Dhulikel

Well after 17 hours of travel we have finally arrived in Dhulikel. The travel itself was not uneventful, Somewhere over Australia we went through a thunder storm. We heard an almighty bang and a big flash. Turns out we made a pretty good lightning rod.
However the fun wasn't over yet. On our first approach to Singapore airport we hit some pretty heavy crosswinds and the pilot decided that he should probably have a second go of it, so round we went again. A few nervous looks were thrown around the cabin. We made it on the second attempt. After a short stop of two hours in Singapore it was on to Kathmandu. The approach into the city was a little rough and topped off by landing on the left wheel a little bounce and then all three wheels down. We had arrived!

After sorting the visas, finding our luggage, sorting out sim cards, which were trimmed down to size with scissors, we met Ashok and the team who will be looking after us while we are in their country. A short bus ride later and we arrived at our home for the week, the
Mirabel Resort Hotel, a true oasis of tranquility in the chaos that is Kathmandu and Dhulikel. So here we all are on our first night in Nepal, relaxing and reliving the sites we have already seen today.

Here we go

The team is assembled and we are just waiting to board. Everyone has met each other and we've done our last minute shopping of power adapters and kiwi soft toys. Next stop Singapore!

At the airport.

The team is starting to assemble at Auckland Airport, and all going well all 13 of us will be together in time to fly out at 11.30pm. By then everyone will have met everyone else. There are still 2 travellers who have not yet met all the group.
Even while we are packing our bags and making sure everything is sorted, advice that more donations are coming in has been received.
So, it is THANKYOU to;
· Philippa Edgar, Paul Wicks, Isabella and Livia Wicks
· Pam, Theo, David & Maddy Vondervoort
· Steph Aicklin and Mark, Samantha, Timothy & Antonia Edgar – and these guys live in London !! They want to donate a cow – and call it Charles. (Is that something to do with the ears ?)
I am thinking of appointing a Financial Controller to keep up with the donations that have come in – it is over $7,500.00.
To all those people whose names have on the Blog site to date – Boy are we ever proud of what you have contributed to this journey of ours !!
In typical Kiwi colloquial;
It’s just bloody marvellous

Profile - Vivian Edgar

As a mother, optometrist and Rotarian of nearly four years, I am excited to be heading to Nepal and meeting with the people of Baluwa and the Rotary Club of Dhulikhiel, and having the opportunity to explore some of their beautiful country.

I have two sons: Jeremy is travelling with us and is a graduate architect; and Samuel is a graduate engineer studying engineering management at University of Canterbury. I am an optometrist with my practice in Te Puke, in the Bay of Plenty. 

I have enjoyed providing eye care for my community for a few decades and look forward to assisting a different community in another way in Nepal. I am a charter member of Papamoa Rotary and a Past President, and currently involved in the D9930’s Peace theme as Peace coordinator for the next year.

On The Home Straight

3 more sleeps before we depart on what is sure to be a life changing experience for the travelling team. We will ensure that your generosity turns into a life changing experience for those people in Baluwa village thatou have been willing to help. The rumour about the young ladies of Classes 9THIO and 9FLIK at Marlborough Girls High is not a rumour – it is a fact. What’s more both classes have also written letters to the Bhuwoneswori school that Grant will take with him and pass on.

We now also have five more THANK YOUs to give out to 

•          Marty Brick and Nancy van der Laan
•          Maketu Rotary Club
•      Lois Edgar
•      Marita, Mike & Stephen Inglis (Platinum Design)
•      Marianne,Charleen and Sylvana – Rainmakers MSA Ltd

Thanks for your donations to our project fund. The fund has now reached $7150.00.

I have run out of superlatives for what I feel about everyone who has got in behind us and given their assistance.

Rotary’s motto is “Service above Self”. I am proud to be a Rotarian, and I am even more proud to know that there are so many amazingly generous people who have given their support – and trust - to  our group, in the expectation that we will deliver to the village of Baluwa that which we have promised. I can assure you that we will – and we will be so proud to be able to represent you all !

From us all, to you all – THANK YOU !

Jim Carroll

Generous Kiwis keep Donating

The total donated for our project work has now topped $6,000.00 as more donations have come in from generous Kiwis.

A big Thank You to;

·         Steve Langton – Plumbing World

·         Michael Walters & Paul Croudace – Monier Bricks & Roofing

·         Greg Eden – Eden Perich Prewett

·         Andy Corbisley – L J Hooker Real Estate

There is a strong rumor that classes 9THIO and 9FLIK under the guidance of Miss Furness at Marlborough Girls High School are embarking on a Cake sale to raise enough funds to donate a cow.

Wow !!

We are now seriously depleting the surplus stocks of goats and cows in Nepal.

The total stands at 15 pairs of goats and 6 cows. There will be a grand handing over day in the village (Baluwa) on May 1.

Warwick and Pauline Thorburn

Warwick & Pauline Thorburn are both Charter members of the Rotary Club of Papamoa.

They both feel blessed to be actively involved with their family of 7 children and (currently) 6 grandchildren.

They both enjoy life at the beach, fishing, gardening and cycling.

Pauline from a farm on the Hauraki Plains (childhood & Girl Guides) to Rotorua (school & work) to Taupo (kids, sales & advertising) to Auckland (new Housing) to Papamoa (nationwide new housing company – Platinum Homes) serious about education as the enemy of poverty, passionate about making a difference to the people with whom she comes in contact with.

