Tom Macindoe-Organic farm Review

Tom Macindoe-Organic farm Review

To my dear family at the “SJSK-Nepal”,

Wow, what a beautiful 9 days I have experienced here…from the moment I turned down the narrow laneway heading for the centre, and was met with a love-crush of little people calling me brother, I felt at ease and very much at home in this peaceful part of the sprawling Kathmandu Valley. It’s certainly a special place…and I’m sure I’m not the first volunteer to say I wish I could have stayed-on longer!

To Sujan and the family- you’ve certainly created a terrific place here..you’re doing wonders, providing such a warm, friendly environment for eleven beautiful (and no doubt very lucky) kids. From the nourishing vegetarian staple of dal bhat (in which I certainly ate my fair share), the group meditation and mantra chanting in the evenings, the camaraderie between and respect for each other,the sing songs, creativity and artwork, endless smiles and laughter, fun and games etc…it just seems so right…you’re onto something special here, that’s for sure!

As you can see this place has left a pretty big impression on me…I’ve never spent time volunteering in an environment like this and I must admit, I was nervous to begin with but this soon disappeared and its become one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve certainly shared on my year of travel (and indeed in my 26 years of existence!).

To top it off, you’ve also provided many options not only just to help out in the home and with the kids, but to also experience farm life in the Kathmandu Valley, work in medical institutions, stays in monasteries, volunteer in schools etc. One of my real passions and reasons for travel has been to deepen my knowledge of and hands-on experience in organic farming, and low-and-behold I was able to satisfy this during my stay here too, where I spent much of my time during daylight hours working with two wonderful Nepali men, Jasman and Dewan and their families on the organic market garden that lies within 100 metres from the centre. Not unlike the centre, it’s a green utopia within the urban sprawl of the Kathmandu Valley. I was fortunate enough to work alongside them to help cultivate their livelihoods growing crops like tomatoes, beans, coriander, spring onions, beets etc. I’ve made good friends with these great people too, and wish them all the very best in growing the future!

So it’s all good here at the SJSK-Nepal…I will endeavor to spread the word amongst fellow travelers…hopefully many volunteers will pass through your doors leaving with good memories that will stay with them for life.

Although for now it’s see you later…I’m pretty sure that one day I’ll be back for another stay! So thank you again all of you wonderful people for an amazing experience. It sounds a little cheesy yes, but you’re all in my heart. Lots of love from your Australian Brother.

Tom.