From the most meager and humble of upbringings, hardships beyond what most of us could even try and relate to, never mind actually experience, come the children of Punarbal Home.
Born with HIV, raised in an orphanage, and just a few weeks ago, along with their fellow countrymen, experienced a traumatic and enduring hardship like nothing they had ever imagined, the very earth beneath their feet shaking uncontrollably. Despite all of this they are some of the most bright eyed, happy, eager, willing, energetic, playfully naughty, unique, joyful, funny, warm hearted and absolutely lovely children I have ever met. We arrived bearing gifts: clothes and underwear, soap and toys, along with our mobile kit of joy therapy materials we have used in the past to attempt to nurture and aid their traumatized and battered hearts and minds with creative art therapy. The screams of joy could be heard around the block as we entered their courtyard, faces lit up like Christmas tree lights, smiles from ear to ear, giggles and namastes all around. One would never even begin to guess that these kids were sick - not even close - I couldn’t have imagined a more energetic welcome if I tried. They touched our hearts from the very first moment.
After handing out the clothes, they all excitedly compared their new T-shirts, the girls flaunting their new dresses to each other, some of the young boys put their new underwear on their heads as a hat - what to do - they are boys. We started our joy therapy and once again I was dumbfounded to see such amazing talent and creativity with these kids. Some of them can really draw, amazing art pieces ranging from Batman and airplanes to beautiful flowers and some more avant garde type work - some real talent in this bunch. And the images were always colorful, full of life and realism, but lacking on some of the imagery we had seen consistently for the village kids. I noticed the lack of Nepalese flags and houses full of family members, while beautiful and full of color these children had not only endured the earthquake and its aftermath but truly difficult lives and some real pain and suffering as well. This was visible in their drawings - I’m not a psychologist but what I perceived from what I saw was bravery and heart, no complaining from a life spent in hardship and sadness endured, just light and color. Smiles. Really happy ones in fact. These kids were really incredible; keeping me on my toes for the entirety of our visit, with so much more energy and enthusiasm for anything and everything that I can honestly say I’ve ever had about even my most favorite of things.
This signifies the end of a chapter for me - as the earthquake relief missions come to a close and my life with BIA Bodhisattvas In Action and its team that I have come to call family ends for now. I had originally planned on coming to Kathmandu for the summer, buying my tickets months before, then with the earthquake everyone’s priorities changed and we were all thrown into a world of chaos and mayhem. What I experienced in these short weeks was nothing short of a miracle, what this country has endured and how far we have already come to start and rebuild is an inspiration. Our little team, just a worldly handful thrown into a melting pot of culture and intense activity and stressful situations was able to come together and do some seriously great work. I can only speak for myself, as a spectator even, watching from the outside through a camera lens, but I am in awe of what you all have accomplished. With no training whatsoever you all plunged head first into a situation of impossibility and gave it your all with nothing held back. Through all the difficulties and problems we found solutions. Through hardship we became a family that eats, sleeps, and works harder than possible together. Through our work I have found a level of love in my heart I previously thought unattainable and impossible. Through the villagers and children we met and tried our best to help - I have found more heart and bravery than I can possibly explain in words. These children have magnetic positivity, thoroughly washing over me like warm sunshine to my soul. It seems fitting that the unstoppably brave children of Punarbal Home was my last mission - trying to end on a high note with this level of work is like chasing the impossible dream as each trip was both unique and extraordinary in its own way. These children take a prize all their own - born with HIV, and yet the most courageous and happy children the world could ever hope to have bless its surface. This experience has taught me more than I can ever teach, given me more than I could ever hope to give back, completed a part of me deeply hidden inside, my heart is overflowing on this day. To these brave, these unstoppably brave few living just a few blocks from where I have called home these past few weeks, you have inspired me and given me more hope than I can hope to describe. Written clearly on your faces, faces that have already seen so much and felt so deeply - your unstoppable bravery is a testament to your amazing little souls. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you bring to this world - I will never forget you for as long as I live.
