Day 8 DSA: Sunday Best

Today we attended mass at the only Catholic Church in Kathmandu with Maggie Piper. It was great to attend the service which was in english and join in singing with the congregation. This was also the first time all week that we actually stopped and drew breath so it was a welcome departure from the rendering and painting.

We were then taken on a short tour of the old city quarter Dunbar Patan, made up of a maze of narrow streets and alleyways that opened out onto massive squares that housed shrines and carvings of the many deities. Truly amazing structures indeed.

A short visit to a photo gallery that documented the atrocities of the ten-year long civil war was a very grounding experience. The war tore the country apart and only ended in 2006. The country still wears the scars of this horrible event, as do some of the DSA children who were affected both physically and emotionally.

Lastly a quick visit too a small vendor of singing bowls proved to be a mesmerising experience. We each wore a bowl on our head as it was sounded with a soft mallet by the vendor. We all found it surprisingly peaceful and calming and no one walked away empty handed.

It was back to work at midday with much more of the same. Plenty of painting, rendering, mixing concrete and lugging of furniture saw us working through to darkness again.

With only one more day to go, tomorrow will certainly present it's fair share of challenges.

Day 7 DSA: BBQ Photo Gallery

Photos from today's BBQ for the kids. Little explanation needed. The smiles say it all...

Day 7 Bhairabi: The end is in sight

A short report from Peter Nolan today as things are much the same.

The rendering is coming along well and they have achieved so much in such a short time. The difference they have made to the school houses will become even more evident with the onset of winter. The buildings should now resist the weather and keep out the monsoon rain and winds.

The skills of the party have developed and they are moving through the work at a great pace. With only two working days left, they are keen to see as much of the project finished as possible.

All the boys are in great spirits and the staff are overwhelmed at the positive attitude of all.

Day 7 DSA: Over the hump

A big day on the job again today and some major victories too:

1. The cement renderer worked on the last room and will finish the hall tomorrow.
2. Carpet was laid in two of the three rooms. To be finished tomorrow.
3. The kitchen window shutters were installed and painted.
4. And, the landlord removed the rat gnawed electrical cables and will replace them.

We spent the late afternoon with the 'DSA family' hosting a BBQ kindly organised by Maggie Piper.
Our six students served a delicious BBQ Nepali meal on banana leaf plates to each of the 34 kids and 10 or so adults. As they all busily devoured their meal, it struck us that the kids were silent for the first time since we arrived.

With only two days left at DSA the younger children have started to ask when we are leaving. We were even told by one of the older girls in sign language that they will cry when we leave. It certainly will be a difficult goodbye for us also.

Day 6 Bhairabi: Media Interest

Today saw the team getting stuck into the work again with determination. Much more of the same really; lots of physical labour was required as gravel and sand had to be carried up the hill and mixed with the cement nearer to each building.
Some excitement came to the village as a media crew came to cover the presence of the St Augustine's crew in the village and the story behind the SEA program.
Spirits are still high and all staff and students are finding the experience of village living most rewarding indeed.

Day 6 DSA: One step forward, two steps back

Today saw us running into a few obstacles (Actually, being much taller than Nepali people in general, we've been running into quite a few low door frames too).
Ready to paint the final room, we found that half of the render was falling away from the brickwork and had to be removed. This has set the project back by two days at least and we've now hit panic mode trying to choreograph the final pieces of the puzzle requiring the services of an electrician, a metal fabricator, a carpet layer, a cement rendering crew and a local carpenter. A challenge by anyone's standards but here in Bungamati it's going to require some divine intervention.
Still we're working at a break-neck pace and more details can be found at the "Friends Of DSA" Facebook page where Maggie Piper continues to document and share our progress with a large friend base that is working towards securing ongoing support for this wonderful cause.

Link here:
www.facebook.com/friendsofdsa

Day 6: All safe and sound

In light of the tragic news of a plane crash out of Kathmandu this morning we just wanted to let all know that both parties are safe and sound. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives.

Day 5 Bhairabi: Village living

The staff and students are in high spirits and adapting well to remote village living.
The huge task of rendering the school houses is well underway and progress is clearly evident to the locals who are so pleased with the efforts of the staff and students.

