NEPAL
photos by Betsy Seeton
photos by Betsy Seeton
After the Everest Trek to the base camp, I spent three months living in Kathmandu. It was truly a place where stepping back in time was a reality. People live very close to the earth. There aren't many buffers between them and what keeps them alive. They are hard working people who work for so little. Of course, they were aware of the American standard of living and to many of them, any Amreican on Nepal soil must be weathy. Certainly, by comparison, they would be right.
By and large, Nepalis welcome westerners. I met a lot of NGO workers from around the world. It's amazing to see all the different kinds of non profit work being implemented. Some people were studying new plant species and naming them. One woman was recording one of the dying languages in Nepal for posterity. Women's rights were big issues. Doctors would go into the back villages and teach women that their periods were not to be considered the plague. By helping villagers to change their attitude, it would help the survival rate of a newborn because new mothers were banished from the hosue and proper food and medical care were sorely lacking for up to the first ten days after the baby was born. Often the baby would lack getting the proper nutrition.
I had researched many stories I intended to get into print, but my computer and all back up devices were stolen after I got back from the States. I lost valuable contact information and so much research. I'm basically starting over and slowling piecing things back together.
By and large, Nepalis welcome westerners. I met a lot of NGO workers from around the world. It's amazing to see all the different kinds of non profit work being implemented. Some people were studying new plant species and naming them. One woman was recording one of the dying languages in Nepal for posterity. Women's rights were big issues. Doctors would go into the back villages and teach women that their periods were not to be considered the plague. By helping villagers to change their attitude, it would help the survival rate of a newborn because new mothers were banished from the hosue and proper food and medical care were sorely lacking for up to the first ten days after the baby was born. Often the baby would lack getting the proper nutrition.
I had researched many stories I intended to get into print, but my computer and all back up devices were stolen after I got back from the States. I lost valuable contact information and so much research. I'm basically starting over and slowling piecing things back together.