Leaving for Nepal

I am leaving for Nepal in less than two weeks now on the 9th of February. When I am in Nepal I will be updating this blog very regularly so you can follow what I am doing and where I am in Nepal.
I still have a lot of fees outstanding. The deadline is February 15th. I really have to stick to this so anyone who has not paid by this date I will replace with a new sponsor. This may sound a little ruthless but it is just too difficult for me to manage otherwise. I have new sponsors to place with children and I cannot do this until I know who is not renewing. Last year we had a lot of problems over this so hence the deadline and sticking to it.
Thank you to everyone who has paid and you will receive an update on your child when I am there.

Anne's Visit to Nepal

As Susan said in her previous blog I had the pleasure of traveling to Nepal last month.
What a beautiful and magical country! It was wonderful to finally meet Kamal in person and to see the Save Blessing Child's Home. I met many of the people Susan works with there and I was struck by how well known she is and how much respect they all have for her. I was also AWESTRUCK when I saw first hand the amount of work that has been accomplished since she started this whole project!
It was wonderful to meet the children at the orphanage. They were all so happy and healthy looking. It is truly a family home and Kamal's extended family who live there are the reason why. Kamal took the time to show us around to several families and schools in both Kathmandu and Pokhara and I felt so reassured afterwards that Kamal is doing an amazing job and this project is having a huge impact on the lives of the children involved. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported this charity - rest assured your money is being very well spent and you are making a real difference!

A Sponsor Visits Nepal

Last month one of the sponsors visited Nepal with her family. She visited some children in Kathmandu and Pokhara. She toured two schools where we have children sponsored, a government and a private school. They also visited the orphanage and spent a lot of time with Kamal who toured them around. She was very impressed with our work and says she has a much better idea now of what we are doing and what we are accomplishing here.

Recent photos from Pokhara

Photos received last week from Pokhara. On the left Maya, Ganga and Mankumari (all sponsored) with their mother and little sister. On the right a mother with her two daughters who are waiting to be sponsored.

Leaving for Nepal

I am leaving for Nepal on February 6th. If you wish to send a letter or small gift to your child please get it to me by the end of Janaury.
All new sponsors will matched with children during this time and I will let you know as soon as you have been matched. I have a lap top computer now which should make life easier for me as I will be able to keep up to date daily instead of having to do it all when I get home.
If you have not paid your 2008 fee yet it is due by February 15th and if I could have most fees paid by the time I leave it would make it easier for us.
If you do not wish to renew please let me know so I can plan to put a new sponsor in your place.

Merry Christmas with lots of Thanks

As we are now into December I think it is time to say Merry Christmas. I also at this time wish to thank all of our sponsors for their support this year. I appreciate you all as without you I could not do the work that I love so much. As you all know from the newsletter and reading this blog we have accomplished a lot during the year and this will continue into 2008.
There are some businesses I would like to thank:

Chemainus Animal Hospital - Lori and Jay have been supporting us for sometime now.
Eggplant Inspiration - an internet card company http://www.eggplantinspiration.com/
Body Beautiful/Sun Rayz a beauty salon in Ontario
Orca Book Publishers who are in the process of sending children's books to Nepal for us to distribute
An apartment rental company and I do not know their name in Ontario

I hope these businesses do not mind me mentioning their names but we do truly appreciate your support.

A very big thank you to Larry who has taken over all my beer and pop recycling chores. This has been a huge job for me for years and now Larry picks up the many garbage bags of cans that are donated, cleans and takes them all back for me. Money from things like this help pay admin costs so that no money comes out of your donation and sponsor money for postage, computer ink etc.
This charity's base for all our work is from individuals who care about the children in Nepal and the help we are giving to educate them. We have sponsors from age 6 years to the late 80's and I am often very touched by the generosity of our sponsors. One example: two little girls who give up getting and buying presents so that they can sponsor two children in Nepal.
So everyone young, old and in between seasons greeting and many, many thanks.

Susan and Bob

Another Sponsor Meets their Child

It is always good when a sponsor gets to meet their sponsored child and their family. That happened today when Jim met his child, Bijaya. He visited with Bijaya and his brother and their parents. He said they made him some good milky tea and he very much enjoyed his visit. Bijay's brother Sarjeet, who is a budding artist, made Jim a picture. Jim went out to visit Kamal and the orphanage later in the day after visiting Boudanath temple with Jagat.