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Volunteer Funding Impact Report 2013 Helambu Education and Livelihood Project

Volunteer funding impact report 2013

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Page 1: Volunteer funding impact report 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volunteer  Funding  Impact  Report  2013  

 

 

Helambu  Education  and  Livelihood  Project    

 

 

 

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MESSAGE  FROM  THE  DIRECTOR   3  

AIMS  OF  THE  VOLUNTEERING  PROGRAMME   4  

TEACHING   4  FUNDRAISING   4  

SPREAD  OF  VOLUNTEERS   5  

RECRUITMENT  OF  VOLUNTEERS   6  

FINANCE   6  

TOP  FUNDRAISERS   8  

DETAILED  REPORT  ON  SPENDING  OF  FUNDS  RAISED  BY  VOLUNTEERS   9  

SCHOOL  INFRASTRUCTURE   9  TEACHERS  TRAINING   12  CONTRIBUTIONS  TOWARDS  ADDITIONAL  TEACHERS  SALARIES   12  SPORTS  EQUIPMENT   13  SCHOOL  EXCURSION-­  NAKOTE  AND  GUNSA   13  COMPUTER  LAB  MANAGEMENT  AT  GUNSA   14  EARLY  CHILDHOOD  DEVELOPMENT  CLASSROOM  MANAGEMENT  (ECD)  AT  GUNSA  (B)  AND  MAJUWA  (NEAR  PATING)   14  ADDITIONAL  SCHOOL  BAG  DISTRIBUTION  (50  BAGS  AT  NAKOTE)   14  SCHOLARSHIPS   15  CHILD  SPONSORSHIP   16  KARSANG  AND  ANG  MAYA   16  NURBULING  BOARDING  KIDS  SPONSORSHIP   16  BOOKS  AND  SCHOOL  UNIFORM  GRANT   16  

TESTIMONIES:   17  

APPENDIX  1:  LIST  OF  VOLUNTEERS  IN  2013   18  

 

 

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Message  from  the  Director    This  report  is  intended  specifically  to  inform  our  valuable  past  volunteers  on  the  impact  of  their  fundraising.   At   the   outset,   I   would   like   to   thank   each   of   you   for   all   the   hard   work   and   for  believing  in  HELP’s  activities.    

The  year  2013  has  been  very  successful  at  HELP  in  terms  of  receiving  a  very  inspiring  number  of  volunteers,   thanks   particularly   to   CU   HELP   and   all   of   our   valuable   partners.   A   total   of   46  volunteers  spent  their  time  teaching  children  and  working  with  the  teachers  across  12  different  Schools  in  some  of  the  rural  villages.  As  well  as  teaching,  volunteers  raised  more  than  £15K  in  donations   enabling   us   to   make   essential   improvements   to   the   schools   at   which   they   were  placed  as  well  as  enabling  us  to  reach  out  to  new  areas  where  the  need  is  even  greater.  

We  greatly  appreciate  suggestions  that  volunteers  give  us  at  the  end  of  their  placement  on  how  they  feel   their  donations  would  be  best  spent.  Since  October  2013,   I  am  happy  to  report,  we  started  implementing  various  projects  based  on  the  priorities,  needs  and  our  ability  to  fund  the  work.  Most  of  them,  as  you  will  read  below,  have  either  been  completed  or  are  rapidly  making  progress.  In  using  funds  raised  by  volunteers,  we  have  taken  specific  and  general  suggestions  of  our   volunteers   very   seriously,   but  we   have   also   used   our   own   judgement,   based   on   a  more  overall  picture  of  all  our  partner  school’s  needs,  as  to  what  would  make  lasting  difference.      

In  summary,  a  total  of  number  of  projects  were  funded,  which  simply  would  not  have  happened  without  the  generous  donations  raised  by  the  volunteers,  so  once  again  many  thanks  to  you  all.    

We  are  committed  to  keeping  our  volunteers   informed  on  how  their  donations  are   impacting  the   lives   of   children   and   we   shall   work   harder   to   improve   the   way   we   run   and   handle   our  volunteering   programme.   To   help   us   with   this,   we   are   happy   to   announce   that   one   of   the  former  CU  HELP  Presidents,  Priska  Komaromi,  is  currently  at  HELP  in  Nepal  doing  an  intern  for  3  months  and  she  will  be  with  us  at  least  until  the  mid  of  July.  You  may  feel  free  to  contact  her  directly  at  priska@help-­‐nepal.org    

Further,  we  were  able  to  keep  the  admin  cost  of  running  the  Volunteering  Program  very  low  at  £505,  which  is  around  3.3  %  of  the  total  donations  raised.  This  has  only  been  possible  because  of   the   financial   support  we   receive   from  MondoChallenge  Foundation   (our  partner   charity   in  the  UK)   to   support   a   big   part   of   our   admin  work,   as  well   as   the   income  we  make   from   our  popular  Teach  and  Trek  Scheme.    

I  hope  you  enjoy  reading  the  report,  and  I  look  forward  to  receiving  your  feedback!  

Jimmy  Lama,  HELP  Director    

 

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Aims  of  the  Volunteering  Programme    

HELP  has  been  receiving  volunteers  since  2010,  starting  with  a  small  cohort  of  5,  volunteering  at  a  couple  of  schools.  Since  then,  the  number  of  volunteers  has  been  steadily  increasing  every  year,  reaching  a  record  total  of  46  volunteers  working  at  13  different  schools  this  year,  mostly  from   Cambridge   University,   International   Teachers   Association   and   others   who   came  independently.      

1. To   facilitate   links   between   underprivileged   schools   and   volunteers   looking   to   contribute   time  and  support.    

