Dear friends,
Greetings from NPA. We have had a difficult time since the devastating
earthquake that occurred in April 2015. People who had suffered huge economic,
physical and human loss due to the earthquake were again hit hard by the
undeclared Indian blockade. People had
to rely on resources available locally for their daily needs as India had
stopped sending fuel such as petrol, diesel, gas, medicines, raw materials for
Nepali Industries and many other items that Nepal used to import from India. In
spite of all these difficulties we were able to lead a bit easier life because
of your help that you sent through ‘A hauteur d’hommes, ateaur d’ huminite’
France and ‘Sharing Minds’ Switzerland.
After the earthquake our first task was to build makeshift classrooms as
one of our buildings where we had kindergarten classes had developed several
cracks during the earthquake and it was important to shift the classrooms to a
safer location considering physical and psychological safety of the kids.
Though our main building did not suffer major damage, students were not ready
to study in this building due to the shocking periods they had gone through
during the earthquake and its aftershocks. So, the first few weeks we were busy
in making temporary classrooms.
Again we felt the need of replacing these makeshift classrooms with new
and permanent ones as we could see the weather conditions hampering the smooth
running of classes. Rain, wind, noise produced by the adjacent classes and
rattling sound on the roof by the rain disturbed the teaching learning
activities to a great extent. We were lucky enough to get financial support from
‘A hauteur d’hommes, ateaur d’ huminite’ France and ‘Sharing Minds’ Switzerland
to build new classrooms. Unfortunately, the construction of the classrooms
could not take place in a full swing due to the shortage of the construction
materials caused by the Indian embargo. Despite all these obstacles we were
finally able to complete the construction of 8 classrooms within a year.
VISIT OF FRIENDS AND VOLUNTEERS AT NPA
VISIT OF FRIENDS AND VOLUNTEERS AT NPA
Visit of Anais Clerck (‘A’hauteur
d’ homes, ateur d’ huminite’ Chairperson)
It was a matter of happiness, joy, encouragement and hope to have near
and dear ones visited us and soothed us at the time when we were passing
through hard times that had brought hopelessness, discouragement and
frustration due to all the unmanageable situation we were going through. At such a time, Anais Clerck’s, chairperson of
‘A’hauteur d’ homes, ateur d’ huminite’ visit to NPA was really soothing, comforting
and encouraging. She was the first overseas friend to visit us after the
earthquake. She was at NPA from 5 to 26
July 2015, spending most of her time with the kids engaging them in different
activities which helped them forget the harsh moment and the difficult
situation they were facing after the earthquake. She also brought letters,
clothes and many other things for NPA kids sent by their sponsors, pen pals and
other donors.
Visit of Lylian & Mary Laure
Lylian & Mary Laure were at NPA from 6 to 18 September 2015. While they were here they organized various outings with NPA kids which were refreshing for them.
Visit of Anja Camenzind (Sharing Minds, Chairperson)
Anja, the chairperson of Sharing Minds, Switzerland, arrived in Nepal on
16 October and helped NPA until her return to Switzerland on 3 December 2015. Her father and uncle arrived a week later and
right after arrival they engaged themselves in various renovation and
construction works. During their two and half month’s stay at NPA they could
not only build separate urinary toilet for boys and girls; they could also lend
hands in temporary classroom construction.
Visit of Valerie
Valerie, a nurse by profession, was at NPA from 7 to 18 December 2015. Her
presence at NPA was at the right time as we had received so many varieties of
medicine from France which we did not know what they were for except for a few
ones. Valerie spent her time at NPA sorting out the medicines and listing them
mentioning their usage and dosage. She also gave classes to senior students on
sanitation, health and hygiene. Senior but interested students staying in the
hostel were taught about the usage of medicine.
Valerie once again visited NPA with her friend Aurelienin April 2016 and
spent about a week at NPA. This time she spent her time painting hostel rooms
with other volunteers from France and Switzerland.
Visit of Cindy
Cindy who was in Nepal from 23 Dec.2015 to 8 Jan. 2016 spent her 2 weeks
time at NPA with the kids taking them to different heritage sites and places of
historical importance.
Visit of Silvain
Silvain, a nurse by profession and a friend of Valerie, was here at NPA
to help us from 29 Jan. Ot 23 Feb. 2016. He contributed his manual labour
throughout his stay at NPA by lending hands in various construction and
renovation works.
Visit of Carlo and Remo
Carlo and Remo, from Switzerland were at NPA from 15 to 22 Feb.
