THANK YOU FOR INSPIRING ME
Ten years ago I wandered into the sleepy village of Begnas Tal, Nepal to volunteer on a coffee farm. I never thought the two people I would meet there would change my life. Surya Adikhari and his wife Saraswati Adhikari welcomed me, as they did many other western volunteers. They started calling me Babu (son) and I called them Ama (mother) and Buwa (father). I spent one month on the farm alongside two good friends from America and other international volunteers. Our days consisted of helping with chores and processing the annual coffee harvest. It was this experience that made me fall in love with Nepal.
The day I left was the day I wanted to return. I spent the next three years living a very blissful life, traveling and working in different corners of the globe. But my mind was always on that farm in Begnas and the two smiling faces that accepted me as family.
April 25, 2015 Nepal was rocked by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Once I heard where the epicenter of the quake hit, I visualized that sleepy village and the fragile houses constructed of rock and mud. Tears ran down my face as I thought of Ama and Buwa. Were they okay? I must go.
Shortly after hitting the tarmac in Kathmandu I rang Ama. Relief rushed over me hearing her voice. She was okay. Buwa was okay. The house was damaged but habitable. I caught the first bus out of the dusty city to that tranquil hillside 150 miles away.
The next eight years I became closer with these two amazing people. They have taught me about coffee, Nepali history, and life as a Nepali farmer. But most importantly they have taught me how to be a better person. Life happens. We have struggles, challenges, heartbreak and loss. We fall in love, have times of great joy, pleasure and happiness. I am no different. No matter what happens in my life, that farm and those two people are always there patiently awaiting my return. This place is my constant.
Ama and Buwa are activists of preserving their heritage, village lifestyle and giving opportunities to the next generation. Buwa established an agriculture school in 2018 to teach young Nepalis about the importance of sustainable organic agriculture. I am proud that Elevate Nepal has had the ability to support this important initiative.
I have had the great pleasure to start importing Buwa’s coffee to America to help perpetuate his dream. When brainstorming brand names for the coffee, there was only one that fit, Sapana Coffee (Dream Coffee). Buwa’s beautiful smiling face is on the coffee bag.
Last week I left Ama and Buwas farm, deciding to walk the two hours down the hill to the local bazaar to catch the bus back to the city. It was an absolutely brilliant day, the high Himalayan Mountains shining and the lakes glistening below. Stopping to take it all in, I reflected on my ten years of coming to this place. As I stared up the hill in the direction of Ama and Buwa’s house I said aloud, thank you for inspiring me.
Namaste,
Danny Babu
