ROKPA Times November 2017 - The World of ROKPA Children

The World of
ROKPA Children
A Special Issue from the ROKPA
Children’s Home in Nepal
No. 3 / November 2017 / Volume 37

Editorial
Photo: © Lea Wyler
CONTENT
Dear friends of ROKPA
The edition of the ROKPA Times you are holding in your hands is
a very special one. We moved our writing desk 6,835 kilometers
– from our headquarters in Zurich to the ROKPA Children’s Home
in Kathmandu.
Thanks to your support, former street children, now educated and
well looked after, are giving us an insight into their lives with
their stories, photos and drawings.
One of the contributors is 14-year-old Pravin: He grew up on the
street, his parents are both blind. The three of them had to beg
for their food every day. His parents had to tie a bell around his
foot, so that he could not crawl away from them unnoticed!
Today, Pravin is a lively teenager who cares lovingly for the
younger ROKPA children – and does not need bells to keep track
of them (see page 6).
Unfortunately we do not have the space to print all the stories
and drawings. One of these stories is a philosophical poem about
a rose, written by the 16-year-old Badal. I would like to at least
share with you an interpretation of it: "Life is like a rose. At first
we prick our fingers at the thorns when we pick them, before we
can enjoy their beauty."
The very fact that these children and young people can tell us
about their fate, indeed that they can read and write at all –
unfortunately, is sadly still not a matter of course. In Kathmandu,
hundreds of terrified children still live on the street today.
We may not be able to help every one of them; but we should
at least try.
Let us then, stop for a moment at the sound of the Christmas
bells and think of these children whom fate has not treated
kindly. Together, let us take them by the hand, one after
the other.
Yours
Editorial 2
Giving the children a voice /
Thoughts of a former street child 3
AT HOME: Being part of a large family –
Two sisters tell their story 4
AT HOME: A place for me to stay /
My best friend is always there for me 5
PERSPECTIVES: I want to earn enough
so that my father doesn’t have to beg /
Candidates for the ROKPA
Hospitality Training 6
PERSPECTIVES: I will always keep
developing myself / My dream 7
ROKPA SPIRIT: To see with the heart 8
ROKPA SPIRIT: Coming together in time
of need / Shaping role models 9
ROKPA NEWS 10
Youth Engagement /
I work for ROKPA because... 11
Board of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL
Lea Wyler, President and Co-Founder /
Peter Fanconi, Vice-President /
Lama Yeshe Losal Rinpoche / Gelong Thubten /
Andreas Vollenweider
Imprint
Editorial Staff: Editorial team ROKPA Children’s Home,
coordinated by Krishna Hari / Corinna Biasiutti / Marlis Lüscher /
Caterina Meier-Pfister / Thomas Stettler / Tina Zaugg
Proofreading: Liane Brand (www.lianebrand.ch)
Graphics: Renée Reust
Translation: Kaja Kurczewska
Cover Photo: © Raymond Meier
Back Cover Photo: © Tal Siano
Photos: © Bollag Family / Robert Bösch / Krishna Hari /
Tsering Dawa / Ram Hari Khadka / Marlis Lüscher /
Raymond Meier / Francesca Pfister / Tal Siano / Lea Wyler
Drawings: © Bikal / Dipesh / Kunsang / Pema Sangmo / Sumit
Text: © ROKPA INTERNATIONAL
Circulation: 6.700 Copies
Lea Wyler
Co-founder and President of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL
Printed on Recycling-Paper, produced according
to specifications of “The Blue Angel“.

