todayinnepal Spring 2017

a lasting impact changing the future for children like Subina Inside: training and equipping others to change the game on disability reflections on the Nepali church new community work in Kalikot celebrate editorial contents Dear Friends So often we tell you about what INF is doing directly to help bring fullness of life to Nepali people. But it’s easy to forget about all the life of a that is going on ‘indirectly’ too. By sharing skills, knowledge and new ideas with others, INF can have an even bigger impact for the Kingdom than just doing it on our own. In this edition we bring you many different My time in Tansen...... 2 loved one examples of how equipping others is an Shirley reflects on her three months integral part of INF’s mission and purpose, working with UMN ranging from disability organisations down on Strangers in a foreign land...... 4 the plains in Nepalgunj, up to the high hills of Val Inchley reflects on the changing Bajura where women are changing their own Nepali church lives and communities. We are just one part in the big picture of all that is happening in Healthy homes...... 6 Smokeless stoves are saving lives and Nepal - and we hope you will be inspired by empowering communities everything that is taking place. A lasting impact...... 8 With our love and best wishes Training and equipping others to create The INF/UK team an inclusive future Aslan is on the move...... 12 Exciting new initiatives are taking COVER PHOTO: Subina, who has cerebral palsy, shape in Pokhara is one of many children in Nepal desperate to go to school Trekking into Kalikot...... 14 An account from an exploratory visit to INF’s new working area

Inspiring support...... 16 Updates from some fantastic fundraisers and how you can support INF

An INF Tribute Page gives you the opportunity to remember a loved one who has died. It is a permanent tribute to their life and enables families and friends across the globe to share special memories, support each other in bereavement, remember birthdays or anniversaries and raise money for a cause that was close to their loved one’s heart. Today in Nepal UK registered charity 1047178 If you would like celebrate someone’s life in this way, go to © INF/UK 2016 Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3060972 Articles may be re-used with permission from INF/UK The Cottage, 22 Weoley Park Road, Selly www.inf.org.uk/tributes, e-mail [email protected] or call us on Oak, Birmingham, B29 6QU

0121 472 2425. 1 a My time in Tansen INF’s gynaecologist Shirley Heywood reflects on her time working in Tansen for the United Mission to Nepal [UMN] and how God used this opportunity to bring healing to herself and to others fistula camp which is the culmination of a year’s I had the opportunity to teach about work. These three months have flown by so fistula to the doctors gathered for quickly and the experience was all that I hoped weekly tutorials, and to students in it would be and much more. the nursing school. Patients come to Tansen from far and wide because I loved working in the welcoming team of they know that, although they may Nepalis and expatriates. They don’t have pay a little more, they will receive a gynaecologist at present, so it was nice excellent care and there is financial Shirley Heywood to be useful and help with some difficult support for those who need it. Two hysterectomies and challenging deliveries. I young women came from far, having loved the emphasis on teaching, the enthusiasm Shirley writes: long and difficult labour. Both babies of seniors to pass on skills and the desire of were delivered safely and I had the I welcomed the opportunity to recently spend young doctors to learn. I really enjoy, and feel opportunity to teach the maternity three months at United Mission Hospital, called to, my work in government hospitals ward staff about how obstetric fistula Tansen. It opened the door to return to Nepal but it was wonderful to spend a time in a can be prevented. Tansen Hospital [photo UMN] after six months of uncertainty in UK, as I Christian hospital, with “We serve. Jesus heals” One lady, from Kapilvastu district had next fistula camp in Surkhet, which took place at over the gate. Every day begins with prayer and was not able to be in Nepal due to visa issues. a successful fistula repair in 2015 but was still the end of February and into March. Returning to Nepal to work for UMN meant the Christmas message is celebrated with the very incapacitated by complications of a hernia We read in Nehemiah of the exiles who I would have work to do and be closer to the singing of Christmas songs around following the caesarean sections she had had returned to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple fistula team in Surkhet as they prepared for the the wards. earlier. The general surgeon in Surkhet was not and the walls amidst much opposition and confident to tackle such a difficult hernia, but Patients in Tansen [photo UMN] discouragement. They worked with their tools the surgeons at Tansen said, “Call her here and in one hand and their weapons at their side. We let us see”. So she came and had surgery and have spiritual armour too, the belt of truth, the went home delighted! breastplate of righteousness, the readiness that God had work for me to do in Tansen and I am comes from the gospel of peace, the helmet of very happy that I was able to help many women salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of and teach some new skills to some wonderful the spirit which is the word of God. doctors. God had work to do in me too. The I thank God and United Mission to Nepal pain and feeling that Nepal was rejecting me for giving me this time and a place of refuge, was healed. I learnt again to worship Him again not because He is answering prayers the way I friendship and spiritual refreshment. want, but for who He is: my Creator, Saviour, Lord and Father who loves me. Please give thanks for the United Mission to It has been hard being away from Surkhet as the Nepal, and for the time that Shirley was able building of the fistula centre began, and painful to to spend in Tansen. Please pray for Shirley miss the laying of the foundation stone. However, as she recovers from the recent fistula camp I’m very grateful that I was recently granted a and praise God that her official visa was temporary visa which allowed me to be part of the granted in early March!

