After two extraordinary weeks in Nepal, I return home forever changed. The people’s warmth, generosity, and resilience touched me in ways I never expected.
My journey took me into classrooms, universities, and colleges, where I shared knowledge and supported students. I worked closely with special education schools, providing autism training and communication systems for non-speaking children. I visited senior homes, countless temples, and led a yoga class for 100 non-English-speaking adults.
But what shaped me the most was living within the Nepalese communities—staying in homes, sharing meals, and spending time in an orphanage with 37 beautiful children who shifted my perspective on life.
Nepal is a country of immense light. Its people are kind and giving, their spirituality deeply rooted, and their sense of community unwavering. From the moment I arrived, I felt embraced by a culture that prioritizes connection, education, and well-being. I witnessed firsthand the power of resilience and joy, even in the face of challenges.
Yet, where there is great light, there is also shadow. Nepal faces profound socioeconomic, political, and environmental struggles. I saw families working tirelessly to provide for their children, students fighting for access to education, and entire communities navigating the impacts of poverty. The streets are a chaotic dance of motorbikes, buses, cows, and people, all moving with an unspoken rhythm that somehow works.
But nothing could have prepared me for my final day in Nepal. What should have been a simple ride to the airport turned into a harrowing experience. A peaceful protest escalated into violent unrest—gunfire, tear gas, burning vehicles, and streets filled with fear and uncertainty. Roads were blocked, and I was trapped for 3 hours, with time slipping away to make my flight and the violence coming closer to my taxi.
I won’t minimize the fear I felt in that moment. But then, something extraordinary happened. With no way forward, an unexpected solution emerged, curated by my hosts who were in contact with me, trying to help me escape. They sent an ambulance, sirens blaring. 2 men jumped out, grabbed my luggage and rushed me into the back of the ambulance. They told me to lie under a blanket and stay quiet, and within minutes, sirens continuing, we pushed through the chaos to the airport. It felt like something out of a movie.
Even in the darkness, the light of Nepal shone through. Strangers became protectors. New friends became my heroes. People acted selflessly to ensure my safety. Amidst the tension, there was kindness, courage, and humanity.
This journey has been a powerful reminder that light and shadow exist side by side—not just in Nepal, but everywhere, within every society and every human heart. Nepal is a country committed to peace and growth, and I hold deep prayers for its continued transformation. I do not claim to understand Nepal fully, but I have been immersed in its beauty and its struggles. And I will return.
Squamish resident Diana Lockett is a local speech language pathologist, author and spiritual coach.
