Nepal School Projects
We first visited Maguwa village in 2012 on our way to the Manaslu trek. Our guide at the time Thag Bahadur invited our group to stay at his village Buddithum which is the neighbouring village and the home of one of our Sherpa staff. As we were kindly invited we decided to take some much need equipment to both Buddithum and Maguwa (Sarawathi) school's as a donation of gratitude. This equipment included 300 copy books, 300 pens and pencils, all of which were purchased in Kathmandu for the small sum of Aust$60. As well as books and pens we took much needed warm clothing for both adults and children.
After visiting the school I realised that some of the class rooms and the principal room was in need of repair, the roof leaked and the mud wall's were beginning to collapse. The children were in desperate need of toilet amenities and piping to pump water to the school.
Each classroom accomodates 30 children in a very small area. Some rooms were equipped with desks and chairs but they were in need of repair or replaced. Each room had one small window which let in very little light.
On my return home I approached Lindfield East Public School to assist me with finances to help build new classrooms and repairs old ones. Thanks to the children and parents of LEPS the children at Sarawasi School now have 2 new classrooms a teachers room, toilet and water connected to the school. All of this work was achieved by 4 volunteers including myself and the assistance of the village committee parents and children.
The children from both schools are now corresponding. Whilst in Pokhara and Kathmandu I purchase many fabulous handicraft items to take to the children at LEPS who will sell the items, the profit from selling thes items will be returned to Nepal to assist with the projects
Whilst at the village in April 2012 I visited another school that is also in need of assistance with regards to building more classrooms, so in 2012 we planned another volunteer project, this time in conjunction with Shree Basari Secondary School which is situated in a remote village 12 hours drive from Kathmandu.
Before departure on a trek in late 2012 with my family, Sarah my niece and her friend Hollie, organised a fundraiser for the school in Nepal, they managed to raise $2700, and together with funds raised by Lindfield East Public school, who have been supporting remote area schools in Nepal for the past 4 years, we have been able to finish 4 new classrooms in Shree Basari Secondary School.