Warwick having spent a lifetime in the Insurance & Financial Services sector, is passionately involved in their company Money Stuff Ltd., running financial literacy seminars “assisting Kiwi’s to get their finances on track”. His most recent significant Rotary involvement was being instrumental in the formation of the Rotary Club of Papamoa. He is thrilled as he watches this club develop as a resource in the community in which we live.

More Donations

Since the last update there have been more donations sent in to our bank account, so another big thank you to the following people.

·         Austral Bricks – Blair Hickling

·         Metrotile Roofing – Harry Boxall

·         Aluminium Systems Ltd – Mark Fisher

·         Murray and Lyn Patterson

·         John Tarbutt

On an earlier blog the scope of our project work was discussed. It was originally intended that we would be able to fund 5 pairs of goats, however due to the generosity of many friends and business partners  the funds kept coming in and we were able to lift the tally to 10 pairs of goats. 

As the funds continued to build it was apparent that we could increase this further. Our contacts in Nepal asked if we would consider donating 5 cows. Cows are twice the price of goats, but the revenue they earn is greater. Of course we said that if that was what they required, then that is what we would supply. 

So currently we are at 10 pairs of goats and 5 cows – and still the funds are trickling in. It really is astonishing the snowball that has been created. So many people have developed a real interest in the value that they are creating for a group of unknown people so far away. I know that those unknown people will never forget the generosity that has been shown them from the other end of the world.

Ann and Dave Owen

Profile of Ann and Dave Owen


Ann Owen, a member of Tauranga Rotary since 2002, incoming club director for International this year. My classification is eldercare management, and I still work part time. Interests are church, politics, Rotary, JP,and nurturing positive lifeskills in younger people. I own avocado and kiwifruit orchards,as well as rental properties. We have two adult children,both married and living overseas, as well as two lovely grand daughters.

Dave Owen, spouse of Ann for 39 years! Trained as a marine engineer and remains a safety examiner of engineers for Maritime NZ. Currently retired but works part time as a bus driver. Interests are Lions Club,a beautiful St Bernard dog, church, involement in an outdoors education facility, as well as Marine Reach. (This provides medical aid to the Pacific). Dave also co owns a kiwifruit orchard.

Profile

Jim Carroll 

Born and bred on a sheep farm, but has worked most of his career in the Dairy Manufacturing Industry. He is currently General Manager of a  road tanker fleet based out of Mt Maunganui.

He is a charter member and a Past President of the Papamoa Rotary Club – a young and vibrant club that is in its 4^th year. He spent 3 weeks in Nepal 3 years ago with Habitat for Humanity building houses. On his return , an idea to help the village children’s chances of receiving a half decent education developed into applying for and being successful in achieving a Matching Grant from Rotary Foundation. This would not have been achieved without the help and support of the Papamoa and Dhulikhel Rotary Clubs, and generous support from the Matamata and Tauranga Te Papa clubs, and Districts 9930 and 3292(Nepal)

Profiles !

As we near the leaving date, I thought it would be a good idea to profile some of the people coming along on the trip. So without further ado...

Geoff Mathis 


Married to Marion and have three adult children and 13 grandchildren.

A milk farmer all his life and recently semi- retired . Has been very involved in farming politics during his life and director of a large milk processing plant for a period of time. Another off farm interest has been the building industry where Geoff had a small building development company.


A Rotarian for just on 20 yrs - highlighting in being District Governor in our Rotary District in 2008/09. He is very active in drawing to a successful conclusion a milk project in Mwika on the foothills of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. From Bio Gas - to farm advisory, milk can delivery and currently the installation of a small milk processing plant to produce a range of milk products to be sold into the community and the Safari market of Arusha.

Dhanyabad

A big thanks to all those who have donated money toward the Goat sponsorship programme. The list of those who have donated is below, so a big dhanyabad (thank you) to you all. At the time of writing just over $5000 NZD has been raised.

• Joey and Kayla Keehan
• Insurance Broker Services (Geoff Craven)
• Haitsma Kitchens (Arne and Tineke)
• Luxor Insurance Brokers (Ben and Jack Thorburn)
• Matt and Livi Thorburn
• Janice Millar
• ITM Building Supplies (Guy Richardson)
• Warwick and Pauline Thorburn                                                                                
• Jessie and Ken Dickie                                                                                                
• John and Marg Stewart                                                                                             
• Putaruru Rotary Club                                                                                              
• Kawerau Rotary Club                                                                                              
• Tauranga Rotary Club                                                                                                 
• Whakatane Rotary Club                                                                                                      
• Papamoa Rotary Club                                                
• Max Norvill                                                                            
• Jim Carroll
• Also each team member has contributed $100 towards the programme

 

Project Update

With the departure date of the team drawing near, its time for an update on the work we will be doing when we arrive in Nepal and more specifically the Kavre area. The team will be participating in several projects as outlined below.

House Building Project 

The house building project involves helping to construct two new houses and help repair two houses. One of the villagers who has requested a house is a deaf woman with a new born child. The houses will be constructed using local building materials and the muscle from the Rotarians and villagers. The house repairs are to help fix damage caused by recent storms.

One of the villagers we will be helping

Goat Sponsorship

In addition to the house building and repair project, there is also a Goat sponsorship programme. This is to supply farmers with goats which they can use to produce milk and wool which can be sold to help earn money. The initial goal was to supply five pairs of goats, but with current donations it’s looking like we can supply 10 pairs of goats.

Bhuwoneswori School Donations

Finally we will also be donating stationary supplies to Bhuwoneswori school. This includes pencils, rubbers, rulers, exercise books and more for 300 children.

Ashok with some of the children we hope to help.