tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10346476904125958482023-11-26T00:30:38.401-08:00MRabb Habitat for Humanity - Nepal BlogMichael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-57411530642224587342009-03-28T07:38:00.000-07:002009-03-28T07:41:54.210-07:00Home Again<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Dear DU Brothers:</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I just got back to my home in </span></span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Boulder</span></span></span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span></span></span></span><st1:state st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Colorado</span></span></span></span></st1:state><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> after 5 months in </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Nepal</span></span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I wanted to give you an update on my “tour of duty” in </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Nepal</span></span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> with Habitat for Humanity, and thank you for your interest and donations.</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">When Fratkins and Dave Watkinson suggested the DU-Habitat for Humanity Challenge to raise $2100 from Class of ’68, I was surprised and honored.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">We figured that this contribution would help fund seven houses in </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Nepal</span></span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">In fact, with the help of some brothers in some other classes we raised $2825 which will support the construction of nine simple, decent houses for poor families in </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Nepal</span></span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">This is absolutely outstanding!</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">So thank you!</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Thanks to all the brothers who participated in this successful effort: </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Alex Watson, Bill Wolcott, Bob Coleman, Charles Hupfer, Dave Watkinson, Dick Rose '69, Dwight Allen, </span></span></span></span><st1:personname st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Fred Atkins</span></span></span></span></st1:personname><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> '67, Howard Warren, Jake Elig, James Clark, John Nemeth, Joseph Ely, Smith Freeman, Robin Dial ’67, David Benbow ’67, Dan Howe ’67, Bill Snypes ’70, and anonymous!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Most of my time in </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Nepal</span></span></span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> was spent in the Habitat office in </span></span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Kathmandu</span></span></span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> doing resource development.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">But last week they let me participate in a Habitat Global Village Team house build in Pokhara Neapal.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Pokhara is a small town about 100 miles west of </span></span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Kathmandu</span></span></span></span></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">The Global Village Team was made up of 16 volunteers from all over the world:</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">USA</span></span></span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">, </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Canada</span></span></span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">, </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">England</span></span></span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">, </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Germany</span></span></span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">, </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Australia</span></span></span></span></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">, </span></span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Dubai</span></span></span></span></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">, </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Singapore</span></span></span></span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">The team worked for 10 days with our local Habitat home-partners and built three houses.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">(You can see pictures of the team and houses on my blog:</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><a href="http://michaelrabb.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">http://michaelrabb.blogspot.com</span></span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">.)