IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR SPONSORS

We have had a few problems and changes at the home over the last month. After a few disagreements about funding, some of the management have decided to split off and create their own home. Five of the children will be leaving us to go and live in the new home.

Any sponsorship for those children will follow them to the new home. For now we will still seek sponsorship and funding for the children through this site. Eventually the new home will be registered and a new website will be set up.

Some of the promised sponsorship for the children's education has not materialised and we are still falling a little short of being able to send all of the children to private school. Due to the Maoist strikes in Nepal, schools have been closed for the last week. This mean the children who have sponsorship still haven't been able to start. I (Amanda) arrive in Nepal in two days and will pay the fees directly to the school.

In two days I should have more information.

Well I have had a little bit of sad news from the home. Joseph may have broken his ankle jumping from a wall. He was taken to the hospital for x-rays and put in a cast but he needs to go back for further examination.

Rabin has also been to the hospital. He has been suffering from headaches. I have been told he also received x-rays and some medication. It is possible he will also need to return to the doctor for another examination.

Oops!

Anyone who has tried to make a donation in the last few days may have noticed our paypal account is not operating. We has had some issues but we are working to correct them. We hope you understand we are new to the internet and are still learning the best methods.

We hope to have a new system up soon. Until then Donations can be made by direct deposit. Please contact us for the bank details. Thank you for understanding.

The news today is that the children have passed their exams. I hope to more specific details about their exact marks soon but this is a great improvement from last term. It seems the private lessons with the teacher are working.

New Sponsors

Some great news. We have recieved some more donations through the website and through sponsorship and now nearly all of the children will be able to attend private school for this year. We would like to give a big Thanks to Trudy and Ron who have made very generous donations.

There are only three children left with out school sponsors but we hope to raise enough money so that all of the children can attend. If you would like to donate click here.

थे वेबसाइट इस उप एंड रुन्निंग

The website is finally up and running!!!! A huge thank you to Banjo Smyth who created such a great page and put up with all our questions. He has worked really hard to make sure we have the best page possible. THANKS BANJO.

We are very excited because it is now possible to make donations and apply for volunteer placements directly with us. Click here to look at the new site.

The year is passing so quickly, already it is time for exams again. The children have been studying hard with the new teacher. Hopefully their grades will show an improvement from last term. We wish all the children good luck and look forward to seeing the results.

The water is back!

After a number of attempts to fix the water problems at the home, the water is finally flowing again. 100mtrs water pipe, costing of Rs.1800, was purchased. Pramod, Bob, Chandra, volunteers Jon and Ron and 5 guides and porters dug the pipe line. Now the water is working and the new bathroom in the volunteer's room is also ready for use the next time volunteers wish to stay.

A very big thank you to those who helped to dig the trench for the pipe, especially to the porters and guides from the Eco-Traveller's Lodge.

New Sponsors

Some good news for three of the children. Volunteers, Ron and John are providing sponsorships for Ruth, Raju and Hemalal. They will now be able to attend private school, starting in April. Hopefully there will be funds to send the other children to private school soon.

Private Tutor

After a long search a private tutor has been found to help the children with their homework and studies after school. The tutor will come for two hours, six days a week.

His salary is 3500NR a month (approx $US50 or $AUS55.50). Donations towards the tutors salary can be made through the donation tab.

A quick trip to the hospital

A quick trip to the hospital today highlighted the need for a savings account for unexpected medical costs. Raju had a serious fall, splitting open his head and leaving him a little dazed. Instead of immediately seeking medical attention there was much debate about whether the cost of medical treatment was worth a trip to the hospital.

The injury was minor. The consultation ended up costing 80NR ($US1.12), an amount the home did not have set aside. It is hoped in future a funds will be set up to cover unexpected medical costs.

A visit from St Mary's

A group of students from St Mary's school visited the home. They kindly bought gifts for the children, providing them with scarves, hats, toothpaste, soap and other essential items. We thanks the girls and their students for the generosity.

Water Problems

Workers fixing a nearby road damaged a pipe which supplied water to homes in the area. After nearly two weeks without water the children, house mother, Jyoti, and volunteers Tess, Maya and Amanda walked to a stream to collect water, bathe and do laundry.

After our hours the children had showered in the freezing cold mountain water and nearly all the laundry had been completed. The children will need to collect water in the mountains everyday until the water supply is restored. It is unsure when this will happen.

The New Bus

The new bus has arrived for the Pokhara/Kathmandu route. Owners, Bob (Treasurer of Everest Children's Home) and Promod (Secretary or Everest Children's Home) will be running the service. Volunteers will now be able to arrive and depart Pokhara in comfort and safety on the Space Craft Travel & Tours.

Exam Results

Unfortunately this year most of the children did poorly in their exams. Most of the children failed one or more subjects. These result have further impressed upon us the need to address the children's schooling and the possibility of transferring them from the government school to a private school.

The need for additional private tutoring to at least bring the children to a minimum passing standard has been discussed. A tutor is being considered.

Aussie Volunteers Finish Chicken Coop!

It has been an international effort with volunteers from the USA, Australia, Canada, Slovakia and Nepal, all pitching in. After weeks of stalled plans a group of Australia tourists arrived to finish the project.

Thank you to everyone who contributed funds and time, especially Johno and Jude who did most of the labor. The coop is looking great and the children eagerly await the arrival of our fist chickens.

A first for many of the children: Ice cream. Two Israeli volunteers, Tess and Maya, decided it would be nice to provide the children with a New Years treat during the Pokhara street festival. Some of the children were a little hesitant, carefully poking the snack with their fingers before trying.