Dhulikel

Well after 17 hours of travel we have finally arrived in Dhulikel. The travel itself was not uneventful, Somewhere over Australia we went through a thunder storm. We heard an almighty bang and a big flash. Turns out we made a pretty good lightning rod.
However the fun wasn't over yet. On our first approach to Singapore airport we hit some pretty heavy crosswinds and the pilot decided that he should probably have a second go of it, so round we went again. A few nervous looks were thrown around the cabin. We made it on the second attempt. After a short stop of two hours in Singapore it was on to Kathmandu. The approach into the city was a little rough and topped off by landing on the left wheel a little bounce and then all three wheels down. We had arrived!

After sorting the visas, finding our luggage, sorting out sim cards, which were trimmed down to size with scissors, we met Ashok and the team who will be looking after us while we are in their country. A short bus ride later and we arrived at our home for the week, the
Mirabel Resort Hotel, a true oasis of tranquility in the chaos that is Kathmandu and Dhulikel. So here we all are on our first night in Nepal, relaxing and reliving the sites we have already seen today.

Here we go

The team is assembled and we are just waiting to board. Everyone has met each other and we've done our last minute shopping of power adapters and kiwi soft toys. Next stop Singapore!

At the airport.

The team is starting to assemble at Auckland Airport, and all going well all 13 of us will be together in time to fly out at 11.30pm. By then everyone will have met everyone else. There are still 2 travellers who have not yet met all the group.
Even while we are packing our bags and making sure everything is sorted, advice that more donations are coming in has been received.
So, it is THANKYOU to;
· Philippa Edgar, Paul Wicks, Isabella and Livia Wicks
· Pam, Theo, David & Maddy Vondervoort
· Steph Aicklin and Mark, Samantha, Timothy & Antonia Edgar – and these guys live in London !! They want to donate a cow – and call it Charles. (Is that something to do with the ears ?)
I am thinking of appointing a Financial Controller to keep up with the donations that have come in – it is over $7,500.00.
To all those people whose names have on the Blog site to date – Boy are we ever proud of what you have contributed to this journey of ours !!
In typical Kiwi colloquial;
It’s just bloody marvellous

Profile - Vivian Edgar

As a mother, optometrist and Rotarian of nearly four years, I am excited to be heading to Nepal and meeting with the people of Baluwa and the Rotary Club of Dhulikhiel, and having the opportunity to explore some of their beautiful country.

I have two sons: Jeremy is travelling with us and is a graduate architect; and Samuel is a graduate engineer studying engineering management at University of Canterbury. I am an optometrist with my practice in Te Puke, in the Bay of Plenty. 

I have enjoyed providing eye care for my community for a few decades and look forward to assisting a different community in another way in Nepal. I am a charter member of Papamoa Rotary and a Past President, and currently involved in the D9930’s Peace theme as Peace coordinator for the next year.

On The Home Straight

3 more sleeps before we depart on what is sure to be a life changing experience for the travelling team. We will ensure that your generosity turns into a life changing experience for those people in Baluwa village thatou have been willing to help. The rumour about the young ladies of Classes 9THIO and 9FLIK at Marlborough Girls High is not a rumour – it is a fact. What’s more both classes have also written letters to the Bhuwoneswori school that Grant will take with him and pass on.

We now also have five more THANK YOUs to give out to 

•          Marty Brick and Nancy van der Laan
•          Maketu Rotary Club
•      Lois Edgar
•      Marita, Mike & Stephen Inglis (Platinum Design)
•      Marianne,Charleen and Sylvana – Rainmakers MSA Ltd

Thanks for your donations to our project fund. The fund has now reached $7150.00.

I have run out of superlatives for what I feel about everyone who has got in behind us and given their assistance.

Rotary’s motto is “Service above Self”. I am proud to be a Rotarian, and I am even more proud to know that there are so many amazingly generous people who have given their support – and trust - to  our group, in the expectation that we will deliver to the village of Baluwa that which we have promised. I can assure you that we will – and we will be so proud to be able to represent you all !

From us all, to you all – THANK YOU !

Jim Carroll

Generous Kiwis keep Donating

The total donated for our project work has now topped $6,000.00 as more donations have come in from generous Kiwis.

A big Thank You to;

·         Steve Langton – Plumbing World

·         Michael Walters & Paul Croudace – Monier Bricks & Roofing

·         Greg Eden – Eden Perich Prewett

·         Andy Corbisley – L J Hooker Real Estate

There is a strong rumor that classes 9THIO and 9FLIK under the guidance of Miss Furness at Marlborough Girls High School are embarking on a Cake sale to raise enough funds to donate a cow.

Wow !!

We are now seriously depleting the surplus stocks of goats and cows in Nepal.

The total stands at 15 pairs of goats and 6 cows. There will be a grand handing over day in the village (Baluwa) on May 1.

Warwick and Pauline Thorburn

Warwick & Pauline Thorburn are both Charter members of the Rotary Club of Papamoa.

They both feel blessed to be actively involved with their family of 7 children and (currently) 6 grandchildren.

They both enjoy life at the beach, fishing, gardening and cycling.

Pauline from a farm on the Hauraki Plains (childhood & Girl Guides) to Rotorua (school & work) to Taupo (kids, sales & advertising) to Auckland (new Housing) to Papamoa (nationwide new housing company – Platinum Homes) serious about education as the enemy of poverty, passionate about making a difference to the people with whom she comes in contact with.

Warwick having spent a lifetime in the Insurance & Financial Services sector, is passionately involved in their company Money Stuff Ltd., running financial literacy seminars “assisting Kiwi’s to get their finances on track”. His most recent significant Rotary involvement was being instrumental in the formation of the Rotary Club of Papamoa. He is thrilled as he watches this club develop as a resource in the community in which we live.