• Index
• Where?
• Who?
• Education
• Health
• Gorkha Women's Association
• Water
• Handcraft
• Land
• Volunteers, Working Holidays, and Sponsorship
• History
• 1997 Report
• A Travelogue
• Links

Ten years ago, this Scheme was started to help schools in Gorkha with funds and volunteer teachers. This expanded to include the Drabya Shah Campus, a women's group, women's literacy, handcraft, a water project and aid for local Nepalese non-government organisations, including health.

In 1998 we welcomed Christine Marion as a nursing volunteer. When this Scheme became a registered Charity, she was asked to be our health organiser.  After much fund-raising on her part, and obtaining donated medical equipment, she accompanied me on a visit to the Gorkha District, in the foothills of the Himalayas.

The Gorkha Youth Movement for the Environment

On our arrival, we found that this group, which runs outreach clinics for women and children, had organised a baby competition to be judged by the local doctor , Ambrita (health worker) and Chris. Her expertise was needed to complete the organisation, and it became a very unusual and successful event for the town.  The medical equipment collected by Chris was formally handed over  to the resident doctor at the hospital, Dr. Syam Sunder Mishra.

We were then taken by members of the Youth Movement to the clinics arranged in outlying villages, which are mostly held in the open air.  Chris worked with the local health visitor who normally takes the clinics, and they conducted examinations, dispensed medicines, and operated the immunisation programme.  The young people set up the clinics, and do the administrative work of checking and recording.  There is a regular check on pregnant women as well as babies.  Chris was much in demand, as news had spread, and there was a larger turnout than usual!  We found that most of the diseases are due to lack of sanitation, hygiene and clean water - plus a scepticism about the benefits to be gained by boiling water.  A young Youth Worker acted as interpreter, and took his job of advising the mothers very seriously - so much so that to his amusement we referred to him as Dr. Joia!

Gorkha Hospital

Next we moved on to the hospital, which has been without a doctor for some time.  The new doctor is very efficient, well qualified and well liked by his patients. The hospital, however, needed some attention, and Dr. Syam was well-pleased when Chris and Saiya (a volunteer from Witham Health Authority) rolled up their sleeves, got out their scrubbing brushes, and together with members of the Youth Movement and the manager of the Gorkha Prince Hotel, got to work. The toilets and drains needed attention, and the shower put in good working order.  They then cleaned the two wards, managed to buy some distemper, and painted the walls of the women’s ward.  The difference was amazing!  Saiya went home, and Chris had to go to Kathmandu for a few days.  On her return, she found that the boys had carried on with the good work, and attacked the men’s ward in the same manner.  As well as nursing in the hospital, Chris met the hospital committee to talk things over. We are now hoping that they will pay a man to do maintenance work on a regular basis. The very busy doctor can now concentrate on his medical work. As a consequence to this, a local Nepali gentleman has offered to fund  a clean water system for the hospital.

Education

While Chris was working in the hospital, I was able to visit the schools where we have an interest.  Despite the influence of our volunteers, a more progressive system of education is only just emerging.  Most teaching is still by rote. More practical work is needed in all subjects.  However, as the schools welcome our volunteers, there has been a slow change in ideas.  I found that a 'library' set up in one school, with books we supplied, is still being used, but more books are needed for them and other schools. Further equipment and books have been bought with funds raised for the purpose.

Kabita's School is for very disadvantaged, low caste, children. This is run, for two hours a morning, by a young Nepali with aid from a volunteer, in the UK, Nell White. Ladies who belong to WI's in Dorset have sponsored 5year olds to go to school full time, paying for a teacher,  as well as uniform, books, stationery etc. for £25 per child, per annum.  These children will eventually go to a small private school, such as Annapurna School. 

Annapurna School: Here there are other children who have been sponsored, and there is some attempt at progressive teaching, no caste discrimination, and classes are smaller than at government schools. 

The Old Capital School has good facilities and is aided by the French Alsace-Nepal Association. We hope to be able to provide library books and volunteers.

Nareswar School: The Chelmer Bridge Rotary Club is sponsoring 31 children to attend this school at the cost of £10 for a child per annum.  This provides uniform, books and stationery for more children who would never have had the chance to attend school. The NGO The Child First has now offered to administer this scheme for us, which means it is constantly monitored.  This being so, we hope to attract further sponsors.

I found that the Drabya Shah Campus is going from strength to strength under the direction of its chief, Mohan Narayan Shrestha. Volunteers who teach there have found a very happy environment.

