Gita-Gita-Bo-Bita!

Just a quick update on Gita. I wasn't able to smuggle her home in my luggage (I tried!), so I've been getting updates on her from Michael. She's too cute not to share...

Gita in her new dress. She could be my flowergirl in that dress!

Gita opening the stickerbook I bought for her before I left. Michael gave her my gifts when she arrived in Kathmandu.

Gita looking through the barbie photo album I left for her filled with pictures of us, her drawing and painting and her friends in Narti.

As you've read I fell in love with a little girl named Gita while I was in Narti. Since returning from Nepal, Gita has been moved from the village orphanage in Narti, to one of the large orphanages in Kathmandu. She gladly accepted the offer to move to Kathmandu where she'll receive more structure, better care, access to healthcare (including braces) and go to a much better school. Michael (the founder of the organization) has sent me a few pictures and emails updating me on her status.

Before moving to Kathmandu Gita's history was documented for her records in the SWAN office. She was newly rescued when I arrived in Narti and this hadn't been done yet. According to Gita she is about 9 years old (the Kamlari girls don't know their birthdays because nobody cared enough to keep track) and was born in India. Her parents came to Nepal when she was a toddler with her and her brother. She was sold into slavery and the rest of her family moved back to India. Boys are rarely sold into the Kamlari system because they become the care-taker and bread winner when the parents become to old to work. Gita believes she lived as a Kamlari for 4-5 years before being rescued by SWAN. Technically she is considered an orphan because her parents left the country (children who are sold anre NOT seen or treated as orphans in the legal system), but it is unclear at this time whether she is considered a Nepali or Indian citizen.

Michael said Gita is loving Kathmandu and has a "bit of magic to her", as she is in awe of her surroundings. When the girls get to Kathmandu they are taken to get a new outfit and Gita chose to buy a white (eek! Who let her buy white?!) dress. She had two outfits with her when she arrived that were both very worn hand-me-downs. The new dress was a special treat and I'm sure the trip to the city was nothing she'd ever imagined. The first three days I spent in Kathmandu about put me in shock, now imagine a little girl who has never been outside her village, seen running water, let alone large buildings, extreme noise and traffic jams. I'm not sure whether to feel excited or scared for her! Jesse (the volunteer I went to Narti with) was in Kathmandu for a few days with her before he went home. He said the first day of school they tried to put her hair into two tiny ponytails, with no success. They finally resorted to one tiny pony on the top of her head. All the girls wear yellow bows to school and Jesse said Gita looked like an excited unicorn with a giant yellow bow on her first day of school. See, she does need me for something. Now who is going to put her hair in two ponytails? They should have let me sneak her through customs.

Anyway, enjoy the pictures and I'll keep you updated on her, should anything new or exciting arise.