Having recently being happy to support 124 children in 14 Schools/college, we have received photos from Bal Mandir school in Gorkha and the rural Sensari High School. We have worked with both of these schools since the devastation of the 2015 earthquake and are happy to continue close links through Sarita and Madhu. All students received a full uniform, bag, books, calculator, geometry set, pens, etc.
Category Archives: Project News
124 children to be sponsored and Founder Joy celebrates her 95th birthday
Little could former Essex teacher Joy Leighton have imagined that when she formed GDS and the sister charity in Gorkha in 1988, that as she celebrates her 95th birthday (sadly in lockdown) 33 years later, her work would continue to support the poorest of families and children’s education in her beloved Nepal. 
As a result of this global pandemic and after over nine months of lockdown, the schools in Gorkha and rural areas have re-opened and we can at last offer support to the returning children. The local GDHEDS commitee have worked so hard with Headmasters of fourteen schools in the region and we have agreed their recent application to support 124 children. We look forward to sharing updates as we hear more.
Covid support hand over to Gorkha hospital
In rapid response to the recent hosptial request for support, oxygen cylinders of medical standard as well as PPE has been delivered by GDHEDS President Ram Chandra and founder member Perusotum.
‘The Hospital authority expressed their gratitude and convey their message to GDS and happily assured us that the equipments will support them to fight against COVID-19 in Gorkha. Each set of PPE includes body cover, boots, cap, eye glasses, face save, mask, gloves and boot-cover having plastic and rubber coated, air and water proof with two layers, products of National Invention Centre, Nepal, by Dr Mahabir pun. They are reuseable after being washed or sanitized.’ Our established links have allowed this emergency response to the crisis though of course we unusually hope in this case the equipment will not be in high demand.
Covid Reaches Gorkha – GDS asked to fund oxygen supply
After 12 weeks of lock-down, Coronavirus is now spreading in Nepal largely due to workers in India returning across the border to their homes throughout Nepal. sadly 10 cases have now been confirmed in Gorkha and with limited resources GDS has been approached to help. As a recent post shows, the hospital is still only half built so wards are in a range of nearby buildings. In 2017 we were pleased to supply the hospital with 2 oxygen concentrates which is sufficient in normal times, but now our Gorkha committee are working with the hospital to supply additional tanks of oxygen and £1,000 has been made available from GDS to be used as seen fit to help COVID victims in the hospital.
Keep safe our Gorkha friends.
Training of Teacher Trainers – Aidan and Laxman
When Joy first established GDS with Perusotum as Head Teacher, then there has been an aim to help develop teachers in rural government schools. We have funded Teacher Training programmes but this was something different.
Laxman worked tirelessly with Linda and Aidan to arrange a three day workshop at the local education office in Gorkha. Local officials and headmasters were introduced to the programme and then 14 very experienced teachers shared experience and gained ideas from Aidans vast experience. Aidans book ‘Better Classroom Better Learning’ which is written in both English and Nepali, was used as the basis for the programme.
A fantastic programme GDS are so proud to fund
