Have you ever had an experience, a moment in your life, when it seemed like the world shifted around you and suddenly your perspective was entirely changed? Moments like these are magical and happen rarely, unless that is, you happen to be the proverbial fly on the wall at Kailash Home. At Kailash, these moments happen regularly. Through our Friends of Kailash Home program, people of all ages, but primarily university students, from around the world have the chance to stay at Kailash for up to a month. While on campus these visitors have a unique opportunity to meet and mentor our children through shared meals, tutoring, and other fun activities and outings. Rather than tell you how impactful these experiences are for both our Friends and our Kailash Kids, though, we invite you to read what a few of our most recent visitors had to say:
Has tingut alguna vegada una experiència, un moment en la teva vida, en el qual semblava que el món es movia al teu voltant i de sobte la teva perspectiva canviava per complet? Moments així són màgics i ocorren rarament però al Kailash, aquests moments ocorren amb regularitat.A través del nostre programa Amics del Kailash Home, persones de totes les edats, però sobretot estudiants universitaris, de tot el món tenen l’oportunitat d’allotjar-se en el Kailash durant un màxim d’un mes. Mentre són al campus, aquests visitants tenen una oportunitat única de conèixer i orientar als nostres nens a través de menjars compartits, classes particulars i altres activitats i sortides divertides. No obstant això, en lloc d’explicar-te l’impactant què són aquestes experiències tant per als nostres Amics com per als nostres Nens del Kailash, et convidem a llegir el que alguns dels nostres visitants més recents han dit:
Camber Mathews
20 | Winter Park, FL | Rollins College
| “I returned to Kailash once again this summer, after a profoundly transformative experience with the children during my previous stay. I fostered deep relationships last year and could not resist going again. This summer, we were able to host another fashion show, as well as a field day for the children. Some of my most cherished memories happened on outings off campus — attending the children’s sport games, visiting their schools, and taking small groups out to lunch in the city. The children serve as a reminder to embrace the present fully and honor the privileges and opportunities I am given. While my initial intention in coming to Kailash was to impact the lives of the children positively, I have come to realize that it is my life that has been transformed by them. I can’t wait for the day that I get to come back to Kailash yet again and give each and every child a hug.” “Vaig tornar al Kailash una vegada més aquest estiu, després d’una experiència profundament transformadora amb els nens durant la meva estada anterior. L’any passat vaig fomentar relacions profundes i no vaig poder resistir-me a anar de nou. Aquest estiu vam poder organitzar una altra desfilada de moda, així com un dia de camp per als nens. Alguns dels meus records més preuats es van produir en sortides fora del campus: assistir a partits esportius dels nens, visitar els seus col·legis i portar petits grups a menjar a la ciutat. Els nens em recorden que haig d’aprofitar plenament el present i honrar els privilegis i les oportunitats que se’m brinden. Encara que la meva intenció inicial en venir a Kailash era influir positivament en la vida dels nens, m’he adonat que són ells els que han transformat la meva vida. Estic desitjant que arribi el dia en què pugui tornar al Kailash una vegada més i fer una abraçada a tots i cadascun dels nens.” |
Pablo Planelles
19 | Majadahonda, Spain | University at Comillas Icade
“When I first arrived in Kathmandu, I was welcomed by some of the children that hadn’t gone to school that day, as they were on holiday. I perfectly remember the first thought I had, ‘these kids have a big heart.’ I am convinced it is impossible to visit the Kailash Home and leave without that sentence crossing your mind. I stayed there for a month, and I had the chance to help the children with their English, their school homework, and to learn about art and many other topics they are interested in among other things. However, the children were actually better teachers than I was. They were always trying to make me feel at home; to show me how their country, culture, and languages work; to teach me things that, due to the difference in our lifestyles, I had never had the chance, or the need, to learn. It is truly heartwarming to see how happy, passionate, motivated, and, essentially, full of life the kids are, despite their situation. All of them have life projects, all of them want to make the world a better place. I had the chance to talk to almost every one of them — I took the younger ones to walk around Kailash; the older ones took me to see different places around the city — there is not a single one of them that I didn’t find inspiring. It angers me to think that, no matter how big of an effort these kids make in their lives, they might never have the chance to live a life remotely similar to the ones we take for granted in the West. It is, therefore, our duty to help them as much as we can, in any way we can.”
