My name is Doug Baker. I am 49 years of age and I live in Perth, Western Australia. I have two kids, both boys and I am divorced. My adventure started many years ago as a child, first reading about Everest and the mountains of Nepal but that turned into a fascination and desire to travel to Nepal. I never wanted to do the package trip where I get to see all the sights but learn nothing of the people. I wanted to learn about the people and to experience how they live. I found out about Take on Nepal from Facebook and thought it was exactly what I was looking for. I am 49 and I have never been overseas so as you can imagine I was one nervous traveller, everything was a challenge and I was nervous as hell! But, from the moment I stepped out of the Kathmandu airport, the first thing I saw was the “Take on Nepal” sign and from that moment until the day I left, I felt safe and was treated not like a guest but as family.
I have had the most amazing experience during my two weeks in Batase. The village changed me in ways that I am still discovering. I was not prepared for what was the most challenging aspect, teaching! It was not easy especially as I was teaching such smart kids who don’t look at the world with a Western “woe is me” attitude. The kids are full of life and are the most respectful kids I have met, don’t get me wrong, if they can get swindle an extra chocolate or sticker out of you they will but they are kind and always up for a song and dance and a game of soccer.
I have come back a better man and a better human, I am sure that everyone who choses to go and do this will be better as well. After my time in Batase, I did the Poon Hill Trek and loved every minute of the hike. My guide Sun, and porter Samjhana were great, they informed me on what was interesting but let me relax and enjoy my hike. One of the best things was Samjhana, she was a young lady from the village and she carried my pack for five days, a truly amazing young lady who has had a very difficult start in life but looks at the world with laughter and with a positive attitude, we can all learn from her. Take on Nepal has given her the opportunity to have a life and not to be a victim of the child trafficking in Nepal. Take on Nepal are saving hundreds of children from the same fate. If you choose to go it will be the most rewarding experience of your life and in doing so you will help people and kids to break the cycle of human trafficking. I will not be surprised to see the first female prime minister of Nepal come from Batase! I fully endorse “Take on Nepal” as I have seen with my own eyes the good they are doing. Do yourself a favour and experience it for yourself.
~ Doug Baker (December, 2016)