EDUCATION & TRAINING PROJECTS
Over the past few years Himalayan Initiatives have worked with a number of schools in rural Nepal and supported communities to gain access to training and educational opportunities.
More details of some of our projects can be found below.
TRAINING FOR MASONS (BUILDERS) IN EARTHQUAKE SAFE BUILDING TECHNIQUES
Nele Village, Lower Solu Khumbu
February 2016
A week long training course for masons from Nele and surrounding area was organised in association with the Nepal Society for Earthquake Technology. Approximately 30 masons attended and it is hoped that the skills learnt will be shared throughout local communities as people work together to rebuild their homes following last years earthquakes.
NEW PRIMARY SCHOOL
Jhareni Village, Lower Solu Khumbu
May 2014
Built for earthquake resistance, we are pleased to report that jhareni School withstood the earthquakes undamaged.
We first visited Jhareni in the summer of 2012, the local community were keen to discuss the challenges of education provision. Up until that time most of the primary school age children of the village were, on average, completing a 90 minute walk to school each day (each way), however during the monsoon season their route to school became impassable. As a result, pupils were missing 2-3 months of schooling every year.
In order to provide their children with the best possible opportunities, the villagers had worked to establish a small school within the village, enabling their children to receive year round education. When we visited in May 2012 the school had been registered with the government and took the form of a small bamboo structure (see below) and 4 local women were acting as volunteer teachers.
BEFORE:
Inspired by the hard work and commitment the community had demonstrated, through our Nepali partners Community Building for Sustainable Development we partnered with the community to establish a permanent school building. Himalayan Initiatives therefore worked with its supporters to raise 70% of the cost of the building (approx. £13000), while the village community provided the equivalent of 30% of the cost in the form of labour and materials.
AFTER:
In May 2014 the new school was complete and this is how it looks!
The building has three classrooms and a staff meeting room. A toilet block with four toilets and water supply has also been constructed. The school has 34 registered pupils and two full-time, government funded teachers. This has been a rewarding project to be a part of and so inspiring to witness the hard work and commitment of the local people. We continue support to the school by funding teaching materials, school uniforms and will shortly be funding a teaching assistant.
SUPPORTING LOCAL VILLAGE PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Nele and Simigaon Village, Lower Solu Khumbu
2012
Village schools often have mud floors, these become muddy during the monsoon rain and are cold during the winter, particularly in these villages situated at an altitude of 2000m +.
Installation of wooden flooring has been a priority request from teachers and parents in both schools. In 2012 wooden flooring replaced mud flooring and classroom desks and benches were provided- all produced from locally felled, hand crafted timber. White boards and other teaching resources were also supplied. A water-pipe was installed to bring clean water to Rukura school for the first time.
Check out our Healthcare, Income Generating and Latest Project News.