ROKPA CHILDREN’S HOME
Giving the
children a voice
Photos: © Robert Bösch, Raymond Meier
Usually, it is us at the ROKPA headquarters
who give you the latest news about
the children in our project countries. This
time, we asked the children from our
Children’s Home in Kathmandu to tell us
about their everyday life, their challenges
and their successes and also about their
dreams. Their words paint for you, our
donors, a personal and first hand picture of their life in the
Children’s Home.
We have arranged these touching snapshots of their lives
thematically: In the "At Home" section, the authors recall the first
years of their childhood – a time that was often difficult, but also
contained moments of happiness. They also tell us their very first
thoughts and feelings when they joined the Children’s Home and
what the ROKPA family means to them.
The "Perspectives" section gives an insight into the diverse
professional activities and plans of the young people. Helping
people help themselves is a core tenet of ROKPA. We want
children to reach adulthood not only with a complete education
but also with the skills and abilities to stand on their own
two feet.
The third section is devoted to the "ROKPA Spirit". Again and
again, outside of school, the children are involved in helping other
needy children and in this way give forward to others the help
which had once been given to them.
I hope these personal contributions give you just as much joy as
they have given me.
Sincerely
Corinna Biasiutti
General Manager of ROKPA INTERNATIONAL
Nepali Flag,
Bodnath Stupa,
Cultural sites and temples
Dipesh
14 years old
Thoughts of a former
street child
Krishna Hari | 21 years old
We see them every day, everywhere.
They beg, they look dirty and they are
sometimes insolent. The people don’t
like them and don’t speak to them.
Why? Because they are all busy with
their own lives.
The street children are a big problem in Nepal. According to
estimates, there are more than 7,000 in the urban areas of
Nepal. Loss of parents, domestic violence, lack of education or
exploitation in the workplace are just some of the reasons why
children and young people live on the street.
Often, it may seem that many of these children are glad to be on
the street. Some were exploited while living at home. They are
able to earn some money with begging and small work. Unfortunately,
they spend it all on glue*. These children need protection
and an education. We have a responsibility to help them. Those
with a big heart can help.
I myself was a street child once and I thank all of you who help
street children instead of judging them.
* Editor’s note: The children sniff glue to intoxicate themselves and forget
their hunger.
3

AT HOME
Being part of a large family –
Two sisters tell their story
Tsering Chöden | 16 years old
I come from Dolpo, also known as the
Hidden Land. Dolpo is located far north of
Kathmandu, on the border with the Tibetan
areas of China, in the middle of beautiful
high mountains. There are no accessible
roads. My mother gave birth to eleven children, five of whom died
due to malnutrition and lack of medical care.
I knew I had two sisters and a brother who lived far away from
us. I had never met them. My second oldest sister had married
and started a new life. At home it was my younger sister Dolma
Lhamo and I who had to do all the work. When I was 5 years old,
we went to Kathmandu, mostly on foot, to meet my siblings. At
the ROKPA Children’s Home, a boy came out to greet us. It was
my brother Pema. On that day, I became part of the ROKPA
family. After a few months my parents returned with my sister to
the village. I missed them, but I also got love and care in the
Children’s Home.
Dolma Lhamo | 17 years old
My life is rich with memories. In Dolpo
I helped my mother to feed horses and
cows. Sometimes I worked with my
father in the field. In the winter, my little
sister Tsering Chöden and I were sent to
school. There we learned the basics, but I still could not read
and write like the others. Because my mother needed help, I
often had to miss school. Afterwards I was taken into the
ROKPA Children’s Home. I now have a big family.
I visited Dolpo for the first time four years after joining the
Childrens Home. I was very happy to meet my relatives and
especially my sister Chonzom Bhuti. But it grieved me to see
that she worked very hard for the family. Her life situation is
completely different from mine. My sister is the only one of us
siblings who is not educated. Because of that, we are in two
very different places.
Pema Sangmo
15 years old
“I’ve painted this drawing
because I’ve been in Kathmandu
for many years and away
from my family. This drawing
is a memory of my childhood.
Me and my brother often
played in the river. That made
us happy.”
Photos: © Raymond Meier
4

AT HOME
Sumit
9 years old
Bijay, head of
the ROKPA Children’s
Home, in his office
A place for me to stay
My best friend is always
there for me
Photos: © Raymond Meier
Raju Kumari | 13 years old
I come from Dailekh, which is located in
the western part of Nepal. During the
Maoist uprising in the early 2000s, the
army killed my father because they
thought he was a Maoist. I was one then.
My brother was in my mother’s stomach when my father died. My
mother was tortured by the police, the army, and the neighbors.
When I was 5 years old, my uncle brought me to Kathmandu to
an orphanage. It was nice and I had good friends. But then the
home was closed. A teacher took me to ROKPA Children’s Home.
At last I had found a place where I could stay. At first I was
nervous and frightened because I did not know anyone. But I
quickly found friends and they helped me get used to the new
place.
I now have everything I need - food, education, clothes, friends,
small and big siblings, loving care and a second mother (Mummy
Lea). I like playing football, basketball and table tennis and I like
history books and comics.
Kalpana | 13 years old
My name is Kalpana. I have lived in the
ROKPA Children’s Home since 2011.
Like other children, I also have a best
friend. Her name is Raju Kumari and she
also lives in the Children’s Home.
For me, a friend is someone we like and respect, with whom
we meet, speak and share everything. Friendship is based on
affection. I have many friends at school and at home. But we
all have someone we like the most, and that’s who we call our
best friend.
I met Raju about two years ago and since then she is my best
friend. We share joys and sorrows. She supports me and
everyone else who has a problem. She also shows me my
mistakes when I have done something wrong. She is always
there for me. A true friend like her is very hard to find. But I’m
lucky because I’ve found her.
5