2 3 strangers in a foreign land Val Inchley, who served with INF in Nepal for many years and who has a deep interest and experience with the Nepali diaspora, reflects on the challenges and changes in the Nepali church over the last few decades.

What is the role of the Nepali church – a professional work as ministry. The caring Migrants make their way to the border in Nepalgunj church historically unofficial, unregistered and, ministry has not changed, but its extension to Then, gradually, a torrent of Nepali young men all sorts of practical and spiritual support. A undercover…though never truly underground? the wider community has, made possible by the [and later, women] left their villages and towns regular phone call to the migrant overseas could increased political freedom, although recently Perhaps it’s to be ‘yeast in the dough of the to seek their fortune in India or further afield be the one thing that keeps them going and this has again been threatened. world’? This is true and Biblical, but doesn’t in South East Asia and the Middle East. Few faithful. Churches need to be prepared to cope work for the Nepal context – Nepalis prefer rice We see this clearly in many ways and new Nepali churches have remained unaffected by with the after-effects of broken families, other to pau roti [yeast bread]! Some might answer, ministries: in the Christian senior leadership this phenomenon. Some lost leaders and all saw trauma and long-term sickness. families split up with one [and sometimes both] “to proselytise”; but they would be wrong, for of INF/Nepal and in the community work Returned migrants, many themselves encouraged parents overseas during the formative years of the church has never forced anyone to change [especially post-earthquake] of organisations by the Nepalese Migrant Unity Network their children’s lives. Churches have been slow to their religion or paid anybody to become a like Asal Chhimekee Nepal, which grew directly [NeMUN], are the ones best able to educate the grasp the stress suffered by migrant families. Christian. Rather, simple witnessing and out of the churches in Pokhara. churches in their area. NeMUN, which itself willingness to pray for the sick has attracted But in one area at least, church ministry has I have heard more than once “He’s got a good provides practical, medical, legal and spiritual many with physical and spiritual needs. Since not caught up with the transformation of job overseas… why isn’t he sending back tithe help to individual migrants and their families, its beginnings in the early 1950s, the Nepali society. Fuelled by the declining economic to help us?” The reality is that most migrants is an organisation established by migrants for church has been brilliant at winning folks to situation and – for over a decade – the Maoist start their life overseas with a hefty debt and migrants but supported for several years by INF. Christ but less good at discipling them. Peoples War, Nepali youth began to flee their struggle to send sufficient support for their But, in the end, it is the local churches who must The church has grown exponentially but has hill villages. The resulting communities of families. A disproportionate number get assume responsibility for all their members – in often faced challenges of unity. It has been weak displaced people, especially in towns along the sick or injured overseas, or even die. Some Nepal and other countries too. on financial issues but it immensely strong in plains bordering with India, was a challenge for partners, overseas or back home, succumb to prayer. The church has always been quick to the local churches but at least the needy people sexual temptation and particularly for those produce church planters but slow to generate were in their midst. travelling through India, there is the danger of Please pray: and train young Christian professionals. It has contracting HIV. Children miss their parents. • for the church in Nepal as it continues always cared for believers who don’t have families Churches in Nepal face the new challenge of Returnees, who accepted Christ overseas, are to respond to the challenge of the many supporting members living overseas or those have been rejected by their natural sometimes viewed with suspicion. Ordinary thousands of migrants who leave the families. It has also been a mediator of hope church members, who have developed into country each year for those on the fringes of society, but [largely leaders while overseas, face the challenge of • for church leaders to find effective ways to because of prejudice and persecution] less able to not being given greater opportunities for support their members living overseas and the families left at home be a neighbour in its local communities. responsibility on their return. • for migrants facing dangerous or difficult Since 1990, all this has been changing. Not For the church, there is clearly a new role here work – for effective changes in working the growth or the prayer, but the increasing which is slowly being realised. The family left regulations that will keep them safe, and for number of young Christians now approaching behind needs sympathetic understanding and God’s protection on them and their families

