Just wanted to share my joy at the wonderful 10 years we have had creating a family that cares, shares and loves each other! Thanks to our children who has put their trust and faith in us and continue their journey with the hope that they pursue peace, happiness and unity throughout their lives. We love you and love all our friends and family who supported our journey! We couldn't have done it without you! To my loving husband Rob - Here's to many more years together as we continue our duty to serve the children with disability in Nepal! Happy Holidays! Peace!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Just wanted to share my joy at the wonderful 10 years we have had creating a family that cares, shares and loves each other! Thanks to our children who has put their trust and faith in us and continue their journey with the hope that they pursue peace, happiness and unity throughout their lives. We love you and love all our friends and family who supported our journey! We couldn't have done it without you! To my loving husband Rob - Here's to many more years together as we continue our duty to serve the children with disability in Nepal! Happy Holidays! Peace!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: Camping with 32 kids in Nepal!
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: Camping with 32 kids in Nepal!: Can you imagine taking 32 children camping? In Nepal?? With wheelchairs, walkers and crutches??? Well, we did just that several weeks ...
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Being Together
Lakeside Park - May 2, 2012
The Rotary Club of FishTail put together a special day for families with children with Developmental Challenges and adults with spinal cord injuries to interact with our special guests and our Trip Team members. This is the 2nd year we sponsored the event and it has made a big difference in the life of these families.
For a day they are out of their routine, they can sit back and have their children play with other differently-abled children and adults. We had soccer and basket balls, we played catch and musical games. We had dancing and singing ( of course) and then boxed lunch brought into the park!
To top it all, everybody went on 9 boats and spent the hour floating around Lake Fewa. Thanks to Larry and Eric who helped all the guests into and out of the boats! Truly great Rotarians !
The mood was cheerful and despite their stories, the support they get from the Rotary project, CBRS (Community Based Rehabilitation Service) training and education is provided for adults to be able to ear a living.
The Rotary Club of FishTail put together a special day for families with children with Developmental Challenges and adults with spinal cord injuries to interact with our special guests and our Trip Team members. This is the 2nd year we sponsored the event and it has made a big difference in the life of these families.
For a day they are out of their routine, they can sit back and have their children play with other differently-abled children and adults. We had soccer and basket balls, we played catch and musical games. We had dancing and singing ( of course) and then boxed lunch brought into the park!
To top it all, everybody went on 9 boats and spent the hour floating around Lake Fewa. Thanks to Larry and Eric who helped all the guests into and out of the boats! Truly great Rotarians !
The mood was cheerful and despite their stories, the support they get from the Rotary project, CBRS (Community Based Rehabilitation Service) training and education is provided for adults to be able to ear a living.
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: Annual trip to Manakamana
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: Annual trip to Manakamana: The wish fulfilling temple Manakamana is always a welcome stop on our way to Pokhara. With our special guests: Sita, Jayanthi, Sunita, Namr...
SGCP - hope for families with Cerebral Palsy
The condition of Cerebral Palsy affects the control of muscles due to the lack of oxygen to certain areas of the brain in utero, during childbirth or between the age of 0 - 5 due to high fever or another condition. SGCP helps in establishing awareness and the quick mitigation to address the condition and start therapy and education to help the children reach their full potential.
Dr Lekha, a Rotarian, has been a great adviser on this subject and has been our contact to this center. Donna Eggan put up this puppet project to interact with the children. A matching grant has also provided 100 customized chairs for children and adults with CP because their posture is of utmost importance Here are a few photos from that trip.
Dr Lekha, a Rotarian, has been a great adviser on this subject and has been our contact to this center. Donna Eggan put up this puppet project to interact with the children. A matching grant has also provided 100 customized chairs for children and adults with CP because their posture is of utmost importance Here are a few photos from that trip.
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: Polio Drops of Life!
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: Polio Drops of Life!: Dear TRIFC & Rotary Friends, We have had so many remarkable experiences on this trip it's difficult to pick one to write about! Eric Postle...
