Dear friends and sponsors,
A Belated Happy New Year to all of you!
I returned to KL after the New Year, having spent two and a half action-packed weeks in Nepal for my usual Christmas visit. Several friends and my daughter Charlotte also spent the festive season at Farmer House which was great, but the time went by way too quickly, as I endeavored to pay school fees, buy multiple pairs of school shoes, wrap up presents, fix the jeep, buy jewellery and wall hangings to sell, visit old friends in Pokhara, generally act as tour guide AND spend quality time with the kids. My summer visit is always longer and calmer.
However it was a successful trip and I was happy to find the family all doing well, and the house miraculously still standing after the close miss with the landslide in Sedi Bagar last October when many houses were either destroyed or badly damaged, and four people were killed. We were very fortunate indeed I realised as I surveyed the rubble and mud so very close to the house…
The political situation in Nepal is relatively stable at the moment and a democratic election is even on the cards in the near future. Consequently the tourists are returning in numbers and the high season last year was a very good one for those in the tourism business, including Laxman whose horses are bringing in a steady income which supports the family.It was very encouraging to see the children still in school and doing well, and Laxman fully occupied and motivated to build up his business. Optimism was in the air in Pokhara, unlike the many times I have visited before.
Anjana is in her final year at the Pashimanchal College and is doing very well. She would like to pursue a career in hotel management when she finishes.
Ranjana is finishing year 9 at the Fewa English Boarding School. Next year is exam year and she will have to stay in the school hostel, as Anjana did for her final year. This will mean additional sponsorship will need to be found for her apart from her one current sponsor as it will be considerably more expensive.
Ranjit is not doing as well as the others at the moment, as it seems adolesence has now hit, and he is neglecting his studies, prefering to spend more time with his friends and social life. It is disappointing but maybe just a normal part of growing up and hopefully will pass very quickly and he will remember how lucky he is to have such opportunities. His father asked if he could go into the hostel temporarily in order to impose some discipline and get him back on track, so he is now in the Himanchal hostel along with Lila who is about to take his final year 10 exams.
Lila is doing very well and has made great progress since he moved into the hostel. His relationship with the family has also improved considerably and he looks forward to returning at weekends and during the holidays to help on the farm.
The younger children, Anju, Manju, Prakash and Anusha are doing very well and it is noticeable how much the visit to Malaysia helped improve their English (the older three).
The animals are thriving too: there are currently nine horses/ponies, a cow, several goats, chickens, two dogs and a cat.
With the tourist influx, there is the opportunity now to rent out one of the rooms on a regular basis which would be a good extra source of income for the family. However, the accommodation really needs upgrading to attract the average tourist. I am hoping with my jewellery sales I might eventually be able to improve the bathrooms and perhaps reroof the main building, so that there are no leaks, no holes for mice to enter and it’s warmer in the cold season.
Well that’s about all the news for now. I thank you all for your interest and support. The children are lovely and still appreciative (in spite of the teenage years!) and it’s a pleasure so see them growing up with education, security and hope for the future.
I thank you all for making this possible.
Michelle
5th February 2008
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