Shanta laughing

Shanta laughing
Balaju Bypass, Kathmandu, 2011

Shanta’s classroom is a simple rectangle of concrete, with two open-air windows facing the courtyard, and a door made of sheet metal.

But even on the coldest days, there is the warmth;
of Shanta bahini standing, with her smile, at the front of her class.
Ready to give all of her energy to those children.

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(You can see a photo of Shanta's classroom by scrolling down the page of a previous post)

Family

Family
Manamaiju, Kathmandu

One of the things I love about Nepal is the warmth of the people. Friendly, inviting, and always open to laughter.

The route that I would walk most days took me on a long hairpin path. This family lived on the latter half of that hairpin, very near to the house of Ambika and Kopila. I believe this photo was taken on a late-winter day, as the family was enjoying the warmth of the winter sun on their second-story roof.

In the lower left hand corner you can see a small hand broom and a shallow woven basket used for sorting and drying rice and vegetables.

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If you would like to donate to UNICEF’s Nepal Earthquake fund please click here.

Trio near the Bishnumati river

Trio near the Bishnumati river
Balaju, Kathmandu, 2005

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Laughing on the stairs

Laughing on the stairs
Dadagaun, Kathmandu, February 2005

On the roof of the building next to Sunita’s house, I ran across these two friends.

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Sisters, Ambika and Kopila

Sisters, Ambika and Kopila
Kathmandu, 11 June 2011

With an old 2005 photo of Kopila and Ambika in my hand, I asked around the neighborhood and was able to find these two sisters again. Looking now, at first I thought Ambika was laughing in both photos, but it was Kopila in the older photo.

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I ran across another photo taken on the porch of their family's house on the same day.

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And another photo of their younger sisters, I believe.

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Friends on Manamaiju Marg

Friends on Manamaiju Marg
Dadagaun, Kathmandu, May 2011

On the way to my friend Sunita's house, I would regularly pass by these women who lived nearby. Reena, the woman in red, has a son named Sweeker with a wonderful smile.

If you would like to donate to Mercy Corps’ Nepal Earthquake fund please click here.

If you would like to donate to UNICEF’s Nepal Earthquake fund please click here.

Reena's son

Sarada, Anju and Shanta

Sarada, Anju and Shanta
Balaju, Kathmandu 2011

I first got to know the teachers of Niharika Shishu Kunja High School in 2005. I think it was because I was walking by when they were putting on an outdoor student talent show.

People from the area and passersby from Ring Road lined the fence around the school, watching as students performed intricate dance routines. I too looked in, and I think I was invited inside.

Sarada and Shanta teach the school's youngest children (see below), while I believe Anju teaches one of the higher grades.

The school is a caring, welcoming place—and I'm glad the students have it.

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If you would like to donate to UNICEF’s Nepal Earthquake fund please click here.

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Children in Shanta's nursery classroom

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Children playing a game of Duck, Duck, Goose

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A lone "copy" (notebook) left behind on a desk

Laughing children

Laughing children
Kathmandu, 2005

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If you would like to donate to UNICEF’s Nepal Earthquake fund please click here.

Mothers, daughters, friends

Mothers, daughters, friends
Kathmandu, 2011

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Sabina’s grandmother laughing

Sabina’s grandmother laughing
Kathmandu, May 2011

I first met Sabina with her friend Mamata when I took their photo back in 2002.

Walking the dirt road through the same neighborhood some nine years later, I heard "Jack!" from inside an open window. Sabina came out of the house, and I was brought to the garden behind the house to meet her extended family. I took a group photo of them all, as well as two of her grandmother—this one of her laughing, seen above, and the first one, seen below.

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If you would like to donate to UNICEF’s Nepal Earthquake fund please click here.

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Sabina’s mother and a friend.

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Sabina (waving) with her family.