Dear
Friends and Supporters
Times
passes very quickly and once again we are in the Christmas season.
May we all at Comolongmo take this opportunity to wish you all
a ‘Merry Christmas and a ‘Happy and Prosperous New
Year 2009’.
Comolongmo
is three years old this year. In this newsletter we shall focus
the highlights of the past twelve months.
To
celebrate Kumbeshwar Technical School (KTS) 25th anniversary we
organised Comolongmo Fair at Greenwich market in October/November
to coincide with local schools half term holiday.
Three schools (Black Heath Girl’s High School, St Ursula’s
Convent School, and Bow School) in London had taken part in the
Fair. It was estimated more than 7,000 people visited the market
during the Fair.
 The
Fair involved rug design competition for the participating schools.
Four finalist designs were converted into rugs, which were displayed
at the Fair and the visitors at the market were invited to vote
for their favourite design.
All the rugs designed by pupils were fabulous, but the Bow School’s
‘Star’
scooped most votes, closely followed by St Ursula’s ‘elephant’
design. (Please click the links to see the other finalist design
rugs; 'Circles'
and 'Packman').
Also the finalist rugs were auctioned by secret bids. It was planned
100% of the money from the highest bid was to be contributed to
KTS. Unfortunately we are as yet to disclose the result of the
auction because the highest bidder did not honour their commitment.
Also pupils from the participating schools made paper crafts using
Nepalese hand made paper.  These
too were displayed and sold at the Fair to raise money for KTS.
We
were pleased to bring from Nepal Jayanti Khadgi Lama (one of the
first graduates from KTS rug weaving course, currently working
at KTS as head of dye unit), Renu Khadga, Ratna Deula Pody and
Ritu Raj Rai for the Fair. We had many visitors to our stalls
to see yarn spinning and the rugs being made. We invited them
to have a hand on it. Jayenti and Renu supported by volunteers,
Carol Nolan and Maureen Jones, really enjoyed demonstrating and
teaching traditional yarn spinning and rug weaving to pupils and
visitors at the market. 
After
the Fair the Nepalese visitors had an enjoyable time relaxing
and sightseeing a few famous landmarks in London. Jayanti said,
“I never imagined one day I would visit London and see where
the rugs are sold and would be able to meet and thank our supporters
and customers. The support we are receiving from Britain has enabled
KTS to become self reliant, to provide jobs to one of the most
disadvantaged community at Kathmandu,and most importantly to provide
education to children”
We
also returned to Bow School and St Ursula’s Convent School
to give talks to the students about Nepal and the KTS work. We
are working to organise a prize giving at these schools in the
New Year.
The best part of this demanding work is undoubtedly the wonderful
help and support we get from many different people.
We
would like to thank the following people and please forgive us
for not mentioning names individually as the list is exhaustive:
- Our
valued customers. Those who have bought any of our products
from our stalls at the markets and online. Without you the
work of KTS could not continue.
- The
school pupils - in particular those who worked in the market
and who designed rugs and made the paper crafts for sale to
raise money for KTS. The weather was cold during the Fair
and the hours were long. We were impressed with the sheer
tenacity and enthusiasm of the pupils.
- The
teachers of the schools who helped both with the organisation
and also ‘hands on’ at the Fair.
- All
the schools for organising the talks at the schools and their
continued support to raise funds for KTS.
- The
Nepalese team who worked so hard and enthusiastically at the
Fair. Their kind and cheerful personalities gained many new
friends and supporters to the cause of KTS.
- Greenwich
Hospital and Urban Space Management for agreeing to have the
Fair at Greenwich Market and for their help and support provided
for the Fair.
- Last
but not least the fair committee and our friends; without
their relentless hard work, help and support, it would have
been impossible to organise the Fair.
 Finally
on a more personal note may I thank our newest supporter - our
daughter Aira, who has started making personal appearances in
the markets and generally charming everyone, and my wife Mai-
ever patient, kind and encouraging.
May
we just add that we are always delighted to hear suggestions of
how we can improve and build on this year’s work? We need
more supporters; more schools, more teachers, and more customers,
if we are to improve on 2008.
We
hope everyone will enjoy the festive season, take the opportunity
for a rest and be ready for a successful 2009.
Kabindra
and Comolongmo family
www.comolongmo.com
Email: info@comolongmo.com
View
other newsletters:
Newsletter
12, Monday, 12 July 2010
Newsletter
11, Monday, 15 May 2010
Newsletter 10, Tuesday, 18
December 2009
Newsletter 9, Friday, 16 October
2009
Newsletter
8, Thursday, 5 March 2009
Newsletter 7, Sunday, 21 December 2008
Newsletter
6, Wednesday, 8 October 2008
Newsletter
5, Thursday, 4 September 2008
Newsletter
4, Saturday, 1 September 2007
Newsletter 3, Friday, 4 May
2007
Newsletter
2, Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Newsletter 1, Tuesday, 7 November
2006
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