2. To   help   improve   English   language   skills   of   the   children   in   the   remote   village   Schools   of  Sindupalchowk  district.  

3. To  help  children  build  confidence  and  empower  then  to  expand  their  horizons  beyond  their  local  

environment.  4. To  assist  and  encourage  schools  in  creating  a  more  interactive  learning  environment.    5. To  ensure  a  sustainable  source  of  funding  to  enable  our  continued  support  to  partner  schools.  

Teaching  Volunteers  bring  fresh  perspectives  and   ideas   into  teaching  and  open  up  ways  for  children  to  learn  through  different  fun  filled  interactive  teaching.    The  volunteers  teach  English  with  correct  pronunciation  and  inspire  fellow  teachers  to  adopt  more  interactive  teaching  methods.      The  volunteers  are  encouraged  to  teach  alongside  local  teachers,  who  can  learn  new  teaching  methods   and   at   the   same   time,   the   volunteers   can   learn   contextual   matters   from   the   local  teachers.   Volunteers   bring   tremendous   energy   to   remote   and   under-­‐resourced   schools.  Children  are  exposed  to  a  new  culture,  language  and  are  able  to  learn  about  other  parts  of  the  world;  which  are  all  very  vital  for  children's  learning  and  understanding  of  the  world  in  the  age  of   globalization.   Learning   from   new   people   inspires   children   to   expand   their   horizons,   and  dream  big.    

Fundraising  Volunteering  with  HELP  doesn't  include  any  compulsory  ‘admin’  fees  but  all  the  volunteers  are  required  

to   raise   a   minimum   £200   prior   to   coming   to   Nepal,   which   goes   towards   supporting   the   various  Schools   that   HELP   support   including   the   School   they   volunteer.   Funds   we   receive   from  volunteers  through  MondoChallenge  Foundation,  our  international  partner  in  the  UK,  comprise  a  big  portion  of  our  total  annual  budget  and  help  us  to  continue  supporting  our  partner  schools  in   various  ways,   ranging   from  classroom  building   and   teacher's   salary   and   trainings,   to  other  infrastructure  and  education  based  programmes.   In   this   respect,   the   financial   support  we   receive  through   the   Volunteering   Programme   has   been   pivotal   to   our   growth   and   our   ability   to   expand   our  

programs  with  partner  schools.    

 

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Spread  of  volunteers    In  2013  volunteers  went  out  to  the  following  schools,  many  of  them  receiving  foreign  volunteers  for  the  first  time  in  their  school's  history.    

S.  No.     Partner  School/Village   No.  of  volunteers   Notes  1.   Shree  Pema  Chholing  LSS,  Nakote   8      2.   Shree  Nurbuling  LSS,  Kharkadanda   6    3.   Shree  Deurali  PS,  Tartong   8    4.   Shree  Serkathali  PS,  Serkathali   4    5.   Shree  Narayan  LSS,  Ichowk   4    6.   Shree  Risankumane  PS,  Dhundeni   2    7.   Shree  Satdharra  PS,  Bhirkharka   2   First  time    8.   Shree  Mahankaleshwori  LSS,  Solsing   2   First  time  9.   Shree  Manikanteshwori  PS,  Churetar   2   First  time  10.   Shree  Bhumeshwori  HSS,  Kiul   2   First  time  11.   Shree  Satkanyamati  LSS  (Gunsa  A),  Gunsa   6    12.   Shree  Kumbheshwori  PS  (Gunsa  B),  Gunsa   2   First  time  13.   Shree  Taltuleshwori  PS,  Kotgaon   2     First  time  

 

Some  of   the   volunteers  have   gone  on   to  more   than   two   schools   and  have  been   counted   to  both   the  schools,  so  the  summation  of  the  table  is  more  than  the  actual  no.  of  volunteers.    

 

Figure  1-­‐  Spread  of  Volunteers  across  schools  

 

 

 

0   1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9  

Bhumeshwori    Birkharka    Dhundeni    Gunsa  A  Gunsa  B    Ichowk    Churetar  Nakote  

Nurbuling  Serkathili  Solshing    

Taltuleshowri  Tartong    

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Recruitment  of  Volunteers        

CU  HELP  CU   HELP   (Cambridge   University   HELP)   is   a   registered   student   organization   within   the   University   of  Cambridge  started  by  former  HELP  volunteers  which  organizes  information  sessions  for  those  interested  in   coming   to   Nepal   to   volunteer   with   HELP   partner   schools.   The   student-­‐run   committee   of   CUHELP  coordinates   the   recruitment   process   of   volunteers   from  Cambridge,   as  well   as   providing   training   and  orientation  on  teaching  and  travelling  in  Nepal.    CU  ELST  CU  ELST  recruits  volunteers  to  work  with  communities  of  Tibetan  origin   in  Nepal,   India,  Mongolia,  etc.    HELP   is   one   of   their   partner   organizations   in   Nepal,   and   receives   around   4   volunteers   per   year   on  average  through  CU  ELST.      

ITA  Jytte  Svendsen,  Editor  of   International  Teachers  Association's  Danish  Board  helps  recruit  volunteers  to  Nepal,  organizing  meeting  with  the  volunteers  and  providing  helpful  information.      

Independent  volunteers  Volunteers  who   find   us   through   the   internet   or   through   the   recommendation   of   past   volunteers   and  contact  us  directly.    See  appendix  1  for  a  detailed  list  of  volunteers  in  2013.    

