Holiday Generosity!

We are overwhelmed with the generosity of friends and family over the past month. Thank you all for your thoughtful contributions to the Taplejung School Project. Every little bit moves us closer to finalizing the land purchase, securing building materials, creating a parent teacher association, and eventually providing more accessible education to young children in rural eastern Nepal who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity. For this, we thank you. We will keep posting updates as we get them. May you all have a very happy and healthy New Year!!

Turtle and the Hare

The question is raised, why are there always delays? I suppose it is because we have full (plus) jobs we tend. We're still chugging away and building our financial base. As always looking for more contributions and getting some great fundraising ideas from friends. If there is a marathon in Bangladesh over the next year, Meg will be first to sign up and all will be expected to chip in for the school...and sports drinks! This is one hot country. But we digress.

The planned scouting trip, which was intended for October of this year, will now likely take place in April, 2011. Between major activities at work, changes in personnel in both of our offices, and struggling to find time to simply meet up ourselves, we've needed to wait until the Spring for our scouting trip. This gives us time to build rapport in order to take the full two weeks off of work required to get out to Taplejung.

The great news is that a new advocate for our school has joined us - a baby niece was born October 1st (daughter of Dhirendra's brother, Dipendra)!! We are happy to report that she looks really smart and promises to be a great addition to the Taplejung School Project team.

Back in the sub-continent

Ten quick months later and we’re back on track. Over the past many months, much has changed. We moved from Washington DC to Dhaka, Bangladesh. Just yesterday, Dhirendra moved again to Nepal to start a new journey with the International Crisis Group (one of the leading conflict analysis international organizations in the world!). Although the heartache of living temporarily apart burns, we are rewarded by new opportunities. With daily flight to/from Dhaka/Kathmandu, we will be able to make serious headway with the Taplejung School Project. This October, we are planning our first scouting trip to Taplejung since birthing this dream just over two years ago at our Colorado wedding.  Before heading to Taplejung, we will spend the next few months preparing, planning, and networking. Stay tuned!!