Just a very quite New Year! Then Schools and signed agreements.

From the 28^th was able to stay at the homestay and going down to the office to be able to start designing more resources. Saran and I had ordered lots of big white boards and 100 more mini white boards before Christmas and they were just about finished so Saran went down to Bartung to pick them up. The next day he called and said that they were all in the office. I was very excited to see them so I walked down so I could have a look at our carpenters work. I don’t think I’ve ever been excited to see so many whiteboards before. But it is just really satisfying knowing that we’re helping the learning of so many children across the Palpa district.

Many of my friends and family asked how I spent New Year’s Eve, they were all rather surprised when I said I was in bed by 9.30pm at the latest and was most definitely asleep by 12. So I saw the New Year in comfortably asleep and in bed knowing I’d be waking up the next day without a hangover!

On the 1^st Dan, Saran and I were able to get a Jeep to Mahachap. The idea of this trip was to present to then an agreement that stated how much Manisha were going to contribute in the building of 4 new classrooms. The school and village committees wanted some time to think over the agreement, as it was a big commitment on their part. Thankfully though they came back on the 8^th and were able to sign the agreement and met up with Dan and Saran in Tansen.

There’s a similar story for both Dumre and Amrit. Dan and I caught the bus down to Dumre and walked up to the school on the 3^rd where we had a very positive meeting and the agreement was signed for the new classrooms there. Then we all went to Amrit on the 4^th and again the agreement was signed the same day. There were a few questions asked but mainly it was just confusion with the figures but that was soon answered and everyone was at ease.

Tuesday the 5^th I walked over to Bagnas, I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of that walk, the views are just amazing! I got there to a very empty school with only 3 children doing exams. I had a nice chat with some of the teachers about the children and their plans for the winter holiday. I had meant to bring a bag of resources but I forgot them and only remembered as I got to the school. Typical. So I promised I’d be back the next day with them.

So on the 6^th I wandered back down to Bagnas and with the resources as well as a new school bag for one of the children. This young girl unfortunately doesn’t have any parents and lives with her aunt and until Barbara noticed that she didn’t have a school bag this wouldn’t have changed. She was so happy and grateful and it really humbled me and reminded me why I’m here. As the children were having a day of being set homework there wasn’t much going happening so I soon headed back into Tansen. Just in the nick of time really as my host father, Dhanni, had said that there was a parcel waiting for me in the post office and I had to get there before 1. So I got to the post office, to no parcel. After some rather frustrating sign language with the main woman who works there I called Dhanni who said to wait 10 minutes for it and 10 minutes later it arrived!

Now due to a huge change in my diet and a load of walking, I’ve managed to shift over 3 stone! Now as you can imagine that means very few of my clothes fit anymore, so my mum ever so kindly sent me a package with a few new bits of clothing and some PG tips as I’ve been craving a home brew. However, tea just doesn’t taste the same with buffalo milk which is a shame. I’ll just have to wait until I get home to curb that craving!

This afternoon I’m going to visit my host mother’s sisters house with Abhi as well as he finishes his exams today, which I’m looking forward to. We’re planning to come back on Sunday morning before school.