After attending the Welcome Dinner for PTPI’s 2011 Asia Pacific Conference, our delegates left Kathmandu and headed to Pokhara, a city known for its beautiful lakes and panoramic views of the Himalayas. When they arrived, they visited a local school to deliver supplies. Delegation leader Genci Mucaj, a member of PTPI’s Board of Directors.
Genci Mucaj with new friends in Nepal
I started this journal a little bit later than I probably should, but believe me, I was taken by surprise by being a part of such a whirlwind experience and needed time to really get over it! I feel privileged to be the programe leader of this Educational & Humanitarian Initiative to Nepal. We do say that people make the country rather than the country makes the people, and that’s very true for Nepal!
When you think of Nepal, immediately you think of Mount Everest and the Himalaya mountain range, the world’s natural beauty. But Nepal also boasts a rich history and a history of different religions co-existing in harmony. The Nepalese people are Hindus, Buddhist and a few other religious groups. They live in up in the mountains where there are no roads or cars, no electricity or TV, not to mention no internet and for certain no Twitter or Facebook! But the people are wonderful – friendly and hospitable. The saying that smile is a universal language is so true here. You don’t speak the language or know even one word to communicated but you can feel the warmth which comes out of their lovely smiles!
Our group is composed of 31 outstanding individuals from the United States whose aim is to explore the world, its people, history and culture! Where else would you find such a unique opportunity except with People to People International!? PTPI is a global family that was founded by former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower to promote peace through mutual understanding among people worldwide. He believed that if people get together, so eventually would nations. This more true today then ever before. PTPI in constantly committed to making friends all over the world and we enjoy it to the fullest!
In Kathmandu and it is correct to say that we all loved it! I mean, we at PTPI know that there is no such thing as bad or good culture but just different ones, which we need to accept. We visited several temples, and please don’t ask me for their names – I am not good at remembering names! We talked with several people in the streets, which were not only busy with people but with monkeys and pigeons as well.
Namaste Children’s House in Pokhara was our first stop on the fifth day. It was truly a highlight to meet with the 65 children at the orphanage as well as their staff and a couple of international volunteers from the US and Europe. We interacted with the children and spoke with their devoted staff members who they told us about their work with the abandoned children and the difference they are working to make in their lives. They are planing to build their own children’s home and for that reason they had already purchased the land. PTPI donated a check of $500 USD and many delegates gave additional donation by buying bricks ($70 USD each) for the new building and several other small items which were made by the children. The visit was an excellent opportunity to get involved with the humanitarian activities in Nepal.
As we we were driving up the curving road to the Naudana mountain we could see rice fields ready to be harvested. We met some smiling people who seemed to be happy to see us visiting their country. We also stopped to see a group of goats which were about to be sacrificed for the upcoming festival. At the top of the mountain, at a height of over 6,000 feet, we were received by a group of local people and enjoyed lunch adn the spectacular view. After lunch we visited some of the residents’ homes, and although they live in very modest settings, they never stopped smiling at us.
The evening ended with a visit to the Pokhara market, PAZAR as the locals call it. You can feel the sense of a vibrant city in the noise of the traders, from all over Nepal, Tibet and India. I think the group just loved it all, especially dealing with the shop-keepers and street vendors, who would not trouble you if you don’t want to buy, but yes you need to be careful to bargain a good price!
That’s all for now, see you tomorrow with more!
Genci Mucaj
People to People Albania
To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org.
