By Serla Rusli (Apr 2013 team, Indonesian, Barclays Ops) When it comes to procrastination, I think I’m the queen. I have been wanting to write this post for a while, and it took me two YEARS to finally get around to it. I think part of me wanted to make this post perfect, since I felt that this travel story that I’m about to write deserves the best. Everything that had thus far come to my head never sounded good enough – I don’t even know if this post is going to cut it. It took a terrible earthquake that practically damages Kathmandu to shake me out of this mentality, and I decided to write this post about the kids in Nepal, because I’m thinking of them, and I’m praying for their safety. |
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Peter Hepenstall (Project co-founder) The Long Way Home is a story of hope and happiness. It is set in Nepal. It is a story of sacrifice and love. It is a story of opportunity – or more accurately a lack of it. It is a saga of sadness and despair as well. There is drama and adventure and there is laughter and tears. There are many a paradox in this tale. The story commences in the ancient and magical city of Kathmandu and then it moves to the beautiful but rugged Himalaya mountain ranges. It is a tale of journeys; these are both emotional and physical – the former on a path to adulthood and the latter to a place called home. Gautam Rao (Nov 2012 team, Indian, Barclays Technology) The giant, snow capped mountain hung in the air, floating on top of a cloud, as if little things like gravity were entirely inconsequential. Far away from its peak, a lazy river wound it's way through a valley. Terraced fields cascaded down the hillsides, and little houses dotted the several hills and mountains that made up the rest of the scene. "Sir, chai?" a voice beside me asked. Victoria Alexander (Oct 2012 team, British, Barclays Finance Product Control) "My second volunteer experience was in October when I spent 10 days in Nepal with the Future Village Foundation visiting schools in Kathmandu and the small mountain village of Katunge in Dhading Province. I was able to get involved with this organisation through a work colleague, Jessie Lai, who first visited Nepal to go trekking in 2010 and has since been back 4 times to do volunteer work at schools, has set up Future Village Foundation (an Australian registered charity which aims to ‘to support the education of impoverished children in rural Nepal’), and now sends 4 teams of volunteers each year. Krithika Venkataraman (Apr 2012 team, Indian) Best few days in 2012 were when my husband and I spent time at a remote village in the mountains of Nepal teaching kids together with fellow volunteers from Singapore. What a beautiful experience it was! It was my first time volunteering at a village... a challenging but a fulfilling experience. Future Village had no electricty and just had the mere basic facilities when we were there... but it has I believe one of the most beautiful kids in this world. We got through the difficult nights as we looked forward to the lovely kids and the gorgoeus views of mountians that greeted us each morning. Gautam Rao (Nov 2012 team, Indian, Barclays Technology) The crowd sang loudly, clearly, and in unison. The motley group of 7 soaked in the adulation and the loving, and graciously accepted the garlands being hung around their necks. They were silenced for a while, not really expecting such a reception. No, this wasn't a rock concert. A group of about 150 children sang a beautiful song in a language none of us knew, while seven of us, bewildered volunteers that we were, walked into Snowland Ranag Light of Education School with a cool breeze behind our backs, and the morning sun shining bright. People told me volunteering was rewarding; they never told me I'd feel like a rockstar. Claudia Roth (Oct 2012 team, Switzer, Barclays Sourcing) To be honest, the idea of standing in front of a large group of kids seemed daunting. Giving a business presentation? Happy to. Teaching a group of kids? I had no idea how to tackle that. Well, it resulted in a new found appreciation for the teacher’s job and the comraderie among the volunteer group made sure we came up with lesson plans as we went along and managed to do something meaningful. The feedback from the kids and the fun we all had made it more than worthwhile. Add a stunning view that greets you early in the morning when you wake up and it’s a perfect break from city life. Subashini Ramalingam (May 2012 team, Indian, Barclays EM Asia Rates Trading) I brought books, clothes and reading material to Nepal for the children and I took back peace, satisfaction and a broader mind. I think that was a great exchange! It was a wonderful place where little things brought great joy to the children. If all of us could be a little more humble and help those who have less in life rather than chase the wealth and power of those who have a lot more than us, wow, wouldn't we be smiling as much as these Nepal kids? Zara Balfour, Jacaranda-Barclays Citizenship Award filming team We are in the midst of post-production for the Barclays Citizenship Awards – this year producing 72 films. The Citizenship Awards celebrate outstanding Barclays employees that have brightened the lives of their communities worldwide with volunteering activity. From the moment that the Barclays finalists are announced we have 7 weeks in which to complete the production process, which includes arranging shooting in – and despatching film crews to 30 locations in 14 countries worldwide, getting them and their footage safely home, and then editing, creating graphics and finally delivering all 72 films hot off the press to the Awards Ceremony. Ngan Ha, Dinh (Oct 2011 team, Vietnamese, Barcalays Finance Product Control Group) I really did not know what to expect from this trip in the beginning. 14/Oct/2011 Landed at Kathmandu international airport. The terminal building was definitely older than me! Something I could understand (in English) was a trekking and travelling poster. |
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