Martina from the ES sales team travelled to Nepal to volunteer with the Annapurna Association
One of my best journeys so far…
In the summer I had a huge opportunity to travel to Nepal and volunteer with the Annapurna Association in Pokhara, Nepal. This association is based here in Verbier. It helps girls who are abandoned or live in poverty or circumstances where their parents or relatives are unable to care for them. The home in Pokhara looks after 27 girls aged from 4 to 18 years old at the moment.
Other volunteers built the home in Pokhara. In the camp 3-4 girls live in one room. They have one kitchen, one common area where they can study all together or play in their free time, and 2 bathrooms.
Looking after each other
The girls need to take care of themselves and each other. They are a family there, and from what I have seen and experienced, there is a strong bond between them. The girls see each other as sisters. When I was there they also called me sister which in Nepali is; Didi.
The older ones supervise the younger girls; with teaching, cooking and looking after them. When I think about this it seems so much pressure, but they do it without a second thought. This is very inspiring to me.
As I gained insight into their lives, living and being with them all day, I realized every day that their lives are not as easy as ours. Of course before I arrived there I knew that they have exceptional and different lives. But as I talked with them and heard each one of their stories, everything that I thought was a problem ceased to exist.
How can we help ?
My first thought was; how can I help them more, and how can WE people do more for them?
I was travelling with 32kg of luggage and half of it or even more was for the girls, so I tried to give them as many clothes and chocolates as I could carry.
My “duties” were helping them study, household chores, gardening, cleaning and all the stuff the girls have to deal with in everyday life.
At Pokhara the girls truly appreciate life and everything that surrounds them, even if it’s just small gestures and smiles. I was so impressed by the gratitude, affection and kindness that comes from them.
I encourage anyone who can help or who is thinking of volunteering to go there, because they need us.
To find out more about the Annapurna Association or make a gift, visit their website here.
Martina Barczi