Charles’ Story
“Having travelled around Nepal and parts of India in a free-spirited way, your eyes are open to so many awful challenges people face. I have seen just how vulnerable an environment can be for any orphaned, abandoned, or disadvantaged person. Poverty, disability, and lack of help can lead to a short and hard life. To see how children’s resilience can be ‘set on fire’ by a basic loving home, food, and medical needs (allowing them to blossom through education into whatever they decide to do) is so rewarding.”
I’ll begin this story by setting the scene somewhat, if I may. My family ran a hotel in Market Harborough from the mid 1950’s to 1985. An old Coaching Inn: The Angel Hotel, which is sadly no longer open as an historic coaching Inn. They were hectic times, running the hotel, bars, and restaurants. Looking back, we had some amazing and rewarding times, including supporting local charities and donating Christmas cakes to local hospitals.
The hospitality trade was not the easiest profession to be in from a social point of view, but I was very fortunate to meet my wife Anne through the hotel. After we married, we had two lovely children and went on to have 54 wonderful years together. We left the hotel business in 1985 and decided to stay in Market Harborough. I ran the catering for the two local hospitals for a couple of years, then had a short spell away with Trusthouse Forte Hotels. I eventually decided to return home for family reasons however, and found employment in Market Harborough with the Royal Mail.
In 2002, a friend saw an advert for a trek in Nepal on behalf of Youth Hostel Association UK. He asked me: “Do you fancy a 10 day fundraising trek in Nepal?” It Sounded fun, and maybe a challenge was what I needed at the time. My interest grew, so I decided to make the most of the trip, traveling to Nepal two weeks before the fundraising trek and staying a further week or so after.
The trekking company had included in their information details of a trekking guide called Ram who was helping some orphaned children in Nepal. I contacted him and met him in Kathmandu. Ram took me out to meet the 10 children and their two disabled carers he supported in a house called the Hope Centre. I had brought pencils, exercise books, and some money. The house was dilapidated and to my western eyes, derelict. They lived in 4 rooms and a kitchen.
The children, aged from between about 2 and 11, were from mountain villages, and their plight was the result of the civil war at the time between the Maoists and the Royal Family. If the village men got taken and killed by the Maoists, then the women and children were left to fend for themselves, many moving to Kathmandu hoping for a better life. This left them very vulnerable. The children were making chalk on the roof to try and raise money to keep them in the house. It seemed to me a heart-breaking situation. Equally though, they seemed to be happy and making the best of it. It was indeed, by far, preferable to being out on the streets.
Although moved by what I had seen, my real focus was on seeing the sights and scenery of Kathmandu and the country of Nepal. I was introduced to a young man called Bipin, who showed me around the city, and gosh did that open my eyes to what lay ahead. I had planned to fly up to Lukla and visit part of the route to the Everest region, but the Maoists had blown up the control tower. I instead ended up in the Annapurna region, flying into and heading out of Pokhara. I was helped as to what I needed to do by locals and told I should be fine as it was a route in the lower hills. However, what is easy for a Nepalese person most certainly wasn’t for this trekking novice. It proved to be far more of a challenge than expected, with a Nepalese local getting me down an icy hillside that I would have never achieved myself. Other incidents also showed me the kindness, but positivity of the Nepalese people.. So, locals and other trekkers got me round and back to Pokhara. My mind filled with many stunning and amazing scenery. Then back to Kathmandu.
I then joined the fundraising YHA trek of 38 people from the UK. Ram was one of the guides, and part of his objective was to raise funds for the children while on the treks as a guide. Having met the children and Ram, we made a point of talking about my visit to the Hope Centre and the children whose memory had stayed with me. After the trek, several of the trekkers whom I had become friendly with wanted to go and meet the children. We all spent time with them, playing, talking, and listening to and understanding their stories. I think it was during this time when the seeds were sown to ask ourselves: ‘could we do more?!’.
Back home, we all kept in contact. Following many discussions we eventually met Lynne McCutcheon, whom Ram had mentioned as an English lady he knew and who already supported some children. From that point the decision was made to set up a charity and raise funds, and as they say, the rest is history.
At this point I had realised I had joined a group of people with professions and expertise that were needed to move on to setting up the charity, particularly one supporting such vulnerable individuals so far away. The next few years saw me be part of an enthusiastic and excited group of volunteers. One might say ‘magically’ putting together all the necessary administrative details to set up the charity, as well as continuing with their jobs and families. I was, and still am, amazed how an ex-hotelier and postman found his way on such an amazing journey.
I mentioned before that I was married. My wife Anne soon decided that hearing all about Nepal and the children was not enough, and from the early days decided she wanted to be involved. In fact, I would say, along with her great communication with the children and their carers and the Nepali locals, her support (I now realise) was the hidden strength behind my part in the charity.
We visited (as did all the trustees) Nepal and the children many times. Hence us all personally knowing the children throughout the years. This was the real ‘backbone’ of being personally involved and something I felt was often lacking in other charities. Anne was this attractive smart lady, with silver hair and a wonderful warm personality. To the children she was the mother or grandparent they did not have. She spent many hours with the young ones on her knees and giving hugs and cuddles, always with her mother’s hat on when giving advice.
In 2004 the children were moved from a rented home into a brand-new Hope Centre. This was built using a very generous donation. The trustees’ decision was to go beyond just providing a home and money by ensuring food, education, medical needs, and a place where the children could grow up as fully rounded people were provided (so that they could move onto independent lives).
For me the most rewarding thing has been, and still is, knowing and meeting all the children over the years. Having travelled around Nepal and parts of India in a free-spirited way, your eyes are open to so many awful challenges people face. I have seen just how vulnerable an environment can be for any orphaned, abandoned, or disadvantaged person. Poverty, disability, and lack of help can lead to a short and hard life. To see how children’s resilience can be ‘set on fire’ by a basic loving home, food, and medical needs (allowing them to blossom through education into whatever they decide to do) is so rewarding.
Looking back on the 10 children of 2002, all I can say is ‘doesn’t time fly?’. Myself, fellow trustees, and supporters have seen countless children ‘fly the nest’ and blossom in a way they probably never expected. Their enthusiasm (be it music, dance, or when they were dressing Anne in a Sari) is infectious, and there’s pride in what they achieve no matter how small or great that is. They also look after one another, which is wonderful to see. I have seen and experienced Nepal’s many extraordinary festivals, beliefs, history, and devotion of life around and amongst so many gods and places of worship. Behind this cultural dedication hides so many disadvantages however, and so New Futures Nepal will continue its work to empower this wonderful nation.
After many years I am still emotional every time I visit and leave Nepal. From when a friend asked if I fancied a trek to Nepal, to meeting and being associated with some amazing people and (above all) the people and children in Nepal, has been a real journey. A journey that just happened, just evolved, and hopefully will continue. Sadly now without my wife Anne.
Charles Barton
“We visited (as did all the trustees) Nepal and the children many times. Hence us all personally knowing the children throughout the years. This was the real ‘backbone’ of being personally involved and something I felt was often lacking in others charities. Anne was this attractive smart lady, with silver hair and a wonderful warm personality. To the children she was the mother or grandparent they did not have. She spent many hours with the young ones on her knees and giving hugs and cuddles, always with her mother’s hat on when giving advice.”