Day 3 Wednesday

Wednesday was a great day because we got to go to The Bhaktapur Muscular Dystrophy Center. That was the good news. The bad news was that Himal Shoower, the founder of the Bhaktapur Center was goingto recieve the news that we could not fund him for another year. You see, Himal is the original Muscular Dystrophy main in Nepal. He has 3 sons all diagnosed with the diesease and he has converted his house into a Muscular Dystrophy Center. Last year SWAP Inc came here and constructed paralell bars that went around the walls so the kids could use them as an exercise machine. Yep Steve, the bars look great, and the new foundation they have put down gives the bars even more strength.
Going to see this very humble man was going to be difficult, because everything that we are baseing the Banepa Center on will be focused on what Himal is actually doing right now. So with hearts in hand we walked into the Center, (getting into Bhaktapur was a bit of a drama, usually the hit you up to pay an entrance fee, I just walked straight in and the girls were standing on the other side of the bridge trying to figure out what to do, after a bit of a stand off, they reluctantly came across the bridge and for a little while there, they were worried that we were going to get accosted by the local police, it never happened) and after intial hellos with Himal and Nabin (he's the one holding all the blankets) we began to explain our position and how we were going to support the Banepa Center.
It was a little awkward for a while there because it is never humbling to watch a grown man ask for funding. The children looked great. They are being fed very well, and you could tell that they were a lot happier than last year. I put this down to the fact that the children spend a fair bit of time together and because they play and eat and interact with each other, they seem to be more active than the kids we saw yesterday.
After Himal had accepted the concept that we as SWAP Inc had to put all our efforts into the Banepa Center, we agreed to head out and withdraw the final payment that SWAP Inc owed under the original contract. When we returned something very interesting happened, and because of confidentiality, I can not disclose to much, but what I can say is that funding has been looked upon as far as Bhaktapur is concerned, well at least for the next 6 months coming and this will be re-assessed for more funding if possible. This news was greatly appreciated by Himal and Narbin and again, until the source has time to do what is needed to be done, all I can say is that Bhaktapur looks good for another 6 months. It's amazing how these things work out.
Following the time at Bhaktapur Monique and Stephanie were looking to buy Saree's as they had been invited to a wedding through Yvonne, so a few of the mothers grabbed the girls and shopping they went.
Of course yours truly and Narbin were dragged along kicking and screaming but to be honest if was good watching the girls relax and have a bit of fun after 3 days of intense meetings and children work.