 

Figure  2-­‐  Recruitment  of  Volunteers  

Finance  In  2013,  Volunteers  raised  a  total  of  £15,020  to  go  towards  HELP’s  projects.  Figure  3  illustrates  how  this  funding   has   been   allocated   since   October.   The   majority   of   the   funding   raised   by   volunteers   went  

towards  School  infrastructure,  which  is  one  of  the  most  urgent  needs  of  many  of  HELP’s  partner  schools,  especially  new  partner  schools.    

CUHELP    

CUELST  

ITA  

Independent    

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Figure  3-­‐  Allocation  of  Volunteers'  Donation  

 

Figure  4:  Volunteers'  Recommendation  on  Allocation  of  Donations  

Volunteers   are   encouraged   to   give   suggestions   as   to  where   the   funds   they   raise   should   go,   based  on  

their  experiences  and  observations  of  the  needs  of  the  schools.  As  shown  in  Figure  4,  many  volunteers  suggested   that   their   funding   should   be   spent   on   improving   school   infrastructure   and   providing  more  training   for   teachers.   Many   volunteers   had   specific   requests   for   how   their   funding   should   be   spent  

(scholarships,  hostel  building,  computer  classrooms  etc.)  which  have  been  honoured  as  much  as  possible  in   the   allocation   of   volunteer   funding.     While   we   value   these   recommendations,   we   try   to   allocate  funding  based  on  the  overall  priority  needs  of  all  our  partner  schools.    

School  infrastructure    

Teachers  Salary  

Teachers  training  

Books  and  Uniform  grant  Sports  

Child  Sponsorship  

Computer  Facilijes  

School  trips  

Classroom  Room  decorajon  Drinking  Water  Project  

Administrajve  Costs  

School  infrastructure    

Teachers  Salary  

Teachers  training  

Books  and  Uniform  grant  

Child  Sponsorship  

Computer  Facilijes  

Classroom  Room  decorajon  

Drinking  Water  Project  

Other    

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Top  fundraisers    

As   figure  5  shows,  over  half   the  volunteers  managed  to  raise  more  than  the  minimum  target  of  £200.  While  we  appreciate  the  funds  raised  by  all  our  volunteers,  we  would  especially  like  to  thank  those  who  hugely  overshot  their  fundraising  target  and  continued  fundraising  after  their  placement.  

David  Low:  £770  +  3000  Euros  post  placement  

Imogen  Buxton  and  Rebecca  Cavanaugh:  £1,500  post  placement    

Pritesh  Raichura:  £660  +  £500  post  placement    

Rachel  Stoplar:  £790    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

Figure  5-­‐  Amount  raised  by  Volunteers  2013  

   

 

 Figure  6-­‐  How  funds  were  transferred  to  HELP  

 

As  figure  6  shows,  the  most  popular  and  convenient  way  of  getting  their   fundraised  money  to  HELP   is  

through   setting  up   a   JustGiving  page   and  using  HELP’s  UK  partner  MondoChallenge   Foundation   as   an  intermediary  to  transfer  funds  to  Nepal.    

0   5   10   15   20  

Above  £500  

 £200-­‐  £500  

£200  

Less  than  £200    

£0  received  to  date    

JustGiving  –  To  Mondo-­‐  Paid  directly  to  Mondo  Account-­‐  In  kind-­‐  

Paid  to  HELP  directly-­‐    Raised  no  funds  

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Detailed  report  on  spending  of  funds  raised  by  Volunteers    

School  Infrastructure    

Classroom  Building  and  fencing  at  Thangpalkot  

While   Imogen   Buxton   (from   Cambridge   University)   and  

Rebecca   Cavanagh   (from   Oxford   University),   volunteers  who   came   through   CU   HELP,   were   teaching   at  Thangpalkot,   the   construction   of   two   rooms   had   been  

halted   due   to   lack   of   funds   and   one   of   the   classes   was  being   conducted   in   make   shift   classroom   made   out   of  

bamboo.  We  made   an   agreement  with   them   that   if   they  raised  funds  to  support  the  completion  of  the  classrooms,  HELP  will   find  matching  resources  to  do  the  fencing  work,  

which   Mondochallenge   Foundation   agreed   to   fund.  Everything  went  as  planned  and  the  villagers,  with   the  classrooms  having  a  very  beautiful  and  equally  suitable   design   relevant   to   the   classroom   dynamics.   The   fencing,   which   is   needed   primarily   to   stop  

horned  buffaloes  from  entering  the  school  and  posing  a  threat  to  students,   was   completed   before   the   end   of   February   with  aluminium   wire   nets   tied   to   iron   poles   fixed   on   low   concrete  

walls   around   the   school   compound   and   a   gate   in   front   of   the  school  to  beautify  the  overall  environment.  Now,  the  school  has  enough  rooms  to  conduct  all   the  classes  and  the  new  academic  

session   starts   with   a   true   gift   for   over   155   students   currently  studying  at  the  school.    

We  spent  over  Rs.  5,00,000  or  £3500   towards   this  project  of  which  Rs.  200,000  or  £1,350  came   from  volunteers  donation.  

Churetar  

Manikanteshowri  School  offers  grade  1  to  5  along  with  Nursery  

and  KG  but  has  only  6  rooms,  one  of  which  is  used  as  an  office.  For  the  past  3  years,  when  the  school  was  upgraded  to  grade  5,  

two   classes   have   been   conducted   in  makeshift   classrooms   that  forced  students   to   find  shelter   in  other  classrooms  most  of   the  time   during   the   rainy   season.   We   have   been   supporting   the  

school  since  the  beginning  of  2012  and  in  2013,  Sky  Holmes  and  Jennifer  Bloomfield,  recommended  their  funds  be  put  towards  2  new  classrooms.  However,  we  needed  to  work  with  the  villagers  

to  find  other  sources  in  order  to  build  3  more  classrooms  they  needed.  In  January,  the  School  informed  us  that  they  collected  Rs.  300,000  including  the  funding  they  received  from  the  District  Education  Office,  and   proposed   us   if   we   could   match   their   grant.   We   saw   this   as   opportunity   to   quickly   make   things  

happens,   so   decided   to   contribute   Rs.   300,000     (£2000)   from   our   side.   This   will   enable   around   85  children  to  study  in  an  improved  learning  environment.    

