KTS

 

I have had an amazing experience working at the hospital. The clinical experience was phenomenal and incredibly eye-opening. Unfortunately since I do not have a medical degree, there was not much I could do to help the patients besides keep them company and cheer them up. I got to help the medical staff in small ways but one of my goals for this trip was to give back to the community and I felt like this clinical experience was not enough.

I planned to volunteer at Kumbeshwar Technical School (Read more about them here: http://www.kumbeshwar.com). I was interested in working at their primary school and orphanage. I contacted them when I arrived but the kids had exams until after the holidays.

yarn made from scratch at KTS

carpet weaving

After Dashain, I visited the school and met the kids. The school is free to all children that are admitted. It is funded by sales of their high-quality Fair Trade carpets, knitwear and furniture. I learned about how both sides work. 

the showroom

wood-working shop

knitting contest

the orphanage

Some of the stories I heard were incredible. One orphan was left on the side of the street as a baby because he was deaf and mute. The director found him, took him in, and sent him to school. Once he grew up, he moved out and got his own place but eventually came back to work at KTS. A lot of the teachers I have met are also former students. They are all one big family.

         

I asked to hear some more stories of the children in the orphanage and everyone was so open and willing to share, wanting to get the stories out there.

Shena Rai

Shena Rai was born on 14th Dec 2002 was admitted to the hostel in May 2007. She belongs to Okhaldhunga district far village outside Kathmandu. Shena's parents used to stay in a rented apartment in Boudha in Kathmandu valley. Her family was very poor and had lots of problems. Her father left her when she was about 1 years old; people say he married another woman and went to India to work. Her mother also left when she was 2 years old. Her neighbor looked after her but due to their poor economic condition they found it difficult to support her. The neighbor tried to admit her to the orphans home but was not successful. Luckily they found out about KTS and brought her here. Shena is now studying in Nursery class at KTS. She is a very quiet and shy girl.
 

Sharmila Shahi

Sharmila Shahi was born on 16th May 2001 in Kalikot District, one of the most remote villages of Nepal. Her father died when she was 17 months old. Her mother re-married and her step father did not accept her. She was brought to KTS orphanage home from the Child Empowerment Center, Nepal in June 2004. She is a quiet and friendly girl. She is studying at
KTS primary school grade 3.
 

Kisaan Chepang

Kisaan Chepang was born on 23 July 2010 (2061.04.08) in Terse, Taklung village in the Gorkha district. The community to which he belongs is one of the most backward communities in the
country. The community is in a cave of the remote hills of the jungle like in the stone age. His father died due to mental illness when he was 2 years old. His mother worked as a stone
breaker and found it difficult to look after him. He was recommended by Nepal Chepang Association and brought to us by member of constitution assembly, Mrs. Maya Chepang. He was admitted to the home on 21st June 2010. He is also studying in KTS primary school. He is a quiet and friendly boy.

  

Over the next few weeks I will be volunteering in the school library. My last couple visits have been incredibly inspiring; I am excited to be a part of it.

 

Childcraft books I donated

 

 

project using the Childcraft series