Nice to meet you, Sister.

I've just realized that I haven't said much about the work I am doing in Kathmandu. My days are mostly free as I wait to leave for my permanent volunteer placement, but I am so lucky to be spending a little of my time at Papa's House. As I said before, I'm not doing much, but I am doing something!

The girls at Papa's House orphanage are amazing. With all of their smiles and giggles, you would never know how hard their lives really are. Most of these girls have been rescued from sold-slavery, abusive households, or trafficking. Some of them have scars, burns, and one even has a blind eye. But they are all so beautiful.

The first time I visited the orphanage, I got a dozen hugs before anyone even asked my name. The girls are always excited to show off their western handshakes and say "nice to meet you, sister!" It is impossible not to feel welcome.

In the mornings, I walk over before breakfast to help braid their hair for school. Each girl wears identical braided pigtails to school, complete with matching yellow bows which I have learned how to tie in "bows," "butterflies," and the ever-challenging "flowers." I always go home covered in coconut hair oil, lice, and a lot of love.
In the evenings, I can help the girls complete their homework, or sometimes just talk and play.

On Saturdays there is no school, so all the children gather at Papa's House to play and spend time together. Last week I brought over a suitcase full of craft materials and nearly ten different projects ideas. As you can imagine, the day was messy, crazy, and wonderful. By the end of the day, every single thing (yes, even the scissors and paint brushes) was gone.
I spent that afternoon helping one of the beautiful older girls, Sangita, paint a mural. I promise I am not an artist, so I'm not quite sure how I ever got roped into helping. But I somehow managed to not ruin the wall, and it ended up being a fun afternoon.

The girls are sweeter than I can describe, so I wont try too hard. Trust me that they will let you into their hearts without question and they wont ever let you out!