Spent the morning in the square at Patan touring the temples and lovely shops. This area is known for iron and copper work. I sat inside a very small space with a silversmith and was so content to watch him work. The craftsmanship was impressive.    
    
    
   

I love this spot on the Annapurna circuit and we had a wonderful reunion and visit here. The teachers and principal were so excited about the safe learning space project. We were able to have the teachers dream of what they would want to teach with and we can actually  make those dreams come true! Their greatest desires were so simple it was humbling…. A doll for the nursery, posters, pencils, markets, a microscope, books. Sari and Emily are making this one possible!     
    
    
 

We left Borang and headed for Lamjung with us all smelling a bit like the goats and water buffalo but in great spirits. At lunch we stopped along the side of the road for a great meal. We sat under the tree to eat. A group of villagers came down with Tika and khata for a welcome. Beautiful Day.   
    

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We conducted home visits on the way down the mountain to Mahendra Secondary school. We  saw severe poverty on this walk down but such appreciation for ENGs helping their girls go to school. These are the moments I am most proud to be an ENG team member.  The high school received money from the government for a new building and the community is building. Eng will help with tables and chairs and teaching resources and library!!! So humbling to be even a small part of this.

These precious ENG girls snuck away from the many chores they have before starting a long day of school to bring me flowers. They work from sun up until school starts at 10:00am ( to give kids time to walk for hours from villages far away across the mountain) until 4:00 in the afternoon to give time to walk home. Then more chores, homework if there is light and sleep ( often with 6-7 in one room) . These kids are just so inspiring!   

At a home visit a young mama had used a shawl to make a baby swing for nap time and a shiny empty potatoe chip bag as a mobile… No words… 

  We packed every moment in Borang from sun up to sundown with home visits, mentoring, official school meetings, soccer, and celebrations!
   
    
    
 
  

Babita grew up in the village of Borang and her a Dad recently moved back there to live. He was a Ghorka solder for many years before retirement and it was an honor to meet him. While he was 

  very dignified and stern, we had a moment I will treasure. 

Spending time in a remote village is like living in a fish bowl. We were the first Caucasian people to visit there in years and the very first for many of the villagers to see. Therefore, we were a novelty and our every move was watched by many eyes, lots of talk about us and curiosity and zero privacy and I really mean zero. It was a bit disconcerting but at the same time very endearing. The entire village gathered for each interaction or school meeting or home visit. Our “camp” was located in the water buffalo field ( yes you read correctly) next to the spring that provides water to the village and a bathing spot for the water buffalo. We even unintentionally shared a cooking pan with them I guess you don’t say no to something that big! 

The women of the village were so very warm and welcoming. They all wanted so badly to sit with us and talk but they did not speak English so miming and translation was required. It always amazes me that when there is a will there is a way. We had wonderful long interactions and learned from each other about similarities and differences in our respective worlds. Mostly we learned about bridging differences and taking chances to share kindness and friendship.