFRE; IFRE stands for Institute for Field Research Expeditions. At first I didn't like the sound of the organization because I was so sure I should be going with a Christian organization. I spent several hours going through their web site and finally decided to email them. They had the best prices and I figured, what would it hurt?
The next morning I had a response. I still wasn't sure where I would go, what I would do, or even if I would go with this organization. The director there was great. He was quick to get back to me on every email and answered all my questions. I prayed about it and asked God for direction. Through several emails with the director I felt piece with this organization and decided to go with them. With the decision made about the organization, I also felt direction on where to go.
As I said before I spent several hours on IFRE's website. Each time I was on there, I found myself viewing information on Nepal. Prior to the decision to take this mission I had never heard of Nepal. I decided to do some more research. Nepal is a small country about the size of North Carolina. It is located between China and India and the home of Mount Everest (You would think with that fact I would at least have heard of the country). Eighty percent of the population is Hindu, ten percent are Buddhist, four percent Muslim and less than one percent are Christians. If that isn't enough of a reason to go let me share what else I learned.
From 1996 until 2006 Nepal was at war with it's self. In short, a group of people who called themselves Maoists wanted freedom from the monarchy. They spent ten years engaged in a civil war in which thousands of families were torn apart. I read stories about mothers who were taken as slaves while the rest of the family was torched and then their were fathers who left their families in the middle of the night. Children were abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Many villagers would set up what they called a safe house for the children but all they really did was put the children to work, made them beg on the streets until they raised enough money and then abandoned the children yet again.
The children who were fortunate enough to make it to an orphanage are now left with the feeling of abandonment. Although the organization I'm going with is not Christian themselves, these children desperately need to feel Christ's love. I emailed a local Christian church in Kathmandu today to help guide me as give these children the thing they need more than anything else: to know that Jesus loves them.
I will continue to post as I learn more. Thank you for sharing this adventure with me!
The next morning I had a response. I still wasn't sure where I would go, what I would do, or even if I would go with this organization. The director there was great. He was quick to get back to me on every email and answered all my questions. I prayed about it and asked God for direction. Through several emails with the director I felt piece with this organization and decided to go with them. With the decision made about the organization, I also felt direction on where to go.
As I said before I spent several hours on IFRE's website. Each time I was on there, I found myself viewing information on Nepal. Prior to the decision to take this mission I had never heard of Nepal. I decided to do some more research. Nepal is a small country about the size of North Carolina. It is located between China and India and the home of Mount Everest (You would think with that fact I would at least have heard of the country). Eighty percent of the population is Hindu, ten percent are Buddhist, four percent Muslim and less than one percent are Christians. If that isn't enough of a reason to go let me share what else I learned.
From 1996 until 2006 Nepal was at war with it's self. In short, a group of people who called themselves Maoists wanted freedom from the monarchy. They spent ten years engaged in a civil war in which thousands of families were torn apart. I read stories about mothers who were taken as slaves while the rest of the family was torched and then their were fathers who left their families in the middle of the night. Children were abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Many villagers would set up what they called a safe house for the children but all they really did was put the children to work, made them beg on the streets until they raised enough money and then abandoned the children yet again.
The children who were fortunate enough to make it to an orphanage are now left with the feeling of abandonment. Although the organization I'm going with is not Christian themselves, these children desperately need to feel Christ's love. I emailed a local Christian church in Kathmandu today to help guide me as give these children the thing they need more than anything else: to know that Jesus loves them.
I will continue to post as I learn more. Thank you for sharing this adventure with me!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Where it started...
Ever since I was a little girl I've loved kids. I was always carrying around a baby doll and on Sundays I tried to hang out in the nursery. I got my first babysitting job when I was 11 and have been caring for kids ever since. (Looking back I can't believe someone trusted me with their 15 month old when I was so young)
All through elementary school I told my mom I wanted to be a mom when I grow up...although I also told her I wanted to be a cow girl. In middle school, my best friend's mom was a obstetrics nurse and I thought that would be the best job ever. By the time I got to high school though, I knew God had giving me a heart for teaching. I took Early Childhood and fell in love with every preschooler I worked with.
When I graduated high school I worked at making that dream a reality. Today I am teaching second grade and although each day is a challenge for multiple reasons, I'm loving every minute of it; I get to spend the day with some amazing kids who have no idea how much they teach me. Ever hear of a quadrabazillion? Apparently it's a very large number.
During Christmas break, this past December, I spent a lot of time with God. Since high school I have wanted to go on a mission trip but I would always find a reason I couldn't go. It's not a good time; I don't think I can afford it; or I can't find the right organization. During one of my times in prayer a question came to me: What is something you have always wanted to do? Immediately I thought about that mission trip and realized all my reasons were just excuses. There was no real reason I couldn't go.
I began looking at several different organizations looking for something with children. I settled on the organization IFRE. I spent quite some time looking through their web site and the different countries they offered volunteer opportunities within. Over and over again I kept going back to Nepal and their orphanages. I emailed the organization and had a response the next day. I did some more research and decided this was where I needed to go.
On June 17th I am leaving Florida and beginning my six week journey in Nepal.
All through elementary school I told my mom I wanted to be a mom when I grow up...although I also told her I wanted to be a cow girl. In middle school, my best friend's mom was a obstetrics nurse and I thought that would be the best job ever. By the time I got to high school though, I knew God had giving me a heart for teaching. I took Early Childhood and fell in love with every preschooler I worked with.
When I graduated high school I worked at making that dream a reality. Today I am teaching second grade and although each day is a challenge for multiple reasons, I'm loving every minute of it; I get to spend the day with some amazing kids who have no idea how much they teach me. Ever hear of a quadrabazillion? Apparently it's a very large number.
During Christmas break, this past December, I spent a lot of time with God. Since high school I have wanted to go on a mission trip but I would always find a reason I couldn't go. It's not a good time; I don't think I can afford it; or I can't find the right organization. During one of my times in prayer a question came to me: What is something you have always wanted to do? Immediately I thought about that mission trip and realized all my reasons were just excuses. There was no real reason I couldn't go.
I began looking at several different organizations looking for something with children. I settled on the organization IFRE. I spent quite some time looking through their web site and the different countries they offered volunteer opportunities within. Over and over again I kept going back to Nepal and their orphanages. I emailed the organization and had a response the next day. I did some more research and decided this was where I needed to go.
On June 17th I am leaving Florida and beginning my six week journey in Nepal.
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