CULTURE
Dark Days in Kathmandu
(The following letter arrived this week from Mary Sanders, a Peace Corps
volunteer in Nepal.)
Kathmandu, September 13 --
I want to update you on some things that have
been going on here. As some of you know, the situation has been getting increasingly
worse in Nepal over the last few months. Two weeks ago, Kathmandu erupted
in riots and vandalism after 12 Nepalis were murdered after being kidnapped
by Iraqi militants. This caused widespread destruction all over the city.
Also that same week, the offices of two of our volunteers were approached
by the Maoists about the presence of the volunteers. The Maoists asked the
NGOs (non-government aid officials) not to have any American presence at their
offices so the volunteers were brought into Kathmandu to await new postings.
Finally, last Friday, two bombs were thrown into the complex of the American
Center (which helps Nepalis to go abroad for further study). They caused some
damage to the outside buildings inside the gate. This marks a change in the
attitudes of the Maoists towards Americans, which have never been targeted
in the 8 years of the conflict.
The day after the bombing, all the volunteers were asked to consolidate regionally
with their bags packed. This morning we found out that the Peace Corps/Nepal
program will be suspended for at least 6 months. All the volunteers will be
brought into Kathmandu this week where we will depart for Bangkok this weekend
to close our service over the following few days.
This weekend and today have been particularly difficult as I try to wrap my
mind around leaving and saying goodbyes in so short of a time period. Today
was a very emotional day for both volunteers and staff. Many of the staff
will not be able to stay on as the program will be working at minimal staffing
levels during the duration of the suspension.
Even the staff who will stay on right now may not be able to after some time. My heart really goes out to all our Nepali staff. They have been so wonderful throughout all of this process, although their minds are on their own future too.
It will be an emotional transition, one that I will be sharing with the 90
other volunteers posted in Nepal. I am not ready to say goodbye and leave.
However, I now have 5 days to do just that with my Nepali family, the offices
that I have worked at, and other friends.
The Peace Corps departure from Nepal is a significant event. We have been
in Nepal for 42 years without any interruption. All the Nepalis I have talked
to know that this is a serious event and many are even more worried about
what the future of their country is if aid organizations continue to leave.
It is an extremely difficult and emotional time for all the volunteers and
Nepalis. I ask for your thoughts and prayers for everyone here who has been
affected by this evacuation.
I haven't decided what I will do after our Bangkok procedures are though,
but I will be returning to America sooner than I had expected. I am grateful
that I do have grad school starting in January so that I will have something
to do next. I hope to see some of you all soon as I hope to do some traveling
in the States when I return home.
Take care,
Mary