</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">These houses represent one type of construction that Habitat does in western </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Nepal</span></span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> using concrete block and stone.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">In southeastern </span></span></span></span><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Nepal</span></span></span></span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">, Habitat usually uses bamboo and adobe plaster.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">There are also pictures of this type of house construction on the blog.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">In October - December, Habitat-Nepal reports that they constructed 525 houses, renovated 35 and implemented training, safe water, and sanitation projects to serve 150 families. </span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">(I attach a copy of Habitat-Nepal’s 2</span></span></span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">nd</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> qtr newsletter.) The UNC DU donations will support this ongoing program in </span></span></span></span><st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Nepal</span></span></span></span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">.</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Habitat and I thank you for your help!</span></span></span></span><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> Best regards,</span></span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> Michael Rabb (Rabbi)</span></span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">PS:</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Go Heels!</span></span></span></span><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> </span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">(Jeanne and I have tickets to final four in </span></span></span></span><st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); ">Detroit</span></span></span></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); "> and expect to be watching Tarheels!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-86790475566346850522009-03-21T23:43:00.000-07:002009-03-22T00:00:04.730-07:00Global Village Builds Houses in Nepal!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-eMAjcGhmAq-AKGiWqswpXIQ4W81FBis4SA3P40XW3NaXI8DrkiT78H-s3cVUw5jnlMInB_HwsZXasecFLVUJn7WVr9r8od2Sv_fC6u-4gEuOJ9RfhVwaNpm6wGQM2dZ2Xx4RqVYIgyL/s1600-h/DSCN3226.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3-eMAjcGhmAq-AKGiWqswpXIQ4W81FBis4SA3P40XW3NaXI8DrkiT78H-s3cVUw5jnlMInB_HwsZXasecFLVUJn7WVr9r8od2Sv_fC6u-4gEuOJ9RfhVwaNpm6wGQM2dZ2Xx4RqVYIgyL/s320/DSCN3226.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315902057829622450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCku8usr6-efXCbwTBoTFB4LlapeeUEfeyvNVYSL2UH3y8o7Q2NnyzMTol1L-2JSHplu3ZtZFb18WRPv6a6cFu9OegmeE2dsUOI6_BKO9_6-3mEv1l9xSVHfR3vgP9UXPTgUcj0lUlRon/s1600-h/DSCN3224.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCku8usr6-efXCbwTBoTFB4LlapeeUEfeyvNVYSL2UH3y8o7Q2NnyzMTol1L-2JSHplu3ZtZFb18WRPv6a6cFu9OegmeE2dsUOI6_BKO9_6-3mEv1l9xSVHfR3vgP9UXPTgUcj0lUlRon/s320/DSCN3224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315901423439779554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBuI9PfwNkbVJXqMlRjxk2mIiis0CpV-4qPWAC29Bef4hoyG6MNvI4s-WLFdIl9h8KalviUcpyLqktaashHKrWLHhza2w9-UyykUNBwr22bsLXTkoDEpqsh2TbEnCJRDzNWAI9vOeudTs/s1600-h/DSCN3222.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnBuI9PfwNkbVJXqMlRjxk2mIiis0CpV-4qPWAC29Bef4hoyG6MNvI4s-WLFdIl9h8KalviUcpyLqktaashHKrWLHhza2w9-UyykUNBwr22bsLXTkoDEpqsh2TbEnCJRDzNWAI9vOeudTs/s320/DSCN3222.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315901074817835346" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvwolCbwd7-Oip4ayYo68eHcWb9IlPEkb7oGw5RqHv1zWhsYMJoxrsDo9x2pGYwXxpUtRgVqbdcjwJ2051wjJQ3825zKG3X4ezf-uj2IZoXBOeFe1-YLs-GVzbttcrckRNSCVcgQYe2Hw/s1600-h/DSCN3214.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWvwolCbwd7-Oip4ayYo68eHcWb9IlPEkb7oGw5RqHv1zWhsYMJoxrsDo9x2pGYwXxpUtRgVqbdcjwJ2051wjJQ3825zKG3X4ezf-uj2IZoXBOeFe1-YLs-GVzbttcrckRNSCVcgQYe2Hw/s320/DSCN3214.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315900244208233794" /></a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIR7v9GnIgBdfLt6oLPW_EBmNLks527wnPelXWU2ycBGpj91Q6jTXXJg90rgDGtmryTts8Td7ykC47YMvAAfZcGbX2j_Sds8oJw7bTUm9pYjwXfNAWMCcdKuyie3q4Xi7V6oAnHyFMAxTT/s320/DSCN3202.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315903098982151714" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Last week travelled to Pokhara to tag on to a Habitat Global Village Team with members from all over the world: USA, UK, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Singapore. We helped built three houses with our home-partners and local artisans. Built two of concrete block and one of stone. Had to bust a lot of boulders and move a lot rock for the stone house! Visited a local school. