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August 2004
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INSIGHTS FROM NEPAL
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by Anne Lee
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We leave the village and my heart is full.
I promise to return. The farewell of a small boy "Namaste hajuraamaa!"
(Goodbye grandma) echoes in my ears. The sights, sounds and
people of Nepal are now a part of me. I return to the U.S. after
two months, seeing my own country in a new light. I am filled
with the realization that bridging worlds is about embracing
differences and celebrating how much we are alike. Since returning
I share my experiences through photos and words with friends.
A common question is "What did you achieve?" It is a difficult
question for me to answer. The sage Lao Tzu in his book "The
Way of Life" states:
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Anne Lee, Butwal Area Midwife
Candidate by Anne Lee
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"Everyone says that my way of life is the way of a simpleton
. . .
These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose
and cherish:
To care,
To be fair,
To be humble . . ."
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Perhaps, at times I am now more
able to be a "simpleton." If so it is through the wonderful
Nepalis who help me to better understand and emulate
this philosophy.
Traveling over 1000 kms to the rural areas of Nepal,
with Indira Ghale as my interpreter, I visit with women
in Dalit villages. The Dalit is an untouchable caste,
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Anne Lee,
Mirchaiya Village by Anne Lee
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discriminated socially, in the use of
public facilities and in employment. We walk toward the village
and see the women sitting on the ground and the porch of a simple
one-storey mud house. The rush mat is laid on the earth for
the guests of honor. Sometimes there is a ceremony to acknowledge
the special guests. One village presented a treat of white sliced
bread and tea. "Namastes" are exchanged and women of all ages
sit cross legged on the ground to share stories.
I learn that one woman gave birth to eleven children; only three
survived. At another village three babies died because of birth
complications and lack of a midwife. Sanitation and water is
lacking in many rural areas; women and children must haul water
long distances twice a day. Education for children, money for
uniforms and supplies, and lunch for students who must walk
miles to school, are all badly needed.
As I talk with the women I know intuitively that we are bridging
our worlds - we relate as mothers, daughters, granddaughters.
We share common experiences. I talk of my five children, grandchildren;
we talk of relationships, childbirth, contraception, family.
We are all women, we are all sisters. This is a commonality
that bridges race, culture, and creed.
One day our young house-help, Nita, shared how she and her family
walked from their home in the foothills of Sagarmatha (Everest),
to the city of Kathmandu to make a new and better life. They
walked for three days carrying everything on their backs; camping
each night by the roadside. It took me the same amount of time
to travel half way around the world.
Sharing the stories of Dalit women, and giving voices to those
who have none, bridges our worlds. My presentations to
community groups are also a means to raise money for Jagriti
and the Dalit communities. Partnering with the Feminist Dalit
Organization (FEDO), my host organization, the resources will
be channeled directly to the specific projects that the women's
groups identified in each of the villages.
This trip to Nepal is a life changing experience. I am going
back as promised, next September!
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