SDG 4: Help All Children Access Education in Nepal

Dear Supporters, 

Over the last 3 months our teams have been busy utilising GVI Trust funds to continue renovations and upgrades to education facilities, build student desks, and support community access to emergency health treatment and training opportunities.

The seasons are changing in Pokhara and the landscape is beginning to heave under the swell of monsoon rains. One of the communities that we partner with is in an isolated area, along narrow and bumpy often flooded roads, not far from the lively streets of Pokhara. Here they had limited access to medical treatment and in emergencies were restricted to private vehicles or public transport to seek medical attention. Through discussions with community partners we were able to help fund the purchase of equipment and supplies to fit out an Ambulance. This has been a long journey for the community but one that will undoubtedly save lives and help to reduce the long term impacts of delayed treatments for serious illnesses.

Our hardworking construction team have continued their desk building project, constructing almost 20 benches, and 4 mini-benches since the start of the project. These have had a wonderful knock on effect in the schools, with student’s ability to concentrate and be more comfortable in the classrooms improving pointedly.

Other improvement work around schools was carried out, most notably a recycling and rubbish collection station. Many schools in Nepal don’t have safe places to be able to dispose of their rubbish and waste material, with many students not knowing where to put their rubbish. The team designed, and alongside local tradesmen built a structure for the rubbish, creating an easily accessible and obvious point for waste to be taken to.

Our focus is now on educating and role modelling how to use the rubbish disposal spot, making sure that it will be a sustained change and improvement to the school grounds and students attitudes towards waste. This is exciting work, and the education side of this project will get under way shortly.

We were fortunate enough to host a workshop, delivered by Dr Bryan McAlllister Grande, a GVI Sustainable Development Fellow. The workshop focus was on “Becoming a Researcher: Empirical Research Design and Programme Evaluation.” The focus of the research was decided following consultation with local organisations and was well represented with 18 participants total. One of the aims of the workshops was to increase and level the playing field of access to further training and development, and it certainly achieved this. It was so wonderful to see over the course of the week, the informal networking that was happening between organisation. The week was finished with many new connections and support networks, making it far more than simply running the six workshops.  

Our food program at the local Boy’s Home and Male Patan Child Care continues and we are able to have a strong influence into the health of those young children by ensuring that they are having access to nutritious food. By ensuring access to this basic need we are consequentially improving their learning outcomes, making it easier to concentrate and learn well on a full stomach.

As the year continues we are reminded of the generosity of so many people who chose to work alongside us. By choosing to support our work, you not only provide financial assistance to the projects, but you bolster the hope and belief amongst the community that they deserve to be supported and given opportunities. It inspires staff to continue striving for better and reminds all of us of the power of generosity. We look forward to welcoming new and existing funders into our journey this year!

All the best, 

Nepal