Empowered Women Empower Women
This week I met my boss’s boss, Stephanie, who is visiting the project from Winrock headquarters in D.C. It’s been such a treat to get to meet and work with so many empowered women who are working to make a difference in the world. Monday morning we held our weekly staff meeting and began planning for World Day Against Trafficking In Persons on July 30. Hamro Samman will hopefully be partnering with the government and civic engagement groups to put on an event to further educate and coordinate with key stakeholders.
Throughout the week, I have been finishing up my report on the country’s obligations should it choose to adopt the Palermo Protocol. One of the best resources in my research has been a study from the American Bar Association. I never realized just how widespread the Bar’s activities are but it is encouraging to see how much of an impact lawyers can have and just how broad the job opportunities may be. I got to learn more about those opportunities from my boss, Carolyn, who invited me to her home to meet her family. It was nice to be able to talk to her and learn more about her career experiences abroad. It takes a very strong person to be able to do the work she does, but she makes it look easy. The end of the week closed with an office-wide World Day Against Trafficking In Persons Brainstorming session. Rather than just delegating responsibilities, Carolyn welcomed everyone to have an input in planning the event.
With less than a month to go, it’s an ambitious event to put on but all hands are on board to make it as successful as possible. I’m handling all the information packets for guests. But what I am most excited about is honoring Sunita Danuwar, a TIP survivor and co-founder of Shakti Samuha, a shelter for trafficking survivors. She was recently acknowledged as the State Department’s “TIP Hero” by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Ivanka Trump. 
*Photo courtesy of: OnlineKhabar.com. Secretary Pompeo, Sunita Danuwar, and Ivanka Trump.
Over the weekend, I decided to venture to the weekly Farmer’s Market, which wasn’t too far. Following some winding roads, I was led to a beautiful oasis of shops leading to a restaurant called "Le Sherpa." The shops were very upscale and sold elegant home goods, cashmere sweaters, and notebooks made from Nepali paper.
One thing I have noticed is it is not customary for Nepalese people to stay in all weekend or remain sedentary. Over the weekend most of my coworkers go visit their extended families, go to parties, or just enjoy the city, much like the people in this beautiful, organic coffee shop. 
I cannot believe it took me so long to go but the market had an assortment of delicious breads, cheeses, sauces, drinks, fresh produce, and desserts.
Not to mention food vendors selling food from around the world, such as Vietnamese pho, Indian biryani, French baguettes and cheeses, and even Cuban mojitos and cuba libres (which I was definitely surprised to see in Nepal!). I loaded up on some of the western foods I’ve been missing and spent the next two days gleefully indulging myself with cheese plates and chocolate truffles.
Having checked off most of my Kathmandu to-do list, I decided to just take this weekend to relax and return to work on Monday morning refreshed. But not before snapping this photo in the beautiful farmer's market.
