A New Year message from Kopila

This is New Year in some countries but not Nepal where it is still 2068.  But we will still think about the year that we have had and our plans for 2012.  One exciting thing was we had a talk with Praagya from the Apeiron organisation for training women in skill development in Kathmandu. They provide basic to advanced skill training for the women in vulnerable situations.  They could provide training and accommodation for three ladies in Kathmandu and this would be good for when Samunnat can not able to provide Training.  Unfortunately this time, for ladies sometimes it is very difficult situation to leave their place.  For example, Manuka was ready to go to Kathmandu with her 6 year old son but she was worried that when she leave her husband’s house (her husband had already left her) her in-laws would not let her stay as soon as she go for training in Kathmandu. She was scared that she would no longer have any means of support and that she would not be able to fight for her legal and property rights.  The tradition where the wife stays at the in-laws even when the husband leaves makes it so hard for ladies.Every year some good /bad things happen for Samunnat.  Some good things I will mention later. For us the very hard thing is that women are in so vulnerable situation that they can’t straight away say “No,  I am not going to tolerate this now” .  Many endure dreadful things and wait for the sake of their children education.  They know if they start to fight against the violence their children suffer.  Their husband or his family would stop supporting her children and she could not send them to school.  It is hard for us and we do not agree when women choose to stay in violent situations but when Usha* asked us to initiate registration of her case in the court, that was all she would do because her three daughters were having their university final exams.  Her husband is a high school teacher and giving her sexual torture.  She wants initial safety and security from the government and she want to take first steps with Samunnat.  She is not leaving him yet for her girls.  I feel that this was her motherhood sacrifice but we will not give up.  This was her first steps.This new year 2012 has given us some good start.  We are planning to have some skill development training for our ladies who have been waiting for long time.  We had our Australian embassy funding training for two years ago.  The outcome of the training was very good.  Now ladies are waiting for us to conduct similar types of training.  Last year our tour group friends support us by shopping in our office small display shop.  We are heartily grateful to the friends who loved our jewellery.  We also had made up orders for Australian friends who bought them with love and we had made some more money.  This is not just the work that Samunnat ladies are doing.  This is your inspiration and feeling of purity with love and well wishes.  We are all around united and supporting behind the scene.To all of our Samunnat family near and so far, happy new year and many blessings to you all.*Name changed. Also, the photos accompanying this post are from a spectacular religious diorama at Arjundhara temple not far from the office.  In this case, divine protection from violence was available for the wife involved.  (Complicated story-we'll get Kopila to confirm the facts before I attempt to go into further details! Ed)