Please donate to my Team Dayā fundraising effort – all funds go directly to building schools. If you are curious about Building Change with Team Dayā, please contact our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen.
By Team Dayā member Sean Tan
Prologue:
Let’s cut to the chase—building a school in a remote Nepali village isn’t exactly a luxury vacation in Saint-Tropez. My family and friends raised their eyebrows when I announced my plans. Honestly, I had my doubts too. What had I gotten myself into? Yet, there was a fire in me, a determination to step out of my comfort zone at 50 and check off a big item from my bucket list.
“To give is to receive, and to experience is to live”
My journey to Nepal’s heartland gifted me in abundance. The impact? Tangible. We weren’t just building a school; we were shaping futures, sparking hope in the forgotten corners of a small Nepali village and beyond.
What did I receive in return? A flood of love, joy, and laughter from a tapestry of souls—villagers, kids, my Team Dayā comrades, and buildOn pals. These connections? They’re not chance encounters; they’re lifelong bonds forged in the crucible of a shared mission. For that, I’m forever indebted.
The Village and its Heartbeats:
After soaring 1.5 hrs from Kathmandu and another 2.5 hrs rattling through dusty roads, we landed in the embrace of Hardahani.
Picture this: simple abodes, grazing goats, pecking chickens and fields that whispered tales of hard work. But what truly captivated me? The people. At the welcome bash, their smiles spoke volumes, their dances echoed traditions older than time. They welcomed us not as strangers but as kin, eager to share their world with open arms and in return, learn about ours.
My host family became my sanctuary. Despite the language divide, we found a language in laughter, in the warmth of simple but tasty home cooked meals. Those moments in their humble abode became treasures, etched in the fabric of my being.
The Art of Building Dreams:
Now, let’s talk about that school site—it wasn’t just a plot; it was a canvas amidst golden wheat waves. The actual nitty-gritty of wielding hammers and spades won’t be the focus here, but be sure there were no cranes, no fancy gadgets—just raw grit and communal spirit. Together with the villagers, we dug trenches, hoisted steel bars, mixed cement—all by hand. Sounds gruelling? It was. But in those sweat-drenched hours, something magical happened. Stories intertwined, jokes flew and friendships solidified. We weren’t just laying bricks; we were weaving a tapestry of resilience and unity. We were building a better future together!
The end of one chapter is just the beginning of many to come:
Ah, farewells—a cocktail of tears, laughter, and a touch of bittersweet magic. There was not a dry eye in the village, especially mine, which I swear turned into a miniature waterfall that day! Emotions swirled like a monsoon storm in my heart. Was it the thrill of reshaping the village’s destiny? Or perhaps the joy of lighting up lives? And let’s not forget the tug at my heartstrings as I bid adieu to newfound kindred spirits. Whatever the blend of feelings, one thing’s clear—I’ve left a piece of my heart in the village, and in return, I carry a piece of theirs. It’s the kind of change that whispers, “You’re on the right path, friend!”
Epilogue:
Would I dive into this adventure again?
In a heartbeat, without a second thought.
Should you leap into Team Dayā’s embrace on a trek?
Absolutely, especially if you crave a life-altering journey!
Please donate to my Team Dayā fundraising effort – all funds go directly to building schools.
Three Ways You Can Help
- Make a Donation Online
- Example investment opportunities:
- $100 Five shovels for excavating the school’s solid foundation
- $250 All the nails, nuts, and bolts to build a roof for the school
- $500 In-country mason during the entire construction of the school
- $1,000 Paint for a school
- $40,000 Fund an entire school
- Spread the Word
- Share our mission with your friends, your company and your industry
- Invite us to speak about our mission to your network
- Follow us on our website (subscribe), LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
- Join the Team & Travel on a School Build
- If you have a combination of fundraising chops, an adventurous spirit and the belief each of us has the capacity to be Building Change, get in touch with us and have a conversation.
Team Dayā 2024 Plans
In 2024, we plan to build schools in Nepal (March), Senegal (June 2024) and Guatemala (December 2024). These ground breakings will be our second school in each of these countries.
The exact start dates are:
- Sunday, March 17, 2024 – Nepal (arrive Kathmandu) [groundbreaking completed]
- Sunday, June 23, 2024 – Senegal (arrive Dakar) [full, no more capacity]
- Sunday, December 1, 2024 – Guatemala (arrive Guatemala City) [available]
- A 2025 schedule will be published by this summer.
If you are curious to learn more about joining a build, please reach out to our Head of Recruiting Jaryd Knutsen.