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Of  this,  we  used  £1000  from  various  volunteers  donation.    

Contribution  towards  Nakote  hostel  building  

Looking  at  the  past  few  years,  the  quality  of  education  at  Nakote  has  improved  tremendously,  with  one  of   the   students   at   the   school   topping   the   district   level  

examination  administered  as  the  final  exams  for  grade  8  students.   Located   at   a   climatically   favourable   location  and   with   the   possibility   of   hosting   more   students,   the  

villagers   requested   HELP   to   assist   them   in   the  construction   of   a   hostel   at   the   school.   David   Low,  who  

taught  at  Nakote  for  more  than  2  months,  raised  €3000  or  £2450  to  go  towards  this  project.    

According  to  the  plan,  3  new  rooms  for  hostel  have  been  added  at  the  cost  of  Rs.  7,50,000  or  £5000  with  contribution   from   the   local   villagers.  We   have   also   supplied   a  whole   host   of   equipment   required   for  

running   the  hostel   such  as  where   the  school  will   run   the  classes  and  use   the   lower   floor  of   their  pre-­‐existing  building  as  a  dormitory.  Rajan  Basnet,  the  newly  elected  hostel  in-­‐charge,  along  with  the  school  management   committee,   are   busy  managing   the   new  dormitory   rooms.  More   than   15   students   from  

different  villages  have  already  shown   their   interest  and   the  school   is  aiming   to   receive  30  students   in  total  this  year.    

We  used  Rs.  4,50,000  or  £3000  towards  this  project  from  volunteers  donation.    

Classroom  Building  and  classroom  decoration  at  Bhumeshwori  

Due  to  lack  of  funds,  the  building  of  two  new  rooms  at  Bhumeshowri  school  was  halted.  Because  of  this,  the   computer   lab   and   library   were   managed   inside   the  

teacher’s   office   by   partitioning   the   room,   making   both   of  these   rooms   were   quite   inaccessible   for   students   if   there  was   any  meeting   being   held   in   those   rooms.   At   the   same  

time,  the  school  showed  their  interest  in  properly  managing  the  laptop  computers  we  had  provided  through  the  Kids  on  the  Grid  program,  if  they  could  complete  the  building,  which  

was   half   complete.   We   supported   funds   to   complete  construction   of   the   rooms   and   furnishing   the   rooms   i.e.  

plastering  and  colouring.  Now,  as  the  new  session  has  just  begun,  the  school  is  in  the  process  of  adding  more   computers   through   government   support   and   managing   computer   lab   and   library   in   spacious  rooms,  appropriate  to  the  classroom  sizes.    

Charlotte   Chorley   and   Jesicca   Curie,  who   volunteered   at   Bhumeshowri,   recommended   their   funds   be  

used  to  decorate  classrooms.  We  discussed  this  with  the  teachers  and  they  suggested  waiting  until  all  the   classrooms   are   properly   allocated   (once   all   the   classrooms   have   been   built)   so   that   the   cost   and  effort  of  decorating  classrooms  not  go  to  waste.    

With   huge   support   from   MondoChallenge   Foundation,   we   have   allocated   around   £300,000   towards  

Bhumeshowri  School  of  which  Rs  1,20,000    or  £800  is  used  from  volunteers  donation.    

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Solsing  Fencing    

It  was  very  difficult  to  conduct  sports  activities  at  Solsing  as  balls  and  badminton  shuttlecocks  kept  going   out   on   the   field   next   to   the   school   and   the   teachers,  

leading  to  complaints  by  villagers,  and  lost  sports  equipment.    

Pritesh  Raichura,  who  taught  at  Solsing  along  with  Chris  Lovejoy  as  the  first  ever  volunteers  to  the  school,  and  they  raised  over  £950,   which   has   gone   into   fencing   the   playground   and   the  

school   compound,   for   which   materials   have   already   been  delivered  and  construction  works  are  underway  and  is  set  to  be  

completed  by  the  first  week  of  May.        

Fencing  and  Drinking  Water  Supply  at  Nurbuling    

Not   having   fencing   at   the   school   has   meant   students   wasted  more  of  their  playing  time  collecting  balls  than  actually  playing.  The   temporary   fencing   the   students   had   put   up   with   their  

tremendous   effort   and   enthusiasm  was   no   longer   suitable,   so  we  decided   to  provide   support   for  materials   for  wire  nets   and  iron   poles   after   the   school   committed   to   secure   funding   for  

other  materials.  This  fencing  has  also  meant  that  the  Himalayan  Olympics,  hosted  at  Nurbuling  School,  were  able  to  be  carried  out  in  a  much  more  efficient  manner.    

With   over   70   students   in   the   school   hostel,   availability   of  only   one   tap   at   the   school   made   the   students   tired   of  

waiting   in   lines,   for   washing   in   the   weekends.   Also,   the  students   spent   more   time   waiting   in   lines   than   washing  before   school,   forcing   them   to   be   late   for   the   assembly.  