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:arial;font-size:13px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rFtRjLdImTw42rqSVKTDK1r1LA6191Dd_n0sqjMDeQWkP7hJg-B1pgc9-U04GwIjLpZ_GAtddXW4-aQgbcsP0a9mDcFP9-LhDe6ypb3_BeabVrFIP-zGx86xfClTwxla1DDKe9F0Cs2B/s320/DSCN3233.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5315900626643787522" /></span></div></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-85367761120691206152009-03-12T21:22:00.000-07:002009-03-12T21:30:55.851-07:00Important Security Announcement for American Citizens in Nepal<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><div>From the American Embassy in Nepal, 13 MAR 09: </div>There is an ongoing strike in the Terai region of Nepal carried out by<br />various indigenous groups . This strike, or bandh, has affected all<br />vehicular movement in all of the districts of the Terai (the area<br />bordering India), including the popular tourist district of Chitwan.<br />The threat of violence as this strike continues is a real concern, and<br />in one instance, clashes between Tharus and the Nepal police forces left<br />3 people dead and numerous persons injured. As a precaution, the U.S.<br />Embassy is currently not allowing U.S. mission personnel to travel to<br />the Terai region. As negotiations are ongoing between the Government of<br />Nepal and demonstrating groups to bring a resolution to this conflict,<br />it is unclear how long the strike may continue. American citizens are<br />urged to defer non-essential travel to this region of Nepal while the<br />strike is in effect. If travel is necessary, Americans are advised to<br />exercise caution, to expect vehicular transportation to be disrupted,<br />and to avoid demonstrations should they come upon them.<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">- - - - - - - </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 14px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-family: verdana, arial, 'bitstream vera sans', helvetica, sans-serif; ">In the western lowlands of the country, the Tharu ethnic community has long been dispossessed of its land and the Tharu people have been turned into serfs by wealthier migrants from the hilly regions to the north. These powerful landlords, or <i>Zamindars</i> ,as they are called, are more often than not members of so-called higher caste groups, mainly Brahmin and Kshetri, who also have access to political power. These Zamindars wield positions in the bureaucracy, the military and business. Moreover, they control the mass media. In short, they represent the most important section of the ruling class in Nepal.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-family: verdana, arial, 'bitstream vera sans', helvetica, sans-serif; ">Having appropriated the land from the Tharu community, the Zamindars subjugated the Tharus and turned them into bonded laborers (in return for food, clothing and shelter) on the very land they previously owned. This is a system of slavery known as the <i>kamaiya</i>system.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; font-family: verdana, arial, 'bitstream vera sans', helvetica, sans-serif; ">The Tharus are an aboriginal people who inhabit the western plains of Nepal. They constitute a sizeable minority of the population, a national minority (around 1.2 million), who at one time were self-sufficient farmers. Several years ago <i>National Geographic</i> magazine graphically portrayed these people as exotic beings with their very quaint customs and traditions. For many years the Anti-Slavery Society, based in Britain, has been trying to reach a wider audience about the <i>Kamaiya</i> system in Nepal. In 1997, the <i>Times</i> of London carried an exposure on the plight of the Tharu people under the Kamaiya system.</p></span></span></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-15979748161020845982009-03-10T00:17:00.000-07:002009-03-10T00:20:09.771-07:00Habitat-Nepal Project Areas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8smmD81AlrMbdrSvTzhDIr2BsNsYQp3hwhgVDugBv814Kucu4fMFIgJHPWYvn0AJXTt3pcW_au-atpHUk63iztN0cTnGwqT_PkDDj_RDgEoebZz7D0qgOLzFyinYSNeSt_NfCrF-J4y1v/s1600-h/Nepal+district+map3+proj.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8smmD81AlrMbdrSvTzhDIr2BsNsYQp3hwhgVDugBv814Kucu4fMFIgJHPWYvn0AJXTt3pcW_au-atpHUk63iztN0cTnGwqT_PkDDj_RDgEoebZz7D0qgOLzFyinYSNeSt_NfCrF-J4y1v/s400/Nepal+district+map3+proj.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311455459027810802" /></a>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-61093321674321599212009-03-09T22:48:00.000-07:002009-03-09T23:00:19.213-07:00Lath & Plaster Bamboo StyleAruna Simittrarachchi, director of Habitat's Nepal program, visited Malaysia a couple of weeks ago to train Habitat partners in bamboo building methods. Looks like they've got the hang of it:<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglgo5oJGk2TWtkiKZtuNnmzsIGS3cHrND7tAQLyP4tAZYpmtyuiBLSgFapMhEKab9c7d0km6LDKXrAwt9pIX5p422OHdOrDMwtCQ7yanAtlOeL9zhhKoZB5icjj9m5r4Ny14NMYJufrA9E/s320/DSC06082.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311433524830475170" /><br /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggP51_-IhVFKDExb1l2UC1WY-VPTve_QeitQlnEIf5QVxH0UN3BffAu6P7Khf-BKOVjAEJmiHrPs5mr_otdyfkkSZmy7jNj0trrgXOilS6uva1H_w0JtCx7GLt5lQbCoRGAwNq5Ivmbilm/s320/DSC06083.