Having recently returned from my eighth visit to Nepal I would like to give you some up to date details of what is happening during my stay in February and March.

Updates about the Disabled Newlife Centre

I have been very involved with the Disabled Newlife Centre in Kathmandu. In November 2005 the organization moved premises from Chabahil to Banishwor Heights. The loss of land due to the previous owner for the purpose of building new shops meant that the children had nowhere to play. The previous building was also in need of many repairs which would have been costly.

The new premises are a great improvement, lots of space and better accommodation. The older girls even have their own ensuite bedroom which is big enough to have space for study. There is a new library, games room, recreation area and physio clinic.

There are now 28 children. Some of whom have undergone quite serious remedial operations over the past twelve months. Naina, whose feet were totally twisted backwards, has now had two operations on each foot. With the assistance of special boots he is able to walk, and does so to his new school. Others have been fitted with prosthesis and had plastic surgery on severe burns.

Their schooling is progressing well with all but one child passing their end of year exams. It is hoped to further support the children through their tertiary years and forward planning is taking place to put the wheels in motion.

Through a charitable trust set up in the UK, www.nepalichildrenstrust.com, a block of land, in the valley about eleven kilometres from the centre of Kathmandu, has been purchased and it is hoped within the next two years to raise enough money to build new premises. The home would be close to schools and has a paediatric hospital within close proximity. There is also enough space to house some chickens and grow vegetables to enable the organisation to more self sustainable.

Donations and expenditure

This year I was fortunate enough to raise some $6,000.00 Australian with the greatest donations of $1,000.00 each coming from the Rotary Clubs of Oakleigh and Wandin. I am now on fund raising trail again and presented my first talk of the year to the Dandenong Ladies Probus Club who generously donated $154.15.

To give you an idea on what the money is spent I am including with this letter details of the expenditure in 2006. The other organisation which received assistance is the Children's Future Organisation run by my Austrian Doctor friend Olga Lasota and details of expenditure at Olga's premises are also enclosed.

Future plans

I am planning to return again in February next year and have in mind a new project. I am taking over a considerable amount of craft materials and intend teaching the children various ways of producing items which can be sold to enable them to gain some pocket money. The areas in which I am leaning are knitting, patchwork quilting (cushion covers), mobiles, small paintings and jewellery making. Some of the children are very artistic and I am sure they will achieve very good results.

Puste is exhibiting great talent with water colours and he is undertaking special art lessons to improve his style. He is only 13 years old, suffers from congenital abnormality of the hips, has one leg which is the size of a five year olds and the other is non existent below the knee. His left hand is deformed with only two fingers and a thumb. Despite all this his ability to kick a football and enjoy life is immense. Therefore every effort should be made to assist him in his artistic bent. I left him with ten sheets of special art paper, water colours and frames and suggested that he do the paintings and then exhibit them in the Library for sale to visitors and volunteers. The idea was readily accepted and we will see what happens.

In closing I would invite you to again make a donation towards assisting these wonderful children. You have been generous in the past and I am sure that you will be willing to once again send something no matter how small.

With kind thoughts and best wishes,
Zandra Eccles
April 2006