Given   the   availability   of   space   around   the   school,   we  provided   materials   for   the   school   to   construct   taps   in  different  parts  of  the  school.    

To  do  this,  we  spent  Rs.  20,000  or  £130  on  drinking  water  

and  Rs.  1,50,000  or  £1000  on  fencing  project.    

Retaining  wall  at  Bhirkharka  

At  Bhirkharka,  overflow  of  water  in  the  monsoon  eroded  part  of  the  playground,  making  it  risky  to   conduct   play   activities.   We   had   previously  supported   the   school   to   build   gabion  walls   to  prevent  further  damage,  which  was  completed  last   year.   This   year,   the   school   requested  further   support   in   making   the   school  compound   safer   and  helping   the  expansion  of  the   playground.   The   school   committed   to  manage   the   significant   labour   contribution   for  the  works  as  well  as  additional  financial  support  from  other  sources,  making  it  possible  for  a  lot  to  be  done  with  a  limited  budget.      

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We  expended  Rs.  100,000  or  £650  out  of  the  volunteers  donation.    

Teachers  Training  Local   teachers   are  not  eligible   for   trainings  organized  by   the  government  although   it   is   now  changing  

from  2014  after  long  lobbying  by  HELP.  Also,  we  hear  from  the   government   teachers   that   the   training   sessions   they  

receive   were   not   thoroughly   effective   as   there   isn't   any  system   of   monitoring.   Most   of   our   volunteers,   having  found   the   teaching   at   the   school   very   traditional,  

recommended   training  being  one  of   the  primary  needs   to  improve   education   at   the   schools.   Most   of   the   teachers  HELP   supports   and   other   privately   arranged   teachers   are  

not   trained   and   despite   working   very   hard,   they   are   not  able   to   teach   as   effectively   because   they   lack   training.   This   year  we   organized   a   teachers   training   in  October,   during   the   Dashain   and   Tihar   festivals   vacation.   The   weeklong   Teachers   Professional  

Development   (TPD)   Training   at   the   Career   Training   Foundation   (CTF),   a   private   training   institute,  was  organized  for  18  teachers  from  11  partner  schools.  Later  in  December,  we  organized  one  of  the  teachers  from   the   training   centre   to   visit   two   of   our   partner   schools   to   visit   the   school   to   observe   how   the  

teachers  implemented  their  learning  from  the  training  into  their  classrooms  and  teaching.  On  a  basket-­‐funding  basis,  we  used  the  funds  raised  by  the  volunteers,  who  recommended  their  funds  should  be  put  towards  teacher’s  training.    

We  have  expended  Rs.  100,000  or  GBP  650  on  this  heading  and  we  have  plans  to  host  at  least  4  teachers  

training  in  2014  for  which  at  least  £1000  more  is  in  reserve  and  the  earliest  one  is  happening  from  the  9th  of  May  to  the  14th  of  May,  2014.  

Contributions  towards  additional  teachers  salaries  In  most  of  our  partner  schools,  the  number  of  teachers  is  less  than  the  number  of  classes  being  offered  at  the  school,  meaning  that  children  are  often  left  with  no  teacher.  We  have  been  paying  the  salaries  of   12   full   time   and   5   part   time   teachers   who   are  working  across  10  different  schools.    Teachers   support,   as   important   as   it   might   be,   is  difficult   to   maintain   and   find   funding   for.   Funding  additional   teachers   was   initiated   with   the   idea   of   a  short-­‐term  support  to  convince  the  government  to  hire  more  teachers.  However,  this  has  not  happened  because  of  the  unstable  political  situation  and  the  lack  of  commitment  on  the  part  of  communities  themselves,  putting  us  under  pressure  to  secure  a  stable  stream  of  funds  for  the  programme.  It   is  only  through  volunteers  funding  that  we  have  been  able  to  continue  this  programme.      

Paying   salaries   for   additional   teachers   is   the   biggest   ongoing   expenditure   at   HELP   and   we  request  volunteers  to  support  us  to  keep  this  vital  support  going.      

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In  2013,  the  total  expenditure  on  teachers’  salaries  were  Rs.  1,512,000  or  roughly  £10K.  Our  partner  MondoChallenge  Foundation  provides  a  huge  part  of  this  and  we  have  decided  to  allocate  around  £3000  of  the  cost  from  volunteers’  donation.      

Sports  equipment  Sports   and   music   equipment   being   available   at   school   entices  children  to  attend  school  because  they  can  play  different  games  

with   their   peers,   something   they   don't   get   at   home.   It   is   also  evident   from   volunteer’s   experiences   how  much   children   love  playing.   For   this   reason,   we   encourage   the   volunteers   to   take  

sports  equipment,  so  that  the  children  as  well  as  the  volunteers  have  a  quality  time  during  their  stay.      Teachers   organize   weekly   activities   to   evaluate   the   student’s  

sports  skills  and  encourage  them  to  participate  more.  Apart  from  most  of  the  volunteers  taking  sports  equipment  with  them  during  their  training,  we  provided  sports  equipments  to  Nakote,  Sarkathali,  Gunsa  and   Thangpalkot.   This   equipment   allowed   schools   to   prepare   for   the   Himalayan   Olympics   before  we  

distributed   the  materials   to   all   the   participating   schools.  With  the   volunteers'   donation,  we  distributed   sports   equipment   for  

all   the   20   schools   participating   in   the   Himalayan   Olympics.  Thanks   to   the   equipments,   the   students  were   able   to   harness  their   athletic   skills,   evident   in   their   hugely   improved  

performance   during   the   Himalayan   Olympics.   These  equipments  proved  to  be  helpful  for  the  schools  to  prepare  for  the  Himalayan  Olympics  before  we  distributed  the  materials  to  

all  the  participating  schools.      

