Between classes and homework, day to day life doesn't allow much time for fun and games. Holidays, saturdays and festivals tend to be the time in which everyone gets together to have a good time. From overnight treks to crafts, everyone is always willing to do something new and exciting.
Trekking 2009
In Summer 2009, the SBCH was lucky enough to go on an overnight trekking excursion within the Kathmandu Valley. They did the first portion of the Langtang trek, and stayed the night in tents set up at a Scout's camp. It was a real thrill for the children to get away from the house for a while, and they thought hiking through the jungle was fantastic. Many of them had never been on a trip overnight before, and some of them were nearly sick with excitement. They had a wonderful time hiking, and then playing football in the courtyard before the sun set. Understandably, the children were not ready to leave when it came time to return home the next day, and begged to be allowed to stay an extra night. Several of them even pleaded that they not be allowed to eat in order to be able to afford to stay one more night. They said that they would be happy not to eat as long as they could enjoy another night under the stars. (Top: Accommodation during the trek)
Due to finances being so tight, trips away from the orphanage are seldom. Often a trip away will consist of taking the children a couple of blocks down the road to play sports or table tennis at the park. Funding is absolutely essential for these kind of trips, and often there simply is not enough money to make these things possible. Hopefully with time, more opportunities like this will arise for the children to be able to experience more of the outdoors. (Right: The children on the trail)
Sports
If you have read the children's profiles, you will know that they are very sports oriented. If a holiday comes around, playing games is the first thing the children look forward to. The park on the left is right near the orphanage and taking the children there to play table tennis, basketball, soccer, skipping, or whatever else you can think of, is always lots of fun. After an afternoon at the park, the children are always tired, but have had a wonderful time playing. Sometimes they end up just running around, and organized games don't end up happening at all. The only thing we have to be careful of is making sure they don't try to climb the high fences surrounding the park. That seems to always be what they are most interested in. (Left: A soccer game at the nearby school grounds)
Crafts
Friday night has become craft night at the orphanage, and everyone enjoys coming together to be creative. The children have made quite a variety of decorations that have made the orphanage altogether brighter. It does get to be a noisy business, and the common room is covered in bits of material and mess afterwards, but the process is really enjoyable. The children seem to really like being creative in an environment that gives them license to be loud and messy.
Some of the most exciting projects have been for festivals that they don't know that much about. They loved doing crafts for Halloween, a festival not celebrated in Nepal. It was really interesting to ask for their input as to what they do traditionally for festivals, and incorporate that into a really unique Halloween. A huge feast was made by one of the volunteers and the older children, and everyone enjoyed learning about what people do for Halloween in other countries. They desperately wanted to carve pumpkins, but somehow that didn't seem to be a great idea.
For Christmas we will decorate a tree and the inside of the orphanage. Although the majority of the children are Hindu, and do not celebrate Christmas, they really like to have an excuse to do something out of the ordinary. The older children are already counting down the days until the decorating can begin.
Save Blessing Child Home
Save Blessing Child Home
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