• Index
• 1998 Report
• Where?
• Who?
• Education
• Health
• Gorkha Women's Association
• Water
• Handcraft
• Land
• Volunteers, Working Holidays, and Sponsorship
• History
• Links

In Spring 1997 during a year long travelling sebatical, I was lucky enough to spend 3 months in Nepal. Firstly on a most amazing trek in the Himalayas, and then in the small hillside town of Gorkha. I spent my time, as have a number of other volunteers encouraged by Joy Leighton, living with a family and teaching at Annapurna School - where lessons are taught in English, plus, getting involved in other community projects. This Summer I returned to Gorkha partly because of my feeling of attachment to the place and its people, and partly because of the
uncertainty over the progress of the many projects I had become involved in I felt compelled to find out what was going on now. 

I received once again such a warm welcome everywhere I went, living with the Aryall family again, and my presence was demanded here and there, so soon my short time in Gorkha was filled with a very full programme. This time I wasn't working in the school but as I have said, more on a mission of investigation, of noting progress, and of what is seen as essential to the local groups, giving encouragement and motivation to those involved and finally of discussion of how best each area can develop. This report is a precis of my extensive package of notes covering the areas which through Joy you may be aware. 

Annapurna Boarding School 

Nirmal Aryall now acting as headmaster. Aprox 150 children mostly up to class 4 (age aprox.13). Most rooms are now painted white which greatly improves the light levels in the otherwise dark rooms, and the school layout has improved to better utilise the space. A small library room has been established (books sent by Joy several years ago) and we hope that this will be inregular use. 

The hostel children sponsored by AlsaceNepal Association have been moved to Old Capital School due to the lack of facilities at Annapurna for older children. I agree, but find Annapurna working well for younger children. 

Old Capital 

A new private school funded locally, it has grown rapidly and succesfully. There are excellent facilities,and class sizes are restricted. The staff are friendly, ranging in age and experience and are working to a high standard. I also noted some move toward progressive teaching methods is being made, a very slow move from the traditional rote learning. They even have a computor. There is a limited range of books for pleasure though, maybe this is another area we could help with in the future. The hostel children are enjoying it here especially the boys having space for football! (great interest in World Cup '98) 

Hostel Children

All well. Evenings are allocated to structured homework time, All have written letters for pen pals in England, many of which I have set up sucessfully in the past year but need more people this end - maybe to link with a local school. Anybody wishing to write - especially teenage children, please let me or Joy know. This could be a great opportunity for learning and we all love letters! 

Hillside School / Kabitas School / Tailors Village / Nell White Project

The only opportunity for schooling in this low caste village is the 7 - 9.00am classes before a day in the fields. About 20 children of mixed ages attend the class - now in its seconed 9 month programme. There is great enthusiasm and progress and arriving in the torrential monsoon rain one morning I witnessed the first day of new desks and benches donated by Nell, one of the previous volunters - a great advance from the floor mats. The electric cables are in but not yet connected! 

School Sponsorship

I was so lucky to set up some more sponsorship programmes for a number of under-privileged children. For many, the first person in their family to go to school. After much thought, I decided best to start them at Annapurna. Cost stlg25.00 year to include tuition, books and uniform (a mere snip to us but the world of opportunity to them!). I wrote out a contract - an agreement between the sponsor, the school, parents and the child asking for commitment, and stating that without this ie regular attendance and effort, then sponsorship will be withdrawn. This I felt essential to prevent abuse of the funds. It was a wonderful experience to meet parents, buy fabric for uniform from tailors, pay the fees and see the children in school. Thanks to those who have donated for childrens’ education 

GWA (Gorkha Womens Association) 

• After last years dilemma with the purchase of unsuitable land - a small pocket only suitable for building, - a lot has progressed. 
• Geeta and Shoba - Secretary and President together with strong commitee are working hard 
• Gorkha membership now over 60 
• Sale of land looks promising, - then to look for larger piece suitable for vegetable growing. 
• I now have connection with an Agriculture NGO (MADE) in Chitwan (visited Rampur Agriculture University there) who will help advise on cropping etc.for womens group. 
• Handicrafts group developing. First project has been T.shirts and now dolls in Nepali costume. I was most impresed with the high standard and excellent results so brought a box home to sell and raise funds.stlg5.00 - stlg7.50 if anyone is interested. Hopefully Joy will be bringing more - a great motivator for  them. Marketing is the major drawback at present. 
• Macrame and other crafts being developed. 

Water Project

As I was leaving the go ahead was given for a water project at a rural village. Project is through GWA subject to
funding. Training is already being given and I am quite sure another women's group will develop here. 

GWA Sauli Bazaar

Of great personal intrest to me as I witnessed the formation of this additional rural women's group last year. Of the 64 women who paid small contributions to join, only 2 were literate -everyone else signed with a thumb print! They now have a basic shelter built by themselves using money I had given. Walls are next, with money donated from my friends and family (stlg50.00 is all it takes) In the shelter, 6 nights a week 7 - 9.00 pm after a day in the fields, over 30 have been attending literacy classes. I went to see them in class - wonderful reading and writing and
obvious enjoyment and pride. Surely too they will now encourage schooling for their families. 

They organised a days 'picnic' by the river in celebration, food, dance, but it was so hot! A real community has evolved with the group, a very special unity and strength. In the future we will consider another literacy programme for the other 30 women - the last one was Govt. funded, the next will need stlg150.00 for a teacher and books for 30 people for a6 months programme. 

All womens groups are also operating a savings scheme whereby regular savings are made and they then have access to loans not otherwise possible from a bank. 

Health

At the hospital a new Doctor is in charge - one of many who unfortunately do not seem to stay long at Gorkha and therefore continuity is a problem. He has been encouraging new ideas including one to train 'young doctors' or first aiders in schools and so extend health education to outlying villages. He has already gathered Headmasters to initiate this. His main aim being to prevent health problems by education - for example cleanliness of food, environment, water, and therefore reduce emphasis on curative medicine. He also aims to link with many of the 300 NGOs (Non - Governmental Organisation) in Gorkha district that are involved in health care.. Clinics, maternity care etc are already working in remote districts. Central co-ordination and records are needed. The aim is to avoid duplication (eg clinics in some areas are run by two groups) and also to provide free medication to NGOs where possible. 

The Child First

I ran out of time to visit the outcentres of this very large NGO but hope it can be followed up by Joy and Chris. Geeta is active on the committee (some people are involved in so much). It was first funded by Save the Children US stlg150,000 !! But, only 2 years later they are pulling out. An initial survey identified needs, Outcentres are set up, staff are running centres, programmes are up and running but now they need more funds. To show their dedication to the cause, each person working donates 10% of their meagre salery to the funds! 

They are working towards helping the underprivaliged in 5 areas identified: education, health, child development, economic opportunity and agriculture. 

In education they are: 

• encouraging children to go to school 
• providing sponsorship for stationary 
• targeting child dropout from school (social work) 

In health they have 

• formed child health campaign to provide free health checks and medicine - 750 seen, 15 referred for treatment and funded 
• mother and child clinic - vacination clinics in villages (funding also given to other NGOs already in operation, health education to expectant mothers and inlaws. 9 out of 10 babies born at home. High mother mortality. Simple birth pack provided:a plastic sheet to lie on, plastic gloves and a sterile razor for cutting the cord. That is the midwife pack! 

So you can see, there is lots going on, and more importantly, there is lots going on with the local people to help themselves.There is so much to be done and to get involve in though and every little bit helps.