Last blog before I head to Nepal!

Hi guys
 
It's all pretty manic here, as always!  We got in some short term funding this week, as a few things fell through for us, so things were getting very tight.  So this will tide us over.  I head to Nepal next Wednesday 7th, with Donagh on my back!  So it's all go here trying to get things in place before I head off.  I get back on Sat. 29th May, and on Monday 7th June we will be doing our biggest ceili in the world and trying to break the Guinness World Record!  Then on Friday 11th June, we must submit to Irish Aid for up to €200,000 of annual funding for 3 years,a total of €600,000, so if we can secure this, it really moves us into a much more secure financial place.  I also met a philantropist on Monday, and he is very interested in our work, so if I could get him, the world record and Irish Aid over the line, we will suddenly move into the next league, and really be able to scale up our programmes and make such a massive difference to the people we work with in the Himalayas.  I can't believe I am actually going to Nepal in a week's time, and will see Babu my dog, and all the women we work with, and Nirmala, and everyone!  Unbelievable!  They are going to be so excited to see Donagh as well - not too many chubby white babies are seen in Humla, as you can imagine!  So I have a lot to do between now and next Wednesday to get the Irish Aid application in progress, our 2009 audit, funds out to Nepal, finalise the volunteers who are coming with me, and get the world record team organised so that all these things can happen when I am in Nepal.  I really hope the Gods continue to help and guide me and my team, and help us get all of this over the line.  It's a huge ask, but we seem to be able to pull it out of the bag each time!  All support, financial and otherwise, gratefully received over the next few weeks guys, as we have a small Himalaya (mountain) to climb!
 
Lots of love
Nicky
XXX