While the capital was killing time lazily during the weekend, Barbara left for Banepa with her friends packed in five to six buses. Most people in the buses were foreigners. However, they were Nepalese at heart owing to their association with the country for long periods of time.
“We are deeply Nepali,” they said.
They were heading for Banepa to trek from there to Nagidanda where a Newari feast awaited them. The organizers of the trip were Barbara and her husband Mike Gill.
The participants had paid Rs 1,500 per head for the trip. Children participating in the trip had paid half that amount. But that was hardly comparable to the fun the trip was filled with and the satisfaction that participants got from the food prepared by the Mothers Group. The financial contribution from the participants was meant for the Miteri Scholarship Fund.
In Banepa, the participants were welcomed by students of local schools and SOS Children’s village. Soon, the participants started the trek in which they were assisted by students who were taught by Barbara and are now working to gather assistance for children in the entire district. Barbara’s former students also look after the Miteri Scholarship Fund.
By a pleasant coincidence, it was the birthday of Charles, a friend of Barbara. Charles was offered egg, fish, and local liquor as a birthday gift in Newari style. Moved, Charles said, “In my 62 years, there was never a more pleasant birthday, barring the birthdays I celebrated when I was a kid.”
“Long live Charles,” someone said. Another wished Charles happy birthday playing a violin. Red tika on his forehead and marigold garlands around his neck, Charles was ecstatic like a five-year-old.
All this fun was just a part of a larger purpose, which was arranging for school fees and dress to children from poor backgrounds.
Barbara organizes such Friendship trips every year, even while she is in America.
The fund was set up in 1987 when it helped children in Banepa. Twenty-two years later, the fund has been benefiting children in the entire district. By January 2009, there was Rs 8,70,000 in the fund.
Barbara has seen many changes take place in Nepal. “Time has changed like the color of his hair,” she said pointing at the head of her former student Shyam Shrestha. “Back then, his hair was black. Nowadays, it is losing color.”
When she first came to Banepa, there were just four toilets here. There was no electricity and no potable water.
But there are more opportunities these days. Back then, families of most of her students ran small stores where they sold fabrics. Nowadays, many head for foreign countries for employment.
Barbara taught for two years in Azad High School. But here, Barbara and Mike became part of a big family of locals. That tie brings them here every year for at least six months.
Barbara had organized a similar trip on February 7, 2005. But the trip was cancelled owing to the royal coup. Thereafter, she organized two such programs in California, before deciding to resume it in Nepal.
“We are always very pleased to see them,” said Shrestha. “Barbara has accepted Banepa as her Maiti. Every time she comes to Nepal, she does not forget to visit Banepa.”
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