13 Apr The Gripping Side
Hakuna Matata Workshop- April 2017
All my life I’ve dreamt of coming to Nepal. I had always imagined the countless number of temples, free roaming monkeys and snow capped himalayas that tower over small villages. Something about the country’s culture captivated me and constantly had me yearning to visit one day. Through a streak of lucky contacts, that day has finally come! For the span of this month I’ll be exploring Nepal and spending a good amount of time in Kathmandu volunteering with SAATH.
Although I’ve only been in Nepal for 5 days, I’ve seen a side of the country that I didn’t expect. Sure, I’ve been exposed to aspects of the culture while strolling through small alleyways, trying Momos for the first time and zooming around Kathmandu on the back of a motorcycle- but it was the Hakuna Matata Workshop that showed me a side of Nepali culture few get to see.
Hakuna Matata is a program within SAATH, an organization out of Kathmandu that supports local kids infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Nowadays in Nepali society, HIV/AIDS and those affected by it are thrown into the shadows. There is a stigma around the disease that keeps infected people from being able to succeed within their communities, both socially and financially. Hakuna Matata works to bring affected children together through workshops and camps to provide sanctuary and an escape from the everyday discrimination they face.
This week I had the opportunity to help put on a workshop for the kids of Hakuna Matata. Over the span of two days fellow volunteers and I led activities and games for the kids and their parents to take part in. Upon arrival, the kids were shy and closed off; stuck in their own little worlds, away from the unfamiliar faces around them. But by the time day one had come to a close, they were different kids altogether. The bubbly personalities and huge grins on each face warmed my heart. Through team-building and hands-on activities, the creativity of each child was able to shine through. These kids truly have so much passion and zest for life once they open up. Of course, the reality of their health situation is hard to think about, but with the help of Hakuna Matata, the kids have an environment where they can thrive and connect with others. Not to mention, the parents have a safe space to unload their thoughts and feelings as well. As an adult in Nepali society, it’s scary to talk about your health condition, especially in the face of prejudice and discrimination towards HIV/AIDS. Many times throughout the workshop, parents were able to engage in the activities as well as sit and express their feelings with other parents (who are also HIV positive). Being able to open up and share personal experiences with others comes as a relief to these parents. Hakuna Matata means “no worries”, and for a few hours each day during the workshop, that’s exactly what everyone felt.
Over the span of the two day workshop, we incorporated activities that highlighted the importance of creativity and the value of teamwork. One of my favourite activities to take part in was the Newspaper Fashion Competition. We split up into 3 groups, each group having a large pile of newspaper and 20 minutes to tune into their creative side to make an outfit for one member of the group. Everyone was hands on and immediately got to crafting. It was incredible to see the enthusiasm, creativity and joy that came from this activity. I think the kids enjoyed having an opportunity to have responsibility and work with a team to create something special. By the end of the allotted time, we saw everything from pleated skirts to detailed crowns to delicately crafted earrings. After each of the 3 “newspaper models” gave us a strut on the catwalk, a member of the SAATH team chose a winner. Although the outfits were taken off and torn apart once the activity ended, the hard work of each team was worth it and left everyone feeling proud and fulfilled.
By Delaney Collins (International Volunteer – April 2017)