Final report Alexandra Niedersteiner

My time inLadakh from October 2009 to January 2010

Actually I did not know at the beginning of the trip to Leh at all what to expect. One fancies something, creates pictures in ones mind of country, people and also the organisation. And I thought I had an idea of what to expect by having read many reports about the work.

Then suddenly I sit in the office of the "Ladakh-Hilfe" in Leh, tiredly from the preparations at home, killed by the long trip, overpowered by this breathtaking flight over these mountains and happily meeting with the new German-speaking colleagues, who have prepared a really nice welcome breakfast for me.

And, nevertheless, I was in absolute confusion at the beginning: The breaking away from my family at home still lingered, and now I war right in the middle of the new, long-desired and exciting adventure I had prepared for.

And as I found out, it remained new and exciting up to the end. Now, shortly before my departure, I carry peaceful feelings toward the country and the people and the work, it fills my heart and thoughts every day anew and I find it astonishing.

No day passed in which I had to stop anew, impressed by something like the scenery around Leh or the joy and happiness of small patients made simply happy. A lot of the challenges brought me to my limit, but I enjoyed the work with the children tremendously.

It has moved me from the beginning how much has happened and developed within the work of the German organisation Ladakh-Hilfe in Ladakh. The fact that the German organisation has grown into the the local NGO REWA Society and has done so much for the children with disability is amazing. There is a contact point at the RAC Centre for affected parents and also very good contact with other like-minded families has been established. And of course, a well trained team of local employees organises the work and gives it stability.

This project was small in the beginning; it has grown a lot and still has lots of possibilities to grow. The work as a physiotherapist in Ladakh is very nice and so much different as we know it in Germany. It gives me pleasure to use my occupation in a new way and challenge, while at the same time getting to know another culture and being confronted with severe degrees of illnesses. Besides, the winter was a good experience. The fact that we could not turn the heater on like back home confronted us with the hardness of local nature and the cheerfulness and calmness of the people under all circumstances. One learns to be content in the simplicity of the life. Striving for bigger does not exist and the absence of such thoughts during my work in Ladakh is like rest for my mind.

Hopefully I can hold on to this rest and the balance, and the cheerfulness of the population will linger in my life. Also the friendship which was established among us volunteers far away from our native country is deep and will endure.

I am glad to have participated in this sympathetic project and was of a help with my time and profession. I thank all the people that supported and accompanied in the distance ideally. Thanks also to my brother who has undertaken a long journey to accompany me during Christmas and New Year.

The time in Ladakh, the work with the children and with an intercultural team was a very special experience!