Update from Nepal: Photographs from Bethan, Part 1

Phurbu had the foresight to bring a camera to Bethan, and he sent the following pictures to supplement the report he submitted from his visit with Yubaraj's family and community. Every image he sent, as received, is included here. Click on each image to see a larger version.

1. The first is his expense report, which is shown here not only to be complete in my reporting but also to show the care with which Phurbu tracked and reported his expenses. It's also insightful to see what things cost in Nepal. The exchange rate is about 75 Rs. (rupees) to $1 US, so the bus fare from Kathmandu to Nepalthok cost about $2, and the cost for a guide to walk the 6 1/2 hours from Nepalthok to Bethan was about $4.







2. The top photo is of Apsara, Yubaraj's wife. The second photo is of Kalpana Khadka, a girl in the village who suffers from a physical disability and who (through the efforts of the school teacher) is seeking financial support to continue her education (much like what we're pulling together for Yubaraj).










3. This is a summary of Kalpana's situation. Reading this, I hope that we can (someday soon) expand what we're doing in Bethan to benefit Kalpana and others like her.













4. This top photo shows Yubaraj's sisters and brother. Left to right (with details from Phurbu's report):
* Swastani, 10. She's currently in class 1 (1st grade) in the village school.
* Shital, 5.
* Meena, 12. She completed class 3 (3rd grade) but Phurbu's report explains that she no longer goes to school because of the family's inability to pay for it.
* Sukdev, 8. He's currently in class 1 in the village school.

In the lower photo, Yubaraj, Meena, Sukdev, Swastani, and Meena stand with their mother (on the far right) in front of their house.