HFH (Day 10) – Friday, February 24, 2012
Our last day in Bharatpur and a day focused on the house dedication. The social ambience of the team was a mix of sadness, excitement, and happiness. For me, the sadness was about the time coming to an end with this team, happiness for the family and their changed life as they move forward, and excitement for the adventures that lay ahead of me.
Our team left for the build site in the morning as per usual. My expectation was that we would arrive at the build site, do a simple dedication, give our thanks and well wishes to the family and those from community, and depart for the airport.
When we arrived at the site, I was astounded and so touched. I could not believe the number of people who came out for the dedication. There was a formal banner announcing the dedication, tons of women from the Amardeep Women’s Cooperative (distinguished by their beautiful blue saris) and dignitaries were in attendance, and there were seats for the guests of honor – which were seats for our team. Guests of Honor? Us? I was so touched. There were speeches and words of thanks from the various partners, our leader Sherwood, the mayor, and members of the homeowner’s family. And there were gifts from the Neupane family. This was totally unexpected, especially since they are so poor. All of us received tikas. Women on our team received small traditional Nepalese purses, hair bows and bracelets, and the men from our team looked so grand in their new Nepalese hats. I hope that Richard wears his proudly as he walks the street of Chicago ;). So dapper, like the Nepalese men! From HFH Nepal, there were certificates and a lovely photo of our team. One could not help but have tears in one’s eyes. For me, what a significant moment in the family’s life! They now have a safe, dry, and comfortable house in which to build memories. The process of cutting the ribbon to the entry of the house took place and photos abounded. The family looked so happy and the grandmother signalling her thanks with the traditional “Namaste” motion. It is a memory etched in my consciousness. While I am writing this (as I catch up on my blog entries) 5.5 months (August 13/12)later, I still have the same emotional reaction of feeling choked up. I don’t want to lose the memory of this special day. My emotions of this moment 5.5 months later testify to the depth of the experience.
Once the formalities were finished, the music and dancing began. Members of the Women’s Collective and the family cleared the chairs and brought us to our feet to dance. Drums and singing songs of happiness and gratitude. It was truly beautiful.
It was time to say good bye. A difficult time for me as how does one really know how life will turn out. My optimistic spirit wishes all the best to the family. Nepal is a very poor country; its’ people rich in character, kindness, and gratitude. These qualities will surely allow the human spirit to soar, the family to have a better life. As we walked away from the site, members of the women’s cooperative, the family, community members and children formed two lines leading to our bus to wish us good bye. That was not an easy walk for me and for those of you who know me, it was done with tears in my eyes. The refrain of the women to me was “Don’t cry, be happy”. I was touched and I was happy. Happy for this opportunity, for all of the lessons of the build and for those lessons to be revealed at a later time, grateful for all those who I met and who will remain with me as a part of this grand adventure.
Namaste….
I hope that my pictures have captured the beauty of the people and the emotions of the moment.
The Travelling Psychologist 