Saying good bye,

I am now in Kathmandu and have finished my volunteeer work in the village. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit some families of students supported by the organization I volunteered with. I was amazed at the conditions they were living in. They were living in huts with very little electricity and they have only just gotten running water. Children were running around bare foot and had tattered clothing. Education is very expensive for these children and if it weren't for the NEST programme they could not go to school. Unfortunately, not every child can be given a scholarship for school as much as the director would like too. I was reminded of how much I take for granted and how blessed I am. The only way to end the cycle of poverty in Nepal is by education but without money they cannot go to school, it is a never ending cycle. The image of the village is something I will take away with me from Nepal.

I am also sick of saying good bye. This morning, I said good bye to my host family. I totally felt like a part of the family and was treated liked their sister, they even called me sisiter, didi in Nepali. I am touched by how easily I was welcomed into their home and made to feel like a part of their family. I will miss them terribly. Too many good byes in such a short time...

I was also able to dress in Nepali traditional dress and had mendhi done, which is drawing with henna on your hands as well as having henna put in my hair. It is a luxury that you do for your sister or daughter as a treat. I definately look like a nepali in the dress, with the mendi, the arm full of bangles and the yellow string around my wrist (Nepali festival yesterday). It has been an amazing time here. I definately want to come back.