It was wonderful to visit the children of Hopeful Home again. They are growing up so much. After the warm welcome from Gopini and a chat with the children, it was time to do some colouring together. Anneloes and Juliette, the daughters of Alex and Samantha, quickly made contact with the children and . Then the radio was turned on and it was time to dance. After some encouragement, everyone got loose and it turned into a fun disco party.
Samantha and Gopini discussed together what kind of support was needed. It was not difficult to see that the mattresses on the bunk beds were in need of replacement. When Samantha volunteered at Hopeful Home, some 13 years ago, these same mattresses were already in use. The bedding was also in need of replacement, it was full of holes and worn out. Time to go shopping near New Road where the wholesalers are located.
The next day we met at New Road gate. Samantha, Anneloes, Gopini, Krishna and the teacher, who helps the children with their homework, were there help out. First we shopped for warm double blankets, there is a big difference in price and quality. We decided to buy ten slightly more expensive, but good quality blankets. In addition, we buy six cheaper blankets that can be used together with blankets that Hopeful Home will continue using. We also buy lots of meters of fabric for new mattress sheets. We arrange a small van to transport everything back to Hopeful Home.
In the meantime, we continue shopping and buy cushions and cushion covers for the library. Every day after school the children will do their homework on the library floor. The new cushions will make it much more comfortable and less cold, especially in the winter months. We load 25 flat cushions into the van.
We also buy light blue and dark blue fabric for new school uniforms for two schools in Nuwakot, where children of the lowest caste, Calle Dalits go to school. Anneloes and Samantha jump in the front of the van and Krishna and the teacher crawl in the back and we drive back to Hopeful Home. Gopini follows us on her scooter.
We drive through the busy traffic to Bhaktapur and stop at a large shop, where we purchase 16 new mattresses. We also buy 32 pillows and pillowcases, two pillows for each bed as the children sleep with two or sometimes three in one bed.
The same shop also sells carpet and we investigate the different qualities and prices. Our budget is not massive, so we choose a sturdy but cheap carpet. Krishna chooses a gray color for the boys bedroom and Gopini chooses red for the girls. Gopini is prepared to lay the carpet with help of the older boys of Hopeful Home, but the store offers the service for only 20 Euros extra, so we decided to go it. At least we will know for sure that the carpet is cut to size and glued to the floor properly.
Last but not least, we buy a new iron for the house. Krishna told us that the iron was broken. I asked if they needed an ironing board, but Krishna told me that the top of the cupboard is used to iron the school shirts.
After a long but successful day Samantha and Anneloes take a taxi back to the hotel and the others climb back into the van and bring the blankets etc. to Hopeful Home. A few days later the mattresses, pillows and carpet are delivered. The carpet is beautifully laid and is so much better than a cold cement floor.
We can’t stress it enough, but our thanks goes out to our sponsors. Small amounts help so much in a country like Nepal. Sleep well, sweet children of Hopeful Home.
