Happy New Year! Tibetan and Hindu New Years have come. The festival Shiva Raktri celebrating the upcoming year and ridding oneself of last years’ negativities brought over 2 million pilgrims to the Khatmandu valley for 2 days of ritual and celebration in the Pashupathi temple compound. In addition to Hindu pilgrims, thousands of Shiva sadhus and yogis attended, many barely dressed and many showed off their yogic abilities in their birthday suits. All Tibetan New Year festivities were cancelled this year in protest of China’s oppressive and brutal actions over the past year.

The kiddos are doing great and we are all adjusting to a current extreme water shortage. Most days we have less than 3 gallons of water to use for washing dishes clothes and ourselves. Anjana found a public well a few kilometers from the home and the kids are bathing there. Anjit found a fresh water supplier who drove a water truck up to our front door and filled the rooftop watertank. Buying water is not in the budget but living without any water for a few days makes you appreciate the modern world. The shortage is caused by electricity shortage. Without electricity 16 hours a day water cannot be pumped through the valley or up to rooftop tanks.

On a brighter note the possibility of moving to a larger house has come. The new government has spent several years rebuilding the public, or government school system. As little as five years ago private schools were the only option for decent education but today most government operated schools are equal and in many cases better. The Nepali school year ends in early April and Anjit suggest we move the kiddos to a nearby government school and save between 5 and 6 thousand rupees, or about $80. Not much in the states but enough to pay the rent difference for a bigger home. Boo yah!

Anjana is working diligently on preparing the perfect grant proposal to send to Save The Children among other large INGO’s. She also continues to visit organizations around Khatmandu looking for the big 5: 1-education support 2-food support 3-medical support 4-clothing support 5-financial support. She is establishing a network to call on in an emergency as well as information sharing.

Other than that, the help and pressence of Giedre Pesenkaite is missed by everyone. She went back to Lithuania after 3 months of volunteering and working in Nepal. As her final act of generosity to Padma and the kids she secured a donation of clothes for the 15 kids and the 7 kids Padma sponsors outside the home. The clothes were donated by Volunteer Services of Nepal.

Besides all this, the kiddos have parents day at school tomorrow. They will show off the songs and dances they’ve studied for the last 4 months. Rama, Anjit, and Anjana will put our proud parent caps on for the festivities. Check padmanepal.org for pics in the next week or two.

As for our current goals: the main goal is to have $1500 in monthly sponsors registered through padmanepal.org. Currently we have just over $300 in monthly sponsorship. Times are hard all around the world these days. We are still counting on you for support. If we can get 75 sponsors giving just $20/month we meet our goal and continue our mission. If you have any questions suggestions or will be in Nepal sometime soon drop us an email at info@padmanepal.org.

Be sure to check out the pictures of the kids and get to know them on their individual pages!