4 5 But as life-threatening as this severe lack of food is, it is not the only threat to the health of this village. A silent killer lurks within the way the healthy food is cooked. Across Nepal, it is customary that the women in the household are responsible for preparing HOMES meals. In many homes, cooking requires using a Across Nepal, many hundreds traditional open stove. This method of cooking, of thousands of people cook fuelled by wood from the surrounding forests, on traditional fires inside their fills the house with plumes of thick, black, homes. Yet respiratory illnesses suffocating smoke. caused from breathing in smoke Preparing meals here is a time-consuming and related issues are amongst process, and often means women and children the biggest causes of deaths in are exposed to indoor pollution for long amounts of time. Because of this, smoke-related Nepal. Read about how INF’s illnesses and conditions such as asthma, sinusitis Manmata cooking with her new smokeless stove community work is not only and eye problems are sadly commonplace. helping improve health for many black tar, and it is also helps preserve our forest This way of cooking was Manmata’s reality until been distributed to communities in the Bajura from deforestation, as it does not need much hundreds of families, but helping recently. Manmata is a mother of six, who lives district, where members of Self Help Groups firewood.” Being environmentally aware is vital the environment and giving in Supana. Everything changed in Manmata’s have played a key role in bringing about the for the villagers of Supana, they recognise that people a chance to change their kitchen when an exciting delivery arrived at her change. for future generations to have any certainty of own lives too. door. She was the first recipient of a new stove surviving here the environment they live in must Chitra is one such person. 22 people in her Self that has transformed her life. The new stove In a remote corner of Bajura district is a village be protected and used wisely. Help Group were suffering from asthma, and so channels smoke away outside the house, allowing called Supana. In some respects, it is a typical she decided to test out a new smokeless stove. Once her to breathe easily as she cooks. Nepali community. It is situated in a picturesque The new stoves have provided hope for a convinced of the difference it makes, she spread the green valley with houses built on wide green steps Shortly after she received her stove, each happier, healthier, home for future generations. word to her group and to others in nearby villages carved out of the hillside. Women are a driving household in Manmata’s community received “I have to work less than before and I have more that her kitchen was now clean, that she used half force within the village as men migrate to India their own, through the support of INF. time for myself and my children,” says Manmata, the amount of firewood, and that coughs and eye infection were a thing of the past. for much of the year, returning for the seasons of “Me and all other villagers who received the “I am very grateful towards INF for its support” planting and harvest. While the men of the village new stoves are enjoying lots of benefits,” says INF has already provided seventy-five smoke- It was a great joy for Chitra to see not only the earn money away, women and children are left Manmata. “Firstly, there is much less smoke and free iron stoves - one for each household in change she could bring to her own life, but also to survive on the meagre provision from the last we no longer feel suffocated while cooking. We Manmata’s village. Hundreds more stoves have to many other homes. harvest. Each meal is precious here, with many can stay as long as we want in the kitchen now,” families only having enough food to cover only Manmata shares joyfully. Manmata is also now 30% of the year. Life is hard. campaigning for the area she lives in to become Get involved: We would love this joy smoke-free, along with the help of other women. to be echoed in every home in Nepal. Eradicating this needless pollution in These gifts of stoves have not only benefitted homes, so families live healthier and the health of the community, providing cleaner longer, is all part of INF’s ongoing air and relieving some of the stresses of cooking, projects in places like Bajura. Why not they have also been instrumental in protecting commit to helping transform more the environment too. lives through a regular gift? Go to Manmata shares: “Cooking is much faster in www.inf.org.uk/give to set one up in just a few minutes. this stove, cleaning the cooking pots is also easier as they are no longer covered by the Communities receive the new stoves in Kalikot Women and children are some of those most at risk from smoke in the home 6 7 a lasting impact How the voices of Nepal’s disabled community can speak hope and life into districts