“Quan vaig arribar per primera vegada a Kàtmandu, em van rebre alguns dels nens que aquest dia no havien anat a l’escola, perquè estaven de vacances. Recordo perfectament el primer pensament que vaig tenir: ‘aquests nens tenen un gran cor’. Estic convençuda que és impossible visitar el Kailash Home i marxar sense que aquesta frase passi per la teva ment. Em vaig quedar allà un mes, i vaig tenir l’oportunitat d’ajudar als nens amb l’anglès, els deures del col·legi, i d’aprendre sobre art i molts altres temes que els interessen entre altres coses. No obstant això, els nens eren en realitat millors professors que jo. Sempre intentaven fer-me sentir com a casa, mostrar-me com funcionen el seu país, la seva cultura i els seus idiomes, ensenyar-me coses que, a causa de la diferència en els nostres estils de vida, mai havia tingut l’oportunitat, o la necessitat, d’aprendre. És realment commovedor veure’ls feliços, apassionats, motivats i, essencialment, plens de vida que estan els nens, malgrat la seva situació. Tots tenen projectes de vida, tots volen fer del món un lloc millor. Vaig tenir l’oportunitat de parlar amb gairebé tots ells – vaig portar als més joves a passejar pel Kailash; els més grans em van portar a veure diferents llocs de la ciutat – no hi ha ni un d’ells que no em semblés inspirador. M’angoixa pensar que, per molt que aquests nens s’esforcin en les seves vides, potser mai tenen l’oportunitat de viure una vida ni remotament semblant a la qual donem per descomptada a Occident. És, per tant, el nostre deure ajudar-los en tot el que puguem, de la forma que puguem.”
Alexa Michel
21 | Miami, Florida | Florida Atlantic University
“My month-long stay with the Himalayan Youth Foundation has been nothing short of transformative. Immersed in the heart of Kathmandu and surrounded by a community committed to education and empowerment, I have gained invaluable insights that will stay with me for a lifetime. From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warmth and smiles from all the staff and children, which instantly made me feel like a part of their extended family. Kailash Home itself is a humble yet nurturing environment, surrounded by the stunning beauty of Nepal’s natural landscape. What struck me the most during my stay was the unwavering positivity and resilience displayed by the children. Despite facing challenges, they approach life with such enthusiasm and a genuine appreciation for the opportunities they are given. Their laughter and curiosity are infectious, and reminded me of the importance of embracing life’s simple pleasures. Interacting with the children was the highlight of my visit. We engaged in various activities, from fashion shows to storytelling and art projects to playing games outdoors. Their eagerness to learn and share their stories left a lasting impression on me. Hearing about their dreams and aspirations was both inspiring and humbling, as they demonstrated an incredible determination to overcome obstacles and create better futures for themselves.Volunteering with HYF has reinforced the notion that giving is a two-way street. The joy that radiates from contributing to the betterment of others’ lives is immeasurable. Every interaction and shared moment has not only hopefully enriched the lives of the individuals I’ve connected with, but has also significantly enriched my own understanding of empathy, compassion, and the importance of lending a helping hand. This experience left me with a sense of gratitude for the small things in life and a renewed perspective on the power of collective effort in making a positive difference. If you ever have the chance to visit Nepal and Kailash Home, I wholeheartedly encourage you to embrace the experience – it might just change your outlook on life.”
“La meva estada d’un mes en la Himalayan Youth Foundation ha estat transformadora. Immersa en el cor de Kàtmandu i envoltada d’una comunitat compromesa amb l’educació i l’apoderament, he adquirit coneixements que m’acompanyaran tota la vida. Des del moment en què vaig arribar, vaig ser rebut amb calidesa i somriures per tot el personal i els nens, que a l’instant em van fer sentir com a part de la seva gran família. El propi Kailash Home és un entorn humil però acollidor, envoltat de la impressionant bellesa del paisatge natural de Nepal. El que més em va impressionar durant la meva estada va ser la indestructible positivitat i resistència dels nens. Malgrat els reptes als quals s’enfronten, afronten la vida amb entusiasme i una estima genuïna per les oportunitats que se’ls brinden. El seu riure i curiositat són contagioses i em van recordar la importància de gaudir dels plaers senzills de la vida. La interacció amb els nens va ser el més destacat de la meva visita. Participem en diverses activitats, des de desfilades de moda fins a contacontes i projectes artístics, passant per jocs a l’aire lliure. El seu afany per aprendre i compartir les seves històries em va causar una impressió duradora. Sentir parlar dels seus somnis i aspiracions va ser alhora inspirador i humil, ja que van demostrar una increïble determinació per a superar els obstacles i crear un futur millor per a si mateixos.”
Both our children and our Friends of Kailash are undeniably changed by these visits, and in the years ahead we’re eager to continue to expand this special program.
El voluntariat amb HYF ha reforçat la noció que donar i és un carrer de doble sentit. L’alegria que irradia contribuir a millorar la vida dels altres és incommensurable.
