Dance little more, worry a little less

Recently one the best things that have arrived in my life is: ZUMBA. How strange, no? I need to note: Nepali zumba. That means essentially that things are not taken too seriously, there's a lot uncoordinated dancing, movement that doesn't always make sense, no competition and a lot of smily faces! The most liberating class I have so far been on. Our teacher is a young man of many smiles, no stupid shouting or encouraging in the sort of western-gym-kind-of-a-way. Some people go running, others might go boxing, I on the other hand need to hang out with these people and dance in an uncoordinated manner to some latin tunes and sweat all the negative stuff out of my body.

Dance a little more, worry a little less and don't take yourself too seriously! I hereby wish you all a fantastic weekend.

Mugu in 4 pictures

Happy new year 2013!

This is my first short post on Mugu in 4 pictures. This was the first place I visited. I will tell about that experience more in my next post. To give you and idea of the place, Mugu has the lowest life-expectancy in Nepal, 33 years, without 100 % accuracy I would argue it is also one of the lowest in the world, according to Wikipedia and CIA only Swaziland is lower at 31/32 years.

God is Love, Love is God

A warm early winter day, December, we are driving through the dusty streets of Kathmandu outskirts, sun mixing up with sand like the original nepali cocktail gently layered on your face. Some 20 min later we arrive at a pink coloured house, not an unlikely colour for Nepal, a house that is to be the new home for 12 kids, their didi (housekeeper), at least one volunteer and Bal Krishna, the main man.
I am spending the day documenting and helping with the move of the orphanage, from their old house to the brand new one. I am accompanied by Samuli, a 28 year old Finn, a young man who some 6 years ago came to Nepal to volunteer at an orphanage and has ever since been coming back, for work and to live, in this place that he now calls as his second home. During these years he has been involved in establishing an orphanage with friends and since some years he has been involved with two other guys Bal Krishna and Tika with this place.

So bare with me, my head is a little heavy and there are a lot of pictures of a day that was not without its dilemmas, challenges and moments of desperation, but a day that was filled with trust that things somehow work out, as they eventually did.

As the truck is getting filled up by beds in pieces, Samuli takes off his jacket I see a glimpse of a tattoo written in nepali and I ask: "What does that say?" "God is Love, Love is God"he replies. "It's there as a reminder, especially on those days that you have a hard time trusting in the human kind".

Food for thought.



Tika and Bal Krishnas brother at the rooftop of the new house



Before the move starts there must be a tea break, Samuli chatting with some local guys and Tika



Samuli and Bal Krishna



Tea shop game break







Last thing to be installed in the house are the components in the toilet and shower, as these are things that are often robbed out of new houses.









On the way to the old house




































New home and kids are back from school, shoes are not allowed inside, like in most nepali homes












Happiness comes in all shapes and bouncy forms






Samuli telling about the new regulations "No more touching the walls with dirty hands".











This house provides home and food for 12 kids. It's financial responsibility lies mainly on one person and on donations. Should you wish to help, please don't hesitate to contact me and I will provide you with further details on: maria.santto@gmail.com.


Happy Holidays!

From Kathmandu,
Maria