Nepal, a Country in Need of Books

Fun, Children's books can take the chore of learning English and make it a joy. Many of the books written by non-native English speakers tend to have typographical and grammatical mistakes making it difficult for students to learn with confidence. Many students pronounce 'school' as 'és-school' and make many other mistakes. These fundamental errors make higher learning even more difficult. Some people seem to just string words together until they need to take a breath. Children's books can do so much more than just entertain.

We've been getting books as volunteers come and we share with 4 local libraries.The children really do appreciate the books. Our next project is two-fold. First, we are sending out our call for used children's books and starting a book exchange with our little library network. We are providing stamps for each of the libraries to mark their books, a poster announcing when the new books will be arriving and a plastic container to help distribute the books. On the first Sunday of the month Sajana and Bikash will visit the librairies to assist with the book rotation. Each library will pass 25-50 books along to the next library. In the coming months we hope the libraries will do this on their own. 

Our second initiative is to help provide warm clothing for people in the high country. As has been our custom, we suggest that you hold onto the clothes until you get to the high country if you plan to go trekking or volunteering in the rural areas. You won't have to look far to find someone in need of a warm jacket. You can also go to a temple to donate. You can leave them with us, as well. We will get them to where they are needed. But we would like to have you see the smiles when people get a new jacket, if possible.

Our Gift to Our Generous Guests: We can give you up to one half (1/2) of the room price for as long as you'd like to stay with us-up to 2 weeks, giving you a credit of 100 NRs. per kg. of warm clothing that you bring to donate. We can give 100 NRs. per 3 children's books. Our rooms are from $10-20, until Sept. 20. Then the room prices will go up from $2-5 per night. 

For more information on our room rates please see Star View Guest House We have pictures of the property and our amazing village there. 

 

 Visit our website to learn more about our projects at http://KayGarnay.org

My eBook is available now at https://payhip.com/b/sQu5 If you are planning a trip to Nepal you'll enjoy it. It will save you time as well as money, but more importantly, it will help you to have a better time in Nepal. Many people wonder if they can eat the street food like in Thailand or Vietnam. 

Here's my spoiler alert: Do not eat the street food in Nepal, nor should you eat at any buffet. The eBook addresses such things as this and what to do if you become ill, etc. Whether or not you get my book, please read this short, free eBook. It will help you get your time here off to a great start. http://bit.ly/2aGxcuHIf there is a problem with the download or code please let me know at FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com 

Promotion code for discount: GR5X4BCHX2 

If you''d like to connect on social media with me here's   how: 
Twitter: @FrugalTravelsNe 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frugal.travels 

Nepal, a Country in Need of Books

Fun, Children's books can take the chore of learning English and make it a joy. Many of the books written by non-native English speakers tend to have typographical and grammatical mistakes making it difficult for students to learn with confidence. Many students pronounce 'school' as 'és-school' and make many other mistakes. These fundamental errors make higher learning even more difficult. Some people seem to just string words together until they need to take a breath. Children's books can do so much more than just entertain.

We've been getting books as volunteers come and we share with 4 local libraries.The children really do appreciate the books. Our next project is two-fold. First, we are sending out our call for used children's books and starting a book exchange with our little library network. We are providing stamps for each of the libraries to mark their books, a poster announcing when the new books will be arriving and a plastic container to help distribute the books. On the first Sunday of the month Sajana and Bikash will visit the librairies to assist with the book rotation. Each library will pass 25-50 books along to the next library. In the coming months we hope the libraries will do this on their own. 

Our second initiative is to help provide warm clothing for people in the high country. As has been our custom, we suggest that you hold onto the clothes until you get to the high country if you plan to go trekking or volunteering in the rural areas. You won't have to look far to find someone in need of a warm jacket. You can also go to a temple to donate. You can leave them with us, as well. We will get them to where they are needed. But we would like to have you see the smiles when people get a new jacket, if possible.

Our Gift to Our Generous Guests: We can give you up to one half (1/2) of the room price for as long as you'd like to stay with us-up to 2 weeks, giving you a credit of 100 NRs. per kg. of warm clothing that you bring to donate. We can give 100 NRs. credit per 3 children's books. Our rooms are from $10-25.

For more information on our room rates please see Star View Guest House We have pictures of the property and our amazing village there. 

