was truly life changing. I spent my time at the Ryvanz-Mia orphanage in
Kpando, and taught HIV education at the schools in the surrounding area. My job was to teach others, but I learned far more from this experience than I could ever have offered. I am amazed with the amount of kindness and the accommodating manner which was shown to me.Even though the children at Ryvanz-Mia have so little, they are the most happy and loving children I have ever met. The love and the kindness that these children showed to me was so emotionally inspiring, that at times I had to turn my head to wait until the tears in my eyes would pass. Mama Esi, who runs the orphanage, was a delight. Her hospitable manner made living in a foreign country easy to adjust to. As I watched Mama talk with the children, I could see in her eyes how much she truly loves and cares for each and every one of them.
Kpando village was the most peaceful and friendly place I have ever visited. As I walked to school each morning, I was greeted with smiles and friendly faces. I truly felt welcomed.
After visiting Ghana, the problems and challenges I faced at home in the United States seem completely unimportant. My time in Kpando has forced me to ponder what is truly important in life. The people in Kpando have so little in most people’s eyes, but as a whiteness of their undeniable happiness, I know that they have more than what most people only hope to achieve in this life.
The friendships I made with the children at the orphanage, Mama Esi, and with the residents of Kpando village have changed my life forever. The feelings I havefelt in these short four weeks have left a lasting imprint on my heart. I will never forget my time here in Ghana.
Kelly Brown
Orem, Utah
Ryvanz-Mia Orphanage and Delta School
May 2008
4 comments:
This blog could be more exciting if you can create another topic that everyone can relate on.
It could challenge the ideas of the people who visit your blog.
I truly appreciate it.
Global Organic and Biodynamic Exchange Partnership Programs with Nepal?
Dear Sir/Madam:
Hello.
This is Mr. Surya Nath Adhikari from Nepal- the Agricultural Country with full of Flora and Fauna as well as the land of Everest.
First, I would like to introduce myself in detail:
I am an Agriculturist having my own family farm.
I am wishing to make my Family Farm first Full Organic and then Transition into Bio-Dynamic Organic Farm.
I am former International J1Exchange Visitor (Trainee) for Farm & Industry Short Course Graduate (One Year Certificate) from University of Wisconsin -Madison, CALS, USA 2001-2002 batch. Presently, I am a Family Farmer and also a Managing Director of - BIO-DYNAMIC ORGANIC FARMING & SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SERVICE PVT. LTD. I am also Bio-dynamic Organic Farming Student and Trainee of Peter Proctor (the Pioneer of Modern Biodynamic Farming & Soil Scientist, the Author of the Biodynamic World Famous Book-“Grasp the Nettle” and the person on which the film “One Man, One Cow and One Planet” has been filmed) from New Zealand which was conducted at Bhaktivedanta Academy for Sustainable & Integrated Living (BASIL)/BDAI at ESCON Farm, Bangalore, India with David Hogg, another BD Expert on the Globe.
I am also working as Country Representative/Partner from Nepal for the following Global Exchange Organizations/Partners:
(1) Communicating for Agriculture Exchange Program, MN-USA for Dairy, Field Crops, Horticulture,
Apiary and Fishery Placements in the US Host Farms ( Reference Maja Bherens: www.caepinc.org)
(2) The Global Cow Ltd, Vermont-USA for Dairy Placements only ( Reference- Jill Stahl Tyler: www.globalcow.com)
(3) IEPUK, UK for Dairy, Field Crops and Horticulture Placements only (Reference: Vanessa Peach: www.iepuk.org
(4) Worldwide Farmers Exchange (WFE)-assisting in sending applications and
screening trainees as well as trying to establish Fiber Based Productions Business Export to the US ( Reference: Christopher Barden/Ashley Medulan: www.worldwidefarmers.org)
(5) Rural Exchange-New Zealand, RENZ (Reference: Vicky Lucas: www.renz.co.nz)
(6) Life Member for Wisconsin Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Association (WALSAA) for various International Relationships. (Reference: Richard Daluge, Dean of Short Course & Richard Cates, Professor forUW-Madison, WI Grass based Dairy Seminar: www.cals.wisc.edu)
(7) Sending Trainees for the Bibber International, Australia for Winery Placements too (Reference: Sue Calghoris: www.bibber.au)
(8)Working Closely with Multinational Exchange for the Sustainable Agriculture (MESA) Program ( www.mesaprogram.org, Ref: Lauren )
(9) Recommending my neighboring farmers every year for the FISC Program at UW-Madison-my beloved Program and the University! (References: Richard Daluge, Gail Austin, www.cals.wisc.edu/student/shortcourse)
As I am a former Trainee in International Agriculture Exchange Program, I know
that how important and necessary are the Agriculture Exchange Programs for the
young farmers from the Agricultural and Developing Country like Nepal.