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: The Picnic Spot
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: The Picnic Spot: The Group headed north to Dhulikel stopping first at Bhaktapur, the City of Devotees, the 2nd of the 3 palaces we were going to visit. It ...
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: The Gifts Bags are a HIT at DNC!
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: The Gifts Bags are a HIT at DNC!: The Gifts Bags are a HIT at DNC!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Journey to Self
Its day 1 of their journey through Nepal trip 2012 and already they have come away with emotions that they say have stirred up from deep within. They come here open and ready for anything, only to revisit that space within all of us that yearns to be free. Buddhism has always been to most a very ethereal philosophy, one that seemingly is counter to western traditions and structure. Coming here and being part of the energy as they walk around the stoopa, turn prayer wheels and enter a Buddhist temple allows them to see Buddhism with new eyes. They will see Hinduism with new eyes as well! Their religion colors the rhythm of their lives, very difficult lives as this 3rd world nation painstakingly tries to make order form the chaos left from the Maoist revolution and downfall of their Monarchy. They will see nature at its unspoilt beauty and with new hope perhaps come home to continue their journey to Self.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Taking More than Luggage
Its the day I fly out to Kathmandu with Eric and Donna (6 other trip participants fly through other routes). I do this every year for the past 8 years and its always been the highlight of my year. I leave my work, my triathlon training, my kids and extended family and friends to embark on a journey albeit short by adventure standards yet fulfilling and inspiring every time.
The children we support through our 501(c)(3) have been waiting all year and our reunion is always sweet! They gather round, hugs are never enough it seems! I've gone around all the sales and bargain outlets to get each and every one of them a present. we have goody bags filled with little toys and crafts (thanks to Oriental Trading), candy, toothbrush and toothpaste courtesy of several dentists in the Mill Creek Rotary Club who put the 125 bags together. They don't really care that they get anything they're happy just for us to be there. These visits spell the true meaning of friendship! We use the time we have together to enjoy the activities they usually do and we take them out to a special field trip- this year we are going camping in the mountains where its cooler now that the hot weather has set in.
Please follow, as we journey together touring the country, experiencing their culture and accepting whatever comes out way.
This year I am taking more than luggage, I am taking the well wishes and support of my team mates and co-workers from T-Mobile. Working with you has been quite a fun and inspiring time! Thanks for holding down the work as I visit my 'retreat' of sorts!
Take care and see you all real soon!
The children we support through our 501(c)(3) have been waiting all year and our reunion is always sweet! They gather round, hugs are never enough it seems! I've gone around all the sales and bargain outlets to get each and every one of them a present. we have goody bags filled with little toys and crafts (thanks to Oriental Trading), candy, toothbrush and toothpaste courtesy of several dentists in the Mill Creek Rotary Club who put the 125 bags together. They don't really care that they get anything they're happy just for us to be there. These visits spell the true meaning of friendship! We use the time we have together to enjoy the activities they usually do and we take them out to a special field trip- this year we are going camping in the mountains where its cooler now that the hot weather has set in.
Please follow, as we journey together touring the country, experiencing their culture and accepting whatever comes out way.
This year I am taking more than luggage, I am taking the well wishes and support of my team mates and co-workers from T-Mobile. Working with you has been quite a fun and inspiring time! Thanks for holding down the work as I visit my 'retreat' of sorts!
Take care and see you all real soon!
The Resilience of the Human Spirit
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: Disabled New Life Center: A very sad story. This child's parents are alcoholic and used this child as a beggar to earn money. To increase earnings they burned ha...
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: We've reached our fundraising goal!
TRIFC Volunteer Projects: We've reached our fundraising goal!: Namaste Friends! I am happy to report that we have reached our fundraising goal of $5400 to help fund school tuition and expenses for ...