How do you influence the views Equipping communities to of a nation? embrace disability Across Nepal, there are more than half a million Everyone is born with gifts and talents that people affected by disability1. can be instrumental in changing the future of their country. For Nepal, providing an Prejudice and lack of education and understanding environment where the next generation can within communities has led to isolation, shame flourish is a key part in developing the country. and misery for many families, who have felt INF’s community work in districts such as they had to hide their relatives away because Banke is focusing on making sure that the they differed from the accepted social norm. voice of the disabled is heard and that cultures At INF, we recognise that the most powerful are changed. people to make a change and a difference One of the strategic ways change can happen within Nepal are those in their own is through Disabled People’s Organisations, or communities. But we know that even those DPOs. These organisations exist all over the who embrace people with disabilities can face a world; in Nepal, they are like Self Help Groups, lack of resources and training. but with a particular focus on disability. They The face of Nepal is changing. Disability is are often born out of an individual’s need for more visible than it has ever been, and this help and support, but are formally registered provides a huge opportunity to give accessible with the Government. and relevant community-based training. The learning from training can be passed on, to help | continued on next page change perceptions and mind-sets so people can live free from fear. On these pages and overleaf Kanti, one of INF’s disability supervisors, Friendships formed at the spinal cord injury workshop delivering training at the Spinal Cord Injury are three examples of how INF is training and workshop resourcing others in our disability work. than just those attending! The hotel is now participants even pushed themselves over 20km planning to build wheelchair accessible rooms of rough terrain in a wheelchair to attend! and has also installed wheelchair-accessible “The training has made me feel that I am toilet facilities. From isolation and fear to not alone,” said Dhan, a carer of a child understanding and hope Dispelling fear by teaching the basics of what with a severe spinal cord injury. “Thank you At a recent workshop in Banke district, those a spinal cord injury is, looking at disability for reminding us of the things that we had once hidden away or housebound were given and rehabilitation and providing practical forgotten, from now on I will be putting into the opportunity to tell their own stories. solutions for everyday common problems such practice what I have learnt,” said Shanta, as bedsores and wheelchair maintenance was delegate of the SCI training. The two-day workshop for people with spinal hugely empowering for the delegates. cord injuries, their relatives and carers, set out Those who attended left empowered to create a to encourage and educate delegates. Held at There is a hunger for this type of workshop more inclusive environment for themselves and a local hotel, the training day impacted more in Nepal. Motivated by a thirst for knowledge had met people, in their situation, that they and a chance to meet other survivors, some could call on for support. 1Nepal Population and Housing Census 2011 8 9 Being locally based, these organisations have Educating a nation to ABILITY APPEAL the opportunity to reach many more people recognise ability than INF can alone. However, often these Yes! I would like to change the future Subina is 11-years-old, she is one of five groups don’t have access to resources and for people with disabilities in Nepal by siblings. She loves to sing Nepali folk songs but training they need to make the greatest possible supporting INF’s work with a gift of: her real dream is to become a doctor. impact. DPO teams work to seek out people £______with disabilities so that they can become more Subina is just like any other child – except n I have enclosed a cheque/voucher payable active in their own communities. Signposting that she has cerebral palsy, a condition that has to INF UK people to healthcare, support groups, training affected her vision and her ability to walk. She OR please debit my credit/debit card and offering practical resources is just a small is keen to attend school, to change her future n MasterCard n VISA n Debit/Maestro part of their work. and the future of her family. Issue No. Card No. (Maestro only) A new team of supervisors from INF are “I want to become a doctor so I can treat my n n n n n n n n n n n n n n nn nn training and working with DPOs to make sure mum when she’s older” she says. that they have all the skills and opportunities Start Date Expiry Date Her father, Min, is a primary school teacher they need to make a real impact locally. n n /n n n nn n / and although he recognises the importance of There are lots of different ways this is taking education, he also sees the reality Subina would Signature place. For example in Nepalgunj, disability be faced with at school. workshops have been held at a number of youth He has witnessed staff using derogatory clubs, by DPOs which have received training Date language about others with disability and he from INF. At the youth clubs, disabled people n n /n n /n n fears that the children at the school would do have been given a platform to explain the cause the same. Wanting to protect his daughter, at and effect of disability, the rights of a disabled the moment Min does not allow her to attend Title: Name: person and to signpost others to the help classes like the other children. they are entitled to. Equipping young people Subina Address: with this training is beginning to transform Subina is capable. She has the ability, the drive communities and sow seeds for a different kind and motivation to chase her dreams, but is of future for disability in Nepal. prevented from doing so, because her school Get involved: Please pray for the impact Postcode: of all of INF’s disability training work. does not offer the inclusive environment that Email address: she needs. Pray that local organisations will be well equipped to reach more people in their n Please tick if you are happy to receive emails She is not the only child like this. Her from INF with updates about our work and ways community. Pray for open hearts and dream is put on hold by the attitudes and you can be involved through prayer, giving and misunderstandings of others. They don’t see minds to see the ability and potential events. You can unsubscribe at any time Subina, they don’t even see the condition she in everyone. has, they see disability. It costs just £25 to run a workshop at a Gift aid – make your gift worth 25% more! But it