HOLD A HAND

I think most of you have read my Blog on my trip to Sri Lanka and India to visit Maduka, Nilanthi, Lobsang and Phurbu and the added addition of Karma (Lobsang's brother).  I had a wonderful time and my children were all beautiful and now I want to go back!

Since I have been back there has been quite a lot happening.

HSCV

I received a letter from Que telling me of the dismal state of their bike, which mother rides to market in the morning and then rides home to pick up Que and take her to school on it.  There are stories of chains falling off continually and even the handle bars.  So I have just purchased a new bike for them.  She also tells how hard her mother works and how sad she was recently when her grandfather died and how my letters kept her happy.

I received a photo of Ngoc with her new bike that I had purchased earlier.

HH4H

I have handed my children over to someone else so I no longer sponsor with this group.

Galilee

I have had word that I have lost Scholastica, she went home for the holidays and never returned to school.  I also received letters from Veronicah and felt she was not being treated well where she was staying with her guardian's sons in a one room shack.  It has now been arranged to move her to Holly House which is an orphanage, so although my sponsorship will go up at least she will be well cared for and have 3 meals a day.  She will be very happy as she asked me some time ago if I could move her in there.

I have received more letters from all my Galilee children, all promising to study hard.  Plus more photos of them with gifts I sent.

TSS

I have taken on Karma, Lobsang's brother and just sent him a package.  I also today received a lovely letter from Lobsang, saying she bought blankets for 4 members of her family with the money I left for her.  I also had a New Year card waiting from her on my trip return.

Phurbu wrote me a letter say next time she won't be so shy

I also had a letter from Padma with a photo of Buddah in it.

Himalayan Learning

I have received letters from the first two girls that I wrote to but not yet from the other 3 although I have only just sent them letters.  I am currently tossing up whether to keep all 5 girls or relinquish the last 3.  With the increase in fees it has made it a little hard, although I support the increase as it will give the students so much more.

CI

I have received another couple of letters from Janine and also some photos of her with the gifts I sent over last year.

OSI

I have received emails from both of my girls and a heap of new photos of Maduka since my return.