When can Bhutanese refugees reunite

Yesterday, I went to a potluck picnic organized by Nepal Seattle Society. I was suprised by the number of people present and never thought of them being in so large number here in this place. While meeting people in the event I encountered with people from Bhutan in the group. They were Bhutanese refugees to Nepal and were living in the eastern part of Nepal since nearly last two decades. The US government statement of bringing them to US had initiated since the end of 2007. The group I met came last 20 days ago and were placed in Renton and Everett, 15 families were brought in this area. They were excited to be here and were aiming for a bright future of their families. When I talked with one man in his sixties, his family is in disparity, one group is in Bhutan, women members of the family were in Nepal, he himself is in Everett and his sons are placed in Renton. What a critical situation. When can they reunite as a single family, this has been a critical question for me.............. now.........

Resources led questions

I got to see the Fireworks in Seattle last month. It was colorful evening and hundreds of thousands of citizens of the city enjoyed the fireworks. It was first time for me to see the event like this. While the fireworks went keep going for an hour I was thinking of the people who are lacking basic day to day needs, those who lacked education opportunities, those who had no electricity, no transport means, no communication facilities and so on........... The resources used for an hour event could have made a village equipped with basic facilities. I tried to relate and compare the resources.......

Last week there was another similar event, The Blue Angels show........ burning fuel for an hour by half a dozen crafts. I do not want to just focus on the event but when we observe the back side of each events there has been more resources used than in front. Its really amazing to see how these events are organized and its impact over people. Are these sustainable activities and approaches that we are taking in the 21st century............ Do we lack understanding of how many millions of people are suffering from hunger today............... What kind of education are we trying to deliver........or have gained to think about the future as human beings.. Are we the best animal in earth still? How long will our superiority last among the animals?

Life in a boat

Yesterday Tony, my host took me to the Washington lake in the boat. While in the water Tony asked me if I wanted to visit one of the boat houses. As my interest we met Tim who is working for Tony in one of the boats lined near by the beach. It was small boat but with all basic facilities inside. Tim has been staying in this house for almost a year. When entering the boat the jurks which went up and down suprised me how he is so comfortable with it. When waves pass the boat house moves along with it. I had a feeling that I need time to adjust with these movements. Anyway this was the first time for me to know that people love to live in the boat houses floating.

Tour on behalf of Asian Rural Institute

A week long trip to California gave me an opportunity to meet whom I knew since few years back from Asian Rural Institute; Steven, Tomoko and Susan. Besides I met Pam and Dane who are working endlessly on behalf of American Friends of ARI (AFARI), of course JB does't need a special mention for his restless work for ARI . Its always a good moment to meet and share after long time no see.

I was invited by AFARI to join the annual general meeting and speaking in some of the churches; I enjoyed the events very much and hope the people who attended also enjoyed. The booths on behalf of ARI gave us an opportunity to share about the work of ARI to various people. We were able to share the mission of ARI to many individuals and organizations. Thanks to AFARI for organizing this trip!

Arrival at Sacramento

On 17th we flew from Seattle to San Jose. Upon arrival, Steven came to pick us up and we heeded towards Marry's home who has been a great supporter for ARI. In the afternoon we drove to Davis and finally to Sacramento. It is warm finally after 12 wks of Seattle time. We prepared a booth to display Asian Rural Institute in the convention center and were prepared for the meeting for the next day. I am excited to have the meeting and see how people respond to the acitivities of ARI and its training program.

Visit to bay area

I am now preparing for the visit to bay area. JB san is taking me and Sylvester for this visit on behalf of graduates of Asian Rural Institute. We will be attending the Annual General Meeting of American Friends of Asian Rural Institute, Japan. I am eager to attend the meeting as well as to see a new place in the United States. I hope this trip will enlarge my understanding of the country, people and culture.

Thanks to all the supporters

Today after ten weeks with iLEAP I formally became the graduate of the fellowship program. Going through all the seminars, visits, interactions with LEAPERS I feel that I have grown myself with diverse range of knowledge and skills. Its was amazing that 10 wks went so fast. This was only possible as I found all the people very supportive, kind, helpful and had similar ideas we had around social change and global citizenships. Thanks to all those who have supported directly and indirectly to make this a successful event. Of course I would like to thank iLEAP for this opportunity to explore different ideas and let me and my community grow. And also would like to thank my friends, organization SAHAMATI and my family members who did a great contribution for me to be here in this process of learning. Finally I would like to thank to the iLEAP staff who have made their tremendous effort to make this event happen and have put a lot of work regardless of their own daily works. Actually I learned from how much they have contributed with full time voluntarism for social change despite of the challenges they went through since inception to this date of graduation.

