This is a story about one little girl. Her name is Mindo Tamang and she is an orphan. As I have said before, there are many problems in Nepal, and one of them is the overwhelming number of kids without parents. Parents die of disease or many leave their children because they don't have the means to take care of them. Some children end up in orphanages, where they are provided with food and shelter. Otherwise, many will live the life of an outcast, where they have to beg in order to survive. While there are many orphanages in Nepal, there is just as much corruption in these organizations. I am a kid person, I love them. Sometimes I relate better to kids, than I do to adults, and it breaks my heart to think about a suffering child. I felt the desire to help in some way, but I didn't know how...
Then I met her. While trekking in the Langtang region, we came to a small village of only 4 guest houses. As we approached the one we stayed in, I noticed this young girl carrying a baby on her back. I was immediately struck by her and couldn't take my eyes off the pair. Later that evening, while talking to the owner of the guest house, we learned that this girl, Mindo, is an orphan. The owner told us that Mindo's mother and father split up, and both left her. The mother has had many men, and also has many children that she leaves in different villages. The owner told us this was a big problem. He doesn't want to take care of this girl, he already has raised 5 of his own children and given them the best he could. Mindo is a burden to him, and it shows. Although I think he is a good person, he is looking out for the best interests of his own family. The extra money it costs to support Mindo, is something that he resents. Mindo tries to help, bringing in fire wood, stoking the fire, but she is treated like a pest. I try to be understanding, but I feel sorry for this little girl. Her options in life aren't good... she's unwanted and uneducated. She doesn't even speak Nepali, only the local language of her village.
I stay awake all night, my mind spinning with ideas of how I can help Mindo. Amazingly, the day before we met a gentleman from England who supports an orphanage in Kathmandu and he is staying in the guest house next to ours. I get up in the morning and ask him if there are any options for Mindo, if there is any space in his orphanage? There is also the problem of money, I can give some money, but know I can't support her for the next 10 years. We've already heard the sad stories of tourists trying to help, giving money to support kids in the short term, but then not following through. I don't want to do that.
After talking with the English man, Andy, I call the orphanage. They don't have space and they don't have money. There is also the problem of Mindo not speaking Nepali, and that she only knows mountain life. She has never seen a car, let alone lived in a crazy busy city like Kathmandu. Which life would be better? The option of an orphanage would at least give her an education and maybe some hope for a better future.
The story continues... we run into Andy again on the trail and he tells me that money is not a problem, that his community near Oxford England can pay for Mindo to go to an orphanage! This is incredible to me! With this in mind, the orphanage can find space in a different home for her. The orphanage is affiliated with a guiding service, and they can come and pick her up and take her back to Kathmandu (the guide even speaks her language,Tamang)! In the orphanage, she would get new clothes, food every day, a roof over her head, and a decent education. It's all coming together, but I'm wondering if it is my place to change this girl's life. Again my mind is reeling! We still don't know what is going to happen, and when we leave the mountains, I give Mindo my fleece and the owner some money for shoes and books. I tell them we have to wait and see....
Since then, the pieces have been put in motion. A guide went up to the village to get Mindo, but unfortunately the owner asked to put one of his own children in the orphanage instead of Mindo. Then he asked if he could have the money to support Mindo himself. Like I said, he has his own best interests in mind. I knew it couldn't be so simple and I still don't know what exactly will happen.... Either ending of this story will be hard on Mindo, but I believe if she does get into the orphanage there will be hope. With an education, maybe her life will turn around.
I learned some of my own lessons from this experience. Even though I still wonder what will be best for Mindo, I am amazed at how it all has fallen in place. I am reminded of the power of intention, and how life comes together when you put your ideas out there. I've experienced this same power of serendipity with the Global Library project (right, Kelly?) and I am trying to trust that things will happen the way they are meant to.
The rest of the story is to be continued....
Erin
3 comments:
Wow! Not sure how to respond to that short, yet intense, story. You make our hearts go out to Mindo, too, and remind us to keep those in foreign lands in our prayers as well. Your reflections on the struggles of life in Nepal dwarf the the "problems" we think we have like getting our son to sleep through the night or sitting in traffic on the Tappan Zee Bridge. Thanks for humbling us.
Love and peace,
K,K,&B
The story is heartwarming and heart wrenching at the same time. There is an ebb and flow of hope, disappointment and hope in it. Is that a picture of Mindo with the inn keeper and his wife? In the first picture of Mindo, I can see desire to please and a feeling of helplessness in her eyes. I can see why you are attracted to her. I am proud to be your dad. Hope you have a way to keep in touch with Mindo's outcome.
Missing you! It is so dang wonderful to hear your voice!
Love, K
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