Massage - even in the Monsoon!

The clinic is doing far better than we expected - even during the quiet (and very hot) monsoon months. We recieved this feedback in the UK via email from a visiting client:

“I just wanted to write and tell you what a fantastic massage I had following my Annapurna circuit trek. The practitioner (Chiran) was extremely professional and a very skilled and an excellent massage therapist. I live in London and do deep tissue massage myself. He may remember me as I came back the next day for another one! I think the concept of Seeing Hands is amazing and I feel the work being done is at a very high standard.”

We’ve had hundreds of equally brilliant comments from other clients – some of whom even said it was their best massage ever! The newly qualified therapists saw about 70 clients a month between them last season and with promised listings in 2009 travel guides, plus regular custom from hotels, we see a bright and most importantly, sustainable future for the project.

Those of you with a keen eye might also notice from the picture that the building has grown! During the wetter months of the monsoon, our Project Manager Kul has been busy braving the rain to build our extension. We now have another much-needed training room/office and an extra shower and toilet, which will be a big help. (More students means busier bathrooms!) The extension is on the left of the photo and we'll post photos of the inside after we've kitted it out.

Computer Training for the Blind

“Getting job is difficult for blind people so I am very lucky for this opportunity. Your support is very important for my life”

This is an extract from a letter written by Samrat to his sponsor. He typed it all by himself on our new computer using the screen reading software Jaws. He started his computer training in April and we were delighted to get our first ever email from him earlier this month. We began funding a small computer training project in Pokhara last year and so far, 14 blind individuals have benefited (including our students). We are presently working hard to try and get funding to develop this project further.