Nepal School Projects - Blog

Physical Progress Report from Nepal

7/9/2020

School Bag Distribution Program

School Bag Distribution program.
1. School Bag distribution program have been accomplished in Bethanchok Rural Municipality - 1 for 100 students of Bhairab Secondary School.
2. School Bag distribution programs have been accomplished in BethanchoRural Municipality - 1, Kalangsing for 70 students of Bhairab Primary School.
3. School Bag distribution programs have been accomplished in Khanikhola Rural Municipality - 7 Milche, for 100 students of Buddha Secondary School.
4. School Bag distribution programs have been accomplished in Khanikhola Rural Municipality - 7 Milche Mahankal, for 100 students of Janahit Secondary School.
5. School Bag distribution programs have been accomplished in Khanikhola Rural Municipality - 4 Jagthali, for 200 students of Kumari Secondary School.
6. School Bag distribution programs have been accomplished in Khanikhola Rural Municipality - 4 Beltar, for 70 students of Gyanjyoti Secondary School.

Infrastructure Development
1. Gyanjyoti Primary school Building
2 rooms including 2 toilets, 1 tap stand, 20 sets of Furniture, 1 cupboard, 1 table, 5 chairs in Khanikhola Rural Municipality-4, Beltar.

2. Kumari School "Arnold Irwin school" compound program has been accomplished in Khanikhola Rural Municipality - 4, Jagthali.

3. Triveni Chhyang Chhyang Water Supply project has been accomplished in Khanikhola Rural Municipality - 7 including 7 Tank, 86 tap Stand for 250 households.

4. Scholarship distribution programs have been accomplished for 5 students.

Nepal During the Global Pandemic

7/8/2020

July 7, 2020
Life in Nepal during the Pandemic and subsequent lock down...
Life has changed for all of us, including Nepal.
In Nepal, the streets have gone from bustling to bare.

Photo 1: February 2020 The bustling city of Kathmandu.

Photos 2 & 3: June 2020 Traffic during lock down in Kathmandu.

Photo 4: Babalal at the NSP Nepal office.

There are significant changes happening in Nepal as the world experiences lock down. Our friends in Nepal say they are all fine, but life is different.
According to Babalal, our man in charge of all projects, some people are able to go into the office, but many cannot work at all. In a country where community and festivals are so important they are missing many of their favourites. Bel Kumar Ghalan said, “We missed the New Year, Buddha Jayanti (Purnima), when the Lord Bhuda was born, Mother's Day and Ed Yul father of Muslim.”

In June things began to loosen up with vehicles being able to move goods and some businesses able to operate. Slowly the people of Nepal will return to their new normal.

As of today Nepal is still in quarantine. Cases of the virus are still increasing, but so far none in our group has been directly affected by the virus. The Nepal crew are working at our NSP office, as they maintain their social distance, but not out in the field. Many people in the country are not able to work and as a result there is a shortage of money for some families. There is also a food and medicine shortage as the pandemic continues. Some students continued the school year with online lessons. Now all schools and colleges are closed. All exams have been cancelled.
Schools in the villages

As of July 8, 2020, Covid 19 data from: https://ncov2019.live/
Confirmed cases 16,423; Recovered cases 7,752;
Deaths 35; Active 8,636; Changes today +255

News from our friend Kunsang who is visiting family in his village
Dear Fran ma'am
By the grace of God we are all fine here in Nepal. I hope Fran ma'am, Murray sir, Betty ma'am and all the members of NSP are fine there in Canada? Thank you ma'am for great support and care from small age. Now, I can understand and easily communicate with you ma'am. I am at village (Rajedada) enjoying great time with may family members and friends. Day by day people are increasing and being infected due to Corona virus. It has obstruct in field of various development activities. College, schools, international flights, market areas have been closed for long periods of time. The government has launched awareness programmes and made strict rules and regulations. Various projects and work has stopped due to lockdown. How is the situation there in Canada ma'am? Please stay safe .take care ma'am.lots of love from my family members.
Kunsang Syangtan

Newsletter From The Executive Director

11/4/2019

Nepal School Projects
October 2019 Newsletter
Namaste
Another project season has passed and the building work in Nepal continues. Babulal Ghalan and his team have undertaken to build a school this year, water with installations and latrines in our Kavre District. The monsoons were particularly intense this year, but did not stop our work, only slowing its progress somewhat.
The pictures above show the finished projects for 2018 and 2019.
1 Sun Odar Drinking Water Project
2 The build in 2018 was a 2 room schoolhouse in Jagthali (Kumari)
3 Phoksingtar Toilet construction - One of the 1,000’s of latrines that we have built over the years.
We have decided on 4 new projects for this coming building season (2019 / 2020).