The schools are an essential part of our operation, and so much needs to be done with teacher-training.  Through the Web site (www.nepal.co.uk) we have been able to recruit able specialists in this field, some of whom implement the work started by Dr. Neil Ferguson.

The Gorkha Women's Association

This is an early project of mine.  After it was initiated by Purusotam Aryal, I introduced them to them to the Associated Countrywomen of the World (ACWW), of which the Association is now a member.  An agricultural project was funded by the ACWW, but an unsuitable piece of land was purchased.  Now that the women are better organised, they have sold this and bought a more suitable piece of land while we were there, as well as acquiring more land in a very poor outlying village, Saluzibzar,  for the use of the women there.  One of our volunteers, Linda Mason, raised funds which she gave to the GWA to build a meeting house where these women could make handicrafts, and hold clinics and literacy classes. During the time we were there the building was completed .  In only one week, the women had bought the materials and had done all the work themselves.

Funds were given for a Gender Training Programme initiated by the GWA Secretary ,Geeta Shrestha. and helped by The Child First.  This will give helpful advice on all aspects of women’s lives from health (including Family Planning) through to education. I also gave funds for literacy programmes, but now hope that both the GWA and the Child First will adopt the scheme by PACT a Nepalese training organisation. The books are bought by the women for a few rupees, and they can use them even in family groups with a literate member (perhaps a schoolchild!) This does not cover the cost, but will give the women  a sense of independence.  After the initial teaching book, the rest of the books, called Women in Business, teach them in a very simple way, how to manage their small finances, and how to set up small businesses.  They also teach both numeracy and literacy in a general way. All this would be at no cost to the Association. 

Other funds were given to help the handicraft scheme. The members of the GWA now need to learn marketing techniques  and quality control in order to sell their goods on the tourist market. I hope that Geeta with her dynamic approach will be able to address these problems.

The Deaf and Dumb

We were introduced to this group which is being helped by Gorkha NGOs.  Those who were deaf and dumb  had been excluded from the community by their handicap.  They are being taught to read and write, as well as to use sign language. They are now able to communicate, and are becoming more accepted by the community. The NGOs have also helped with hand craft projects, as these people are very impoverished.  Chris and Saiya visited their rented room, mediated with the landlord to replace windows, and funds were given to continue payment of rent. It is very important to have a centre to use for literacy classes, as a workroom, and for social purposes.  We hope to help these people further as they are doing all they can to help themselves

Water Project

At long last a water scheme has been set up with the help of Mr. Ron Hook of Colchester and the Nepal Water Aid in  Phinam  village. Members of the GWA, are being trained in a package deal set up by NEWAH for maintenance, sanitation and health education. Women and children in Phinam Village will no longer have to spend 6 hours a day fetching water. It is hoped that these women will become members of the GWA.

Clubs and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs)

In the past, I have linked Essex Lions Clubs with the Lions Club in Gorkha, and the clubs in Essex have helped the people of Gorkha in many ways. At a meeting on this visit, it was mentioned that the Club ambulance had crashed on the tortuous road, and needed £900. for repairs.  Having seen a child with a drip being taken to Kathmandu in a van, I decided to apply to our own Lions for help. They are currently considering this, and one club has given a donation.

Chris contacted the Shenfield and Hutton Rotary Club who are considering the sponsorship of a very dedicated young Nepali to take nursing training in the UK

The Child First (Archived 2003) and Youth Movement

We had a meeting with these groups as both had funds withdrawn by Save the Children US, who are operating in another area. Upon our return to UK, our trustees agreed to fund the Youth Clinics for the foreseeable future so that they could continue.  We also gave funds to The Child First to continue their activities for one month, until another sponsor could be found.  It is sad that unless one comes forward, much of their operation in the fields of education, health and agriculture will close down.

In Conclusion

One bonus of our visit is that a Nepalese co-ordinator has been appointed, and a committee formed of all the Nepali with whom we operate, such as the doctor, campus chief, headmasters, and representatives of the NGOs

We find that aid work is now better organised, with the help of Gorakhali NGOs who have gained more experience in this field.  Other individuals who have previously tried to improve conditions are now benefiting from  the expertise of these groups such as The Child First, GWA , the Youth Movement, and the Lions Club.  These organisations  also try to help themselves by active fund raising, so we now feel we are able to work together in a more meaningful way.

As our Scheme is growing, we hope that our efforts will bring even more benefits to the people of Gorkha. With the expansion of our Volunteer scheme we are hoping that the happy relationship we have with all our friends in Gorkha will continue to flourish.