It was my first time with the “The KTM Drive” group (The Greeners) where we visited Chahari, an organization 
which has been helping girls in their education aged 4 to 14. It was a freezing Saturday morning, and keeping this chilly season in mind, and the lack of socks, mufflers, and warm caps on them, we decided that we get the kids those warm items.
Apart from recollecting about what we got for the kids, I would want to note about how I personally felt having myself among the kids there.
We entered Chahari, all the little girls greeted us “Namaste”. When I heard their greetings, I had a feeling similar to what I had experienced when we were welcomed by the locals at a medical camp in one of the badly earthquake stricken areas which was not far from Kathmandu. I am unable to describe the feeling but I saw hope and joy on having an extra bit of helping hand.
After a quick round of introductions, ‘Aashish Dai’, so as the kids called me, loosened up a bit and was comfortable 
being among the kids and his new Greener friends. Playing and learning time began; my team mates were two kids Parbati and Yunisha, both hardly five years old, gave me a tough time making them attentive to the task in hand – identifying and arranging alphabets and pictures. Since, Parbati was slightly older than Yunisha, it was relatively easier to get her focused in the game. Whereas, Yunisha’s mind wandered to the fun that the other teams seem to be having while our team was stuck with the boring alphabets learning game. The kids were expecting it to be more fun, but I didn’t have much tricks up my sleeves at that moment. All three of us wanted the alphabet game to end soon, which I found funny in a way. Lesson – kids and adults seem less interested in just identifying and arranging the alphabets in proper order. Soon, was the cupcake time.
While the kids were enjoying every bit of the cupcake on one hand and holding a pencil on the other,I somehow figured out that both of them like drawing. Then, the fun began. Making imaginary scenarios, I asked them to give me things I needed. For instance, I said ‘jaado bhayo, gham tapnu mann lagyo’ (I want to bask in the sun), then they would sketch a Sun for me, ‘ghumna jaanu mann lagyo’ (I want to roam around), then they would sketch a bi-cycle for me. The kids were laughing and enjoying every bit of my folly and I thought what more could I have wished for than watching the kids laugh and be happy. That was one of the most rewarding experiences for me. More games with other kids and the performances they showed us made me realize that the kids at Chahari are being groomed pretty well, just that they could use added resources.
I vividly remember the time spent with the kids there, typically Parbati who I believe had a good time laughing at my stupid jokes. Three hours passed so quickly and I wished I could have done more. Nevertheless, I feel virtuous about my first of the many more to come, with The Greeners.
- Aashish