2016. Though they were here for a very
short period, they contributed a lot by helping in the reconstruction and
renovation works. They also repaired some computers which were damaged during
the earthquake.
Visit of Paul and Marina
Paul and Marina from France were at NPA from 15 Feb. To 17 April. They
contributed a lot by helping in the reconstruction and renovation works,
painting dormitories and making eco- friendly washing machine.
Visit of Patricia
Patricia from Switzerland was at NPA from 2nd March to 23rd
April. As a teacher by profession, she did a lot while at NPA. She conducted
several workshops for the teachers in which she emphasized on effective teaching method considering the
psychology of the growing kids. She was always with the kids whenever she is
free doing creative activities keeping the kids busy throughout the day.
Besides, teaching she also engaged herself in painting classrooms during holidays.
Visit of Paul
Another teaching volunteer after Patricia was Paul Zuercher, also from
Switzerland who was at NPA from 14 May to 29 June 2016. Along with teaching in
the class, he too conducted several workshops for the teachers which helped the
local teachers enhancing their teaching skills and methodology. Paul also gave
swimming lessons to the NPA kids.
Visit of Anja Camenzind (Chairperson of Sharing Minds)
Anja Camenzind was at NPA recently for a short period (9 to 21 October,
2016) to check the development taking place at NPA. She expressed her happiness
to see the changes that had taken place at NPA after the earthquake.
Before she returned back to Switzerland, she sponsored a girl who was
abandoned by her parents and was living with elder sister.
Words of thanks:
The principal, teachers, students and parents would like to express its
gratitude to ‘A’ hauter d’ homes, ateur d’ huminite’ France for constructing
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5 earthquake resistant classrooms
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Renovating 3 toilets
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Installing water filter system
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Installing solar panel for solar light
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Providing medicines, clothes, laptops, tents, sleeping bags,
construction tools, sewing machines and many other things useful in our daily
life which have helped a lot to us.
The principal, teachers, students and parents would like to express its
gratitude to ‘Sharing Minds’ Switzerland for constructing
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3 earthquake resistant classrooms
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Constructing 2 urinary toilets
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Buying 6 bunk beds for the boarders
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Constructing roof on the terrace
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Providing clothes and stationeries
Special thanks to Patrick Clerc for sending construction tools and
Alexandre Feurier for sending electric saw which have been of great use during
the construction works.
We also expressed our sincere thanks to all other friends /visitors /
volunteers who visited NPA for a day or two and helped us and our students.
Request for financial help in purchasing a school bus:
Though the school too spent some part of the money in reconstruction by taking loan from some financial institutions in order to complete the project, it would not be possible for us to have brought these changes at NPA
without your help. All what we are now is the result of generous and
immeasurable help provided by you all.
Private schools in Nepal are categorized into three types viz A, B and C. Our school falls in category C. The fee charged by this category schools are the lowest and the only choice for the majority of parents who cannot afford to send their children to other good schools. There are many parents in search of schools which give quality education at a low fee but can’t send their children in such schools due to lack of transportation facilities. Since our vision is to provide quality education to such students; it has become indispensable to have school’s own bus. Besides this another reason for having a school bus is to make ourselves self reliant. At the moment we have quite a less number of students and the fee collected from these students barely meet the expenses for paying teachers’ salaries. Once we have school bus we can be able to collect more students and we will not be facing financial crunches as much as we are facing now. As the school will have enough students to meet its daily expenses, we can also be able to provide free education to more deprived children.
As little drops of water make mighty oceans, little deeds of
kindness make our earth an Eden, your little contribution can play a great role
in bringing smile, happiness and joy on the gloomy faces of deprived and
destitute children. We highly appreciate your contribution even if it is a
small amount as it plays the role of a piece of brick that helps in erecting a
great wall.
We sincerely request all our generous friends to contribute directly or
through our partner associations "A hauteur
d'hommes, auteurs d'humanité" and "Sharing Minds" in
accomplishing the above project. If you
intend to help us through our partner organizations, please contact them at the
following address.
Ms. Anais Clerc
Association "A
hauteur d'hommes, auteurs d'humanité"
4, rue Saint-Jean
25500 LES FINS
FRANCE
Tel . +33
(0)3.81.67.46.06
Port +33 (0)6.47.48.72.39
Ms. Anja Camenzind
Sharing Minds
Gersaur, Switzerland
Tel . +41 79 595 48 02
If you want to contribute directly to NPA
Please contact :
Bharat Rai
National Pioneer Academy
Maijubahal, Chabahil
Kathmandu
Nepal
Tel: +977 9841498408
Email:npacademy@ymail.com