An ambitious education program in local neighbourhoods has started people talking about issues that aren’t openly discussed.

Having some reserves allows Samunnat to grow its work and plan with more confidence. The organisation is hugely appreciative of the work that people have done to help in this way.

The visitors felt privileged to spend time meeting the Samunnat women and seeing the community life so up close and personally. The happiness was mutual.

Some of the money from the recent online polymer sale in the USA is helping to finance an exciting development on the vacant land opposite Samunnat’s building. The plans now envision a community hub where children can play and exercise safely, groups can come for meetings and events., and farmers and makers can have a weekly market.

Kopila Basnet, Chair of the Samunnat board, has told us about a wonderful celebration that has recognised and appreciated the work of Samunnat in its community.

The work of the Samunnat polymer artists will be shown at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.

The great news is that all of them have been able to set up tailoring businesses in their local communities. This is a terrific outcome for individuals who had not, previously, been able to work independently.

The ladies felt the similarities of pain and violence in their own lives. The discrimination between boys and girls are the same. Special values and priorities are given to sons. Girls are meant to get married, have babies and depend on their husband.

The women of Samunnat, like people all over the world, are adjusting to life with the ever present threat of COVID-19. Vulnerable women are even more vulnerable in a pandemic.