This last post is long overdue, but wrapping up such an intimate experience is an incredibly trying task. Here we are, out of the mountains and into the bustling metropolis that is Kathmandu. Life goes on as usual, motorcycles, rickshaws, automobiles, and bicycles laden with goods swarming amongst pedestrians, peddling their wares on dusty streetsides in a smoky city. A beeping, yelling, barking, snarling mass of life, monkeys and street dogs roam the labyrinth of bustling roadways to lazily relax at hilltop pagodas. All around is ancient architecture with long leaning angles and deep structural scars, the wear and tear of frequent earthquakes evidenced in every edifice and alleyway.

As the crow flies, the isolated mountain villages of southern Solokhumbu are not more than 100 miles away from Kathmandu, but due to the gnarly landscape as well as the cultural and developmental differences, they are not only a three day trip apart, but seem like they could be thousands of miles away, in a far-off undisturbed place preserved in an ancient age.

dZi as an organization are doing what they can to bridge that gap, but unlike many other developmental organizations, they are taking the necessary steps to do everything that they can to preserve the unique culture and general resilience of the region. With community-decision-driven development, they are tackling what are truly the most pressing problems in the region, from sanitation to education. The projects are then being undertaken and overseen by community members in that specific town–not contractors brought in to tell them what they want and acting in their own western-centric interests.

The hardest part of travel is always the readjustment to the norm, the status-quo, but it is even harder to internalize and reflect upon the changes found within just 100 miles. From the serenely peaceful mountainous agrarian communities of Cheskam, powered by human feet, hooves, teamwork and community cohesion, to the seemingly senseless chaos of a smoggy city such as Kathmandu. The contrast is night and day, and only time will tell what happens to these economically, and geographically disadvantaged regions of the world as global development continues in its breakneck pursuit of vertical, horizontal, and cultural expansion.

At Mexicali we find it so important to support grassroots organizations that act on a local level, unearthing the stepping stones to sustainable

development, and ultimately, health and happiness.

Smiles tell all, and they are truly the most powerful form of currency when you find yourself so far from the comfort of your bed, your homeland, and the things that you take for granted. We look forward to continuing our support of dZi in a variety of forms, and are excited to share more with you concerning the construction of this school and many other life-changing programs that are continually being successfully implemented all across the region.

THANK YOU for your support, on behalf of ourselves and dZi, we are excited to see what the future brings.

Just as the prayer flags of the world flitter in the wind, we will continue sending our prayers and support to Nepal.  Mexicali is matching dollar for dollar any donations made to the dZi foundation through this link, up to $25,000. Help us fund the construction of another earthquake proof school in Rok, Solukhumbu.

DONATE NOW

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