- Nepal Update November 2015 | by Jo Chaffer
- Ghunsa Flagship Project
- Thanks to Blackburn Lake Primary
- Prince Alfred College Returns to Nepal
- THANK YOU | Fundraising dinner Canberra
- NYC Marathon 2015
- HDFA Annual General Meeting | Thursday 24th September
- Rebuilding 10 Villages – Donate now
Nepal Update November 2015 | by Jo Chaffer
Namaste from the sunny streets of Kathmandu with an end of year update on HDFA’s work here in the land of happy chaos.
I’m Jo, (Nepal Country Director for HDFA), currently supporting Himalayan Development Foundation Australia’s work on the ground: coordinating our local delivery partners’ efforts, weaving through the various paperwork, political and logistical challenges to drive our programs forward. It’s been over six months since the devastating earthquakes of April and May, so much has changed and yet also so little. Here’s what HDFA has managed to achieve thanks to your generous and ongoing support
Earthquake damaged schools – reconstruction agreements
We’re in the final stages of contracting PHASE Nepal for the rebuild and reconstruction of two schools in the area most severely affected by the spring disaster. It’s taken a while to ensure we have a solid plan, the right partners and an accurate budget. The latter has been particularly tricky with construction materials and transport costs escalating on a day by day basis as the border blockades tighten their stranglehold on the country. We have also been careful to comply with the somewhat complex and unwieldy, but essential, bureaucratic processes to ensure we’re working alongside and supporting the local government and communities’ wishes.
We, along with many other charitable bodies, had hoped to be well under way with construction by now. Winter is upon us and conditions in the low hills are pretty grim. Unfortunately everyone, local, international, even the UN, are hamstrung by the current fuel and materials crisis.
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Ghunsa area educational improvements
Having completed the rebuild of Ghunsa school and the hostel rooms and added on some lovely new washrooms we’re moving on to the more complex but equally important development of the school’s people – teachers, governance and parents.
We spent a while searching for effective partners for this task. We had reached an agreement with one of the best school / college providers in Kathmandu to co-support each other: their teachers training and mentoring Ghunsa’s team and in return a chance for the city kids (and staff) to learn about their country and life in the high hills. Unfortunately their school was badly damaged in the earthquake so we have postponed our partnership until they have new properties and are back on track.
Meantime though we have created a two year teacher training, mentor scheme and School Management Committee development program with PHASE Nepal. PHASE have an excellent reputation for delivering consistently good results in teacher development with concurrent improvements in children’s education. We’ve been impressed with their team and track record. We’ve worked to extend and adapt their existing program using our understanding of Ghunsa and the Taplejung District’s specific challenges. First steps are a rapid needs assessment (happening as we speak) followed by a full baseline study next March once the school opens.
Teacher training will start in March / April and continue for two years with regular formative evaluation to ensure we are maximising impacts from the children’s, the teachers’, the parents’ and governance perspectives. We want to see a real difference in how and what children learn, and how they develop and grow.
This scheme will extend to a further two schools in the area. We’re currently coordinating with the District Education Officer and another NGO on this.
In addition to the above we’ve also invested some of your donations in Tenzing Gyalpo, a young teacher originally from Ghunsa with skills in Tibetan and English languages. Tenzing is a rarity here: local, well-educated, talented and willing to go and live in the village! We’ve set him up with some cosy accommodation, a bundle of useful and fun teaching materials and a careful introduction program. First reports are that the community have welcomed him warmly – the Mother’s Group are already asking for Tibetan lessons for themselves!
Ghunsa: Life in the village
Our recent visit to Ghunsa to help Tenzing settle in was also useful in finding out how life is going for the community there in general. Many people have been out of the village looking after tea-houses and lodges further up the trail and along the passes. They’ll be returning shortly and then heading down to Foley, a small settlement a few hundred metres lower that has less harsh winter conditions.
We talked to the various groups about the idea of internet coming to the village. There’s a great enthusiasm for this and talk of co-investment in the infrastructure needed to bring the net to the village.
Looking forward to 2016
We sincerely hope the Nepalese politicians find a peaceful solution to the current blockades and shortages. In the meantime we continue to work quietly to support the communities with which we partner.
Jo Chaffer
November 21st
Ghunsa Flagship Project
The hydro scheme in the valley was damaged in an earthquake a few years ago. Visiting HDFA geologists advised the locals on sustainable and earthquake proof repairs. The repair work was executed by local trades. Long term benefits are reduction in de-forestation and improved respiratory health from decreased wood use. The locals have also agreed on a micro economic system to sustain funds for ongoing maintenance and future repairs.
Thanks to Blackburn Lake Primary
At the instigation of the Student School Council, the generous community of Blackburn Lake Primary School collected hundreds of warm jackets and other clothes to support Nepali children affected by the spring earthquakes. Pack and Send Box Hill, HDFA members, the PAC Father and Son group (below), and our Nepal-based people have all helped Himalayan Development Foundation Australia to get the clothes to needy children in Nepal. In time for the cold season. Very warm (!) thanks to all involved, and especially the community of Blackburn Lake Primary.
Prince Alfred College Returns to Nepal
Board Member, Andrew Stace has led another successful trek to Nepal in early October. This was the third Father/Son Experience that he has led. As part of their trip they took warm clothing and school equipment for both our Ghunsa and Earthquake Projects. After trekking through the Khumbu to Ama Dablam Base Camp, the group returned to Kathmandu and visited Bhaktapur, one of the cities most impacted by the April earthquake. We once again thank the fathers and sons of Prince Alfred College for their continued support.
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THANK YOU | Fundraising dinner Canberra
A big thank you to Zac Zaharias and The Hungry Buddha in Canberra. 35 people attended the fundraising dinner which raised A$1,300 for the HDFA Rebuilding 10 Villages Project.
YOU ALL MADE A DIFFERENCE.
NYC Marathon 2015
Thank you Chris, and UBS, for raising close to $3,000 for the Himalayan Development Foundation Australia. Congratulations on a time of 3.24.05!
HDFA Annual General Meeting | Thursday 24th September
Thursday 24th September was our inaugural AGM. The majority of our board members was in attendance. We also welcomed two new board members; Melissa Westgate and Chris Miller.
Melissa Westgate is looking forward to contributing her marketing and fundraising knowledge to HDFA and is hoping to visit Nepal in the near future to see the amazing impact HDFA is making. Chris Miller has a strong trekking and travelling connection with Nepal and is looking forward to give back to Nepal in various ways.
Rebuilding 10 Villages – Donate now
Help us rebuilding schools and futures in Nepal’s Worst Affected Areas
At HDFA, we are focusing on the long-term reconstruction of earthquake-damaged schools in the hardest-hit and hardest to reach communities. The continuation of solid education and the central role school buildings play in many Nepali communities make it crucial these are rebuilt quickly and sustainably.
Please support our efforts to rebuilding schools and futures in Nepal.