Exciting Day at Sushila Orphanage

Saturday was a very exciting day for us at Sushila Orphanage. The Nepal Scouts came to visit. There were about 25 girls and boys aged 14. Nepal Scouts are co-ed so boys and girls. They brought all kinds of gifts and food and supplies to the kids. It was a big event even the local newspaper showed up and apparently I am going to be in it. The kids were not that excited about it though. The older boys hid and didn't even come out to greet them. The younger ones were very shy and did not really want to be with them. I think it was like they felt they were on public display, a side show, the Scout girls were telling the orphans how adorable they were and how cute they looked. I was of course very protective of them and made sure we all stuck together. They don't expect donations and do not want people to fuss over them. They are so happy with their lives and routine that any disruption is seen as a invasion. Attached are some pictures of the day.

The family holding Lord Ganesh outside. Not sure what the festival is called but every now and then you have to take the statue of Ganesh outside of the house.

The happy family. From back to front, Kumar 16, Grusah, Rajendra 14(yellow shirt center), House Mother, Dolly, Shumjana, Shova, Bikash,Gunjin (hiding her face she is camera shy) Shova, Sharan, Subista in orange, the sweetest and smartest girl I know, and Ayaaz.

Grusah, Mother and Dolly. They are from India but moved to Nepal, the husband (father) abondoned the family when the girls were very young because the mother did not give him a son. They struggled for many years and eventually she got the job of house mother, were they all live and share 1 bedroom. They are really lovely people and care for the children very well. They consider themselves a family.