Saturday, February 11, 2012
TREK TO ABC for TRIFC
TREK to Annapurna Base Camp - 13000 ft above sea level to witness the majestic Himalayan Mountain peaks on a guided tour complete with tea-house accommodations, meals and park fees, flight arrangements, land travel. Plus a chance to see how your donation of $1000 or more can help children with disabilities thrive a a country whose government and society hinder their equal participation to nation building.
Here are details of the TREK:
Day 1- Arrive at Kathmandu and stay over-night at Hotel Himalaya
Day 2- Sightsee in the Kathmandu Valley and stay overnight at Hotel Himalaya
Day 3- Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, trek to Hille (4840 ft. elevation, 3 hr walk), and stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 4- Trek to Ghorepani (9360ft, 6 hr walk), and stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 5- Trek to Tadapani (8330ft, 6-7 hr walk), and stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 6- Trek to Chomrong (7120ft, 5 hr walk), and stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 7- Trek to Dhovan (8330ft, 6 hr walk), and stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 8- Trek to Deurali (10,301ft, 4 hr walk), and stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 9- Trek to Annapurna base cam (13,550ft, 5-6 hr walk), and stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 10- Explore Hidden Valley and trek back to Dhovan (5 hr walk), stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 11- Trek to Jhinu Danda (5-6 hr walk), and stay overnight at a lodge.
Day 12- Trek back to Naya Pool (5- 6 hr walk), drive back to Pokhara (1.5 hr drive), and stay overnight at Hotel Tulsi.
Day 13- Sightsee for half a day at Pokhara Valley, fly back to Kathmandu, and stay overnight at Hotel Himalaya.
Day 14- Visit project sites in Kathmandu and stay overnight at Hotel Himalaya.
Day 15- Depart for home country
More on my next POST!
Its a breakthrough experience!
Join me!
NAMASTE!
Gina Rose
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Welcome 2012!
Let us close 2011 with a blessing:
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you this year! It was not like any year in the past although most any year will have its highs and lows but this year we had the highest high and the lowest low. We had a wonderful visit to Nepal in the 1st Qtr and had so much fun with the children in DNC, Pruwanchal, Naxal and Banepa Deaf School. Taking the Pruwanchal deaf students to Charles point in Dharan was memorable and happy! having a party at the Naxal hostel was awesome!Receiving news that all 8 students at DNC passed their SLC exams in 1st division and Vishnu taking distinction was so over the top! Congratulations to all of you!Special mention to Subodh, from Sanjuwani School who passed the SLC and has been an outstanding student considering his sight challenge! A pseudo parent cannot be prouder!!
Here's a toast to all your hard work, all those early morning studies, late night papers by solar lanterns and endless commutes to take your tuition exercises to get ready for your future were all worth it! I cannot tell you how proud Rob and I are of your dedication to your own education! big hug and kisses to all of you - you serve as an exemplar model for all the younger children at DNC!
Juxtapose that wonderful elation with the deep deep sorrow we had felt when we heard that Lovely had ran away from Pruwanchal and could not be found. Renukha, the school principal, had organized a massive search involving all social organizations, policeman, hospitals, schools and universities, Rotarians and neighborhood citizens. The search spanned the entire Dharan town and extended to the jungles and the Indian border, but to no avail! we were just beside ourselves and were at a desperate loss for our Lovely! You see Lovely not only had deafness but mental challenges as well. At age 16, after this school year we were going to transfer him to a home for mentally challenged children with a handicap like deafness so his needs would be better diagnosed and met. Now it is too late. Oh Lovely, I hope against hope that someone kind has taken you in. We even offered a reward for his return but no one came forward. After 4 weeks, we had to call off the search, Renukha was weary and for fear her health would take a turn - we had to hope that out there - Lovely is fine.
I can't tell you how awful the feeling of helplessness can be! Its heartbreaking and just downright empty! We walked around in a daze thinking, "where would he go , where could he be? What did he eat for food? How is he doing?"
