Rob begins trip to Nepal 2011

Rob sent an email a little after 1:00 am today that he arrived at Incheon, Korea safe and sound. He will arrive KTM on Sunday 1:00am PST with Rose Stevens and Sandie Olsen, 2 of our volunteers who are scheduled to develop a women's cooperative and produce embroidered notecards for sale in and around Nepal and overseas. These empowerment activity wil allow these women, who are hearing impaired, to develop a craft, learn the process of marketing and business. This is just the start of the many projects trifc.org will launch this year.

I follow on Saturday, the 19th with our board member, Bobbie Izuo and 2 Rotarians, Steve Swank (RC Des Moines) and Elisabeth Saunders (RC Leavenworth)to visit their Nepali project partners on their disability awareness campaign initiatives and to tour our project sites, meet our nepali friends and witness the beautiful tourist attractions in and around Kathmandu(KTM).

Needless to say this is the highlight of our year and we are excited to meet the children who have benefited from the generosity of our sponsors and donors. Rob will also continue to monitor the 3 year Rotary 3H Grant activities and with his partner Rotarian RR Pandey host the RI Auditor visiting to evaluate the overall impact of the Nepal Disability Awareness Campaign that began in 2008.

With just last minute packing to be done, I am grateful to all of you who have supported Rob and I in our trips whether for Rotary International, trifc.org or other interests. As those who have experienced the magic and mystery of this country, this trip will be just as ethereal despite being Rob's 12th and my 6th trip over. I believe it is about people, it is about friends and it is about humanity coming together to make a better future. Namaste.

~Gina Rose