Work also began today on an allocation of land that the group has turned into a vegetable garden where bananas will be grown to feed the local school children.

Cultures have merged in a mutual appreciation of football with many talented sportspeople challenging the boys on the field.

The village has only one water source which is a tap fitted with a short hose. This acts as a communal point of interaction as everyone uses this source for drinking, washing and showering. Many smiling faces and conversations are had here and it is quite a special experience.

Tomorrow sees the continuation of the rendering project which is being tackled by the students with a very positive and generous approach. Hats off to all the boys and their hard work so far.

Day 5 DSA: Gentle Giants

After three days straight on the tools we are starting to make visible progress on the DSA Hostel and the locals looking on are marveling as we tower over them all.

Ceilings, walls, doors and window frames all look great in two of the four rooms. Work began on the remaining two rooms and this required our collective efforts (and Tetris skills) to pack all furniture and belongings into the two painted rooms.

The kitchen is also getting a makeover and we all had a go at scrubbing the brick wall that wore the scars of 18 years of fat fires and food stuffs.

It's great working so close to the school as we are able to talk and play with the many children that see us as a party of gentle giants.

Fresh blue paint was ordered but couldn't be delivered because an electric agitator was required to mix the paint. Hours later when mains electricity was restored our paint finally arrived. This reminded us that on top of all the other problems, flowing electricity is just one more thing we all take for granted.

This afternoon we were treated to an improvised jam with the blind students playing on their flutes and our guitars. It was a special time as we were all chatting with the DSA kids via a mix of broken english, sign language and simple smiles, high fives and hugs. It hit me that there might be a few tears when it's time to say goodbye next week.

All the boys are fantastic and just keep plugging away at every job, big or small. Although we are starting to feel weary at times, we're all running on the reward of seeing such a meaningful task reach completion.

DSA Day 4: Photo Gallery

Bhairabi Day 4: A special Bhairabi welcome...

Peter has reported that today began with a very special welcome from the local community and the school. They were presented with Khata scarves and hand made garlands of marigold flowers. A very special experience indeed as this is a ceremony reserved for only the most special visitors.

All the group were shown the detailed procedure in preparing and applying concrete render to the dry stone walls that make up the majority of the school house structures. They took to the task well and now know how to go about the week's work of completing all the remaining buildings.
All are in good spirits and enjoying the calm of such a remote location and the beauty of the surroundings and the local people.

DSA Day 4: First full days work

Yesterday morning was a somewhat early start as everyone was keen to get stuck in and make a huge dent in the work.

The previous day, the ladies of the hostel had provided eggs and a sugary tea for a mid afternoon break so two dozen eggs, a number of bottles of water, electrical parts and light globes were all sourced just outside the hotel.

Straight away, it was great to see students delegating work amongst themselves. While some were painting the beds outside, others were painting the bedrooms a sky blue and some were prepping the dining room. Lawrence and Sean ended up looking like smurfs as blue paint managed its way onto each other leaving the walls begging. A time lapse with one of their cameras should reveal who made the first strike.

Throughout the day, primary aged children were fascinated with the work being carried out in the school yard. Mitch met his match as he could only lift two students at once who were thrilled with the attention. Meanwhile Christian has a series of interesting photos after a tiny girl gained control of his camera and put his photography skills to shame.

Victor and Callum were working hard painting the beds when they were taken by a number of students into the classrooms and given the tour of the library and year 1 rooms. Mind you, these students really were ankle biters.

At 4 o'clock the school was released and all students left in single file. This was a great opportunity for all St aug boys and staff to interact with the local kids. The boys were able to regain their football which had been lost during lunch.

Even more importantly, the boys were able to interact for a good hour with the blind, deaf and physically disabled students. The 3 staff were truly blown away by how respectful and delighted the St Aug boys were. All of them now know the alphabet in sign and many know the terms for asking age, name, country etc all in sign. This has broken down the barriers and has built the relationships so well. Everyone back home should be proud.

A swim in the pool preceded dinner and by 9:30, everyone was knackered after a great, satisfying days work and some R and R.

