I'm lovin' it.

Well, it has only been 4 days since I got here to the orphanage in Pokhara. It feels like I have been here forever. I am really enjoying my time here. I love these children. They are all just so amazing. They are adorable. Though when I got here it wasn't what I expected as we will teaching, but it's all good. Usually our schedule is teaching 830 - 1130. We are to teach English, Math and Social, which can include a variety of things. Geography, social activities and environments. After that it is lunch and free time in the afternoon as they have Tibetan and Nepali classes. The kids all come from a Tibetan region of Nepal called Mustang. It is north of the Himalayan mountains. You have to walk to get there and it takes about 5 - 7 days. The main village has a population of 2000. Some of the kids still have parents, but they can't take care of the children. They are all quite bright though not all of them can go to school as they don't have sponsors. That is why we teach them at home. In the afternoon we are free to do what we like and on Saturdays it is our free day.
So far I have not done too much around here though have done a lot of walking into town and what not.
Last night I got talking to Tashi, one of the volunteers who is also from the Mustang region. He is 23, has a sponsor and is going to college. He is such an amazing person. He cares so much about these children but also wants more. The orphanage where we are is rented, not owned. It is only 250USD per month. But there are things that they really need. For example, a solar panel. Power cuts are quite frequent here and can last hours. For example, last night it lasted 2 hours and we only had a couple battery operated lights that lasted about 20 minutes. If they had a solar panel, costing 50,000Rupees or 750USD, which could light 5 lights and a TV. This is something so big for them, for a price that is so insignificant for us. And to sponsor a child is only 405USD per year and that includes everything (school, food, health care, etc). It is just so crazy to think the things we take for granted and if I just didn't go out for that extra meal in a restaurant a month and these children could have so much. I would love to find a way to give these children something that could improve their lives.
On another note. I am really enjoying myself. I need to buy another pair of pants. Lightweight linen trousers. Great, and only about 450 Rps (6.50USD). I seem to be wearing the same ones over and over again. I bought them in Kathmandu. They are wonderful!!!
I am really enjoying my time here and really think I may extend my stay over Christmas. The kids here celebrate xmas and I think it would be an amazing experience.
Anyway, enough for today. I have put photos on facebook. If you want me to send you a link to them as you don't have facebook, just let me know. Miss you all.