Chhyang Chhyang Khola WASH program in Milche, Kavre $40,000.00
Gyanjyoti School 2 roomed building, 2 roomed toilet, 1 tap stand, 20 set furniture Dandagau, Beltar $35,000.00
Kumari School Compounding Jagthali - fence
Student school bag distribution - 500 bags of school supplies

We will visit in February to review projects that have recently been approved. These projects, which have recently been approved, will cost $98,000.00 CDN.
Nepal is changing after the earthquake in 2015. We are working closely with the Social Welfare Council who now monitor all foreign involvement.
NSP Nepal’s new chairman Babalal Ghanlan is excelling at his new position. His regular reporting is transparent and detailed. A new online accounting system in both rupees and Canadian dollars makes us feel very confident in how monies are being spent on the projects in Nepal.
As you are aware, all NSP Canada Directors are volunteers. Our administrative costs are less than 5% of our annual funds. Any trips to Nepal are totally funded ourselves. In February we will take a trip to Nepal to review the projects.
Stay tuned for the next fundraising opportunity next year. The final photo below is the Board Meeting in Nepal with the Nepal School Projects Board Members.

Best Regards
Fran

Namaste and updates from Nepal in October 2019 about our projects in the villages!

Babulal returned from the villages yesterday and met with Suraj and Sanchaman early this morning. While he was in the villages, measurements were being done for the new drinking water project and for placement of the water tanks.
Similarly, measurements were also done for the foundations of Gyan Jyoti School. Digging of foundations will begin next week after the Tiihar festivals are over. Here are some pictures of measurements being done for the new school and and drinking water projects.

The first column of pictures show measurements being done for the placement of the water tanks.
The second column of pictures show measurements being taken for the new school's foundation.
Shown to the right are meetings held with the villagers where you can see Babulal and Sanchaman among the villagers. The final picture is from an NSP Nepal board meeting.
We will keep you informed about the project work in the days to come.
Suraj

Please check out our website to stay up to date with NSP projects:

http://www.nepalschoolprojects.ca

New Projects Underway!

5/4/2018

Check out the video below to see NSP Nepal hard at work building a latrine in Jordanga!

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkajUhWHmxd1h2FD0dOc_XPAthwh VID20170607110808.mp4 VID20170608161812.mp4

We have completed over 50 latrines in this area and there is still a need to continue to build.Three other projects have also just started-primary school in the Banakhu area, a toilet construction project and a water installation project in Phoksingtar. Way to go NSP Nepal! And thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible through donations!

Nepal School Projects
December 2018 Newsletter
Namaste
The end of the year is fast approaching and I am happy to report that there are some exciting developments.
New Chairman in Nepal - Babulal Ghalan
NSP Nepal Leadership has seen some changes in the past six months. A new chairman, Babulal Ghalan, was elected in August of this year, as our long time chairman Rakam Singh Ghalan decided to step down. Rakam had been (and still is) working with NSP since its inception in 1985. He worked closely with and was mentored by our founder Michael Rojik. His knowledge, support and leadership has been instrumental in developing a succession plan after Michael's passing. We in Canada would have been unable to carry on without his expertise and support. Rakam will carry on as an advisor to the board in Nepal and we look forward to many more years of working with him.
Babulal has been involved with NSP for the past 4 years and has been dedicated to completing projects over these years. In particular he has been in charge of latrine installation and has shown great responsibility and leadership capabilities. The project pictures were taken by Babulal.

Fundraiser October 21, 2018
Once again our fundraiser was a great success, raising nearly $34,000. The Sunday afternoon at Jakes Oyster Bar and Grill in Burlington seems to be a popular destination. Thank you to all of our loyal supporters for your donations. If you were unable to attend and you would like to participate and support NSP, donations can be made on our website all year long. It is important to remember that we are not funded in any other way. We depend on everyone's generousity.
NSP Projects in Nepal
Finally we are able to tell you that we have begun the building of our first school after the earthquake. We are still waiting for the approval of gabion banding but, have now decided to use a Himalayan Truss design as that is what has been approved by the Nepalese Government. We continue to lobby the government for gabion banding approval, as we feel it is the appropriate architectural design for our areas. The 2 room structure being built in Kumari will be completed in March 2019 at an estimated cost of $45,000.
New water projects and Latrines are also under way and should be completed in April. We were also able to install 34 new latrines and 4 water latrines over the summer. The monsoons came early and our people soldiered on through the rain. See the pictures on the website.
Women’s Trip to Nepal
We have had to reschedule this trip to 2020. We had lots of interest and look forward to our time together next year in Nepal. Stay tuned for updates.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity thank the board members of NSP Canada for their eager support and ongoing dedication. We welcome a new board member, Terri Lloyd, who was elected in September. Terri’s enthusiasm and computer skills have helped with the application of our new organizational software which manages NSP data.
Best Regards
Fran

September Newsletter!

