 Life is getting a little warmer for Aadhya, a kindergartener at HIO’s Sanepa Learning Center, thanks to her hand-knit hat from Elisabeth Cary. Dear Friends, Hoping you all are well. We’ve recently returned from an inspiring trip to Nepal, complete with the usual running around dusty Kathmandu visiting HIO girls and our partner schools. A dozen intrepid sponsors joined us for their long awaited journey to connect with our girls, originally planned for 2020. How wonderful! A highlight of our trip was distributing more than 200 hand-knit hats to children at our two early learning centers along with all of our sponsored girls. Our Nepal staff brilliantly coordinated a week filled with fun events that immersed everyone in HIO’s work on the ground. Celebrations of learning with kindergartners, a meal prepared by HIO mothers and picnics in the park with all of our sponsored girls…it doesn’t get much better than that! A true sense of global community emerged while sponsors and girls built cultural understanding. The smiles and giggles we shared during these celebrations defied the dismal living conditions we saw when we visited our girls’ homes.  Michelle Hoffmeister and Naina shared laughs during a balloon-popping game at our Saraswati School picnic. Everyone loved dancing, chatting and sharing momos with our sponsored girls. Many thanks to the group of knitters in Sheffield, MA who inspired a massive hat-knitting effort to benefit our HIO community. Their call for knitters prompted bundles of hats to arrive on our doorsteps from all corners of the U.S. throughout the fall. By November, our suitcases were bound for Kathmandu, overflowing with the loving kindness of more than thirty knitters. Our group of sponsors loved organizing the hats into piles for the children and helping find the perfect fit for each little head. The children were so excited to wear their new hats every day. The heartfelt connections you make with our sponsored girls and their families makes it possible for them to thrive, despite the challenges of living in deep-rooted poverty. Being part of HIO’s network of support helps each girl build the confidence and strength she needs to stay in school and do well. Your letters, hats, and laughs are truly making a difference. We’re abundantly grateful for each and every one of your efforts that encourage our HIO girls to shine. With hugs and warm holiday wishes - Laura and Ricky  Ishika was delighted to show off her colorful new hat, knit by Susan Sargent from Allen’s Neck Friends Meeting in Westport, MA.
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