We  have   so   far   expended  Rs.   75,000  or   £500  on   this   heading   to   support   20   Schools   using   volunteers  

donation.  

School  Excursion-­  Nakote  and  Gunsa  A  large  chunk  of  Social  Studies-­‐  a  compulsory  subject,  are  related  to  culturally  and  historically  important  sites,   most   of   which   are   located   in   the   Kathmandu   valley.   However,   most   children   don't   go   to  Kathmandu  until   they  complete  their  SLC.  So,   their  knowledge  on  this  subject   is   limited  to  books  with  

little   or   no   practical   understanding.  Opportunities   like   this   provide   children   a  much   needed   exposure  and  confidence  to  think  beyond  their  small  villages  and  to  view  the  outside  world  from  a  different  perspective.    

 Nakote  School:  We  organized  a   tour  of  Kathmandu  valley   for  40  students  from  grades  5  to  8.  During  the  4  days,  the  students  

visited   important   sites   like   Bhaktapur  Durbar   Square,   Changu  Narayan,   Pashupatinath,   Bouddhanath;   visited   some   exciting  

places  like  Chobhar  and  Central  zoo  and  participated  in  a  cultural  show  at  City  Hall,  movie  at  KL  Tower  

and  wall   climbing   at   Pasang   Lhamu  Foundation.   Each  of   the   students   contributed  Rs.   1000   along   and  HELP  covered  the  rest  to  finance  the  school  excursion.  We  paid  Rs.  80,000  or  GBP  540.      

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Gunsa   School:   60   students   from  Gunsa   followed   a   similar   itinerary   in   Kathmandu.   To   finance   the  trip,  the  students  had  collected  Rs.  35,000  on  a  Deusi-­‐  Bhailo  programme  during  the  Deepawali  and  

each  student  contributed  Rs.  1000  each  and  the  remaining  cost  was  covered  from  the  funds  raised  by  the  volunteer  who  went  out  to  teach  at  the  school.  HELP  provided  Rs.  60,000  or  GBP  400  to  enable  this  trip  to  be  organized.    

 After   the   trip,   at   each   of   the   schools,   the   participating   schools   were   asked   to  write   reports   on   their  experiences,  which  were  evaluated  as  a  part  of  their  curriculum.        

Computer  lab  management  at  Gunsa    

The  government  is  providing  funds  for  the  lower  secondary  and   secondary   schools   to   purchase   computers   but   the  schools   struggle   to   furnish   and   maintain   a   dust   free  

environment   for   these   rooms.   The   school   has   received  several   computers   from   the   government,   as   well   as   3  laptops   from   our   Kids   on   the   Grid   Project.   In   order   to  

maintain  and  make  these  computers  accessible  to  students,  we   decided   to   support   the   school   in   furnishing   the   room  i.e.  plastering,  painting  and  laying  carpet  on  the  floor.    

We  have  expended  Rs.  75,000  or  GBP  500  on  this  heading,  which  all  came  from  volunteers  donation.    

Early  Childhood  Development  Classroom  management  (ECD)  at  Gunsa  (B)  and  Majuwa  (near  Pating)  Kumbeshwori  School  (Gunsa  B)  received  volunteers  for  the  first  time  in  2013.  Volunteers  to  this  school  

identified  early  classroom  management  as  one  of  the  key  needs  of   the   school.   Volunteer’s   funds   went   towards   laying   wooden  planks   over   the   floor,   carpeting,   installing   colourful   low   desks  

for   writing   and   cushions   to   sit   on.   This   has   created   a   lively  learning  environment   for   the  younger  years.    On   top  of   this,  3  whiteboards   and   1   School   noticeboard   is   being   sent   to   the  

School  soon.  We  have  expended  Rs.  90,000  or  £  600  to  support  Kumbeshowri  School.    

 

In  Majuwa,  a  village  just  below  Solshing  with  35  households,  they  do  not  have  a  School.    As  walking  to  the  nearest  village  would  be  at  least  an  hour  walk,  we  were  requested  by  a  local  government  official  to  provide   classroom  materials   to   set   up   ECD   class.   One   of   the   past   HELP   teachers   at   Birkharka,   having  

married  to  a  man  from  Majuwa,  now  works  as  a  part  time  teacher  to  manage  and  run  this  ECD.    

We  provided  materials  worth  Rs.  15,000  or  £100.  

 

Additional  school  bag  distribution  (50  bags  at  Nakote)  

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As   part   of   the   second   phase   of   our   School   In   A   Bag  Distribution   scheme,  we   first   considered  distributing  

the   bags   on   a   partnership   basis,   where  we   covered   the  cost   of   all   the  materials   plus   half   the   cost   of   the   school  bags,  with  the  parents  covering  the  half  cost  of  the  bags  

only.   However,   understanding   in   detail   about   the  students'  families  revealed  that  many  parents  were  not  in  a   position   to   pay   the   cost   of   the   bags.   Elodie   Broad,   a  

HELP  volunteer  going  out  the  school,  agreed  to  fund  the  total  cost  of  50  such  school  bags,  allowing  the  price  of  School  In  A  Bag  to  be  maintained.  With  this,  all  the  students  from  the  school  received  School  In  A  Bag,  without  the  parents  having  to  cover  the  cost  of  the  materials.  The  best  news  is  that,  a  year  after  

the  bags  were  distributed,  there  haven’t  been  any  complaints  of  wear  or  tear  of  any  of  the  bags.    

