After 12 years of voluntary work, Barbara Forst is travelling through Jammu & Kashmir this summer to say goodbye to the local staff in Kargil and Leh.

Via Srinagar and the Zojila Pass, the journey took Barbara Forst to Kargil, where she was warmly welcomed by Mr Gulzar, the director of Rewa Na Kasko Kargil, and his brother Ajaz.

The next morning, the Rewa team and the Principles of Minshi Habibulla Mission School gave us a warm welcome.
Unfortunately, we didn't see any children as it was still the summer holidays that week.
But the team came willingly and in a long meeting we discussed the past year, the current situation and ideas and wishes for the future.

Gifts were presented and various donations were made: the revised teaching folder and a Vario chair from the Heike Holz physiotherapy practice in Erlangen. Everyone was amused and delighted by the favourite recipes of the children from the partner school "Schule am Bach". The school donated a generous amount of money.
Nourishment for the nerves was also distributed - always a welcome gift!

The next day, we went on an excursion together to the Zanskar Valley, followed by a picnic.
It was a touching moment for all of us. I had prepared a card for everyone with a souvenir photo and a personal dedication.

In the evening, the Kargil stay ended with a cheerful and moving party. Mr Gulzar gave a speech and spoke about the beginnings in Kargil, when Karola Wood visited Kargil for the first time in 2010.

Even then, there were so many children in need of support that the opening of a centre was a logical consequence. While the population was still critical of the centre back then, Rewa Na Kasko is now widely recognised and more and more children are coming.
At the end, I received a certificate for 12 years of work at Rewa Na Kasko Kargil and the obligatory cake - what a touching moment.

I would like to end my report by thanking the Kargil team for their time together, their gifts, warmth and friendship.

Report by Barbara Forst