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311433816279726834" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQm9V0Qdrm0lTBzSQV3RSy8KIGMU5V0AH0F3_gDkB0u1t6aF3xyVwk_jQgII8ZOYKsOyAdsgrrO3Lw5tFILNogVIQfnJDDOUj4majuM_3dDtKCG-4Mfu3_VwlsmaVcJ93giA0-8Xo7_eCp/s320/DSC06002.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311434616989212818" /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-81125745204448005972009-03-08T21:07:00.000-07:002009-03-08T22:19:29.548-07:00Springtime in Himalyas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SbSWVwesvOI/AAAAAAAAAKo/R_JF2DCQ6-g/s1600-h/mtnbike.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 100px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SbSWVwesvOI/AAAAAAAAAKo/R_JF2DCQ6-g/s400/mtnbike.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311035161111739618" /></a><br />Cruised around Kathmandu Valley on a mountain bike Sunday. Apparently it was national water baloon day cause lots of smiling Nepali kids pelted me along my trek. Namaste!<div><br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-24406457695990751852009-03-06T01:19:00.001-08:002009-03-06T01:22:18.065-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZghVEErxtscEqDSlrkIjL_X4nqypRMtklReKZfoVzPttUycVI1yZT_EFiBZAglc_5FwgaJYtftBR2tm1cexJWG1fXctm6-jxPp0dtq92wHOSPY6DUPUq4WJbhH0SJ9n5ZC3E8mb4GU-g/s1600-h/DSCN3180.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZghVEErxtscEqDSlrkIjL_X4nqypRMtklReKZfoVzPttUycVI1yZT_EFiBZAglc_5FwgaJYtftBR2tm1cexJWG1fXctm6-jxPp0dtq92wHOSPY6DUPUq4WJbhH0SJ9n5ZC3E8mb4GU-g/s320/DSCN3180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310002567907508034" /></a><br />Habitat International representatives, James Samuel (Bangkok), and Mario Flores (Atlanta), visited Nepal and met with our staff to discuss Habitat's Disaster Response initiatives.<div><br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-25164522817052743332009-03-04T19:48:00.000-08:002009-03-04T19:57:04.417-08:00Met with CARE NepalOn Wednesday, March 4, Pranaya Chhetri, Habitat's Program Manager and I met with Alka Pathak, the Country Director for CARE Nepal at her office in Patan. We discussed ways that Habitat and CARE could collaborate on projects to help poor and marginalized groups in Nepal.<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVPwL9GVs5Grqt4p9tDTYbChNP0DUj4LH8xd3OjAMkl8oAzz7jxUr7y0Vm_4VjfKJZasNaSlIXgOvkHlchw74ZG8sFgAhxbDcD8BDKordID5H5eYHfOE-n-zJlB8GXmG0zbXgdh2Dk1SL/s320/CARE+Nepal+4Feb09.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5309547490739804274" /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-65152153800525044152009-03-02T01:47:00.000-08:002009-03-02T01:54:44.171-08:00Pashupatinath Temple<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpRx-3cBEr3BGM26Nmr2mpdRWEOl9gRHhMSwE8s9vHnVHrD3dKTlrb24nug9XztAj63pNZSA3tt_BQE9SfMB9YTHT98ZVHJ-eychc0Fj7JqNzGlnU_amf1NGB7bP3SPNuhgd2CtZKTkgZ/s1600-h/Saduh2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 292px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpRx-3cBEr3BGM26Nmr2mpdRWEOl9gRHhMSwE8s9vHnVHrD3dKTlrb24nug9XztAj63pNZSA3tt_BQE9SfMB9YTHT98ZVHJ-eychc0Fj7JqNzGlnU_amf1NGB7bP3SPNuhgd2CtZKTkgZ/s320/Saduh2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5308526373283878626" /></a><br />East of Kathmandu is beautiful Hindu temple -- saw this Sadhu holy man at the main site:<div><br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-83988476983928689572009-02-25T08:24:00.000-08:002009-02-25T08:31:07.440-08:00Kosi River Flood Video<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvk1sRrrmgYVQuBu3ehYDc3mxo4A9Vody18vznyPho3EytAdCzxrhY8uGxgb3vwKBX450vCbxlImV9nGCKPMTL_77IbKOkePKjoVl-Hh-SFDtp9AMNfK2m682N0lAAQjKBWtyvBFrAKe8/s1600-h/DSCN2697.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvk1sRrrmgYVQuBu3ehYDc3mxo4A9Vody18vznyPho3EytAdCzxrhY8uGxgb3vwKBX450vCbxlImV9nGCKPMTL_77IbKOkePKjoVl-Hh-SFDtp9AMNfK2m682N0lAAQjKBWtyvBFrAKe8/s320/DSCN2697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306773146851169634" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Check out this </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Al Jazeera film on the Koshi flood, Nepal side, from their series "People & Power" is available on You tube via the link below </span></span></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size:13px;"><span style="font-family:sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:blue;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rox4M1R5sA">http://www.youtube.com/watch?</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rox4M1R5sA"><wbr>v=3Rox4M1R5sA</a></span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rox4M1R5sA"> </a></span><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-17521669563268864002009-02-25T02:03:00.000-08:002009-02-25T02:16:47.516-08:00Kavre Field Trip<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVouvrLy7LY8s6T6OkpKkl7_85l4Tcxw31Tr4MVc53pKc4JmKrwDyJQfvBQp-2fYCpfMrmyxtEnNuYRNe7MUf2D2zl2_oUuy4II-Q43qLmF3e3ONJQwD_xbV3HEUDQQtItToH-rRg2zUp/s1600-h/DSCN3170.