I have very good and wide networks among Nepalese farmers who wish to
participate in such exchange programs for Practical Farming Experiences and Cultural
Exchanges. And, I have found and experienced that some people (farmers) wish to
go to different countries for the Different Agricultural Trainings. It depends upon their
training needs/ Farming Interests and the country love, choice and many more things that they have as a Country / Agricultural System CRAZE!
So, I am still interested to widen the Global Agriculture/Farm Exchange Networks among different countries around the globe. By the Global Agriculture Exchange Programs, we can share bilateral Agriculture and Cultural Experiences as well as it can be a great Adventure for the participants and great Labor Aid to the host/employers. So, you are welcome to contact me regarding the Global Agriculture Exchange Programs (My first Interest).
On the other hand (ALTERNATIVELY), I have EXPLORED and I am FEELING as GREAT NECESSITY FOR going full ORGANIC FARMING AND ITS REVOLUTIONARY PRACTICES (my Main Interest) which has been Today's Most essential part of Farming around the globe- both for Human Health and the Environmental Concerns as well as for the life of the Farm Fields (Soil Fertility) which is a farmer's Everything.
So, I have also decided to move myself towards the Organic Farming System-(1) by knowing more and more about this farming system from grassroots level to convert/transition my own family farm to the Organic One which is in Progress and (2) by educating and providing full support and services to the Nepalese Farmers (as well as foreign participants) –TO GO ORGANIC by transitioning their Conventional Farms to the Organic One by teaching the farmers about how to make Organic Inputs and how to use.
So, my main INTEREST is to establish a Project/ Joint Venture Organic Exchange Program to educate and help Nepalese Farmers –TO GO ORGANIC. As well as I wish to establish an Organic Awareness (Educational) Institution by our Bilateral Venture/Efforts. And for this, we need to start both practical and theoretical awareness programs too.
So, Can we start either –(1)International Organic Exchange /Training Programs by Placing the Young Nepalese Farmers at Organic Host Farms OR-(2) Establish a joint venture On-farm Organic Farming Demonstration Project Program here in Nepal to educate Nepalese Farmers for Sustainability as well as bring Foreign Trainees/Visitors to Nepal too as an Inbound Programs ? (My Second but Prioritized Interest)
Please do let me know about it and I would love to get more information or suggestions regarding the matters for the Organic Practices and the movements in NEPAL.
There is also a VITAL DEMAND for the Organic Vegetable/Fruits and Food Crops.
NOTE: By Agriculture Exchange/Internship/ Employment Programs, Labor Shortages also can be fulfilled for some time in the countries where Labor Supply is the main concern.
Finally, my goal will be to move towards Bio-Dynamic Organic Farming System to educate Nepalese Farmers about Bio-diversity and its Holistic Management in the Farm when we entirely all set for the Organic Farming Practices.
Thank you for your great support.
More in the next.
Hope to get reply.
Sincerely,
Surya
Surya Nath Adhikari (Former Exchange Visitor at UW-Madison-USA, Agriculturist & Global Exchange Partner)
Managing Director For-
BIO-DYNAMIC ORGANIC FARMING & SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SERVICE PVT. LTD.
Gothatar V.D.C.-8, Kandaghari , Birendra Chowk, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tele # 977-01-4990880
E-mail: bdorganic.agricultureservice@gmail.com, surya_nafisa@yahoo.com
Govt of Nepal Regd No. 48702/064/065
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