This summer, the book titled 'Microsoft Dekhi Bahundanda Samma' seemed very prominent at the book stalls in New Road. I had heard a lot about the author John Wood mainly from my husband. John was a graduate of a Kellogg Business School, the same Business School my husband was going to be attending that fall of ‘08. However tempted I was to read the Nepali version, I resisted and decided to the read the original book. From my previous experience on the translated books, it felt like the messages were unintentionally diluted. Afraid, that was going to be a case for this one; I decided to wait to read the original version by John Wood himself.
Upon returning to the US, I was ecstatic to finally read the book. John Wood was going to be coming at Kellogg Business School in 2 weeks and I wanted to finish it prior his visit. I started reading the book and visualized the greenery expounded my John during his hike to Annapurna. Recently on our trip back home, we had managed to go to the Everest Base Camp. Topics such as poverty and illiteracy mentioned by John in the book were not by means any surprise to us as we had both witnessed during our Trek. For instance - One thing that John seemed to have taken by awe was the fact that children had to walk almost two -three miles to get to school. We had encountered bunch of little children during our trek who did not seem to mind to walk 2 hours every day to get the education. They struggle and yet, seem happy and here we are, with all the amenities and yet we complain! It had struck me then and the same feeling hit me again as I read the book.
This book was a mixture of emotional and inspirational journey for both my husband and I. Realizing how much struggle there is back home makes me feel sad. Unlike many girls from Nepal, I have been very lucky with the education. Having gotten a chance to study in an International School in Tokyo with students from 35 different nationalities has always taught me a lesson not to take things for granted. While children in the poverty stricken part are struggling with house chores and school work, I have been fortunate finish the studies without any struggle. The most striking part to me while reading this book was the effort put by John Wood. Then, John was simply a trekker who had taken some time off from his busy schedule and upon seeing the dire need of education in our poor villages, he had decided to help the kids. Led by the theme, “World’s change starts with educated children,” Room to Read has successfully celebrated its 10th anniversary and recently opened a project in Bangladesh and Zambia and heading strong.
John is an American who decided to do so much for the country only after one visit. I felt ashamed to have lived and travelled abroad and not having being able to help the poor children who are in dire need of help. 2 years ago, my husband and I had donated 150 dollars to sponsor a study of a child in Dang and that is only thing we had done so far. For many Nepali living abroad, 150 in merely a lot of money. You go to a nice restaurant, have a good wine and voila, the bill could be potentially larger than this.
The most memorable part of this book is simply close the eyes and be able to empathize with the little children after opening a school in their villages. Upon finishing the book, I wrote to John Wood. I wanted to meet with him and talk to him personally. His talk at Kellogg was very vibrant and what an energetic person he was. During the Q and A session, I thanked him on behalf of Nepal and asked him what I, as a privileged woman could do to help spread the word of Room to Read. “Pass the words to as many people as possible" was his humble reply. Room to Read has recently started the project in Bangladesh and Zambia. I am currently involved with the Chicago Chapter to raise funds. Along with my husband and my brother in law we are also planning to raise money to get involved with a project in Humla.
I am in touch John and will be meeting him again in April. His words are inspiring and it has motivated me to get involved in this organization. It has made me focus on importance of education in our part of the world. It only takes 250 to fund a child for schooling and takes 10,000 to open a library. I would strongly urge everyone to Read John’s book and instill the value of education and make a difference in people’s life. Please plant the seed of education to our new generation who are going to be the next leaders
“To a world you maybe a person, but to a person, you may be their world"