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuVouvrLy7LY8s6T6OkpKkl7_85l4Tcxw31Tr4MVc53pKc4JmKrwDyJQfvBQp-2fYCpfMrmyxtEnNuYRNe7MUf2D2zl2_oUuy4II-Q43qLmF3e3ONJQwD_xbV3HEUDQQtItToH-rRg2zUp/s200/DSCN3170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306676706105484962" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdST-B_ITza7gxCs-udItemHS0kEAf4gboITa9YVbkwLGftgmX0aeG5RaoMlrU_4lhVC-ovgpPhVgOdmT6YQ115zrrh8iaCT39t_CyVmcCPtIEQmjphDs_usnFjoGSjrmkAdUO8dvnFpQu/s1600-h/DSCN3176.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdST-B_ITza7gxCs-udItemHS0kEAf4gboITa9YVbkwLGftgmX0aeG5RaoMlrU_4lhVC-ovgpPhVgOdmT6YQ115zrrh8iaCT39t_CyVmcCPtIEQmjphDs_usnFjoGSjrmkAdUO8dvnFpQu/s200/DSCN3176.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306674914349048386" /></a><br />Aruna let me outof the office: Bal Devi showed me around Kavre village -- lots of neat Habitat projects -- water, sanitation & houses.<div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTl9t2rM1gI2csdZt6vrs6Yt3_sp7eUfOM4pTYQv8NBSI8fg33Ik99cd9MdJ1I01IzCUOFcy4kjT_5qsGzrNfo6g2_z4VV_ADJm6A3hSZ5K0tvVaTGHDfFMTdgEchChJcy2GUzhVhr2hWL/s200/DSCN3172.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306675924337424066" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdetDUZ8NX_90CaG9d7R0mUnxcjwtBADfN8dt7Sy6GJy_4MLB1cJPyB8kbfiAeSJTcqY4c_3dX_9MtPpNpwOMenlTHtX76aPvDmduZ4RlWPHrruBwA3qzbxAp0k-Ax8OETFeSZACPKoXGa/s200/DSCN3171.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306675682149053490" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN5czWxSv5JXJxqIbmPp1p9Rk1BMfxX5HfMmupZppynvlJwAqRjlPnFNKsC6-6qHBc6IbsvCNG_-10dkczFpdJdvDOPQAGWX4ABZ0Yn7hmwYPkruk4-PzplrfUvA_0Whhfx-oVkvCAEU2r/s200/DSCN3168.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5306675400991239058" /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-24109500791372146012009-02-12T04:12:00.000-08:002009-02-12T04:50:57.273-08:00Trekking The Himalayas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovoSOi4sFexXqvngLN1Th9J0Mtnm9meuvjADpZahlzXlMeBGcCfXOUOGWQlo971LSiAw5suzigKP_XDkHveZOcERfW2W-zyqrR3zvmqkIeyArmEpuzXUXJDbtZnN6mWc_Gpa6_mcKQCnR/s1600-h/DSCN3043.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhovoSOi4sFexXqvngLN1Th9J0Mtnm9meuvjADpZahlzXlMeBGcCfXOUOGWQlo971LSiAw5suzigKP_XDkHveZOcERfW2W-zyqrR3zvmqkIeyArmEpuzXUXJDbtZnN6mWc_Gpa6_mcKQCnR/s320/DSCN3043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301883995194916066" /></a><br />Wow!! Unbelievable! Great! 6-day trek to Langtang. Saw an actual avalanche!!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyiwoDcwbeQQjYsh_Fu2QcClyfh5E0FMxK45R0wMqbq566HoEzrSQMzXqt881xGY8UYN2TdG10eL0dVYL5Neg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYswp2nCWQVVp5MxStADLple-yMOEqrLxEVL5LKeOFgnPpR-QU7QbikqeQkTbPUz1aC76lCGXwR3LJjkJJg805kTv9HzcNI1f1yQKqjGxPk4pzoCHuJL3tB1S35Jh_0VLQSOHo43pAVwpw/s200/DSCN3139.JPG" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301889699087035906" /><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqm51iZPgNKuaGoFPwOQHKHmXdtXN2A1fu_8W7MbE3Of4q11uo8NxU3ssvcgi4RrmQi1hMkkgiCHcA6H9k-LsAlHqph3GfI5nYpcfTPxnepK-cRqqOxcG1A856kcIP6IgPJmiqouQUTTJG/s200/DSCN3096.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301884503215650946" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjQcy2-knBxj4tiOkWL-vRxLV569rg28VgedB5M6XmWPzIeTCMxkdV-4u75H6HxpTPsUXL-h8E1lJqfWC3UGP7-JNWmR1QfmwvhAPoFd1bscmODdlqDrApR3Wh121oJkXcjzz5BSVLR3l/s400/DSCN3109.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301885857638606674" />In search of Wild Rhododendron!<div><br /></div><div>Made it to small fourteener! notice other mountains about twice as high.<br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-74115066621239251342009-02-03T19:25:00.000-08:002009-02-03T19:28:54.956-08:00Habitat Founder Dies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; "><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125);">From habitat.org:</span></p><p><span style="color: rgb(31, 73, 125); ">We </span><span style="color: blue; ">are deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of Habitat's founder, Millard Fuller, who died earlier today after a brief illness. </span></p><p><span style="color: blue; ">Millard was an inspiration to so many people – his gift of motivation and encouragement and vision was applied so generously. The ministry which has so impacted each one of us was made possible as God challenged Millard Fuller to venture forward seeking to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world – and in the many years of this ministry Millard challenged others not to follow him – but to follow Christ in serving the needs of the poor and to boldly reach out to alleviate their shelter burden. </span></p><p><span style="color: blue; ">The vision which God brought to reality through Millard and Linda Fuller will continue to grow – as the memory of Millard's commitment lives in the heart of the HFH ministry. </span></p><p><span style="color: blue; ">Millard often would describe himself – and his HFH co-workers as ordinary people whom God had called to do extra-ordinary things. Indeed Millard's faith opened to door for God to perform miracles through this ministry. May He continue to use all of us to continue to serve with that same commitment – that same strength of faith – that same devotion to serving the poor.