“On a Mish” #422 My Nepali Family (Part One). 2024 Ganesh Himal Charity Trek. Aotearoa to Nepal.15.11.2024. In 2015 my friend Dan put out a call for help. Nepal had just been hit by a huge earthquake, and many parts of the country lay in ruins. Nepal had always been on my list of places to visit one day, and now it seemed like fate was make the decision for me. As I flew into Kathmandu for the first time, I got a glimpse of the mighty Himalayan Mountains and already it felt like the trip had paid off. Little did I know at the time, but this was going to be the start of a relationship with a country unlike any I had been to before…
After touching down in Nepal for the first time I began the frustrating task of navigating Tribhuvan International Airport before I could really begin my quest. Nowadays I am well up to play with how you escape this airport, and I am glad to NOT be one of the many who wander back and forth trying to get everything needed before you can exit!
It wasn’t long after negotiating the difficulties of the airport I caught up with Dan and his Nepali right-hand-man Arjun. Mr Arjun Adhikari is now one of my best mates. His hard work and dedication to better his country is incredible and enough to inspire anyone to be a better person and help fellow humans wherever possible. The man is a real legend! Along with Mr Arjun are his brothers and extend family, who all bring their own quality to the team. I am very happy that, thanks to the internet, I can keep in touch with them and also many other friends I have made in my nearly ten-year affair with the country. Raising the funds needed for flights and accommodation is helped by knowing the end result is hanging out with my Nepali Family.
Our first mission was mostly aiding people affected by the earthquake. After that the charity resumed its main focus, education for children in impoverished locations. The saying “children are the world’s most important asset” has stuck with me and helped fuel my drive to return to Nepal as often as possible. I feel very blessed to be part of a powerful pack of people all progressing together in the pursuit of positivity and education for as many Nepali kids as possible.
For three years in a row, I would travel from Aotearoa New Zealand to Nepal and hike a circuit in the Nuwakot Region where several libraries had been set up, and where future libraries would be built. The trips were so much more than just another holiday or just another trek. I would end each mish with a huge high thanks to the vibes both distributed and received. Unfortunately, it would not only be my hip accident that would put a stop to the adventures, but also this little thing called Covid…
