Namaste (The God in me sees the God in you)
Planning a trip to Kathmandu
Land of Everest and wonderful people too
Noise pollution and breath taking views
Buddha, Hindu, Christian and Jew
Cosmopolitan City of temples and burial pyres
Noisy traffic, spaghetti overhead wires
Scary drive to a village way up in the clouds
A touch of heaven amongst people so proud
The singing of angels in the guise of children
Eager to greet enthusiastic pilgrims
Tika is placed on our foreheads to welcome
Speeches are made and gifts are given
Villagers dance in honour and praise
Of the English people with funds to raise
We notice their joy as they take it in turn
We realise even then we have so much to learn.
A beautiful culture all pulling together
Even though it was monsoon weather
Their faces, the clothes, and their great disposition
Did not account for their poor conditions
The dancing and dancing way into the night
Reflected faces showing genuine delight
Happiness encountered outweighed lack of money
Lava and hornets we ate, not the honey
We slept in a room with no windows, just clouds
And a spider we named Henry with markings so proud
Pig, goat and chickens added to the family
Mixing into the wonderful harmony
Survival it seems is the aim of the game
But not at all costs…all treated the same.
Children craving to learn in a broken down school
All listening and learning which gives them their tools
To look after their own in the village so fine
Where elders drink Roxy, their local wine.
The children are charming manners we could adopt
Something in the West some children have dropped
We realise why we are here in this place
With villagers showing incredible grace
They take us in as if one of their own
And they remind me that I am not alone.
I reluctantly leave people we hold so dear
With a feeling I've found a new career
Then off to Tansen to meet a new family
Who take us in and are so homely
Treated like a daughter and sister and friend
Hoping this time too would never end
Meeting children in schools in need of support
And knowing that our time was incredibly short
More dancing and eating way into the night
Loving and laughing and feeling so …’right’
Breath taking views and teaching some more
Really understanding just what it’s all for
Can’t wait to return to this land of peace
Where volunteer support needs to increase
Smiling, friendly and charming, can hardly describe
People so diverse and ‘special’ to which we subscribe
Majestic, Amazing I could go on and on
It all amounts to one amazing song
Of life and of hope and of caring and giving
Helping others to create a living.
An adventure, hard work, and learning from others
Realisation that we truly are all sisters and brothers.
Namaste!