Trip to Pokhara

We were invited by one of our NGO (non-governmental organization) partners
to attend a sewing center graduation in Pokhara, Nepal.  Pokhara is about 130 miles
from Kathmandu and it takes about 5 1/2 to 6 hours to get there.  This sewing center
was modeled after the one that LDS Charities helps fund in Kathmandu.  The women,
who are all mothers of disabled children, attend classes for six months and learn to
make clothing which they can use for their family or sell to earn much needed income. 

  While waiting for the graduation to begin, we visited with this young man who
 one year ago received a wheelchair donated by LDS Charities.  Prior to that,
his mother had to carry him everywhere, even to school.  His mother was one
of the women who graduated from the sewing center program

that day.

Each woman graduating from the program that day received a sewing

machine like the one above to take home with her.  You will notice that

this is not an electric sewing machine, but a treadle variety.  This is much

more useful in Nepal where the electricity can be unpredictable.