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From the vault: Belinda Lee’s adventure in Nepal

SINGAPORE - Two months ago, as World Vision Singapore’s newly appointed ambassador, actress and TV host Belinda Lee travelled to Sindhuli, the latest area development programme in Nepal to meet one of her sponsored children and understand firsthand their struggles and needs. She agreed to share her experience with us. Here’s what happened...

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SINGAPORE - Two months ago, as World Vision Singapore’s newly appointed ambassador, actress and TV host Belinda Lee travelled to Sindhuli, the latest area development programme in Nepal to meet one of her sponsored children and understand firsthand their struggles and needs. She agreed to share her experience with us. Here’s what happened...

DAY 1: We started our day at 6am at Changi Airport this morning. Two flights and a couple of hours’ drive later, we checked in at a hostel (before we continue travelling tomorrow).

I’m very excited to get to meet my sponsored child, Pramila. I’ve been so busy with work; I haven’t really had time to prepare for this trip. I only managed to get some necessities for the trip yesterday and I’m so glad I managed to get Pramila and her family some fleece jackets to keep them warm during the winter. I also made her a personalised mug - just a special something from me. I made sure all the gifts were functional so I hope they’ll appreciate it.

To be honest, I’m not quite sure what to expect on this trip but I’ve packed all my essentials - like cup noodles - so really I’m prepared for anything!

Highlight of the first day? Flying Yeti Airlines! Yes, Yeti airlines, in a small propeller plane with a stewardess who serves coffee and sweets on the short 25-minute flight. From what little I’ve seen of Nepal so far, it is absolutely beautiful.

DAY 2: I woke up super-excited to start the day to meet Pramila. I prepared mentally for a “three hour drive and two hour walk up a hill” (or so I was told). That soon turned into a four-hour drive which gave me motion sickness and four-hour hike up a mountain. What the Nepalese consider a hill is really a mountain to me. Now I’m no stranger to roughing it out in the wild, I’ve hiked some pretty steep terrains before - I even had a near death experience in China - but this has to be one of the roughest. My ankle felt like it was going to give way at any moment and I was very concerned. I just kept thinking, “Ankle, please hold up”. Luckily, the locals, who were guiding us, played some Bollywood music on their phones and that really kept us going. Fresh air, beautiful views and my own soundtrack – I really shouldn’t be complaining.

At the end of that journey to the top of the mountain, I finally got to meet Pramila and my exhaustion and tiredness just melted away. She looked so beautiful and was dressed in the cutest pink princess dress. I can’t explain it but I got so emotional meeting her. I really felt a connection but I didn’t really know what to do or how I could show her how happy I was to meet her. I didn’t know if it was appropriate to give hugs - her mother was there, so how comfortable would she be about some random stranger giving her daughter a hug? I kept my distance initially, but we got to talking and immediately she warmed up to me. I got to meet her whole family and see what life was like for them - what they eat, how they rested.

You know, I always thought I was this travel host who has done and seen it all. I didn’t think anything could faze me. But meeting Pramila and her family for the first time really left an impact on me. I found myself tearing up while listening to their stories. Suddenly, my monthly monetary contributions didn’t seem enough. I felt a close connection to her and I wanted to do more and contribute more – this was my sponsored child and I felt responsible.

My only regret was that because of the distance, we did not have as much time to spend there and had to trek back to another area of the village before it got dark. Trekking on rough terrains in pitch darkness with only a flash light to guide you is no fun. In true Nepalese hospitality, one of the villagers, who volunteers with World Vision, opened up their home to us and we spent the night in his humble home.

It’s one thing to read about the needs of these communities, but to see it and experience it for yourself really puts things into perspective. I’m on a little high from getting to meet Pramila and I’m adamant about wanting to do more so I’m hoping to have a chat with the World Vision team tomorrow to see how else I can get involved. For now, I’ve been told that sometimes rats find their way into the bedroom - so here’s hoping I get through the night!

DAY 3: What a difference a day makes. We made the long hike down the hill and the drive back to our hostel in Sindhuli. The same Bollywood music that kept me going and spurred me to keep climbing yesterday was just driving me nuts today. I guess I’m in a totally different space right now. I wanted to reflect and have some quiet time. I climbed the hill with anticipation and excitement but descended it physically and emotionally drained.

My heart was heavy after meeting the locals and listening to their challenges. Comparing that to what we take for granted, such as access to healthcare and even food - some children and families are food secure for only three months in a year. That was so heartbreaking to hear! Because the nearest health post where mothers can give birth to children is more than two hours away on a mountainous terrain, 60 per cent of the births take place at home, putting both mum and baby at risk. These amazing people I met had so many problems but they all kept a brave front and I only saw smiles and laughter.

We spent the morning at the local school and got to interact and speak to the students. Sitting in the class listening to preschoolers learning the alphabet and playing badminton with some of the older kids outside, they seemed like any other group of kids. It was easy to forget that some of these kids are suffering from malnutrition and some miss school a few days a week to help their families earn money. Going to school is such a luxury that only 15.4 per cent of the children are enrolled in secondary school. You wouldn’t be able to tell that any of them had problems from their cheeky smiles though.

DAY 4: We made our way to Kathmandu today (we travel back to Singapore tomorrow). It was nice to have some downtime and reflect. When I first got appointed as World Vision ambassador I knew that I wanted to make the journey to meet one of my sponsored children. So when I was told I would get a chance to visit Nepal to meet Pramila, I knew it was going to be an experience I’d never forget. I didn’t realise how much of an impact it would have on me. I do hope to do more for Pramila to empower her to be able to help her family and community.

And despite the little time I’ve spent in Nepal, it wasn’t difficult to see how lovely this country was and the people were even more beautiful. Here’s the thing about travelling, it opens your eyes to how different people’s lives are from yours. I’m not here to preach but I do realise I am in a fortunate and privileged position and can, in my own little way, help them and help spread the word about how to help them.

If you would like to sponsor a child or give a one-time donation through the gift catalogue, visit the World Vision Singapore website (http://www.worldvision.org.sg)

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