Asian Dinner

We had the final Asian dinner today before the training end days. It's been always a good time learning from one another about different food and taste. The food was managed for ten and we had no leftovers, I came to know it when I was washing the dishes. This indicates everyone liked the food. It's great.

Food is one of the great means to bring people together, learn, share, taste and build relationships. During the training period we enjoyed learning from one another while having different taste from different countries.

Close to the end

We are now almost close to the end of formal training program which is to end on 14th of June, 2008. We have started listing what we have learn and what we have to share with our friends and groups while we were here. Actually we are preparing for the final symposium on Saturday at Antioch University. There are so many things to reflect upon as we went through different events and activities in the last 10 weeks duration. Yet I am excited to have this event with you all.

Ploughing

This is the way now for us to go with farming techniques. We need to revive the practices to sustain our food systems which lasted hundreds of years............

Can you begin farming this way.........be prepared......

Subarna wants me back

This morning my son called me and asked when I was coming home. I did not know what to reply. He said he would not go to school as he would be waiting for me home. I tried to explain but he did not get me, he added then I will fly to meet you.

I am happy as well as sad with the children mind. He recalled the times home.....
Please wait my son... i will come soon.......

Fuel and Food

The hike in fuel prices leads worries to all as we need to keep paying more and more despite of the same scale we earn over times. The increase in fuel price is directly related with the food prices and our food is based on fuel technology. The use of fuel by the GMO companies, chemical fertilizer and pesticides companies, machineries affect the food prices. Besides, with the excess use the climate change issue is directly relating food production and prices. Adding more, WTO brings the trade system in practice where small farmers have hard times to compete with their productions. As we can draw from all, food is now in crisis. The best time for learning is before we become hungry.................

People have now started understanding the relation of food production systems. As a result we can see many best local practices being made like; urban gardening movement, youth gardens, CSA farms, farmers markets, eat local now, food banks, plant an extra row, return to traditional diets, food co-ops, farm to cafeteria, school gardens, vertical garden, pot gardening etc. These need to be promoted and wide spread. We need to change the system relating the whole systems and contributing to one another. To cope with the increase in fuel and ultimately food prices we need to start becoming more social and responsible in changing our habits and habitats. Let us grow happiness………

Sustainable systems

Jonathan Scherch is involved in many sectors exploring, designing, consulting and teaching. Since last few years he has been greatly involved in bamboo based promotion from farm to factory to marketing. He is focused on integrated resource systems for sustainable community and economic development projects. He has been involved with Pacific Bamboo Reasearch to explore and develop systems that can ecologically sustain and has much more benefits. We need to learn more to understand his idea to make a sustainable systems and uses.

Climate Change

We had a class on climate change with Mellissa today. It is interesting to go through the topic but we have less to say. The cause towards the climate change is the industrialized and so called developed countries and others are suffering for nothing. Despite of the international conference in Bali I do not see so much development in this issue. The will of wanting is never stopping so it is very difficult to address the issue until this behavior is not changed. We can actually see some of the impacts in our communities; flood, extreme weather, erosion, drought, disease and so on. These have impacted in social and economic aspects of our communities’ development.

Poverty

We visited Washington Cash (community alliance for self help) and Rural Development Institute this week. Both of the organizations were non profits working to overcome poverty issues, they are doing great jobs. Washington Cash serves to public in United States making them skilled over business development and promoting them as entrepreneurs where as RDI focuses on policy issues over land rights all over the world. Despite of different working areas poverty is the main issue around their work may it be in developed or developing country. Gap among the rich and poor is increasing today due to the political structures we have built. In my observation we need to work for changing the structure else we have never ending efforts to make and yet it is endless………

My creators

My parents riding elephant in the Chitwan National Park, Nepal, 2007.

Cannot say

She looks happy or sad??

Desciplined

Subarna pretending being disciplined

Keen

Wanting face

9 months

Subarna 9 months old. Picture before leaving him to Japan in 2004

National property

The royal palace now became the national property and the government has decided to turn it as a national museum.

Population increasing

Rama with her sister's and siblings. They have grown not themselves only but with population also?

Changed mind

Subu was angry with his grandmother but with a changed action he is happy to play with the fruit in the tree with his mom

Dashain

Its good to be at home and with relatives

Sanjibani with her mom

Mine

Sanjibani and Subarna happy laying down

Water

This pond serves as natural irrigation tank

Village

Rural village setting in the hills of Nepal

Traditional ploughing

Goodwill visit picture.......