Four new UK volunteers came to visit me today prior to starting their attachment with us in Hetauda tomorrow. They were led by Lynne Rawlings who I've been in contact with for ages but only met today for the first time; I seem to know so many of the charity's supporters on this basis. The volunteers' task is to run a short mosaic selection course that will assess aptitude and commitment of potential new recruits to my Kathmandu studio. They themselves have no particular experience in this field but they follow in the wake of equally unqualified Hetauda volunteers this year who have served us brilliantly. Whatever their contribution, their just being there and showing an interest means so much to the girls - girls who have been rejected by their families and communities.
Today has been "Teachers' Day" in Nepal. Instead of this being used as a day to celebrate education in some way it is actually a school holiday with teachers skiving off and kids (like ours at the refuge) being left bored at home during the monsoon. The teachers should be ashamed of themselves and deserve for the most part no such accolade.
