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Posts Tagged ‘Educational & Humanitarian Initiative’

Reflections from Nepal: 2011 Educational & Humanitarian Initiative – Days 4 and 5

Monday, October 17th, 2011
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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.

Reflections from Nepal: 2011 Educational & Humanitarian Initiative – Day 3

Thursday, October 13th, 2011
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Champagne breakfast at Mount Everest? That was the experience for our EHI delegates this morning. The group took a helicopter ride to a spot with amazing views of the world’s tallest mountain, enjoyed their meal, and had the chance to explore the area. Then they re-boarded the helicopters and headed back down, the Kathmandu Valley spread out beneath them.

Breakfast at Mount Everest

The EHI Nepal delegation at Mount Everest

In the afternoon, the delegates headed to a local school and spent time with the students, reading, learning the basics of one another’s languages, and sharing lunch together. The 2011 Educational & Humanitarian Initiative to Nepal happened to coincide with PTPI’s 2011 Asia Pacific Conference, also being held in Nepal, so the delegates were joined at the school by the conference attendees, and PTPI members from all over the world joined together in community service.

EHI delegates and Asia Pacific Conference attendees volunteer at a school in Nepal

The delegates also joined the conference attendees for the Welcome Dinner in the evening. Countries represented at the Asia Pacific Conference include Japan, Mongolia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea and Taiwan. The night truly captured the spirit of People to People International and Peace through Understanding.

EHI delegates and Asia Pacific Conference attendees gather together for the Welcome Dinner

To learn more about People to People International, visit www.ptpi.org

 

EHI South Africa 2010

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
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The 24 delegates who participated in PTPI’s Educational & Humanitarian Initiative to South Africa returned at the start of November.  During their journey, delegates took turns making journal entries about the days’ activities.  Below are excerpts from various days during the trip.  View more photos on PTPI’s Facebook Page.

Tuesday October 26, 2010 – Cape Town – Bill Jarvis, Delegation Leader

Robben Island was a unique experience.  The lime quarry was a moving experience.  The future of South Africa was planned by prisoners in the quarry.  Other highlights were Mandela’s cell and the review of prison rules.  I could not believe there was less food given to black prisoners than to colored/Asian prisoners.  It was sad to see where the political prisoners suffered but inspiring to see how good things eventually resulted from their standing up for their beliefs.

Thursday October 28, 2010 – Cape Town – Tom and Susan, Delegates

In late morning we were driven to Khayelitsha, one of several  ”informal settlements” that surround Cape Town.  Most residents have 100-120 square foot huts covered in corrugated steel that sit side by side.  Services, fresh water and sewers are nonexistent but most are electrified sporadically – there are so many “stolen” hookups that officials continually cut to maintain safe conditions.  Masakheri Fox Educare, owned and operated by Gloria Mbali, started within the last six years.  Current enrollment is 110 children, ages one to six.  School fees to parents and support from outside sources will help bring the school up to South African government standards.  Our PTPI delegation left a substantial donation to the school.

Saturday October 31, 2010 – Kapama River Lodge in Kruger National Park – Jennifer, Delegate

Happy Halloween!  This is certainly a Halloween like none other I’ve experienced!  This morning started again with a 5am wake-up call.  Another game drive is scheduled for this morning.  Six of us tried something a little different and went for an elephant-back safari.  We learned about the history of the elephant program at Kapama, learned more about the elephants themselves, got to touch the elephants’ ears (their built-in air conditioning system) and fed the elephants treats.  There were 3 or 4 baby elephants that walked along beside the entire time.  It was amazing to be so close to these gigantic animals.  Later in the day we gathered for the afternoon game drive.  Our mission was to find the elusive leopard.  It was a cold and windy evening and we saw a beautiful lightening storm in the distance…but alas the leopard eluded us again.  Maybe we’ll get to see him tomorrow.

Sunday November 1, 2010 – Johannesberg – Susan, Delegate

We flew to Johannesburg, our guide Duane’s hometown.  He took us on a bus tour, pointing out buildings dating back to the 1800s, as well as skyscrapers.  Johannesburg was a city built on gold, literally.  There are gold mines underneath the city and hills of mine-tailings all over the city.  The day was capped off with a presentation on the political history of South Africa by Ngugi, a history professor who grew up in Soweto.  Ngugi spent 21 years of his life in the United States.  It is noted what a poor education Americans receive about Africa, and that the fact that Americans generally learn from a Euro-Centric point of view.  We in the West, Americans and Europeans, have the opportunity to learn from South Africa how radical humanitarian changes can be brought about with peaceful rather than violent actions.

Friday November 5, 2010 – Victoria Falls – Bill Jarvis, Delegation Leader

Unfortunately this was the last day of our trip but our schedule was filled with excitement.  After breakfast we were off to Victoria Falls.  They were spectacular.  No one has ever gone over the falls and survived so we did not want to try it – seeing them from the path was fine.  Our guides told us that Dr. Livingston did not discover the falls since there were tribal people here long before Livingston.  In the afternoon, many people did adventurous things with their free time like bungee jumping, the lion walk, helicopter rides and rafting.  Others stayed at the lodge and relaxed.  We had a lavish dinner that evening where we were served ostrich, water buffalo, crocodile, gazelle, wart hog and worms.  We were entertained by dancers and drummers and had our faces painted and wore African togas.  It was a great evening.