Day 3: Bhairabi Primary School

The blog entries for Bhairabi PS will be based on daily phone calls that I will relay from Peter Nolan who is high in the hills with very patchy phone coverage.
Today's report featured a nine hour 4WD journey along some notorious highways and off-road byways that saw them reach their destination at five-thirty pm. This left them with only enough time to set up tents and camp facilities where they'll be based for the next week whilst rendering school buildings in the area.
The group very soon met with the operator of the school and all became quite excited when told to expect an official welcoming ceremony in the morning. How exciting!

Day 3: Arriving at DSA

It all became very real today as we got to meet those that will benefit from our college fund raising efforts.
The smiling faces and heartfelt traditional welcome made for a very special moment for all.
After a quick tour of the facilities we set about stripping the hostel rooms that will be re-rendered, painted, carpeted and rewired before the end of our week here at DSA.
It can't be stressed enough how amazing the St Aug's students have been. Working all day, they took to each job with determination and cheer.
Working throughout the day in the school grounds, tools were dropped when the four o'clock school bell rang and the children flocked to meet us. Before long we were playing with the kids and captivating audiences with our accents, iPhones and the mystery of orthodontic braces on two boy's sets of teeth....
Thanks goes out to Maggie Piper who is our DSA contact here in Nepal. Her efforts go a long way in helping Principal Daya Ram continue to support these beautiful children. Follow her Facebook support page here:
www.facebook.com/friendsofdsa

Day 3: Splitting the atom...

Today began with a dawn rise in preparation for the split of out party into the two separate groups.
Energy, excitement and nerves were electric as the Bhairabi PS group readied themselves for an 8hr 4WD journey. They were even warned that they may need to get out and push the vehicles if the vehicle loads were too much for the local roads.
Equal energy amongst the smaller group who should reach DSA by midday where they'll meet the kids and get going on the renovations planned for the next week...
Hope to check in with a blog post tonight but connectivity has proved to be a challenge here at times. As we are uncertain until our arrival, I'd like to let all know that we may not be online again for a few days and not to worry as the boys have been brilliant at all times so far... We'll play by the "no news is good news" approach from here on in...
Namaste!

Day 2: Kathmandu welcomes you...

It's not every day you get to see Mt Everest out of your airplane window but today was that day. Anticipation and excitement aplenty as we stepped off the plane onto Nepalese concrete. The warmth of the air and the bustle of people and traffic had us all dizzy within minutes. Luckily we were met by our host Prem who bussed us to our accommodation in the pulsing heart of Kathmandu. The boys hit the streets as soon as possible and already have adapted to the busy beauty of this wonderful city.
Tomorrow will see us break up into two teams: the larger team heading to Bhairabi Primary School in the north while the smaller team will make their way to the DSA hostel south of Kathmandu.... Can't wait!
Ps: We are uncertain of Internet access in these remote areas but will be back online as soon as possible.

Day One:

Hello Australia!

We are one day in and so far, absolutely loving it. After a farewell at Sydney airport, a quick game of handball and a coffee to prepare everyone for what's ahead, we boarded the plane and took our seats. It was an eight hour journey to Singapore although the cattle class smelt like cattle class. The night was comfortable in the hotels and the delicate spices of Singapore's chili were very much appreciated by all; tastebuds will have definitely matured in 15 days time. For now, flights leave for Kathmandu soon and the best seats are being reserved!

Nepal: The Saint's are coming...

The staff, students & their families have hit full speed in the mad dash to prepare for Sunday's departure. Only two more sleeps to go!

Bhairabi PS: Dance Program Performance

DSA & Bhairabi PS: Video Introduction

A great introduction to Nepal's history, leading onto the DSA hostel for disabled children.

SEA 2012: Ready for Action

The staff and students of the 2012 SEA Program with Principal Tim Cleary

DSA: Meet the kids- Part I

Sagar is 9 years old and comes from the south east of Nepal near the Indian border. He wants to be an artist when he grows up, perhaps a painter. He likes everything about living at DSA but especially learning Nepali. This weekend five DSA children are participating in a children's art workshop in town. Daya Ram will go along to sign for them so they can enjoy it as much as the other kids who can hear.

(photo: Vatcharachai Triaroon)

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