U.S. Ambassador to Nepal Peter W. Bodde visited local government officials, business leaders and NGOs in Kailali and Kanchanpur on July 23 and 24, 2013.  On the trip, Ambassador Bodde heard about the region’s preparations for the November elections and met with Carter Center observers.  He also received a briefing on anti-trafficking efforts in the region from the Safe Migration Network.  Ambassador Bodde visited the Nepal National Social Welfare Association, which assists conflict victims. The U.S. Government provides assistance to all of these programs.  In Kailali, Ambassador Bodde met with members of the Kailali Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) and visited the American Corner Dhangadhi, a U.S. government sponsored library housed in the KCCI building.

In Kanchanpur, Ambassador Bodde visited the new Nepal English Language Teachers’ Association (NELTA) office and planted a tree with students of the U.S.-sponsored English Access Microscholarship Program.  He also met with the Vice Chancellor of Far Western University, Dr. Jai Raj Awasthi, and learned about plans for the development of the university.  In a speech to Far Western University students, Ambassador Bodde encouraged their participations in the November elections:  “Your voices should be heard in this election.  Exercising your right to vote and allowing others to do the same will build a better Nepal.”