Supporter Update October 2016
The next trip to Nepal is rapidly approaching. This time we are six people taking a 14-day trek in the Helambu region followed by three days at Thulo Bhotang village and school. We will come prepared to teach biology, chemistry, singing, as well as various craft activities with the younger children.
One of our team is a midwife who will run a clinic while we are in the village. Once again, a dental clinic will be held, following up on the successful screening work provided last year by a visiting dental surgeon, an assistant and an oral hygiene educationalist.
There is also likely to be some construction work taking place again. Bobby Llama (our contact with the village) and Satish (our guide) have already made a visit to ascertain in more detail what the school and village requires.
Since our previous visit, the school science teacher has begun a science club. Some building work has taken place and there is now a dedicated space for the science club. We have been able to obtain a quantity of chemistry equipment surplus to requirements at ANU to take with us. We are also providing microscope slides and petri dishes for biology experiments.
In addition to providing assistance to the village, a trek such as this provides work opportunities for the Nireka Adventures staff. Tourism is still down by about 30% in Nepal generally, which is not a good thing whilst so many people are trying to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
The first instalment of your generous donations purchased material for temporary accommodation for eight of ‘our’ extended families. Last December we managed to visit six of them to see how they were coping in their new accommodations.
As the second monsoon since the earthquake has now passed, all families have now collected their second payment and commenced building their permanent homes. We intend further visits after this coming trek.
Through our friends from WA who are accompanying us on this trip, we have made contact with Bridgetown Rotary. They had collected some money for Nepal, but had not yet found a suitable cause. They have kindly donated funds for the of purchase eight flued wood fired stoves for ‘our’ families. Respiratory conditions are common in Nepal as a result of cooking over open fires. The stoves will be handed over during our visit.
The next thing we would like to do is to provide support for some of the children of these families to continue their schooling. Initially, we want to provide a scholarship to two girls. The scholarship provided is $US300 per annum.
Students have to provide all writing materials as well as uniforms. This amount takes into consideration that the high school may be some distance from home. Satish manages the scholarships through an arrangement with the school. Renewal of the scholarship each year is subject to a good report from the school.
Singe Lama, one of the staff we are supporting, has six children, one of whom, Ramell, is in Year 7. Initially the support will continue for her until the end of year 10.
Kalman Waiba, also a staff member, has three children. Menuka, the eldest, will be completing her Year 12 studies at the end of the year. Renuka is in Year eight and her little brother Suraj, in Year 5. It would be good to provide some support for Menuka, if she wishes to continue further education, otherwise we will support Renuka to the end of Year 10 initially.
