Adventure Number 2: Sonrisa visits

Tuesday
My second visit to Sonrisa and a school holiday so I was able to spend some time with the youngsters they really are not children any more! They were persuaded to put on a concert for me and their playing has really come n in leaps and bounds: apparently they now give external concerts from time to time. My favourite Nepali folk song was first on the program: Resham Firi Ri!

Everyone helps to prepare the meal for 20 of us!

The older boys cook on the floor together

Seriously healthy appetites all round!

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Sunday
As most of you know, I have had a connection with Sonirsa since its inception and was delighted to be able to visit them in their new home. Their previous landlord made things financially very difficult and so they had relocated prior to the quake. Bishnu thought I could get the local minibus, which apparently is number 27 ... but in Nepal a 7 is written like our number 6 and what with buses being more crowded than sardines in a tin, I decided to walk! With trusty map in hand and a previously marked route which I hoped would prove reliable, I set off. At each junction I asked a local if I was on the right track for the next of my noted landmarks (my Nepali lessons have begun already you will be impressed to hear!) and I took just an hour to get there with out mishap! Very chuffed indeed as this city is a rabbit warren of lanes with traffic coming from all directions! This first visit was to have a Nepali lesson, see the new house and meet Gabby and Emma - Bishnu's partner and 2 month old daughter. They are both beautiful and despite being 6 weeks early Emma seems to be thriving. Gabby has had to get accustomed to the attention she draws when pushing a buggy through the streets of Kathmandu: new babies are not taken out it seems and buggies are not used. She plans her walks according to the quality of the road rather than the distance to her destination : she is an amazing Mum and Emma is clearly loved a great deal by both her parents.

Gabby and Emma

Emma looking surprised

Proud Dad

Father and daughter

In the new property they have installed the original solar panels which were party funded by St Asaph Rotary Club, as well as installing a new solar system for hot water and one for cooking too. The girls have their own bedroom and bathroom on one floor and the boys have their on a different level. There is a large indoor kitchen, a library, a playroom, an accounts room, office and outdoor space on the roof too. The two dogs have also settled well into their new home! The children were all at school when I visited, but I plan to return regularly and will post more pictures whenever I can: this update is courtesy of an internet cafe which not only has cyber capability but also a generator!