Ne-pals are ready to Kathman-DO, but not before a tale of our Luck-now on the stage

Hello everyone, Luke here, surrounded by Nepalese loveliness and reminiscing about a triumphant final performance in Lucknow from:

- PURAN SHIKSHA KENDRA (a giant moving bus made from children! giggling tickled monsters!)

- EHSAAS "GHARONDA" (joyful mountain climbing! tense bouts with lions!)

- MAD (splash! monkey mayhem! DANCING!!)

Applause and standing ovations from home please. 

Jubilation aside, here's what the team at PURAN have been up to. Raisa, Becca and I have been thrilled to play games, mime, dance, sing, and make masks with so many (forty-five, aged 5-17  many) kids in Lucknow. Their enthusiasm, energy and creativity has left us stunned at times - sometimes in admiration, sometimes in exhaustion, but always with a weary-proud smile. Whatever trials Lucknow may have thrown our way, the children remind us what we're here for and why it's all worth it (cue emphatic orchestral music).

On a serious note, the confidence children showed us proved that the work volunteers do at the centre is clearly having an effect. PURAN works with children from slums and construction sites, using theatre to provide a non-formal education that promotes healthy living and helps enrol promising students in mainstream schools. 

However, the thing that I'm most proud of from RTP13's time at PURAN is that very young students and those who were less confident - girls and boys alike - shared the stage with equally important roles in the final performance. I think playing drama games with some of the young girls who turned up early to our last session was amongst my favourite moments from the trip. These were the same ones who took the most persuasion to act initially and who seemed new to the entire experience. 

Lessons we've learned: 

- once you give one piggyback, or postcard for that matter, you gotta give 44+ more...

- children arranging flowers in our hair makes us feel like we're in Midsummer Night's Dream/paradise

- Rubi will be Prime Minister with Sangeeta and Divya as trusted advisers. 

- Stretching and Oo-Kawaya - thank you both so very, very much 

Goo bye see yow soon 

PS After arriving in Sunauli a sweaty mess following the lesser pleasantries of Gorakphur, I can confirm that the ride to Kathmandu was bumpbumpbumpbumpy, but the destination is smooth as caramel - I'm looking at you Thamel. We love the people, the place, the clothes, the sights, and are replying "fo sho" to every momo offered. Already walked clockwise around Asia's biggest stupa and made out a Himalayan peak amongst the clouds. Onto the teaching!!