It’s been a while since the last update but a lot has happened at a very slow (Nepali) rate. As you all know, OHC has partnered up with PA Nepal, Indira Ranamagar’s reputable organisation. In January the children moved to our new home, still in Naya Bazaar. The house is bigger so the older girls now sleep in a separate room than the younger girls, which is making everyone happier! We also have a study for the children to do their homework. The decision to move is benefiting our children immensely. First, there is a water crisis in Kathmandu, meaning it is difficult to have running water in all parts of the city. People are getting it delivered in taxis/rickshaws. Indira’s family is being extremely supportive and we are getting clean water from a family members restaurant. We have bought a new water pump to get water from the reservoir under the house, up to the roof. Wells are being dug, deepened and enlarged all over Kathmandu so the well diggers are flat out but we are getting a quote to deepen the old well we have, hopefully allowing us to access the cleaner water in the lower levels. Everyone is settling into the new home well. Geeta, our house in charge (the kids’ mummy) is enjoying being partnered with Indira, who has a wealth of experience and is able to guide and mentor Geeta as well as keep a good eye on the running of the organisation. Indira’s office is based in our new home. PA Nepal has some great programs running and they are working in a sustainable way. Food is brought in from farms on family land in Eastern Nepal which means if food shortages occur we will be less affected. We have one months’ food stored in case there are major strikes or political unrest, which happens often. The children are all fine, studying hard for the final exams next week. They have had quite a few days off because of strikes and “National Womens Day” which gave them plenty of time to start the new garden. Next on the list is starting work on a compost heap. One of the public holidays was Shiva Ratri, where tradition has it that kids set up blockades along the paths everywhere and exact money from strangers to buy lollies and water balloons. Our kids finished the day off with a campfire in the backyard. Geeta and Jim are working hard to discipline (yet again) the children in personal hygiene, particularly hand washing, nail trimming and water drinking, to avoid unnecessary trips to the hospital. This month we have invested in new sinks (to keep hands clean) and we are looking at setting up a system to dispose of the rubbish that accumulates outside our home. Those of you who have been to a third world country will know exactly what I mean! Also, as we lose some sponsors in these tough times, I am pleased to say we welcome three new sponsors resulting in accepting two new boys from very poor backgrounds into our home. Their information will be on the website soon.