PRESPECTIVES
I want to earn enough
so that my father
doesn’t have to beg
Interview with Pravin | 14 years old
What do you remember about your
childhood before you came to ROKPA?
My parents would tie a bell around my
ankle. They are both blind and were
beggars. They could hear the bell when
I crawled away and were able to catch
me.
What do you like about school?
I like to go to school because I have
many good friends. English is my favorite
subject, I find math difficult. I like to
participate in quiz competitions, singing
and dancing. I like basketball and play a
lot with the school team. The teachers
accompany and
support us well.
What is your plan
for the future?
I do not know what
I want to be later, but I want a good
education. When I grow up, I want to
support my father. I do not like that he
begs. So I want to earn enough money
so he does not have to beg anymore.
Pravin as a 3-year-old with his parents
Candidates for the ROKPA Hospitality Training
Reeta and Puja come from very poor families. Reeta lost the parents very early. Puja’s
parents worked in construction, but could not afford to send their children to a good school.
So the girls grew up in the ROKPA Children’s Home. Now they are in the starting stages
of their vocational training as part of the ROKPA Hospitality Training in spring 2018.
Puja | 19 years old
Every day after school I work in housekeeping
at the ROKPA Guesthouse. I love
my work there because I can practice
what I want to learn. I meet many people
every day. ROKPA is teaching me to be
independent.
Reeta | 16 years old
I have decided that I want to make a hotel
management training. Education is the
main key to realize my future plans and
dreams. I would later pass on my knowledge
to others who were less fortunate.
Photos: © Raymond Meier, Lea Wyler
6

PERSPECTIVES
Bikal
12 years old
The traffic police
have recently taught
the children how to
safely cross the busy
streets in Kathmandu.
I will always keep
developing myself
My dream
Subash | 20 years old
Hello Friends
I am an orphan with two brothers and one sister. I have been living
in the ROKPA Children’s Home for 11 years. I have experienced
the cruel world and many problems. I know things that people with
a carefree life will never know or feel. But I appreciate the value of
life and go about it positively. That is why I will continue to
develop.
The fact that I have found a family in ROKPA is a great happiness.
I have already completed my high school diploma. And now I’m
working. I do not want to continue studying, because I believe that
a study is only valuable if one is careful with it and tries to lead a
successful life.
Sarita | 13 years old
The word “dream” is a big word. A dream
is for me when we think of something we
want to be. When I say my dream is to
touch the sun, then this is perhaps
impossible. But if we dream something we
are capable of and work hard for, then we can become what we
want. There have been many examples of people in my life who
have become what they have dreamed of.
Since I have seen what changes a social worker can drive, it has
become my dream job. I want to help people in need and lead a
meaningful life.
I have a water business in Boudha that is quite successful. From
morning to night I bring water cans to different houses. I earn good
money. Nothing comes the easy way just because you want it. You
have to work hard and I do. It is tiring, but my bike helps.
Photos: © Raymond Meier, Francesca Pfister
I recently started a course to learn to repair broken mobile phones.
My passion is electric appliances. It’s really great that I can learn a
skill that interests me. Moreover, I see that there is a market for
this.
Subash has founded his own company
and supplies water from a bicycle.
7

