Maya Universe AcademyNetherlands

Maya Homecoming

For those who haven’t visited Maya Universe Academy, my words may seem a bit mystical or even exaggerated, but volunteering at this school located in the heart of a jungle does in reality feel like you slipped through the cracks of time and landed in a foreign place that shuns all that’s wrong with our world and instead promotes kindness, understanding, and most importantly love.

Here I was in Nepal again. My second time in a country that left such an impression on me that I almost felt destined to set foot in it once again. I reached Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan airport and immediately felt the same energy that infected me last year stream through my veins like a magical potion. I was home again, and this wonderful feeling was all because of a school that embraced me ever so warmly the year before and allowed me to be a teacher, a friend, and a brother to everyone who walked its grounds and called it home.

For those who haven’t visited Maya Universe Academy, my words may seem a bit mystical or even exaggerated, but volunteering at this school located in the heart of a jungle does in reality feel like you slipped through the cracks of time and landed in a foreign place that shuns all that’s wrong with our world and instead promotes kindness, understanding, and most importantly love.

That’s why I knew I would return. The love that I felt deep within this jungle transformed my life and ultimately made me a better person. So when I left the airport and took the six-hour Jeep ride to the school, I was excited to be back in the community and eager to see my young brothers and sisters again. I wanted to share with them all that has changed in my life and hear all that changed in theirs.
I reached the campus on October 26thright in-time for the Tihar celebration. Last year I officially became a Nepali brother when one of the student-teachers, Srijana, colored my forehead with Tika and accepted me as her guardian. This year we renewed our bond and before the sun set behind the cascading hills we had all danced till our feet were sore and our hearts were filled with the never-ending love that defined Nepali culture.

When school started a couple of days later, I felt like I had never left this community. The foot paths of the jungle curved through the thickness of the trees and every student I met on my way hugged me tightly, thanked me for coming back, and shared their stories with me as if we hadn’t even skipped a beat.

In my first classes, we dove into the challenges we faced during our time apart. I was honest and vulnerable with them despite their young age, and I could tell from the look in their eyes that they appreciated my honesty and respected my vulnerability.

Before long I was back to the same routine that sparked a creative edge in me. I was motivated by the community, challenged by my students, and inspired by how the school grew up ever so subtly since last year.

The main school building had sprouted a new floor, the basketball court was finally ready for some competitive action, and a new hostel building was being painted eager to house a legion of new Mayans. Most of the improvements done to the campus were credited to selfless volunteers, do-gooders determined to make a difference and leave an impact just like me.

At one point the school harbored more than 30 volunteers and it’s amazing what can be accomplished when everyone is united to achieve the same goal. During the day, each of us tended to our appointed tasks with a smile on our face while hoping that our work will end up making a difference in someone’s life.

We taught science, English, math. We helped in construction, planted spinach, taught guitar, played football, basketball, volleyball and before long just like I found a home in this community, all of the other volunteers felt the same way.

It’s been over a month since I came back to Maya, and just like last year I’m already dreading the moment when I have to leave this wholesome community behind and go back to my own life. If I had to choose one Mayan experience that encapsulates the time I spent here and shows the true nature of this community, it will have to be the morning circle.

Right before school starts, students, teachers, and volunteers all gather in the school playground holding hands in a giant circle. We all close our eyes for a minute and meditate on our day to come. It’s in this lonely minute that I feel grateful to have found this place, proud to call myself a Mayan, and honored to be holding the hands of my fellow brothers and sisters.

When the minute passes, we hug the person to our right, and then the one to our left and before long we all start our day, teaching, learning, and working hard towards bringing a brighter future to a community and a country that is filled with hope and teeming with potential that I have no doubt that it will one day realize.