Until as each passing day brings opportunity to focus on other challenges, other pressing issues for the children who are constantly struggling to keep up with school, prepare for the Nepali festivals and other student events they participate in at school or at home - we are pulled toward the tasks at hand. The decisions that need to be made, the fund raising that needs to be successful, the people to meet for grant modification and the many other need-to-dos that fill our lives.
No, we haven't forgotten our lost loved ones, we haven't forgotten at all! We just needed to keep going. {:'<
And so that was 2011 - just a taste of world community service for children TRIFC style! Your heart belongs to around 100 children we see every year - make notes on, write to, check up on and encourage, look for sales for through out the year for and finally hug when we get there in April 2012!
Which brings us to 2012 and all the possibilities it brings, happy or sad, its all part of life. We muddle through, we weep, we laugh, we love! Thanks for all your support! I'd like to think we make a difference, our drop in the bucket is just a drop but I believe its a very big one! Namaste and Jaihos!!! 2012!!!
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you this year! It was not like any year in the past although most any year will have its highs and lows but this year we had the highest high and the lowest low. We had a wonderful visit to Nepal in the 1st Qtr and had so much fun with the children in DNC, Pruwanchal, Naxal and Banepa Deaf School. Taking the Pruwanchal deaf students to Charles point in Dharan was memorable and happy! having a party at the Naxal hostel was awesome!Receiving news that all 8 students at DNC passed their SLC exams in 1st division and Vishnu taking distinction was so over the top! Congratulations to all of you!Special mention to Subodh, from Sanjuwani School who passed the SLC and has been an outstanding student considering his sight challenge! A pseudo parent cannot be prouder!!
Here's a toast to all your hard work, all those early morning studies, late night papers by solar lanterns and endless commutes to take your tuition exercises to get ready for your future were all worth it! I cannot tell you how proud Rob and I are of your dedication to your own education! big hug and kisses to all of you - you serve as an exemplar model for all the younger children at DNC!
Juxtapose that wonderful elation with the deep deep sorrow we had felt when we heard that Lovely had ran away from Pruwanchal and could not be found. Renukha, the school principal, had organized a massive search involving all social organizations, policeman, hospitals, schools and universities, Rotarians and neighborhood citizens. The search spanned the entire Dharan town and extended to the jungles and the Indian border, but to no avail! we were just beside ourselves and were at a desperate loss for our Lovely! You see Lovely not only had deafness but mental challenges as well. At age 16, after this school year we were going to transfer him to a home for mentally challenged children with a handicap like deafness so his needs would be better diagnosed and met. Now it is too late. Oh Lovely, I hope against hope that someone kind has taken you in. We even offered a reward for his return but no one came forward. After 4 weeks, we had to call off the search, Renukha was weary and for fear her health would take a turn - we had to hope that out there - Lovely is fine.
I can't tell you how awful the feeling of helplessness can be! Its heartbreaking and just downright empty! We walked around in a daze thinking, "where would he go , where could he be? What did he eat for food? How is he doing?"
Until as each passing day brings opportunity to focus on other challenges, other pressing issues for the children who are constantly struggling to keep up with school, prepare for the Nepali festivals and other student events they participate in at school or at home - we are pulled toward the tasks at hand. The decisions that need to be made, the fund raising that needs to be successful, the people to meet for grant modification and the many other need-to-dos that fill our lives.
No, we haven't forgotten our lost loved ones, we haven't forgotten at all! We just needed to keep going. {:'<
And so that was 2011 - just a taste of world community service for children TRIFC style! Your heart belongs to around 100 children we see every year - make notes on, write to, check up on and encourage, look for sales for through out the year for and finally hug when we get there in April 2012!
Which brings us to 2012 and all the possibilities it brings, happy or sad, its all part of life. We muddle through, we weep, we laugh, we love! Thanks for all your support! I'd like to think we make a difference, our drop in the bucket is just a drop but I believe its a very big one! Namaste and Jaihos!!! 2012!!!
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