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.

The impact of Samunnat Nepal in its community is remarkable, especially given its small budget and human resources. This is a great strength and a vulnerability.

To see the joy in their faces when they finished (with a combined effort) their first kurtha (dress/ top) bought tears to my eyes, I am so proud of each of these ladies. They never give up.

Kopila…is determined that Samunnat will continue to educate women and girls about the dangers of trafficking - ongoing dangers that are all-too real.

It was a big shock for us when smoke and the smell of burning was emerging from our big, industrial oven. All ladies were very sad and scared.

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.

But I have seen, and am experiencing, the power of a relationship that gives so much in both directions.

When I heard this I knew that justice was not only about money and property. Radha had never felt before that people had listened to her properly, no one had heard her voice.

Throughout the process, the women’s confidence in taking risks, their willingness to experiment and play with ideas has grown. They feel very much that the Dhaka designs express their Nepali identity.

Suddenly, there were new conversations, discussions and ideas as people talked around their worktables and over tea and snacks. Now, a cascade of ideas came.

The eyes tell a story of resilience and creativity across ten years. None of us could have predicted that things would develop in the way they have.

The towns of eastern Nepal are dotted with private hospitals under construction. People are fearful of getting sick. A fever triggers a discussion about where to go for care and how to pay for it. Affordable or ethical care is unavailable to most in a system built on user-pays private care

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.

I am not saying that women can only be independent without men. Our hope and desire is that women can learn how to live safe and productive lives in this man’s world, respecting themselves and being respected. This is a long and difficult journey.

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

Polymer clay is plastic. We have been challenged about the appropriateness of adding to the world’s plastic burden by making polymer jewellery. We take this question extremely seriously. Like all questions, it contains nuances and relative risks and benefits. We have thought through the issues and believe that our polymer use is principled and responsible.

The board of Samunnat Nepal decided to make time, once again, to take stock and plan for the future. This is a good time for several reasons: women are coming for assistance in ever-increasing numbers; the community has opened up again after COVID; and income from product sales is picking up strongly after the challenging COVID downturn.

I was very conscious that a Nepali book about sex education was new and potentially controversial, so I was careful. When you look at the saucy sex scene of the mum and dad in bed you may note that there is a very distinct gap in between the lusty couple! This is in sharp contrast to book two which illustrates the ins and outs of changes of puberty, and has a centrefold of a cross section of sexual intercourse - I have to say that research for book two was very informative to me and I thought I knew it all!

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.

I thought I had seen it all but then we arrived in Birtamod and met the women at the Samunnat refuge, I was overwhelmed with feelings. I didn't know at that moment that the rest of my life would change.