P.R in Australia

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Nangi Second Input

It's post monsoon, holidays for the biggest festival of the year... and there is a lot of field work to be done before the dry season.

Nevertheless, my unexpected arrival to check the progress of Kitaab (Book) making, proved satisfying for both parties. I was excited to see their creative initiatives, just as excited to see the quality kept high, and even more excited to see their enthusiasm to start work again after farming work subsides.
I cannot be anything but proud of Nangi village, and learn from their commoradory, independance, and exclusion from some cultural barriers. I am dedicated to the continual support and excited to try a similar model with another village.

I feel as though working with women tends to domino the community projects, with understanding of such priorities as education, sanitation, agriculture and health.

... I could be nothing but comfortable.

Products

It is with pleasure that I present our first season of products...

BORIS;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

This particular notebook is coloured with walnut bark and a local fern.
All are blank inside.
20 gram paper, about 100 pages.
Sizes range from 15x15cm to 18x20cm



More BORIS, printed with ancient fabric block prints.

ACCORDIAN;;;;;;;;;;;;;

Great for traveling, as you can pop it on your wall at the end.
Most have 20 pages of 40 gram paper.
Sizes range from 15x15cm - 22x22cm

just a few examples- more colours, prints and shapes to come.

First Season

Nangi Village - A successful small enterprise which generates income through traditional artistic skills. . . Income that sustains a number of women's families, as well as contributes to the local school of Nangi village..... I have a lot of faith in this school. It is supported by Himanchal Education foundation. - http://www.himanchal.org/ which have tremendously sustainable ideas. Where internet access is their main success.

The hand made journals in this village have come from the abundance of Lokta tree which is located in the jungle on our doorstep. Resources are naturally regenerated, organic, and totally sustainable.

Production of the paper and books is very casual. If women chose to come and work, we welcome them, and they receive a daily wage. We also think it is pretty important that their home environment is not jeopardized. Collecting grasses for animals and general farm maintainability takes up a significant chunk of their day.
One thing to consider here would be to decrease the home labor by producing better grasses and researching some relevant environmental changes.

Pumdi Village

SEPANA (DREAM) NEPAL. 

The contrast in Nangi village to Pumdi village is both inspiring, shocking and motivating. I walk down to a much less physically demanding environment. Where the cultural barriers are far higher for me. There is a different understanding of development here... maybe the result of being close to Pokhara city where tourism is what the city strives on. Whatever it be - I am still learning about it and any such thought I pass here - are MINE and not justified by anything more than my experiences. 

Sapana Nepal works in Pumdi, and do much more than inspiring education. Sepana Nepal looks ahead into keeping things sustainable. I want to help this. I want something long lasting.... and I want somet

hing FUN.... What is fun - time, an experience... A FEELING ... and state of mind. 

So far Sapana has done a good job in developing the creative mind and introducing colour. That in itself for me is incredibly exciting. 

We have played around with some Batik here on possible marketable items in Australia. At this stage I hope to go home with some samples, tests, development and positivity. And I feel in the future there are big possibilities for a womens program here. The biggest feat is gaining trust in what we are selling. I would be ever so happy to work along side these women.

HARVESTING IN THE JUNGLE

For practical reasons, I wasn't going to take a camera into the jungle to harvest... So this is my latter impression of what it was....

My harvesting skills were by no means up to scratch to these women, but I feel it was important to see and understand exactly the work that goes into the Lokta harvesting... It's no easy task. We walk all day and cut for the middle part. The jungle offers a lot more than Lokta- it has an ancient spirit.

First days

THE NEPALI KETI'S HAVE ARRIVED! 

These Nepali women are a pleasure to spend time with. I started out a tad frightened, and now - day 2, have snuck out of the lesson to pour my excitement onto the page. I - once again, feel perfectly comfortable. The only barrier being my stomach and it's cravings for salad and fruit!!! 

Day one was at first a shock to try and understand where we must start from. I felt a communication barrier, and exhausted by the end of it. Labeling it as work, not life.... which I wasn't impressed with.  In redemption, today they have surprised me with little accordian books they've made, and open critisism of their work. Fabulous! Mind you the most important thing was that I felt a relationship growing today. I'm not separate from them, I am with them. 

Today we simply played.. I tried to gauge where each lady wanted to be creatively and who was simply more passionate about boiling the potatoes for lunch. We played with colour, sewing, cutting, folding and drank tea! 

It feels great. Just day two, and who have something to work with... some communication skills growing and feel confident about an income! 

OUR life is bliss! Take a deep breath! 

It's Nangi again - and it's cold. But this time, I don't mind. The cold is something that bothers us when there's no substitute for warmth. I feel cold, when I feel like nothing is happening around me. This can happen anywhere! My point- Nangi is a bustling place of development. There is Muthi working in the community gardens to replant jungles in the region. There are sewing groups by the mothers, there are museums going up, there are yaks nearby to harvest and milk, even maybe make cheese... and ofcourse there is Loktha - the wonder paper which - to my delight, is beautiful to paint on as well as being sustainable, and durable!

