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Wed November 16

Govari Botanical Gardens

Poinsettias

Unexpected day off today on account of the
government declaring a national holiday. Three of us hired a taxi to take us out south of Kathmandu. 1,500R (£5 each) return, waiting for us – “3 hours, 4 hours, 5 hours, no problem. When you like.”

The weather is hazy at the moment so no clear views but it was lovely to see the mountains all around, and pass through villages with fields being cultivated by hand. Big contrast in the housing though, with some quite palatial villas but the majority very squalid.

It was very pleasant to escape the clamour and confusion of Kathmandu and enter the peace of the National (formerly the Royal) Botanical Gardens. Highlights were watching a group of ladies in saris singing and dancing in some sort of ritual while a little child of about 2 or 3 years old, looked on and danced by himself, copying their movements. Two very brightly coloured birds (unknown species) and many lovely butterflies. The planting, however, was disappointing. Lowlight (no surprise) the toilets!

Despite the holiday, it was business as usual at the orphanage but today the other Margaret was feeling too delicate so Brenda went alone. She came back with her hands covered in blue and red felt tip, and going on at length about the “wicked” day she'd had floating balloons down the stairwell!

Thursday November 18^th

A much better school day today as Margaret and I took groups out of class. We are trying to follow their normal teaching schedule but in our own way, and giving the extra attention to individual children which is impossible in whole classes.

The ability range is vast and the teachers don't seem to make any attempt to select out similar ones for us to take. In one group I had some children who couldn't understand the most basic English and one who spoke as well as an adult who had learnt it as a second language.

Keeping them all gainfully occupied is some challenge.

Brenda here. We had a great day at naxal today the children were great making and flying aeroplanes. They all joined in when we had built them we had contests flying them to see whose went the furthest ,great fun. Margaret had an English country dance CD which the children loved and we did sort of English country dancing which caused great amusement.

We stayed on later for sewing and knitting with the older children,the boys requested to knit socks and gloves!! I told them to go ask Margaret as she is the expert good luck Margaret. Tomorrow we have visit from some other orphanages for chess tournament.