ROKPA SPIRIT
ROKPA SPIRIT
To see with the heart
Krishna Hari | 21 years old
Together with friends I have been working as
a translator and volunteer in a school for the
blind. There are more than 20 children aged
6 to 18 years old in the school. Most are
completely blind, but some can still recognize
shapes.
The children told me they were sometimes sad that they could not
see the world with their eyes. But they perceive more than sighted
people with their other senses. They also taught me not to always
trust in what I see, but to focus on what I feel in my heart.
Sometimes I wonder if it is not them helping me more than me
helping them. The children, with their often different ‘views’
literally open my eyes.
When I asked them about the place they would most like to go,
they answered that they would like to go to the zoo to listen to the
animals. We will try to fulfil for this wish for them during one of
our upcoming trips.
Krishna Hari (red shirt) – Student and staff of the
ROKPA Women’s Workshop – here in front of the
school for the blind, where he does volunteer work.
To his left is Roshan, also a ROKPA child.
Photos: © Tsering Dawa, Raymond Meier
Dipesh
14 years old
Massive flooding of
August 2017 in Nepal.
People lost their houses,
many even their lives.
8

ROKPA SPIRIT
Kunsang
13 years old
“In my childhood my sister and
I went to Bhaktapur. This
place is also famous for its
special curd, which we like
very much.”
Coming together in time
of need
Shaping role models
Tenzing Norbu | 15 years old
On Saturday, April 25, 2015, the
earthquake shook me out of my sleep.
Most of the children were already
gathered at lunch, so I was alone in the
room when my bed began to shake. I
looked out the window and saw everyone running out. The
house wobbled tremendously, as if it would break down at any
moment. I also stormed down the stairs and was glad to be
outside with the others.
Since there were constant aftershocks and we were afraid to
go back to the house, we set up with tents on the vacant lot
where the new Akong Rinpoche Memorial Center is being built.
Jyoti | 13 years old
Born into a poor family, I have been a
ROKPA child since 2011. I think all people
become who they are through inspiration
of other people. The ROKPA founders Lea
Wyler and Akong Rinpoche have been my
role models above all.
They gave orphans a family, provided the hungry with food and
gave people in need a hope for a better future. Just as they are
an example for me, I would also like to do something that makes
other people happy and inspires them in the future.
Photos: © Raymond Meier, Lea Wyler
Along with some frightened neighbours, we were about 100
people. For several days we had no electricity and cooked the
meals over an open fire. For almost a month we lived outside.
Everything was shared. In the tents there was room for four to
five children each, some of the tents were made available to
the neighbors or other homeless people.
The schools had all closed. Our older brothers and sisters
taught us English and mathematics - every day, morning and
evening.
Going back to the Children’s Home after a month was difficult
at first. I was afraid of the next earthquake all the time. But
with the help of our carers and my big brothers and sisters, I
am now glad to have a roof over my head.
After the earthquake of 2015, the older children took
over the role of the teacher for the younger ones.
9

ROKPA NEWS
Inauguration of the Akong Rinpoche
Memorial Center in Nepal
The construction of the multifunctional ROKPA building in Kathmandu is progressing
with great strides. The hospitality training center and the expanded Women’s
Workshop with production and training opportunities are beginning to take form.
The official opening is scheduled for the 4th of March 2018. We would like to invite
our donors to the festivities. We are delighted if you can reserve a room at the
ROKPA Guest House.
You will find details about the opening on our website soon – www.rokpa.org
ROKPA supports water project
of a former protege
Ram Hari, a former ROKPA child and now head of a children’s home himself,
started a water project together with ROKPA in Simthali, a village in a poor rural
area of Nepal. Since the devastating earthquake in 2015, the water supply in
Simthali has been precarious. There is a lack of clean and adequate drinking water.
With the new water pipes, the health situation of the local population can be
improved. For women who are responsible for getting the water, the new infrastructure
offers an additional advantage. Currently it is a one and a half hour walk to the
nearest source, in the future it will only take a few minutes. This reduces their
workload and they have more time to grow vegetables for their own needs or to
generate an income.
Gift a ROKPA
project sponsorship
Are you still looking for a personal and
meaningful Christmas present? A project
sponsorship offers the ideal opportunity to
get involved with issues or groups of
people purposefully and with little
administrative effort. In this way, you will
be able to provide a joyous gift for the
recipient and at the same time have a
positive influence on the lives of people
affected by poverty.
After the registration, you will receive a
personal confirmation with a gift card (or,
if desired, we can send it directly to the
recipient).
You can register by phone at
044 262 68 88, by e-mail at
info@rokpa.org or directly on our
website www.rokpa.org under
What you can do > ROKPA Shop >
Gift a project sponsorship
Please inform us of
your new address
The water project with Ram Hari benefits from six villages with a population
of about 100 and a primary school with about 175 children.
Do you have a new address or are
moving soon? Please send us your
address change as soon as possible.
It helps us avoid additional costs.
Thank you so much!
Merry Christmas
The ROKPA team wishes you Happy Holidays and thanks you sincerely
for your support.
Also Saiman sends you best wishes for Christmas. After the earthquake
in 2015 Saiman lived in a camp in Kathmandu. Today, the 6-year-old has
found a safe haven in the ROKPA Children’s Home.
Photos: © Krishna Hari, Ram Hari Khadka, Lea Wyler
10