10/2/2017

Nepal School Projects
Newsletter September 2017

Namaste

We are pleased to introduce our new Nepal School Projects (NSP) Canada logo! The logo was designed by students at The Agency, McKeil School Of Business located within Mohawk College. The logo holds deep meaning to us. The mountains capture where we do our work, red is the national colour of Nepal, and the sun rising over the mountains refers to a new day for the villagers with the help of NSP. We hope you like it!
As a neophyte democracy Nepal has had many challenges, particularly since the devastating earthquake in April 2015. The government is trying desperately to develop systems and methods of administration that reach out to all the people. Life is moving forward, albeit slowly. NSP is being true to its grassroots heritage and continuing to build latrines and water systems in the very rural areas of Kavre, southeast of Kathmandu.
Thanks to our many donors, we have been able to keep our local people employed while improving sanitation and health circumstances. I want to particularly thank Forres Sandle Manor in Hampshire England , a primary school whose students raised over $4000.00 CDN this spring. We would also like to thank St. Timothy’s Catholic Primary School in Burlington, Ontario. St. Timothy’s students made 50 school kits to be delivered to school children in Nepal. Amazing work!
NSP’s annual budget is $100, 000 CDN to be spent on our selected projects in Nepal. To date we have completed 34 latrines in Jordanga (Gokule VDC) and installed 29 water taps and 4 reservoirs in Chuhare Danda (Folkingtar VDC), which has brought clean water to 46 families (441 people). The work is ongoing as new projects are approved. The best weather for building is during the dry season from October to May. Monsoon season (June to mid October) presents many challenges for building, especially the danger of landslides in these very hilly regions. Although roads are being built, the majority of our materials need to be carried by people, often several hours or a day’s walk. Please visit our website (www.nepalschoolprojects.ca) to learn more about our exciting projects and to see photos of NSP Nepal in action!
With the support of Randolph Langenbach, our work to develop gabion banding is ongoing. We are now also collaborating with a volunteer architect group from Quebec called Emergency Architects who have agreed to pursue the approval of gabion banding by the Nepalese government, and also to develop a final school design, engineer the design, and manage the building project. They have experience in Nepal and will use our local tradespeople. This NGO provides us with much needed design, direction and technical support. NSP is looking forward to our partnership, as we are anxious to move forward with the rebuilding of damaged schools. NSP has been firm in its commitment to gabion banding and is opposed to using rebar and cement construction because these materials simply do not stand the test of time. Local stone and mud mortar buildings are a much better option.
On the home front, David Jackson, an NSP director has developed a high school leadership program, which he is hoping to implement in the Toronto area in the next year. The students would develop leadership skills during the year and then travel to Nepal for some first-had experience in the spring of their grade 12 year. Fundraising for a school would also be a requirement.
NSP Canada would like to welcome our newest affiliate, NSP USA! One of our board members, Meghan Geisler, who lives in Denver, Colorado has registered NSP as a charity in the United States and will soon be able to issue American charitable receipts to donors, which is very desirable to our American friends. Congratulations Meghan on tackling and succeeding with this incredibly involved process!
Betty Irwin, another NSP director, will be again visiting Nepal in November. It is always great to reconnect with our Nepali friends and we are sure that she will have lots to report on!
Lastly, our annual fundraiser is coming up on October 22, 2017 at Jake’s Oyster House and Grill in Burlington. We hope to see you there. Tickets are available online for $50 each at: www.nepalschoolprojects.ca

There will be great food, live music, Nepali dancing and a silent and live auction! Don’t miss it! Thank you for your continuing financial support. We could not do it without you! We hope to see you at the fundraiser!
Cheers

Fran Lloyd, Executive Director

September 26th, 2017

9/26/2017

We received two amazing letters of appreciation from students supported through NSP. We couldn't be more proud of their achievements!

Dear sponsor, my Fran maam

Heartily Warm Greeting

I am Kunsang Syangtan from Kathmandu fifteen year old school student presently studying in grade ten at creative model Academy Boarding School. In the beginning I got admission in Puspa Bal Academy in Nursary class and now after merging two school it is learning by the name Creative model Academy Boarding high school located at Lazimpat is one of the better school having various facilities with good learning environment.