 

 Visit our website to learn more about our projects at http://KayGarnay.org

My eBook is available now at https://payhip.com/b/sQu5 If you are planning a trip to Nepal you'll enjoy it. It will save you time as well as money, but more importantly, it will help you to have a better time in Nepal. Many people wonder if they can eat the street food like in Thailand or Vietnam. 

Here's my spoiler alert: Do not eat the street food in Nepal, nor should you eat at any buffet. The eBook addresses such things as this and what to do if you become ill, etc. Whether or not you get my book, please read this short, free eBook. It will help you get your time here off to a great start. http://bit.ly/2aGxcuHIf there is a problem with the download or code please let me know at FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com 

Promotion code for discount: GR5X4BCHX2 

If you''d like to connect on social media with me here's   how: 
Twitter: @FrugalTravelsNe 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frugal.travels 

Gathe Mangal- The Metal Day

Co-authored by Sajana Bhadel and Amanda Summers

Are you the kind of person who likes superstition? Can you walk under a ladder or cross the path of a black cat? If not, you'll enjoy this festival. Parents swing their children through the fire as the effigy burns to release demons and bad karma, like a fresh start. Everyone joyfully follows the straw figure down to the river to be done with negative energy, such are some of traditions during this lively festival.

Gathe Mangal, or Ghantakarna Chaturdashi, is a festival celebrated generally in the month of Shrawan, June/July. We have a special puja/offering to demons, serpents and other supernatural and natural elements like wind, water and fire to get rid of evils powers and the legendary demons. There is a belief among Nepalese that there used to be a Demon named Ghantakarna, a legendary demon who spread havoc against the people. Although this festival is celebrated throughout Nepal, Changunarayan celebrates it in its own, particular style, with even nearby villages having their own traditions.

Nepalese people started celebrating this festival to help survive from the demon attacks. People make hay dummies of the demon, "Ghantakarna," and erect them on side roads; then they set the effigy on fire. This festival is celebrated differently according to the beliefs and culture of the various villages. People make a human-like figure to ressemble a demon; they put a claypot on top to give the shape of a head. Then they decorate it much like westerners make a snowman. 

On this day, people also wear metal rings called “ gathemangal ko aunthi” which literally means the 'ring of metal,' worn for protection from all evil spirits. During the evening, people hammer three legged nails onto the door to keep out all the negativities and evil spirits from the house. We believe the house is purified when we have cow’s dung with different plants and medicinal herbs stuck on the door. The women hammer three legged nails and stick this small patch of dung on their door, they burn wheat hay with different weeds to take away the ills from every corner of the house. One person holds the burning wheat hay and the other drags a broom, which sweeps the demons from the house.

A villagers all gather together and make a dummy of Ghantakarna with various weeds and the clay pot on the top as the head. They draw a nice face on pot. Then, it is burned when all the people are gathered with their puja and their own, personal, hay figure. 

There are different shout outs during the session like “Aaju Jay Haa, Om Shanti Nepal,” a prayer for daily sustainance.

It’s not clearly stated just when this festival got started, although the earliest mention is during the Licchavi era, possibly as far back as 300 A.D. There are myths and stories about this festival. The demon,Ghantakarna, had a pair of bells on his ears used to terrify people with his scarey face. He was called Ghanta (Bell) Karna (Ears) to identify him by the bells on his ears. It is believed that this demon was killed by the clever frog, so Newar communities worship the frog on this day. There is still contradictory on whether Ghantakarna was a demon or a god as Hindus worship him as a devotee of Lord Shiva, while Buddhists have their own beliefs and celebrations surrounding this festival.

My eBook is available now at https://payhip.com/b/sQu5 If you are planning a trip to Nepal you'll enjoy it. It will save you time as well as money, but more importantly, it will help you to have a better time in Nepal. Many people wonder if they can eat the street food like in Thailand or Vietnam. 

Here's my spoiler alert: Do not eat the street food in Nepal, nor should you eat at any buffet. The eBook addresses such things as this and what to do if you become ill, etc. Whether or not you get my book, please read this short, free eBook. It will help you get your time here off to a great start. http://bit.ly/2aGxcuHIf there is a problem with the download or code please let me know at FrugalTravelsNepal@gmail.com 

Promotion code for discount: GR5X4BCHX2 

If you''d like to connect on social media with me here's   how: 
Twitter: @FrugalTravelsNe 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/frugal.travels