Update from Nepal in the time of COVID 19 April 9, 2020

With the Covid shut-down, Kathmandu is quiet. People have left to return to home villages, there is no traffic and consequently the air is clearer than it’s been in many years.

To our dear Shanti supporters:

I've been meaning to write an update for days and days and the time just seems to slip away. Is it that way for you right now? I hope you are keeping well and are able to find some pleasure in the small moments. I feel grateful to have a home and food and warm weather for walks in my neighborhood. And grateful for you. A couple of you have inquired about the situation in Nepal. Here's what I know from being in close touch with Tejendra and a number of the kids.

The Nepal government shut down the schools over two weeks ago. The primary kids had just taken their year-end exams. The Class 10 kids who were about to take their SEE ( national school leaving certificate exams) were sent home before the exams were held. A smart move since the exams are administered in crowded classrooms. When in the future they will be rescheduled is unknown. We also do not know when schools and colleges will reopen. Like here, it's a fluid situation.

Our kids have gone home, mostly to their home villages outside of Kathmandu. Kathmandu has emptied out. People feel safer in their villages since KTM is very congested. And the village means home and security. Kathmandu is very quiet and like everywhere else where there is lockdown, the pollution has dropped and the air is clear. Some of the college kids are in Kathmandu, unable to go home for various reasons. We keep in close touch with them.

The government initially ordered a one week lockdown which was extended to a second week. Numbers that have tested positive are very low. However, people do not trust this official information. Nepal shares borders with both China and India. Workers go back and forth (and many came home when the lockdown happened). Many people are hesitant to go to the hospital because of the cost. Additionally, there has not been much testing . So we do not know the actual numbers. It's worrisome on many levels. Particularly for the poor for whom the lockdown is a real hardship. And because they tend to live in more congested arrangements (slum dwellers, for example). And the healthcare system is not equipped to deal with a surge.

The good news is that everyone I have talked with is fine. They’re staying home. I've written countless messages with kids via facebook, reminding them to stay at home, not go out to visit, wash their hands frequently, not touch their face. The kids write to me to see if I'm ok and if their sponsors are well and safe!! It's very heartwarming.

It seems the lockdown will continue. People are cheerful about it and accepting, for now. The police are actually enforcing it on the streets! That drives home the point for people of just how serious this is.

I'll keep you posted on any further developments. Thank you for your caring. I know it means the world to the kids and their families. I'm trying to find out if any of our families or kids are in desperate need of food support or cooking gas. Many live on the edge financially. We naturally want to provide support for those who are having a really hard time. I'll let you know if we need to raise funds for an emergency food distribution. Right now no one can move around so we can't yet organize anything. But I anticipate that there is going to be a big need.

I'm sending each of you much love and all good wishes for your health and happiness....from me, the Shanti Board, Tejendra and all our beloved students, teachers and administrators. We will get through this. Our connectedness is the silver lining.

with Gratitude,

Pam