A month here at Child Haven

note: very hot here, sweltering really. Would be nice to be beside a
lake or the sea! but the sounds of life below in and around the
Buddinath stupa square are soothing to the spirit. Everyone is so
involved with each other, positive atmosphere despite the fact that I
see very few turn around of goods and monies ...


Hey! hi!
Yesterday I locked myself out of my room in Arjun's house! embarrassing!!
Arjun and Benita assured me that every volunteer has, at one time, locked
him/herself out of the room. Made me feel better! One of the obliging CH
gatekeepers sawed through the lock for me. Must give him a Canadian
pressie (pen, flag...)I have learned a lesson and given Arjun Sir and Benita Didi
a copy of my room key!

Yesterday I spent a lot of the afternoon in Arjun's office. He invited me to
assist Rita Mummy (matron) and Hari Sir (Co-Director) in the assessment of
a little partially deaf since birth child. Once again I witness the wonderful
compassion and caring of the Child Haven staff here in Kathmandu. What
an honour to feel, albeit for such a short time, a part of this team.

Woke up early, washed hair and some clothes and cycled down to the Budinath
stupa/ square to buy foodstuffs for the farewell party that the teenagers are
having (I am assisting) at our CH Volunteers' cottage tomorrow night.
Carol leaves for Canada on Wednesday evening.

On Wednesday afternoon I hike up one of the hills near to CH to go to the Kopan
monastry. As mentionedearlier, I am attending a 10 day retreat ~ Introduction to
Buddhism ~ June 2 - 12. Arjun's wife recommended me to another 10 day Vipassana
(or, go in silence..) retreat; she took this a couple of years ago. On careful consideration
and support from Arjun and staff, I chose the former retreat as being more attractive. First,
it is being led by a european woman of my age. I telephoned Anikan and she sounds so
darn nice. We struck it off right away. Second, the grounds surrounding the monastry and
the mountain top views of the Kathmandu valley are gorgeous. When my French friend, Ghis
and I visited the monastry three weeks ago we did not see one piece of garbage, no emaciated
dogs, or wandering cows, goats or frenetic chickens. No crouching anybodies, just lovely space,
flower laden trees and bushes..

The peace at Kopan is tangible; that is, when there is space between the 'voice overs'. We saw
and I will see again rows of maroon cloaked yellow shirted monks/nuns(?) chanting wonderful
Taize type phrases inciting peace and compassion. I feel that the sounds of the monk-driven
drums, gongs, trumpets and symbols are featured into this glorious picture to awaken our
(at least my) oftentimes 'unawakened' meaning annoyingly unconscious state!

The weather has been very hot and humid and especially tiring when you are giving 6 back to
back english classes! The rewards are so worth the discomfort! After my retreat I will join the
Montessori classes at the CH Green Tara School on the days that I am not teaching the older kids.

Reading the Kathmandu Post:
The frontrunners are:
UCPN (Maoist)
NC: parliamentary party
CPN-UML

... looking for a new constitution
... trying to somehow get rid of the Prime Minister
... parties are intensifying secret talks
A few clips:
"With clear commitment to press freedom, multiparty democracy, human rights, independent judiciary and periodic elections, the main opposition UCPN (Maoist) on Saturday unveiled its draft of the constitution on the occasion of second Republic Day". "The constitution has 19 parts and 274 articles ...."!
The preamble says "it is the basis of establishing socialism envisaged by the party ..."
" ... hope and despair rub shoulders on second Republic Day."

Your guess is as good as mine!

Meantime I am reading a book with an optimistic viewpoint. "Paradise in Our Backyard" by Karna Sakya. An easy read and gives me some ideas to share hope and enthusiasm for the future of the CH teenagers about to embark on their own.

Lots of gab. Now I must mount my old blue steed bike and return to Ch for two english classes this afternoon. The Didis caregivers. This evening I will plan tomorrow's 6 kids classes at the CH Green Tara school.

If you have made it to here, a huge hug!
Despite all my eulogising
I miss my family and friends
love from
Mom
Dyane
Dyane Didi


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