Dear Friends and sponsors,
Firstly my sincere apologies for not having written or updated the website sooner.
As you know, I was in Pokhara for three weeks last summer and did my usual paying of fees, buying of clothes, cutting of hair and jobs on the house, and buying of jewellery for my fundraising. I was amazed to see when I arrived, that Farmer House appeared to be a lot bigger than it was the previous Christmas and I felt distinctly disorientated as no one had forewarned me. Apparently, a visitor who had stayed at the house for several months helping Laxman with the horses had raised money back in his country, Italy, sufficient for Laxman to add on 2 extra guestrooms!
Once I recovered from the shock I realized what a great gesture it had been and what a wonderful addition to the Farm providing them with extra means of income through renting out the rooms. My only disappointment was that Laxman had installed exactly the same showers which have never properly worked in any of the other rooms! Oh well, I guess we can live with that!
The place was looking great when I left it and I trust it is still now a year later. I did not go to Nepal this Christmas, (the first time in 6 years) partly because I was not feeling on top form, but mainly because my 2 daughters and new grandson, Leo wanted to spend Christmas in Malaysia with me. This was the first time I have spent Christmas with both my daughters in well over 10 years so it was a big deal. We might have all met in Nepal but felt that Leo was too young (only 5 months) I found it very difficult to break the news to the Farmer House children, and although they were disappointed, they were very understanding. I sent money for a Christmas party and a parcel of goodies, but of course it’s not the same...
I'm happy to say that two friends from my school recently visited the house during the last school break and reported that all the kids seemed well and happy and as delightful as ever. They sent photos and letters back for me which were also reassuring. They have all now just finished the
school year and have a month’s holiday. Apparently, for the first time all passed everything and Anju and Ranjit both in the first division!! Ranjit has finally got serious apparently and I am delighted! Ranjana has been boarding at the Fewa School and recently finished her SLC exams. She
now has to wait until June for the results but is confident she has done well. Anjana is finishing her first year of university, reading humanities and business I believe, in Pokhara. The latest news is that she has a serious boyfriend and is staying with his family in town, returning to the farm from time to time. She is 21 so I suppose it is to be expected. Sadly they talk about the couple as being "married". It is a shame as it puts such a stigma on what should be a healthy first love/relationship should it not work out (as we all know it’s quite a rare occurrence when it does, especially at that age!). Fortunately the boy is also studying and Anjana is looking forward to introducing him to me in summer (God willing). I say that as I have been struggling with health problems in the lower pelvis since before Christmas. I’ve been in hospital several times for tests and am currently there now having just had a PET scan. In some ways I am relieved that no major problem has been found, but on the other hand, I would like to know what is causing this problem, or at least how I can relieve the pain which keeps me awake and is even stopping me working. I just hope and pray that something will be found soon or the darn thing will just disappear as mysteriously as it came!
Anyway, enough of me and back to the kids. The time has come for me to pay the end of year fees for the kids who are now on a one month’s holiday before they start the next grade. I will also need to kit them out in new uniforms and buy new school books and supplies, so I would be grateful if you could transfer the usual sponsorship money in the near future. Although the fees have increased, with the exchange rates, the 400 US $ should still cover the necessities. I enclose the bank details for either
my German account or Malaysian account.
 | Michelle Bliss Taunussparkasse Camp King, Oberursel, GERMANY Account number: DE 94 51250000 0010435064 Swift code: HELADEF1TSK |
 | Michelle Bliss Alliance Bank, Unit A-OG-02, Block A Plaza Mont KIara, No.2,Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur(12-14194), MALAYSIA Account no. 14194-0-02-004051-0 SWIFT code: MFBBMYKL |
On a final positive note, Kim, the girlfriend of Roderik who has been helping with Anusha’s sponsorship is coming to Farmer House for the month of June and Roderik will join her for a week at the end of her stay. I’m delighted they will get to meet the children and enjoy the "Farmer House Experience"!! I hope I will be finally able to meet them both.
As always, I thank you all for your continued interest and sponsorship and wish you all the very best. My special thanks to Dave and Mandy who keep the website going and hold the fort when the going gets tough!
Michelle
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