</span></p></span>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-88715896293184295692009-02-01T23:31:00.000-08:002009-02-01T23:37:53.453-08:00Habitat Superbowl Sunday!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SYaitX8kTpI/AAAAAAAAAIs/inReMzLbIuw/s1600-h/therm+099292.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SYaitX8kTpI/AAAAAAAAAIs/inReMzLbIuw/s320/therm+099292.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298100912053833362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SYaitTWmKyI/AAAAAAAAAIk/vgadgZQPops/s1600-h/titlebar.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 31px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SYaitTWmKyI/AAAAAAAAAIk/vgadgZQPops/s320/titlebar.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298100910820829986" /></a><br />Forget the Steelers: the champions are my old fraternity brothers! Delta Upsilon of the University of North Carolina have stepped up to the challenge: these guys have exceeded their goal: $2895.00.<div><br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-63264160055379344102009-01-27T00:06:00.000-08:002009-01-27T19:03:11.254-08:00Nepali Safari<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXNZMNUT7kqTFCBX87dYL_UZmxLALLvhdbARG442YhMD_94s6Dwkl5Z4yrD5cSmDArfmEBmV2xC3o9xEATYJsXa6hV43TsQbYClwwl6asZz3fC5n5Q17r7cOLelJwtynnPlWdflLezJlr/s1600-h/DSCN3011.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsXNZMNUT7kqTFCBX87dYL_UZmxLALLvhdbARG442YhMD_94s6Dwkl5Z4yrD5cSmDArfmEBmV2xC3o9xEATYJsXa6hV43TsQbYClwwl6asZz3fC5n5Q17r7cOLelJwtynnPlWdflLezJlr/s200/DSCN3011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296173953569331266" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJCJQAj_QSVFVwUz5jOcG1_ZemjHHI29yUUX4uatOX1_tPNtuurmwgqNR3oZXumopwXMPHgO7LJMopQFzNHU05Gh8WWxeXUdW1uCAS0So8E5xsYgDsCpFyoUf_4sIVmjh0jRqEspyaD1i/s1600-h/DSCN3004.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJCJQAj_QSVFVwUz5jOcG1_ZemjHHI29yUUX4uatOX1_tPNtuurmwgqNR3oZXumopwXMPHgO7LJMopQFzNHU05Gh8WWxeXUdW1uCAS0So8E5xsYgDsCpFyoUf_4sIVmjh0jRqEspyaD1i/s200/DSCN3004.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295884263176317282" /></a><br />Got to see Chitwan National Park in south-central Nepal: elephants and tigers and rhinos, oh my!<div><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SX_KmgHC7EI/AAAAAAAAAIc/51EcFr7Hj9o/s200/DSCN3002.JPG" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296174449614318658" /><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibq0NJiu7TZ9SjILPBTEyPPHQW8AJG5000y0VSwPvE8b9ucL-qVs8iVtDhsL5yzYzv7aWwKVrWgzL5xOC87AsQurtOOoIdmGvNBeza5t-iGUpo_6N6Vk5N92t3x8d-ugHPjANGmygpHff2/s200/DSCN3014.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295884931391241842" /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-11662500211714613782009-01-20T23:00:00.001-08:002009-01-20T23:02:38.530-08:00Uh Oh! Bird Flu!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; ">From US Embassy Nepal:<br />"As you may know, the Government of Nepal has confirmed an outbreak of<br />Avian Influenza in Kakarbhitta, Jhapa in eastern Nepal. Currently, bird<br />flu has been confirmed only in Jha district, although active<br />surveillance is in effect in 26 other districts which border India.<br />Culling began as soon as the outbreak was confirmed and continues in a<br />3km radius of the outbreak."<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">So no more chicken burgers! Actually the only area confirmed is extreme south east Nepal. So not too worried about this but will definitely keep an eye on situation.</span></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-31527607489716363232009-01-18T19:14:00.000-08:002009-01-18T21:47:29.414-08:00Trekking Kathmandu Valley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRfbN1SvXRrI5gb4nLZR3rISSa72W9e5NY5NaPNm-MgOjM8Re5fJK9cHX5nD-P3-ZdwQD9ov3rJsYZIwtONWt8g2UOUvoXucFS5xnmgDbUOQtsgUUQcz9ZefA8DSEUajzRgAdk-wfrTBf/s1600-h/DSCN2946.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibRfbN1SvXRrI5gb4nLZR3rISSa72W9e5NY5NaPNm-MgOjM8Re5fJK9cHX5nD-P3-ZdwQD9ov3rJsYZIwtONWt8g2UOUvoXucFS5xnmgDbUOQtsgUUQcz9ZefA8DSEUajzRgAdk-wfrTBf/s200/DSCN2946.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292877308739562210" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8nTXXT3DL8ljfOOt8H5_ydJ7JqGdDMxj8XjOdwp2pC50xzJumeA5fFfX3k6y4Bwv7dU9w2txSxEXepq3_Q3HgGlAHY65a1aEXbjz4OWjJgkLZYE1E_FLwI8RXa-Zeck1Q9XwD1H60wNK/s1600-h/DSCN2913.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8nTXXT3DL8ljfOOt8H5_ydJ7JqGdDMxj8XjOdwp2pC50xzJumeA5fFfX3k6y4Bwv7dU9w2txSxEXepq3_Q3HgGlAHY65a1aEXbjz4OWjJgkLZYE1E_FLwI8RXa-Zeck1Q9XwD1H60wNK/s320/DSCN2913.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292876244797046322" /></a><br />This weekend Jeanne and I hiked to a couple of villages on the eastern side of Kathmandu valley. Got to see the sunrise on Himalayas!