My progress here has been solo at this stage, as the women have some serious farming to get on with. Next week, or tomorrow, who knows... there will be some eager women to join me in my painting experiments, printing and just being creative with what fabulous opportunities we have here. It is an absolute pleasure to get my creative mind going, in the foothills of the Annapurna range with good hot tea on tap.

My sewing experience is put to trial here... If anyone has used a peddle sewing machine, it is actually harder than you expect. The rhythm is everything! This is something, as well as straight cutting (all paper is cut by hand- so if anyone comes across a gillertine in Nepal- I pay a good price!!!!!) that the women in Nangi put me to shame on.

Nearby, I am also lucky enough to have a Nettle weaving village. Just typing this makes me excited. A NETTLE WEAVING VILLAGE>>>> supported by UNDP- income generation is what they do! 

http://www.undp.org.np/

I can trust them, and clearly from my expedition today with wise Muthi,

 I could see they are doing humble things with no obligation to commit to anything or anyone. What I want to do- is encourage what more we could do here. There are opportunities to employ more than 8 women I know! This product is beautiful.... natural, unique and multifaceted. Soon you'll be writing in natural books, wearing your nettle garment in some finely embroidered slippers.... all made with love!

I like this place a lot. think I could make it a home... Not a stop over place to learn and move on having "experienced"... I think rather- it is a place to continue coming back to. I would rather be somewhat blended or even unnoticed, than be a "volunteer" to play, and excite people for a few weeks. That stuff annoys me a tad... maybe because I know it's not sustainable - that excitement unfortunately, few people hold forever. Sounds negative, but I don't mean it that way. I just want something more long lasting.... NOT like this cold....

The next significant expedition was more than exciting, stimulating and driving for my inner "crafty" self. There are some pretty phenomenal people doing development work that is actually making changes. I met with Chitra, who is a pretty no fuss kind of fellow who gives each ounce of his energy to what's right, and what's going to change. As I found out at a later date he's also dedicating himself to a phenomenal amount of projects. I cannot feel humbled my his time given to me, I am just a needle in the haystack, and it will take me a long time to work out exactly how and what he does! 

The first feat for this lot of research was the "dolphin Inn" located in a town called Beni. Here, we had the pleasure of some brutal wresting at high volume with our dinner that's still poisoning my stomach. We had strange men peeking around the corner, and more dogs taking a liking to our legs. 

The "hill" from Beni was a quick increase to a 1400m elevation! This village is a bundle of energy and devlopment. They have a great internet connection for the school, they are new to the trekking routes, and also have a significant amount of CRAFT going on!!!! PLUS- some climate change monitoring, some of the only in the country. So I feel good to be here. 

The first project is the Hand made paper, which at present, is at at a loss. This project, funds the local school, and is necessary to turn around pretty quickly! It is also a valuable source of employment for the women in the community and is welcomed by the all men and women, as they see the positive repurcussions such.

These are all perfect ingredients for a productive project- so THIS is where I aim to be in a month or two once I source all other materials and tackle my yoga mats.... We have; enthusiasm, a community project to invest in, basic materials, sustainable supplies of loktha and a market! 

In the mean time, while I wait for it to warm up a little, I am heading back to Narti- the beautiful girls I worked with in Jan... At this stage, my research is progressive, but not worthy of ducumentation. I am fortunate though to have stumbled across herbal dye makers, and some other enthusiastic folk... now all I need is to find someone with a gilertene, and be willing to hike a mountain with it!!!! 

With peace and productivity! Here ends almost the end of 2009.

Why do I want to do this? Why do I bother trundling to remote places to be bitten by dogs or overwhelmed by the stench of 25000 slaughtered, rotting animals, for the sake of culture and religion?

(This article will give you a brief outlook on this- a tame edition that is!)

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/11/24/nepal.animal.sacrifice/index.html

My first major handicraft investigation led me to Janakpur in the South of Nepal. Unfortunately via some pretty horrific festivals..... but my experience in one center know as; "Janakpur Womens Development Center" 

http://www.sunavworld.com/jwdc.html

in particular was refreshing after the shock of the personal challenges that came with the animal slaughter festival. These women feed off each others dedication and creative energies. They have an immense sense of unity that is so evident in the passion for making such an environment peaceful and easy to be in. Me being an outsider, felt as ease in this place, like our common language was their work, and being female. Which, to be entirely absorbed in, is an incredibly beautiful, warm experience. 

In terms of my involvement here, I would be excited to help them export, but not able to work in this particular area due to some of these personal barriers. 

I find myself so vulnerable to the energies of these crafty places, but then can be in the middle of Kathmandu city, head down, blind to the poverty around me. I guess this shows where I am, or should be placed. I can't do a thing about the Kathmandu streets I guess, so why waste my energy on contaminating my sensors? I can feel peace on having my filters on, as there is a lot of beauty to be seen... you've just got to be strong in being ruthless with what you absorb. 