To  do  this,  we  expended  Rs.  30,000  or  £200  for  the  bag  project.    

Scholarships  Though  some  high  school  equivalent  institutions  have  been  established  in  the  Helambu  region  in   recent   years,   they   only   offer   courses   in   certain  streams.   Therefore,  most   of   the   students   have   to  come  to  Kathmandu  to  study  streams  that  are  not  offered   in   the  Helambu  based   institutions   such  as  sciences.   Because   of   this   many   talented   students  with   bright   prospects   are   forced   to   drop   their  studies   after   SLC.   With   support   from   our  Scholarship   program,   they   can   continue   their  studies   and   contribute   back   to   their   communities   as   teachers,   health   workers,   etc.   upon  completing   their   studies.   For   this,   we   partner   with   institutes   in   Kathmandu   who   provide  generous  discounts  for  students  from  Helambu.  HELP  scholarships  help  in  covering  the  rest  of  their  tuition  fees.  The  students  arrange  their  accommodation  individually  by  mostly  living  with  their  relatives.    

Last   year,   we   awarded   scholarships   for   28   students   during   a   programme   at   Melamchipul  Bazaar.   David   Low,   who   after   volunteering   at   Nakote   was   present   at   the   distribution  programme,  committed  to  sponsoring  2  students  and  following  his  idea,  Misako  Ohasi,  who  did  her  thesis  research  whilst  teaching  with  David  Low,  committed  to  supporting  2  more.        

Scholarship  amount  is  worth  anywhere  from  Rs.  12,000  to  Rs.  20,000    (£80  to  £130)  per  month.    We   received   a   generous   donation   from  our   volunteers  worth   £1000   towards   this   project   for  two  years.  

 

 

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Child  Sponsorship    Karsang  and  Ang  Maya  

Our   child   sponsorship   programme   operates   at   a   very   small   scale   to   support   children   with  vulnerable   family   situation.   We   had   been   supporting   2  talented   siblings   with   both   their   parents   deceased   from  AIDS.   Until   last   year,   they   walked   3   hours   each   way   to  Sarkathali  Primary  School  and  now  have  gone  on  to  study  in  Melamchi   Ghyang   School   hostel.   Through   funds   raised  by   the   volunteers,   we   have   been   supporting   for   their  tuition,  stationery  and  uniform  expenses.      

We   expended   Rs.   40,000   or   £   270   to   support   these  children.  We  have  collected  list  of  as  many  as  10  other  students  to  support  in  the  year  2014.      Nurbuling  Boarding  Kids  Sponsorship  

Similarly,  we  have   continued   to   support  10   children  boarding  at  Nurbuling  School  who  come  from  poor  family  background  from  other  villages.  We  covered  their  tuition  fees,  uniform,  books  and  subsidized  heavily  their  living  cost.    

We  spent  around  Rs.  1,50,000  or  £1000  to  do  this.  

Books  and  School  Uniform  grant  The   government   provides   support   for   government  curriculum   books,   which   are   often   outdated   and   not  suitable   for   primary   level   students.   More   interactive  private  curriculum  books  are  more  expensive,  and  often  unaffordable   for   parents   in   rural   areas.   For   this   we  provide   lump  sum  grants   to   schools,  which   they  use   to  top   up   the   amount   they   receive   from   the   government  for   buying   textbooks.   This   year,   we   provided   books  grants  to  the  following  schools  in  following  amounts.    Wearing  uniform  is  mandatory  for  this  gives  students  a  sense  of  pride  and  a  feeling  of  inclusion  despite  coming  from  different  ethnic  or  economic  backgrounds.  For  children  from  poor  families  with  limited  clothing,  having  a  uniform  becomes  a  prime  motivation  to  attend  school.  This  year,  we  supported  uniforms  for  all  89  students  of  Dhundeni,  all  21  students  at  Dhapsung  and  the  35  new   admissions   at   Gunsa   (A).   The   donations   from   volunteers   covered   the   cost   of   cloth   and  parents  covered  the  cost  of  stitching  the  uniform  for  the  students,  which  made  it  possible  for  the   programme   to   benefit  more   children  with   limited   funds  while   also   encouraging   parents'  participation  in  their  children’s  education.    

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This   year,   we   have   allocated   funds   for   needy   students   as   identified   by   the   school   to  purchase  uniform  set   that   includes   shirt,   pant/skirt,   shoes  and   socks.  We  will   provide  Rs.  600  per  student  and  the  parents  will  contribute  from  their  side  to  provide  uniform  sets  for  the  schools.   The   number   of   students  who  will   receive   uniforms   this   year   are   shown   in   the   table  below.      

Grant  amount  S.  No.     School   Village  

2013   2014   2014  Uniform    

Students  Number    

1.   Shree  Narayan  LSS   Ichowk   Rs.  15,  000   Rs.  15,000   -­‐   400  

2.   Shree  Dhapsung  PS   Dhapsung   Rs.  10,000   Rs.  5000   Rs.  12,600  (21  students)   25  

3.   Shree  Deurali  PS   Tartong   Rs.  10,  000   Rs.  10,000   Rs.  19,200  (32  students)   78  

4.   Shree  Nurbuling  LSS   Kharkadanda   Rs.  12,  000     -­‐   130  

5.   Shree  Risankumani  PS   Dhundeni   Rs.  7500   Rs.  10,000   Rs.  10,200  (17  students)   89  

6.   Shree  Satdhara  PS   Bhirkharka   Rs.  7500   Rs.  10,000   Rs.  10,800  (18  students)   97  

7.   Shree   Satkanyamati  

LSS  

Gunsa  (A)   Rs.  12,000   Rs.  15,000   Rs.  18,000  (30  students)   280  

8.   Shree  Pating  LSS   Pating     Rs.  5,000   -­‐   250  

9.   Shree   Kumbheshwori  

PS  

Gunsa  (B)     Rs.  10,000   -­‐   160  

10.   Shree  Serkathali  PS   Serkathali     Rs.  7,500   Rs.  6,000  (10  students)   50  

Total   Rs.  74,000   Rs.  87,500  or   GBP  575.  