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpi6f7aRtuLm2LOXmTTbftXbQXUbUjuHm-fYFDrK2Vsz0LOwafdhU-Z5y38c3l16h127sUyJQ0Yb7GGCR-BguoHBhPNloWUCxTifKlblGCHe_Ua2s5Gl4MmaT7Q7esurt4GT3ilMzB_v3c/s200/DSCN2936.JPG" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292876746856963042" /><div><br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-37432065495532039122009-01-15T03:03:00.000-08:002009-01-15T03:07:11.937-08:00Site-Seeing in Kathmandu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW-hCgrae0EZtNvlm86jiBkYSvvMurOqSwhNi4EGXaKfY2m8LSwKt7perDiALfu0a2ap9aNv9P2z4zisDbjTvo_PyTw3oma3U5jcf4HYnO7Q-2WG7HOXGey3KsKblnXLLe-LZFwZMZaCp/s1600-h/DSCN2884.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSW-hCgrae0EZtNvlm86jiBkYSvvMurOqSwhNi4EGXaKfY2m8LSwKt7perDiALfu0a2ap9aNv9P2z4zisDbjTvo_PyTw3oma3U5jcf4HYnO7Q-2WG7HOXGey3KsKblnXLLe-LZFwZMZaCp/s320/DSCN2884.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291475352691469970" /></a><br />Jeanne and I got in a little side trip to Swayambunath Bhuddist Temple:<div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-59547513784652903142009-01-11T19:59:00.000-08:002009-01-11T20:03:48.790-08:00Back in Kathmandu!OK, made it back from USA! Jeanne decided to come over to do a little site-seeing. She plans to be here for 2 - 3 weeks. <div><br /></div><div>We've got lots of work to do to get some grant proposals written. Happy New Year!</div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-31038986664521817652008-12-31T06:08:00.000-08:002008-12-31T06:20:10.435-08:00Happy Habitat New Year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJTEdZQcD5VQd9YzLFtugUU-XmpFeAAZUDonZNduHGKbsKuUTqw5Ih3oYg13ezTKGWHUWcmWh7cr2wg0-FZnwzsbfNp32UHA8vF41miIDK0q7HtiObrtBOWG1F4ekJkXz1d7PccdMRGTH/s1600-h/DU-UNC+challenge.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 369px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJTEdZQcD5VQd9YzLFtugUU-XmpFeAAZUDonZNduHGKbsKuUTqw5Ih3oYg13ezTKGWHUWcmWh7cr2wg0-FZnwzsbfNp32UHA8vF41miIDK0q7HtiObrtBOWG1F4ekJkXz1d7PccdMRGTH/s400/DU-UNC+challenge.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285958822589788530" /></a><br />Thanks to some unbelievably generous and old fraternity brothers, Habitat-Nepal is going to build another seven new houses in 2009! Fred Atkins and Dave Watkinson organized a bunch of my classmates from Univ. of North Carolina (1968) to donate! Thanks guys!<div><br /></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-42255499825486544692008-12-22T09:52:00.000-08:002008-12-22T09:59:15.176-08:00Home for the Holidays<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SU_VaFPk2dI/AAAAAAAAAGs/mGxcTDntPno/s1600-h/snow+on+the+roof.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282675531989703122" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Vc7Gp175vHA/SU_VaFPk2dI/AAAAAAAAAGs/mGxcTDntPno/s320/snow+on+the+roof.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>On Dec 18 headed back to Colorado for Christmas vacation. Jeanne picked me up at the Denver airport after 48 hours travel (whew!). Weather in Boulder is little colder than Kathmandu: it was -5 degrees F (-20 degrees C) Friday night: </div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-90560974543439451002008-12-11T01:09:00.000-08:002008-12-15T00:05:04.207-08:00Have a Jolly Nepali Christimas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7RZq20C-USZMqwn9LUB4zBrRFzMCS4miKzfeUrh5D3nxZisajor6FWI8A1OJTDznyhGX21a_1R7TkcnJJXyiuIUJ8sukhFN1CF6TRihyN-mkv0lDd6erZJFs6WcMvRagrLCJXg133Kcn/s1600-h/DSCN2791.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279924720981145346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH7RZq20C-USZMqwn9LUB4zBrRFzMCS4miKzfeUrh5D3nxZisajor6FWI8A1OJTDznyhGX21a_1R7TkcnJJXyiuIUJ8sukhFN1CF6TRihyN-mkv0lDd6erZJFs6WcMvRagrLCJXg133Kcn/s320/DSCN2791.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Check out the Asia/Pacific Habitat Christmas Card: <a href="http://www.hfhap.org/christmas2008/flash.html">http://www.hfhap.org/christmas2008/flash.html</a></div><br /><div></div>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-7349239204630661652008-12-07T20:23:00.000-08:002008-12-11T00:32:32.996-08:00Turn Right At India!<div>Made it to Biratnagar in SE Nepal -- hung out with the Red Cross/Red Crescent guys doing relief work for Kosi flood victims. Hired a car to go to Jhapa Habitat office (we just headed east until we bumped into India). Saw a couple of Habitat houses built in the last year: <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278447037172837442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJ3YlF_-kuGipz9KVY8W9cJJ1E0UbF1sb_sn3Uk4srlPXPmIAKeqI_NPW_gvBJwxSLQEB-jNCv6ZgWNYOoJFJok4t226DjwDoZU2Ko8FhERENSBiowdU9cLzpinMquRvVD_M2d0nnWizm/s320/DSCN2678.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xwftqVcxwYi7x_9h5_Divnh3hNeO_nGJjHEvPYrPfWThCnxEFIxhnaRLImlGpCpr-heI3dwYh531MUBF0BCKykypZppy1Hb1QFGuP13rIVyhY_He-8ImXJ7TdQ65ILlG1_HsVN2gFxso/s1600-h/DSCN2688.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277273182088066946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_xwftqVcxwYi7x_9h5_Divnh3hNeO_nGJjHEvPYrPfWThCnxEFIxhnaRLImlGpCpr-heI3dwYh531MUBF0BCKykypZppy1Hb1QFGuP13rIVyhY_He-8ImXJ7TdQ65ILlG1_HsVN2gFxso/s200/DSCN2688.