Om Shiva!

How do you take 23 orphans and 3 of their helpers on a field trip to the world's largest Shiva statue?
That was our task Saturday as Danny and I attempted to treat the children to an outing. Since the children rarely get out of their tiny compound to do anything, we decided to scrap up our "at home" coffee money and take the children on a field trip. Durga, the kind woman who runs the orphange, had the children washed, dressed and lined up for us when we arrived. Our Tibetan friend Kelsang, who often acts as our translator and "fixer" man, had found a bus that would hold 30 for us, for about $3,500 rubee-or about $50-this bus would stay with us for the day and included the driver and his "conductor"-a must for Nepali travels.
The children's eyes were bright and their smiles big as we set off trhough the dusty, winding, crowded streets of Kathmandu. Soon our little bus, painted with Shiva and his white bull Nandi on the back, began to clmib into the hills, past rice paddies and green fields, and slowly up to the ancient town of Bhactapur. AFter about anhorus drive, Nepali music playing loudly and the kids chattering, we spied our first view of the enormous Shiva-about 150 ft. up on a hill, overlooking all. Squeals of delight and awes as we all shifted to the left side of the bus to catch a better look. Up and up the bus down-shifted and the chatter inside grew louder. Soon we were pouring out of the bus and hiking up the hillside to the entrance. I had been trying to calculate in my head how much the entire day was going to cost-rubees for water, rubees for snacks, etc. everything times 30. Om Shiva, when we walked up to the entrance, and found they were giving free pepsi and box snacks to all who entered. AFter doing more thena few rounds of inspecting the statue from big tow to tip of trident spear, we settled in some shade to hear local Nepali musicians play "puja" music in honor of the Shiva shrine.
The children were hungry again and it was growing late, so we herded everyone down to our Shiva bus, loaded up and found a restaurant and green, grassy area to have some chowmein. 30 orders again, and 30 bottles of water! After enjoying our meal while sitting around a low table on the ground, we again loaded up the so very well-behaved kids and set off for Kathmandu. The driver and conductor had been enjoying themselves immensely, and I included them in our lunch and tea, so they were very happy, the kids were happy, Shiva was happy-it was a joyous time had by all. When we returned to the orphanage, the little ones who stayed behind came running down the short driveway to grab Danny Sir's big hands, and hanging onto his hands and legs, lead him up to the main yard. No one seemed to mind not going, these kids are just amazing in their equitable behavior towards each other. It was such a pleasure to be around such well-behaved children who appreciate and are so grateful for all anyone does for them. I had enjoyed talking to some of the older girls, who are high swchool age and telling me their dreams of becoming a nurse or teacher. "I will do my best to get you tuition for your school," I promised. It costs about $1,500 USdolalrs for the odler kids to go to boarding school to get their higher education-that includes everything-food and board. Not so much in US terms, but light years away when a poor orphan. The two girls I talked to, so well mannered and groomed, grew up in Buddhist Child Home, and seemed like exceptional human beings. So if you are reading this and feeling these girls are worthy of a good education and a chance to become something noble and do good with their lifes, you can send any donations to Hands in Nepal marked for Buddhist Child Home and I promise it will go to their education. I can and gladly will send pictures of the girls to anyone requesting this, and any other information I can supply on their education., As they say at Buddhist Child Home: "Love all, Serve All"-I so much want to thank anyone willing to help out-they are truly worthy girls!! Namaste!! Jan