Rs.  76,800  or  GBP    500.    

Testimonies:  Rachel   Stoplar,   volunteer   at   Nurbuling   School,   2013:   My   overall   volunteering   experience   in  Nepal:   'a   thoroughly   rewarding   and   challenging   experience,   with   some   of   the   most   unique,  inspiring,  and  wonderful  people  I've  ever  met'  

Chris   Lovejoy,   a   volunteer   at   Solshing   School,   2013:  My   experience   in  Nepal  was   one   of   the  greatest  of  my  life.   It  opened  my  eyes  to  Nepalese   life  and  culture,  made  me  appreciate  how  much  of  a  difference  we  can  all  make  and  was  thoroughly  enjoyable  on  the  whole.  

Pritesh   Raichuri,   a   volunteer   at   Solshing,   2013:   Experiencing   village   life   first-­‐hand   gave  me   incredible  insights   into  the  experiences,  motivations,  ambitions,   joys  and  problems  the  villagers  had.   It  was  truly  

humbling  to  be  welcomed  and  treated  like  family,  respected  like  a  teacher  and  to  have  ideas  responded  to  with   such  enthusiasm.  The  experience  has  made  me  aware  of   a  new  culture  and   lifestyle,   and  has  enthused  me  to  commit  to  the  field  of  education.  

Tom   Mawson,   a   volunteer   at   Nurbuling,   2013:   Volunteering   with   HELP   was   a   fantastic   and   very  

rewarding  experience.   I   really  enjoyed  my   time   in  Nepal,  especially  meeting   the  great  HELP   team  and  the   lovely  people  of  Helambu.   I   felt   so  welcome  at  Nurbuling,  where   the   teachers,  pupils  and  parents  were  so  friendly,  especially  Chiring's  mother,  Sakiri,  it  was  lovely  staying  with  her.  Thank  you.  

 

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Appendix  1:  List  of  volunteers  in  2013  S.  No.   Name  of  volunteers   Placement  School   Recruitment  info  

1.  Tim  van  der  Lee   Gunsa   CU  HELP  2.  Christian  Ravenberg   Tartong   ITA  3.  Mikkel  Gammeljord   Tartong   ITA  4.  Nanna  Dyhl  Overby   Serkathali   ITA  5.  Tenna  Damm   Nakote  then  Tartong   ITA  6.  Niels  Bjerren  Sorensen   Serkathali  then  Tartong   ITA  7.  Osten  Borre  Simonsen   Nakote  then  Tartong   ITA  8.  Jack  Woodnott   Nurbuling   CU  HELP  9.  George  Brain   Nurbuling   CU  HELP  10.  Elodie  Broad   Nakote   CU  HELP  11.  David  Low   Nakote   Individually  12.  Misako  Ohasi   Nakote   Under  JL  recommendation  13.  Joachim  Dias   Tartong   CU  ELST  14.  Jenifer  Bloomfield   Churetar   CU  HELP  15.  Sky  Holmes   Churetar   CU  HELP  16.  Charlotte  Chorley   Bhumeshwori   CU  HELP  17.  Jessica  Currie   Bhumeshwori   CU  HELP  18.  Rachael  Stoplar   Nurbuling   CU  HELP  19.  Tom  Mawson   Nurbuling   CU  HELP  20.  Pritesh  Raichura   Solsing   CU  HELP  21.  Chris  Lovejoy   Solsing   CU  HELP  22.  Robert  Shorrock   Gunsa  (A)   CU  HELP  23.  Thomas  Hodges   Gunsa  (B)   CU  HELP  24.  Tanya  Basi   Gunsa  (B)   CU  HELP  25.  Anish  Pathak   Gunsa  (B)   CU  HELP  26.  Lara  Spencer   Nurbuling   CU  HELP  27.  Matthew  McConkey   Dhundeni   CU  HELP  28.  Maev  Conneely   Dhundeni   CU  HELP  29.  Gabriel  Quiros  Rubio   Ichowk   CU  HELP  30.  Calum  Kennedy   Ichowk   CU  HELP  31.  Eliza  Prettyman   Ichowk   CU  HELP  32.  Megan  Dance   Ichowk   Individually  33.  Imogen  Buxton   Thangpalkot   CU  HELP  34.  Rebecca  Cavanagh   Thangpalkot   CU  HELP  35.  Sonja  Weigl   Nakote   CU  ELST  36.  Alaxender  Ballard   Tartong   CU  ELST  37.  Olga  Pushkina   Nakote   CU  HELP  38.  Ben  Liard   Gunsa  (A)   CU  HELP  39.  Tony  Barker   Gunsa  (A)   CU  HELP  40.  Anastasiya  Pachyna   Serkathali   CU  HELP  41.  Anna  Martin  Kelly   Serkathali   CU  HELP  42.  Chloe  Romambason   Tartong  then  Nurbuling   CU  HELP  43.  Lee  Jia  Wie   Bhirkharka   CU  HELP  44.  Yiren  Thng   Bhirkharka   CU  HELP  45.  Emma  Copham   Nakote   CU  HELP  46.  Eoin  Brady   Gunsa  (A)   CU  HELP