well, i officially slacked off at the end of the trip on this blog. but, i'm not sure anyone reads this anyway so hopefully no one is too distraught. but, a little update:
i'm back home in the U.S.A. the end of the trip was a whirlwind of emotion. i was so eager to get back to the comforts of home, and yet there was so much that i wanted to accomplish before i left.
the big news: james, justin and i officially started a non-profit (name is yet to be decided on) to provide the community in Boudanath a center for after-school tutoring and a monthly health clinic. after assessing the needs of the community and getting a great deal of input from residents themselves, we determined that education and health care were two of the things that they needed the most. we decided that by creating a community center, we could not only create a space to accomplish these goals, but also a space that they could call their own. we will raise money for the center by selling the photographs that we've taken during this journey. we have stunning portraits, and also photos that depict their every-day lives.
i am so thankful to be a part of this project. i'm thankful that i am able to make an impact on the lives of people who have so greatly impacted mylife. it has been so inspiring and has made me remember how important it is to engage in the things that you feel passionately about, rather than what looks good on paper. and not only is this something i am passionate about, i actually feel like i can contribute to the project in my own significant way. i've helped design a business plan, i've met with attorneys in nepal and have drafted a contract for building on the land. i cannot think of a more perfect project for me to be a part of. i am so grateful to be able to put my legal knowledge to use, while simultaneously providing for people in need AND being a part of a creative and artistic endeavor. what more could i ask for?!
also, i'd like to mention that toward the end of this journey, i grew quite fond of the family that i was living with. i was very sad to leave them-especially shila, my nepali mama. she was more like a friend to me and it was a very tearful goodbye.
there is plenty more that i could say about this trip and about the relationships that i've made along the way. but, i think that will have to wait for another time. i think it is sufficient to say that while it is great to be back home, part of my heart is still in nepal.
peace. love. nepal.