ROKPA TEAM
Youth Engagement
Ella is one of our youngest volunteer
fundraisers. She helps children in need in
various creative ways. In the past, Ella
worked as a voiceover artist in commercials.
She donated her salary, which was
matched in kind by the recording studio,
to ROKPA. Recently she gave a lecture on
ROKPA at her school. There was also a
planned Skype call between her classroom
and the Children’s Home in Kathmandu.
Unfortunately, because of time difference
and timetable issues, that plan had to be
shelved.. Nevertheless, with her presentation,
Ella has given her fellow students an
insight into another world and hopefully
inspired them to become more engaged in
volunteering activities themselves.
Ella, 12 years old
I work for ROKPA because...
I have been a volunteer from the very
beginning of ROKPA. I have seen how
big the organization has grown. I thought
to myself, “ROKPA is big now, they do
not need me anymore.” Until I realized
that the bigger ROKPA becomes, and the
more projects they support, the greater
the responsibility is. So many people
count on this help. I recognized the
importance of long-term donors.
Since the Yushu earthquake in 2010, I
have been running a sewing group in the
Valais mountains. Fifteen dedicated
women produce a wide range of Waldorf
puppets. At first we were helping people
in Yushu with the sales proceeds of
these dolls, now we support a primary
school. We appreciate all our loyal
puppet clients who order from us for
happy occasions such as a birth, a
birthday day or for Christmas.
Marlis Lüscher, ROKPA Volunteer and
Project Leader of Wal-Ro-Puppets
Sensible gifting:
Wal-Ro-Puppets
■ “Wal-Ro” is an abbreviation of Waldorf and ROKPA.
Waldorf puppets are rag dolls made in accordance with
the pedagogy of Rudolf Steiner, whereupon children need
a soft doll with a simple facial expression in order to
creatively develop during their playtime. Alongside the
puppets, there is a great selection of matching changing
sets, so that the dolls are as well-equipped as their
owners. Marlis Lüscher’s committed volunteers also
produce stuffed or knitted animals as well as keyrings.
There is something for everyone – visit the Wal-Ro-Shop
online at www.rokpa.org under What you can do >
ROKPA Shop > Wal-Ro-Puppets
The Wal-Ro puppets are produced exclusively for ROKPA
and each puppet is unique.
11

ROKPA for
Helping where
help is needed:
sustainably,
over 35 years.
Photo: © Tal Siano
For more chances in life
The children at the ROKPA Children’s Home, who helped shape this edition of the
ROKPA Times, are a small example of the many children and adults whom ROKPA
supports in Nepal, the Tibetan regions of China, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
We can only do that with your help!
Thanks to your donations, we can make a positive impact on countless lives:
• Orphans get a home and are sent to school
• Adolescents from poor families receive a college education
• Destitute people receive medical care
• Our soup kitchens supply children and adults with absolute necessities
• Girls and women are empowered
With your financial support, we can help the poorest of the poor effectively –
please help us to increase their chances to lead a dignified life.
Thank you for your support!
In Switzerland, donations to ROKPA are exempt from tax.
SMS donation
of up to CHF 99.–
ROKPA XX
(amount, numbers only)
to 488.
Example for donation
of CHF 20.–:
ROKPA 20 to 488
You can make a donation to this account:
Credit Suisse (Schweiz) AG:
IBAN: CH73 0483 5045 5090 1100 1
BIC/SWIFT: CRESCHZZ80A
Or find the account information for your
country on www.rokpa.org
Project-No. 8200:
For ROKPA Children Projects
Project-No. 8000:
For urgent ROKPA Projects
ROKPA INTERNATIONAL | Böcklinstrasse 27 | 8032 Zurich | Switzerland
Phone +41 44 2626888 | info@rokpa.org | www.rokpa.org | facebook.com/ROKPA.org