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Habitat is working with local partners to develop bambo contruction materials factory:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Kosi River flood (happened in August during monsoon, the river breached a huge portion of levee and destroyed houses and farm land). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHJo9f3w-7DdScty8R2T7E6X9ySvaS8kUYD6XpC69zjYbr0dXXj3cx9InNAoV-lP9tUaBm9vSCJWfliHv_LJgKjhbPFLIHFC8oV-CHP0X6d3yIdC8ctkaJyAE8DE2Mg5_BHUm6KPgEOgh/s1600-h/DSCN2698.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277274616738043330" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMHJo9f3w-7DdScty8R2T7E6X9ySvaS8kUYD6XpC69zjYbr0dXXj3cx9InNAoV-lP9tUaBm9vSCJWfliHv_LJgKjhbPFLIHFC8oV-CHP0X6d3yIdC8ctkaJyAE8DE2Mg5_BHUm6KPgEOgh/s200/DSCN2698.JPG" border="0" /></a>Habitat is working with local government to do pilot project to relocate 50 families into permanent Habitat homes.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5277275272667333346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRITz6cxxBSMmLtqwLWbfI1qBXABNF-TVA1ZZiMTh2DBv4_R_vfwsKjPeGhC8Ouhg4N0oJIYELsoh7jEahhtzP0ke1HGa-1AgC1IBYNJENmu4SwZFYDsp5_RdDNienxi7Fwkq9cMVApbvG/s200/DSCN2782.JPG" border="0" /></div><br />Check outh Habitat Nepal's web site: <a href="http://hfhi-nepal.blogspot.com/">http://hfhi-nepal.blogspot.com/</a>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-58583242974187486162008-12-03T02:51:00.000-08:002008-12-03T03:00:34.112-08:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9wnbhAP7SxaGTWZBMbM6fEMalctBKcubEBfJKvlkRUqan7xGXZuGiyIMrGp0nsXdteC6uV4NZwfid5nbZB6EO-0vVBHwYK7QhF9pq4-6KvA6AWZF0KIXQdEnOn7Usipso0VoqOnt4oXq/s1600-h/DSCN2650.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275516916870082210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi9wnbhAP7SxaGTWZBMbM6fEMalctBKcubEBfJKvlkRUqan7xGXZuGiyIMrGp0nsXdteC6uV4NZwfid5nbZB6EO-0vVBHwYK7QhF9pq4-6KvA6AWZF0KIXQdEnOn7Usipso0VoqOnt4oXq/s320/DSCN2650.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:85%;">I joined Habitat for Humanity as full-time volunteer in November 2008, and am assigned as Resource Development Manager. I work in the Kathmandu Habitat office and duties include grant writing. I have been able, with lots of help from local Habitat folks, to put together a number of proposals, brochures, and concept papers for HFHI-Nepal programs and projects. Have also initiated “HFHI-Nepal Resource Development Plan – 2009” which provides roadmap for RD efforts for the next year. Also working on some office support systems, e.g., funder contact management database, RD collaboration web site. At the end of November I attended the Asian Forum conference on Corporate Social Responsibility and got to meet several HFH folks from all over Asia. Tomorrow (December 4) I will travel to Morang district in eastern Nepal to get a first hand view HFHI-Nepal’s projects in the Kosi River flood disaster zone.</span> </div><br /><div><br /></div><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"></span>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1034647690412595848.post-54582663021902308902008-11-30T22:21:00.000-08:002008-11-30T23:06:31.672-08:00Nepali Thanksgiving!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lxJOTSaGaw1B4kHaIuZqmLlqz5DgGEJk1a5AP-EQRjNBNv7WVr5R_tDV9EcN8PTHag8ap62_UvYqV1JsRgnOP_88WFYUQTRmZn2KMDTR6v1PkfrOrG7SM2jKFRYKEdzK_oswD46K_3_w/s1600-h/DSCN2638.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274704114382208098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lxJOTSaGaw1B4kHaIuZqmLlqz5DgGEJk1a5AP-EQRjNBNv7WVr5R_tDV9EcN8PTHag8ap62_UvYqV1JsRgnOP_88WFYUQTRmZn2KMDTR6v1PkfrOrG7SM2jKFRYKEdzK_oswD46K_3_w/s200/DSCN2638.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>OK, did not have turkey and dressing (or even green bean casserole with extra pepper). But manged to take a day off and headed over to Pokhara area west of Kathmandu. Hooked up with an excellent guide, Durga Tamang, who kept me on trail to some excellent views of Anapurnas.</div><br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Got to see sunrise on Macchapucchare (23,000ft) and Anapurna South (26,700 ft).<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrz1Kq0bk68Mbz_Ke4cFp36niYqvD87bPU7E-h4ta-6siBuP_qGjzBEmP0nPn38lAus37ueSRV2vbF8Vwn29KuERre2UhITYYQQXjnxZtw1zRcrnFUTPZ3LIvTFz4Bo7M8MKiSv4lILi8/s1600-h/DSCN2646.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5274706368565426050" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUrz1Kq0bk68Mbz_Ke4cFp36niYqvD87bPU7E-h4ta-6siBuP_qGjzBEmP0nPn38lAus37ueSRV2vbF8Vwn29KuERre2UhITYYQQXjnxZtw1zRcrnFUTPZ3LIvTFz4Bo7M8MKiSv4lILi8/s200/DSCN2646.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Here's clip of the Anapurnas: </div><div> </div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxc0-sOEa3YmJZrSrSVzD_CMsT3cM26Izg46DVcbi1C8t3CqKz0yFP4v3GqYVLgrLjCCK-y2UJIyvEOByig4Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Michael Rabbhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10065398867675920179noreply@blogger.com0