I had the privilege of teaching at the Shree Rastria Primary School in the Tharu community of Debauli near Tandi, Chitwan in Nepal. My host, Govinda Duwady is a social studies teacher at the school. A Brahmin family with four children, the Duwadys live north of Tandi Bazaar in a close-knit neighborhood along the Health Post Road.
I was fortunate to be in Nepal for Tihar [festival] and invited to participate in all family festivities. The Duwadys pampered me with delicious food, dal-bhat tarkari, and hospitality. Though I am old enough to be the children’s grandmother, they good-naturedly included me in most of their forays and English conversations.
At school, I first shadowed the English and math teachers in Classes 4 and 5, co-teaching pronunciation, trying to move rote delivery into role-play. I was then asked to take the classes of absent teachers. This meant very full classes most every day–teaching English, singing, games, dancing, writing and drawing–and some math.
I will never forget the outrageous Class 5 Hokey Pokey in the middle of the schoolyard–the women’s puja at four in the morning under a new moon sliver, Ama Duwady leading a procession of eleven village women down a path to the riverbank, then wading in partial sari into the cold water, launching flaming flower laden sal-leaf baskets into the current, a special pre-Tihar ceremony for prosperity and long-life–being wildly greeted by my students as Madhu Duwady and I cycled to Sauraha–summoned to be the ‘photographer’ for the Tihar tika celebration of a family across the road, nine brothers and sisters in one group with multitudes of others seated on separate rugs and mats–the birth of the new calf—the Tharu woman who allowed me to photograph her beautiful leg and arm tattoos—the teacher’s celebration chicken stew dinner that the Headmaster cooked—the incredible sendoff as I left school for Kathmandu with fifty or more small bouquets of hibiscus, roses and marigolds, malas, cheering and a wonderful handwritten certificate of appreciation.
I am only now beginning to appreciate the wealth and nuances of this experience, as I relate to teachers and students at home the contributions, important resilience and unique attributes of the Tharu people. It makes me realize just how special Cosmic Volunteers are, and the important work, offerings and opportunities that Scott Burke and Ram Silwal are providing.
Tricia Pearsall (USA)
English Teaching in Chitwan, Nepal