Finished gathering supplies and preparing feminine hygiene packs for our girls with need. They will be distributed along with an education program. Some of the messages they will be given include;

-your period is not an impurity, it is natural and healthy development

-you do not have to hide your personal garments when hanging them to dry, they need the bright sunlight

– it is ok to bath when on your period; it is important to stay clean

-drinking liquids or cold drinks will not cause cramps; stay hydrated

-you should not have to be alone outdoors during hour period, you need and deserve the support of family and a safe place to sleep.

These messages were decided by our older ENG girls to share with younger girls.

Judy McIntyre, Evans would be so proud! We found the last of our science supplies today. We will deliver a complete lab to Rhombus School tomorrow!

Participated in a wonderful Fulbright Forum on Research being conducted in Nepal regarding diagnosis of mental health disorders.

Things got sketchy fast today while out working. Some kind of demonstration on one side of the road and armed and ready police on the other. No way to turn around. I yelled to Babi that if traffic stopped her I was jumping off and running! No Problems for us.

Great news! After a visit with Subhekchya today, we are making plans to translate the new book into Nepali for publication next year! So exciting!!!Thank You for the opportunity to the very sweet Timothy family. It is such a pleasure to work with you.

I’m not even certain how to begin this post. I feel so naive. I never stop learning here. I came with the intent of conducting a small women’s health project in light of the recent attention given to the practice of Chapaudi, exiling females to huts during menstruation. I was thinking awareness education and providing some female hygiene products. Well. The conversations have been long and personal with our older girls and the reality is hard to comprehend. I am now aware of the plight of females here regarding menstruation. Many have no access to any products, let alone disposable pads or tampons for convenience, they are considered unclean, may be exiled, suffer infections from dirty cloth used or inability to wash and dry underclothes where they may be seen. We are starting with our girls in the most remote regions. We spent the day in Asan finding and purchasing materials to have pads made from cotton cloth. We will be providing dettol, soap, & panties along with hygiene education.

How are girls suppose to be in school when they have nothing to use for their periods? No one talks with them about what is happening and they are left to fend for themselves with whatever they can find. Many are ostracized, can’t touch males, food, can’t worship,…and it is not a topic to be discussed. Thank you to Babi, Robina, & Pema for sharing, for planning, and for taking action. Seeing our older scholarship girls contributing back to make a difference means so much. Robina & Pema are both working now as nurses and are helping to lead this project.

It is so hard to be a girl here.

My attempt to make cookies in a convection oven to say thank you to the very sweet young men that keep an eye out for me when I am alone here in Kathmandu. They all are about Bryce’s age and work at the restaurant. I always know if I was in trouble They would try to help.

Made it out on a flight at 5:30 am. Then a 5 hour ride back to Kathmandu. Then a Rickshaw to get to my place. There is some serious washing in my near future! My bag smells horrible and I’m not much better. Good news, everyone smells the same coming off Everest !

No big surprise that the crazy weather in Lukla caused the tiny plane in front of ours to have to turn around and the airport was shut down. Try again in the morning!