doesn’t have to stay this way. As part of school like Subina’s for 50 students. INF community workers spend time with n Yes I am a UK taxpayer – please claim Gift INF’s community disability work, teams are Aid on my donation coming alongside local schools. This includes teachers, pupils and families where they Please cut off this reply slip and send it along with your special inclusivity workshops for students and encourage and train them on how to create donation to INF/UK. an inclusive environment for everyone. INF/UK is a registered charity no. 1047178 teachers, and classroom activities for children. and Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3060972 INF also advocates at more strategic levels Could you give a gift to the INF Ability with school management committees and local Data Protection: We promise to protect your privacy Appeal – to help change the future for and will not share your details with other organisations. authorities, as well as helping provide funds to children like Subina? All information you give us is managed in accordance build ramps and adjust buildings to become with the Data Protection Act (1998). We would like to Go to www.inf.org.uk/ability or cut off the keep you informed about INF’s work and opportunities inclusive for all – so that children like Subina to be involved through giving, prayer and events. If you can be everything they were made to be. donation form on this page. Thank you! would not like to receive such information please call The workshop participants in Kohalpur 0121 472 2425 or email [email protected] PUB_TIN17A 10 11 Aslan is on the move John Reynolds leads the team at INF/UK In the book The Lion, the Witch and the of you will remember Raju when he visited Please join with me in praying for Raju and all Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis, four children the UK last year as part of the ‘Earthquake the leaders of churches in the Pokhara Christian enter the magical land of Narnia. One of the One Year On’ events we held around the UK. Churches: for wisdom and God’s guiding and creatures they meet is Mr Beaver, who early on ACN continue to be incredibly active since the leading. Please pray that God would give great says to the children, “Aslan is on the move”. The earthquakes, earning a strong reputation for courage and boldness to step out into all that He story then goes on to say “…the moment the quick direct action, whilst also explaining that has ahead for His church in Nepal. Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite their help comes with the prayer and love of different […] At the name of Aslan each one of Christians in Pokhara and the wider world. Going beyond education RC Timothy, the Chair of INF Nepal the children felt something jump in its inside.” It has been so inspiring to meet and hear from Another of these ‘ ’ moments came The close working of a mature mission such You might ask, what does all this have to do Raju about how this has just been the beginning leaping inside while having dinner with RC Timothy, the Chair as INF, and the churches of Pokhara, is very with Nepal?! for a bigger vision to see the church becoming more and more mission-focused. of INF Nepal. He was talking about a vision to exciting to me – and I hope to you too. Both Over the last year I have had the privilege of see a Christian school in Pokhara to serve INF have a vision to impact their society for the visiting Nepal five times, spending many hours Reflecting on the past, Raju said “the Pokhara and the wider Pokhara Christian Community. Kingdom, and both see the value of working meeting with leaders in INF, and from the wider Christian Community is so mindful of what together. Please do pray for the next stages of This vision is strongly linked to the longer term God has done and has been doing, especially in plans for developing a new school. Christian community in Pokhara. Two or three vision for Green Pastures Hospital, which is Pokhara. We appreciate all His blessings to this conversations have left me with a similar feeling to see it expand to become a teaching centre Something very special is happening in Pokhara, country – the people who were motivated and to the Narnia story, when I felt something ‘jump for medical staff. With this will come the need it does indeed feel like Aslan is on the move! compelled by the love of God, who worked hard inside of me’. I’d like to share some of these, and for schooling of staff children, including the ask for your prayers at these exciting early stages. to bring the gospel to Nepal and dedicated their children of expatriate mission personnel. lives for this country. People left their comfort WANTED FOR AN EXCEPTIONAL behind for the sake of the Nepali people.” Coupled with the comments from Raju, I started OPPORTUNITY Churches stepping out to see the strong strategic argument for a new, A God-inspired educator, who can grasp Building on this legacy, today the Pokhara Christian school in Pokhara, whose mission One conversation was with Raju Adhikari. Raju Christian Community is looking outwards more the strategic significance of a new Christian would go beyond simply providing ‘good Primary School in Pokhara, and who is the Executive Director of Asal Chhimekee than ever before. The church community now education’. I saw how it could be a catalyst, to Nepal [ACN], the organisation formed to enable feel a strong call to set up more mission work through their leadership and teaching encourage churches to engage and release others talents, can turn this vision into a reality. the combined churches of Pokhara to reach out and encourage people and churches to actively into mission. the poor and needy in the name of Christ. Some participate in the movement, and for churches to Please contact Catherine on 0121 472 2425, take ownership of it. As conversations developed, it became clear or email [email protected] to find out more that I was not the only one seeing the linkage Conversations are at very early stages, but this between the visions of INF and the local church. WANTED IMMEDIATELY could include encouraging and sending people Nor is that linkage solely about schooling. There We have an immediate need for a primary with the gifts, skills and knowledge for mission is also a vision for some of the services of the school teacher in Pokhara. If you can offer work, and setting up mission training centres to new chapel in Green Pastures to be run by the one or two school terms, or more, please train and equip those who are being sent. The idea Pokhara Youth Fellowships, and conversations contact Catherine on 0121 472 2425 or is that it will be focused on Nepal to begin with, for this are progressing well [youth in Nepal email [email protected] to find out more. but then potentially expand to outside of Nepal. includes those up to their early 30s!].

