TUESDAY 8th DECEMBER

Well interesting day. Finally no holiday so kids sent off to school....however they were sent home again an hour later. It appears that one of the kids from their school was murdered either on their way to school that morning or in a fight the night before, and at one stage the principal was involved......so haven't heard the full stry yet but school was cancelled for the day. Tomorrow was supposed to be a strike day and no school but we have heard tonight that this is cancelled and school will be on......what can I say ....its Nepal!!!!

Amanda and I looked after the kids all afternoon and sent Chandri and Joti to the markets to buy shoes for all the kids and a pair for Joti. She was so excited, dancing around....its been a long while since she has been to the markets let alone out of the house. Off they went. We looked after the kids but this was easy as for the first time Amanda showed them a movie on her lap top......they were enthralled even though they couldn't follow most of it. As it got dark, and no sign of Chandri and Joti there was the inevitable blackout. No computer, and three candles.....Amanda to the rescue....she taught them the chicken dance and the Hokey Pokey....all without music. The kids loved it and laughed till they hurt. We didn't know what to do about tea....sorry dinner.....they think of a cup of tea whenever I say tea. Finally we started sorting the rice by candle light. They buy te cheap rice with little stone in it and every night before dinner we spread it out on the table and pick out the stones before cooking. Two of the kids packed the small stove with wood shavings......but we were saved with the return of the shoppers with another three matresses and shoes for all the kids......they were so excited.....they had never had new shoes before.....one that weren't second hand. However they had run out of time and Joti still doesn't have a pair....but we will work on this.

All of the other visitors had left this morning leaving only us and Jean Luc...but tonight at tea another American arrived, Dan. He has been here working on a forrestry program with the same organisation but now spends the next two weeks at the orphanage.