Take 2

I'm back... finally. I claimed i'd be back here a while ago, but, for the best, was stalled. So now- it's the beginning of a Nepali winter - the clear season.. and thats what I feel - clear that here is where I should be for the next wee while... 

So there is a new take for my direction. The hardest thing, but also the most beneficial for me is to throw everything out the window and start again before I get too bogged down in the one area of people... one area of skill or one area of my own love. I won't neglect these beautiful Tharu people who we fundraised for. And if I can support them, I will, but I also feel that some tardy textiles skills are not what they need. THey need more to start with necessities like food shelter and survival skills. Maybe I was giving myself a rap thinking I could do much.. or maybe not - maybe one day I could provide them with sme creative stimulation, colour and happiness. ... we'll see. 

So- I have some leads.... a nettle product was out in the hills... a flight, day drive and then 3 day trek....... Very cold..... no english whatsoever... So i need- a sleeping bag. translator, and probably some medication for altitude,,,, but that all excites me!!!! 

I feel clear, and I also feel hungry..!!!! 

POst benefit

Post benefit analysis.

In short -
Total raised $800.65

Spending intentions - At this stage, this money will be put aside, high interest account.

I will be in contact with the orphanage to see how their current living finances are going. If they are sustainable until my arrival, research into the best possible investment will take place.

Ideas / think take which I would love you to add to;
*Materials for craft vocational training.
*Scholarships for a group to participate in micro credit training.
*Rescuing more girls.
*Agricultural supplies to sustain their living environment.
*Employment of Nepali carers in the orphanage so that girls have more time to study, play and relax.

Please trust that this will be updated as soon as appropriate.

Benefit Extraviganza

Where to start?
How to express it...?
I don't know where I'll ever find so much selfLESS, committed love.

But what I do know, is that 669 Lygon street- 8th August was a hub of energetic dedication to concept of making someone else' life, one totally unbeknown and unfamiliar to most, a little more comfortable.

From Michael's eternal excitement with this mountain of clothes that he had the opportunity to scavenge through...
With the fear that Claire held over everybody when auctioning off a bowling ball from the top of a stair case...
and the blessing of Brice' Spanish tortia complimented with Sharif's competitive babaganush... only to be overwhelmed by Felipe and his abundance of Hommus made from true organic home produce!
All ... in the humbling presence of these phenomenal musicians;

Pretty Strangers; http://www.myspace.com/prettystrangersband

Bright Mountains, http://www.myspace.com/brightmountains

Melanie Schultz

Kelly Hosking

Alex Benavides

Nikki Lee Williams

.. There are too many people to Thank. BUt a standing mountain of pure bliss,,, is Laura- who's house, she opened as a venue second to none.
Em- for her organisational skills, ideas, pure enthusiasm and trust in the project.

SO_ How do I feel?? Not that this was about me... but I feared I would show a bit of fear for my anticipated journey. I also thought I may show sadness for leaving this amazing group of people. But I didn't, because I KNOW it will always be there... and I KNOW that with the worlds support- a project like this in Nepal WILL be successful. We just need to keep an open mind, then - anything is possible.

Lets just begin!

WHAT ARE THE FACTS

... The Tharu culture have - IN MY MIND, been hardly done by.... A "Kamlari" girl refers to the act of sending daughters away. They're with the hope that their children will be attending school, and will be returning home soon. Rarely, does such pull through.

... The orphanages consist of the basics for human survival... ONLY JUST - and indefinably so. Many kids are going to join the daily meal as, currently, the girls ARE being rescued from their "slavery" position! They now have the opportunity to go into an orphanage in the Narti village or Kathmandu if families are unfound, or families are still unable to support them - most often the case.

THEIR MIND>>>>?

The songs these girls sang, brutally reflect the hardships of their past. Experiences that myself, and undoubtably their families, cannot fathom. Experiences that were never part of any parents plan.

But their smiles and companionships reflect the dedication to their future happiness. I am overwhelmed by their love and for the world, and each other! Hardships of the past can be worn like scars across ones face, or moulded to redeem the path to a life 

of euphoria and simply a life of comfort!

OUR MIND

... DISSATISFACTION!

... POSSIBILITIES!

A change in attitude,,,

Looking back on this basically untouched blog of mine... I see how much things have changed... 

My driving motivation is not now to create fashion from Nepali textiles made by the beautiful Tharu culture... What satisfaction, REALLY- does that give them? There's no ownership, there's little connection with exactly where their products are going and what they represent.

Not to say one day I ill head back towards this- but not until their ownership is established. 

What will my next adventure to Nepal include?

A basis for a craft centre that they want to be involved in, they can see the reason for their work, and are not bound to the centre for security.. 

Some pretty serious questions need to be addressed... 

Do they want me there?

What creative knowledge do they have?

Can we work with these skills to product products that are useful in NEPAL... ?

Can we ALSO work with these skills to product products that can be sold in a western consumerist market?

How does a Nepali woman really live daily? What are their priorities?