Raju Adhikari speaking in Bolton last year 12 13 might find on the Big Wheel in a fairground! The ‘twin’ had wires attached which were pulled trekking into Kalikot by some youths on the far side of the river, to Building on its pioneering work in neighbouring districts, INF is help us get across. looking to start new work in in North West Nepal. From here, we climbed steadily for most of the Kalikot borders other districts of Bajura, Jumla and Mugu, where day till we emerged at the Lalu health post, community projects have been running for many years. Richard looking [in my case] less than fresh, to be greeted Sykes, a long-standing supporter of INF, recently took part in one by a welcoming party of 40 to 50 people. Malas of the INF community team’s exploratory visits to the area, and [garlands] of flowers were hung round our necks, shares his experiences. The remoteness, steep terrain and problems In December 2016, I accompanied an Richard [back left] with some of the community team including Prem Subedi [right, Executive faced by communities in Kalikot are similar to exploratory visit to Kalikot led by Prem Subedi, Director] and Buddhi Thapa [second from right, those in nearby areas. According to the 2015 Executive Director of INF Nepal, and Buddhi Community Director] census, Kalikot ranks as the third-poorest district Thapa, Community Director. In , the in Nepal, now worse than Mugu which has Kalikot district centre, we had useful meetings relationships and links with the communities improved over recent years thanks to the work of and drank copious quantities of chiya [the and in obtaining necessary approvals from the INF and others. sweet Nepali tea] with various local government government to begin the work there. It is an area officials. The officials were all supportive and that will truly benefit from INF’s help for many we agreed that the new working area should years to come. comprise a group of five VDCs [Village Richard wading the river in Malkot Development Committee areas] to the west of HOW INF WILL BE HELPING Manma called Lalu, Malkot, Rupsa, Women’s group in Lalu writing down their priorities PEOPLE IN KALIKOT and . and concerns • Women’s health and empowerment: We had supper with a local pastor from whom tackling issues such as child marriage, we were encouraged to learn that there are more chiya was consumed and after all 50 or so chhaupadi [excluding women from the already three church groups in Manma and people had introduced themselves [the women home during their monthly periods and another thriving church in a remoter VDC in shyly and with giggles] we proceeded to business. after childbirth] and girls’ education, as the district. I was pleased to discover that the Prem spoke about INF and the sort of work it well as supporting pregnant mothers and their babies pastor’s brother is an INF staff member based in does, and the local people spoke of the things Nepalgunj, with whom I had twice been to India that concerned them. • Disability: Building on INF’s expertise in this area, the project will give direct some years ago. A steep descent brought us the next day to Malkot help to disabled people with assistive There are no roads in the new working area, so and a river through whose numbing waters I had devices, and home adaptations, as well to reach it we had to cross the Karnali river in a to wade knee-deep – not a choice I would have as making schools and health posts contraption suspended above the river called a made voluntarily on a December morning! This disability friendly was followed by an almost vertical climb for about ‘twin’. This is a metal double seat of the kind one • Farming and livelihoods: The farming three hours on a terrible path, especially where we conditions in Kalikot are relatively Not a trip for the faint-hearted! crossed a landslide, to Kumalgaun. favourable for such a mountainous Walking on to Kotbada, we spent the night on area. The new projects will also have an the store room floor of a farm building. Our agricultural element, helping farmers get combined snoring was more than a match for the most from the land. Communities the buffalo’s grunts in its stall below. A steep four from the lowest caste groups, who often hours’ descent to the Karnali the next day brought are the most marginalised and excluded, will be one of the focuses for this work, us back to the road and the outside world. as well as more generally to help improve Though the visit was short and inevitably their place in society superficial, it was important in establishing 14 15 INSPIRING SUPPORT Pray for Nepal

