歷經一連串的班機延誤和長途轉乘，我終於到達了尼泊爾首都加德滿都。接著轉搭國內線前往博卡拉的路途中，我又遭遇了一次班機延誤，但最終我還是成功到達了偏遠的學校。在這裡，我看到了六十多位來自台灣的志工一同投入服務的場景。我問一位長年在偏鄉耕耘的老師，為什麼他會一直回來這個地方。他回答說：「越窮的地方，我越需要去幫忙！」。
我們的志工團隊不僅在尼泊爾，還長年資助印度德里貧民窟、泰北偏鄉等地區的學校建設。但我們面臨了許多問題，例如如何建立醫療系統、提升師資素質所需的花費、擴建學校宿舍等。當我走後，我希望這些台灣的投資仍然能夠持續投入到培育下一代的計劃中。
晚餐後，我們一起分享著一天的工作和遇到的趣事，互相幫助。這讓我想起了七年前在尼泊爾大地震後的志工經驗，我們當時協助畫地震位移後的新村莊地圖、搬運掉落的磚頭、教學生英文和繪畫，甚至在清晨擠牛奶到山下賣。即使我們住在只有鐵皮屋的環境中，但我們的心卻是暖暖的。回想起來真是一段美好的回憶。感恩有機會參與如此有意義的服務，接下來再繼續與大家分享。
After experiencing several flight delays and a layover of more than ten hours, I finally arrived in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Then, I continued to transfer to a domestic flight to Pokhara, but the flight was delayed again… After finally arriving, I continued to take a two-hour car ride through the dusty roads of the countryside to reach the rural school. I arrived near dusk after shaking and bouncing along the way.
I was very happy to see more than sixty Taiwanese volunteers serving here together. I asked a teacher who has been working in the rural area for many years how he decided to keep coming back for more than ten years. He said, “I go to the poorest places!”
We have built schools in slums in Delhi, India, and rural areas in northern Thailand with our long-term support. But now, we are also facing many problems, such as how to establish a medical system, increase the cost of teacher training, and expand school dormitories. When I leave in the future, I will continue to invest in plans to cultivate the next generation of Taiwan.
After everyone finished dinner, they shared their experiences of the day and helped each other, as well as the interesting things they encountered. It reminded me of the various experiences I had while serving in the countryside after the Nepal earthquake seven years ago. During the two weeks of service, we helped draw a map of the new village after the earthquake, assisted in carrying fallen bricks, taught English and painting to students, and milked cows in the morning to sell them down the mountain.
Although I slept in a tin shed that kept letting in the cold wind, my heart was warm. Looking back, it was a wonderful memory. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in such meaningful service, and I will continue to share with everyone.
