Progress at Gunjara School

I have written here previously about the new roof for the Gunjara school.  It has now been completed and Chandra, who is working for NEF in Pokhara, has been checking weekly and he reports that they have done an excellent job and that now they are ready to start the painting of the classrooms.  We had decided on washable paint, which although more expensive, lasts so much longer.  Once the Painting is finished then the new desks can be moved in.

This project has been donated by our donors in Qatar, Carol and Keith and their friends.  The desks were donated by the Lauzon family in Duncan and a yoga class in Whistler, BC.  The books were also donated by the Lauzon family in Duncan.  These types of projects really make a difference to the lives of so many village children.  

Yesterday, Saturday, Mann and some of our NEF students attended a big rally for children supported by charities.  It was held in the big stadium in Kathmandu.  It was a day promoting peace and children's rights.  There was a 3 km running race with approximately 500 participants.  NEF student, Prakash from the SBCH home came 2nd, NEF student Resika came 4th and her brother Khusal came 7th.  Little Suman also participated in the race and held his own with the bigger kids.  There were no age categories.  Mann also participated and is suffering with stiff muscles or as he says "My muscles are in a jam".

They all enjoyed the day.

River Tragedy in Pokhara

Last Saturday the Seti River flooded killing at least 26 people with many more missing.  Homes and livestock were also washed away.  The flood is believed to have been caused by an avalanche.
Fortunately no NEF children or family members were affected.  We have quite a few families who work in the river collecting rocks for the quarry.  Fortunately this happened on a Saturday which is a holiday in Nepal.  Also the fast approaching flood of the river was seen by a pilot who radioed the airport and the alert was sent out.  Otherwise many more lives would have been lost.
One of our Rotary friends who runs a technical college in Pokhara lost two students.  The students had gone for a picnic and these two had gone down to the river to collect firewood and were washed away by the huge wave.  One of their bodies were found but not the other.  Our deepest sympathies go to their family and friends at the college.