asked “are you raising money for charity?” we join in at the naturally wanted to support the work of INF in Nepal - one pound for every mile, which Prayer Hub! includes our ‘scenic routes’! There are still a few ‘miles’ left so if you would like to give to this then search for “TownersTandemTrip” at The hub is packed full of prayer points, news, resources and ideas www.justgiving.com. So until the next to help you and your church pray for Nepal and INF adventure...many thanks!” Carl & Alison Towner

Cards for Nepal – buy yours today Judith Mackay, who worked for INF/UK for many years and continues to volunteer since her retirement, has raised an amazing £5,500 for Green Fantastic fundraisers Pastures Hospital and other projects over the last NEW! You can now access Partners in Prayer online! A daily guide to help you few years by making and selling greetings cards. pray for INF’s people and projects. Just go to www.inf.org.uk/pip2017 Carl and Alison cycled the length of the UK, from Land’s End to John O’Groats on a Judith has made some lovely Easter cards which tandem. So far they’ve raised an amazing £933 are available to buy. A for INF! They share their experience… pack of 5 cards with a mix of flowers, church, “We can hardly believe it is almost six months lamb and cross pictures since we finished cycling our Tandem from costs just £5, including the length of Britain from Land’s End to John postage and packaging. O’Groats, or “LEJOG” as it is affectionately Last order date to receive known. A total of 1141.1 miles over 19 days, your cards before Easter which averages 60 miles per cycling day. And DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 is Monday 10th April. what an adventure it was - we loved it! It There’s only a limited certainly made us feel alive and we thoroughly number available – so enjoyed noticing how our countryside changed contact us soon if you’d as we cycled from South to North. Did you like some! know that Scotland doesn’t have hawthorn [the arch enemy of cycle tyres!] in their hedges?! We did get through three tyres, had four punctures, Get involved: Do you have an idea of and some of the days took a lot longer than how you’d like to support INF? Maybe you could use your creative skills and sell expected, but we were blessed with meeting DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 cakes or crafts to raise funds? Or what lovely people who helped us along the way and about nominating INF to be your church [believe it or not] great weather!!! or workplace’s charity of the year? We camped, stayed in B&Bs and with old Just call us on 0121 472 2425 if you’d friends, including some from when we were in like to talk any ideas through at all – big Pokhara with INF 17 years ago. When folk or small. We’d love to hear from you.

16 www.inf.org.uk/pray

DAY 9 DAY 10 DAY 11 DAY 12 Baby Chicks £10 Eggstra special Easter gifts New gifts available just in time for Easter! You will receive a card that you can personalise and send to your friend or family member, showing how your gift could help transform someone’s life in Nepal. To see the full range, order online and buy e-cards go to www.inf.org.uk/goodgifts or request a printed catalogue by calling 0121 472 2425

ORDER ONLINE Rabbit & feed £12 www.inf.org.uk/goodgifts