Maam, this is my further that I am getting financial support initially through Nepal School Project handled by the Canadian and now financial support of Ms. Franlloyed has encouraging me with great zeal upon study hat would bring changes my life career.

Maam, I am a boy of a poor family background of a remote village area of Kavre district of nepal where people are deprived from education but fortunately I got chance to study in the boarding school of capital city, Kathmandu. It is all became possible because of your valuable support and the role of my uncle (Babulal) who worked as a bridge between you and me. I am indebted enough to you who had successes to bring change in my life career, which I have evaluated as a God father. Finally, when will you come in Nepal? I hope we will meet together with fall of honour and courtesy.

At lasts my SEE(Secondary Education Examination, Government board exam also coming near. I am studying with great zeal, effort and diligence deserve GPA A+. such performance will do the great support for my further study; So that makes me eligible for the continuation of your financial support for good shaping of my life career that remains in my heart and mind everlasting.

Thank you

Sincerely yours,   Kunsang Syangtan

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear sponsor, My Fran maam and betty maam and linda maam

Heartily warms greeting!

I am Srijana Ghalan from Kathmandu. I am studying in standard V at Creative Model Academy Boarding High School is one of the better school for quality Education both learning environment.

Maam, I am very lucky person in sense that, I am getting financial support from you that has incoming me with great zeal upon study that would bring changes my life career.

Maam, I am a girl of a poor family background of a remote village area of Kavre district of Nepal my father worked in the beginning under Nepal School Project as a Carpenter and Letter as a Sponsors. A person who because not get chance to gosh education through with great struggle he is caring us due to your support. We are studying in a boarding school of Kathmandu; this is all became possible because of your valuable support. I am grateful enough to you who are supporting me to bring change in my life career.

My sincere thanks to you for your kind support and hoped that it will be continued in the years to come.

Thank You!
Sincerely yours,

Srijana Ghalan

Latrine Completed in Jordhanga!

9/26/2017

Rajjedada School and Toilet Construction Underway!

9/18/2017

Video from the Housing Recovery and Reconstruction Platform in Kathmandu

5/6/2017

Check out this video from the lecture given by Randolph Langenbach in Nepal at the Housing Recovery and Reconstruction Platform in Kathmandu. The lecture includes an analysis of the damage caused by the earthquakes of 2015 in Nepal to stone masonry buildings with mud mortar, and illustrates an approach to reconstruction of houses and schools utilizing a concept developed by Langenbach called "Gabion Bands". More information can be found at traditional-is-modern.net/nepal.html.

Letter From The Executive Director

2/24/2017

2016 was certainly eventful and 2017 has already proven to be very productive!

The most recent trip to the NSP villages in the Kavre District was very uplifting. The main objectives this year were to:

commence the building of a new school using the earthquake resistant technology of gabion banding.
review the new latrines that had been constructed over the last year
visit the new water installations
deliver clothing the t village children.

We were in Nepal for 18 days, 7 of which were in the villages. The remaining time was spent in planning sessions with our local people and purchasing materials for the building of the school in the village of Thulo Baspur.

The group consisted of Fran Lloyd, Executive Director of NSP, Davie Jackson (Vice chair SP) , Judy McIntryre and Rovert Raffin, both donors and fundraisers from Edmonton. Randolph Langenbach, the inventor of gabion banding and John Vavruska, the builder of the first school in Nepal using gabion banding also joined us in Nepal. The Nepal School Projects members in Nepal – Rakam, Babulal, Kinsang and Sanchaman accompanied the group. Suraj (my lifeline translated for us and one of our locally sponsored students acted as a translator on the trip to the villages when we divided into two groups. Keshev’s English and translating abilities were amazing. One group remained in the village to supervise the training of the local masons in gabion banding methods, the other group transported the clothing to the local school children and visited the new latrine and water installations. One of the water projects brought water 6000 metres and serviced 68 families. The villagers were very appreciative of all that we had accomplished over the last year.

But none of this would be possible without the continuing support from our lowly donors. NSP welcomes a new fundraising group, Foress Sandal manor, a private elementary school in England. The students there were able to raise money through a bake sale and Christmas concert. View the video on the website. Thanks to Judy Cochand and her staff and students for a huge effort. And…..thank you so much for each of your contributions over the last year. NSP will continue to move forward and look forward to being able to report further progress in 1017.

We wish you and your loved ones a healthy and prosperous New Year.

Namaste
Fran Lloyd
Executive Director
Nepal School Projects