“On a Mish” #424 The Gift of Giving. Nuwakot District, Bagmati, Nepal. 4.12.2024. There is a certain feeling you get when giving to those who don’t have much. It instantly makes all of the training and hiking the dusty trails to get to the remote locations in Nepal we visit very worthwhile. The Nepali people don’t celebrate Christmas or regular birthdays like western cultures, so when the Active Hearts Foundation rolls into town / village, it is like 10 or even 20 birthdays all at once…
Another mission to Nepal has come to an end, and it was an epic! A massive thanks must go to the team at Heartspace Expeditions for taking care of us as we battled the many ups and downs of the Himalayan Foothills. The hike was hard, but the rewards overshadowed any pain or discomfort felt after each day out on the trail. Aches and pains seem like nothing when you know you are helping some really awesome people.
Along with our safety, the Heartspace Team took care of our accommodation and catering. We slept well and ate like kings while bringing aid to some very remote locations. The company, rewards and enjoyment factor were at a level high enough to insure I will be back again next year for another Ganesh Himal Charity Trek. And another trip to cleanse my soul in a way that only Nepal can do.
A big thanks to the many who gave so generously to what is such a good cause. My mother personally knitted heaps of hats, scarfs and jerseys which will be worn and treasured by the little ones who received them during one of our many handouts. The gift of giving brings great joy to both parties and the infectious Nepali smiles were worn by all involved.
Another one of the rewarding parts about travelling with Active Hearts is experiencing the generosity of my fellow Kiwis / New Zealanders. Here’s a great example – many of the hats I took with me were hand knitted by Glenys Henshaw from wool spun and dyed by her Aunt. What an awesome Kiwi connection! Thanks heaps on behalf of the grateful people who will soon be enjoying these. You are both legends!
