Nice for Looking, but not for Living

By Jesper Lambæk og Carsten Skjoldborg

We can see them from afar, but not until we get closer, it dawns on us that the crowd of people stands ready to receive us. The sight is overwhelming. With snow capped mountains in the background are the villagers in a row with orange flowers in their hands to welcome us.
First we get flower garlands around our necks. Then we welcome in turn each with a NAMASTE (I salute you) while we hold our palms against each other in front of the face, bowing our heads slightly while we receive the orange flowers.

Now it is Beema’s turn to tell about our mission. First and foremost so the 9-year-old Suba can see the village, he comes from and meet his relatives. Secondly to make a film about children's conditions and rights in Nepal for Danish schoolchildren

A spokesman offers Suba welcome. They are overwhelmed with joy to see him and welcome him into their midst. He will always have a home with them.
Then he turns against us. We are the first white tourists who have visited them, and it means a lot for the village.

One of the residents invites us all home to a hot cup of buffalo milk. From the house and yard in the 3500 meters altitude, the view is fantastic, which we tell Beema. "Nice for looking, but not for living" sounds Beema’s dry comment.
And we have repeatedly discovered that she is right. Life is not easy in the countryside in Nepal. Housing conditions are poor, poor educational opportunities, work is hard and exhausting and the risk of sale or theft of children for prostitution and child labour high.

In an attempt to remedy some of these issues Beema began to take orphans - first privately, and now it has evolved into a real orphanage with 21 children.

That is why we are in the small village in the high mountains with two of the orphanage children Soubas and Kushi. They must indeed be protagonists in the teaching material on children's rights and conditions in Nepal and Denmark, which we, in collaboration with the Institute for Human Rights is renewing for Danida: The Game of Chances

Beema met Soubas when he was four years old and working as a dishwasher in a teahouse in Kathmandu. She bought him out and took him away. Today he and Koushi are living examples of what is needed to improve conditions for children and allow them the possibility of a dignified life.

In January, it will be possible to meet Soubas and Koushi (meaning happiness) and some of the actors in their lives and discover the games of chances, which has helped to give them the opportunity to get a better life. The entire material will be available digitally.
Youth Town also offers teacher and student courses in the Game of Chances.