What a year of homeschool it’s been. One of our favorite discoveries has been that learning happens everywhere, all the time — and nothing has made that clearer than our digital storytelling unit.
Both Ada and Willem created short films centered on life in Nepal. They each chose their own focus, developed a research question, gathered information from books and real-world observation, wrote and rewrote scripts, recorded narration, captured footage around the city, and edited everything into a finished film they’re genuinely proud of.
Along the way, they learned to research carefully, structure a story, think critically about sources, and present ideas with clarity and intention. The biggest lesson? Good storytelling isn’t about flashy effects — it’s about having something worth saying and finding the right way to say it.
We hope you enjoy watching!
Dear Ada and Willem,
Your videos are interesting, informative, and beautifully presented. In other words, simply fantastic!
Willem – the statues are so intricate, full of symbolism and reverence. I was surprised by how large the chisels are; this certainly shows off the skills of the carvers and the importance of transferring knowledge from generation to generation. Also – the gods and goddesses are revered. Do you have particular ones that appeal to you? If so, why? It also makes me want to know more about Hindu and Buddhist deities.
Ada – I’m impressed that you’ve chronicled how important water is – along with the wisdom and practices that have come through time; how all things are interconnected and impermanent. It makes me wonder how the area will react to less water in the future. What are your thoughts about how Kathmandu might look 25, 50 or 100 years from now? Have you experienced additional evidence of these changes now? Some may be subtle.
Both – my goodness, you’ve learned a lot about these subjects, and your videos are effective and interesting. It’s no small feat to put a project like this together. Would you teach me how to create such a video? I would love to be your student!
Grammie and I are counting the days until we see you in April. We KNOW we’ll notice how much you’ve grown inside and out!
Love, hugs, and blessings,
Bappa
These films are amazing! They are so well done and very informative. This trip is such a gift to your children. We love following along . Safe travels Connie & Jerry
Oh mercy! Ada and Willem your digital storytelling is absolutely informative, beautifully portrayed, and leaves me yearning to hear more about your insights and understanding of Nepal. Thank you for sharing. To the parents: Of course, they had to come up with a research question;) Sending radiant energies for your remaining adventures!
Such beautifully crafted pieces! I really appreciated all of the thought that both of you put into these! I have absolutely loved seeing the experiences you have shared with all of us and the knowledge you have gained along this incredible journey!