Giving vulnerable children in Nepal an education

Happy faces, here some of the children are heading off to an outdoor activity as part of the School+Plus program; and as a picture paints a thousand words, the looks of delight on their faces is very much a testimony to the value of the School+Plus program.

Each month the program selects a theme for the children’s activities, and these are designed to raise awareness and give the children a hands on appreciation of everyday practicalities that go beyond the rote learning of the average Nepalese classroom. August-October themes will look at Food, Festivals and Celebrations. [Wish I was there!]

The children built a model of a water filter system, the kind that sits on most rooftops in Kathmandu, and again the picture tells us much about the program. Not only are the children gaining practical understandings but the very act of making a model is using recycled materials and empowering their own creativity.

Throughout the year we welcome many overseas visitors to the School+Plus program and this also provides an opportunity for valuable interaction with the children. Some medical students from Australia spent an afternoon running activities for School+Plus and to hear their comments as they completed their afternoon is really inspiring.

To know that we can make a real difference in today’s world is an empowering ‘knowing’; and all who contribute to this program are a part of making that difference.

In June we again managed to run the program under budget and expenses were kept under $1000 for the month. We are aware however that we are running without a full-time program manager and our premises rent is covered as we are using one of the IGWR-Nepal homes for the program. We also have an additional expense for painting the program rooms coming up.

During September thru November we have a number of scheduled visitors that will see first hand the work of the School+Plus program; in addition, both Peter (Chairperson) and Maureen(Treasurer) will visit the program as part of the six-month IGWR-Nepal audit cycle.

All these visits are self-funded as part of the voluntary commitment of those who help to run the overall operations of IGWR-Nepal. We are committed to going beyond the usual model of charity work; we work very much with a spirit of philanthropy, an appreciation of the gift that is the essence of common humanity and with a knowing that every individual can make a real difference in the world.

We do not really appropriate things ourselves until we actively hand them on to others. We have to find the Love, and then give the Love away. The Art of Letting Go: Living the Wisdom of St. Francis

Thank you for joining in the activity of IGWR, for supporting our School+Plus program, thank you for all that you give and for the inspiration that ripples from your generosity. Thank you for making a real difference in the lives of our children in Nepal

Links:

• Details of School+Plus program on Website

• full report (PDF)
  

I visited our projects in Nepal in April and was delighted by the energy of our School+Plus program team.

The program is run by the senior students of IGWR-Nepal and is an initiative in which these sponsored students are themselves able to enjoy the act of giving to others.

One picture shows one of the kids from the local community arriving for the School+Plus program straight from school. He’s covered in ink from his schoolwork, but more importantly is his smile the delight of being able to engage in activities after school that are both valuable and enjoyable. The smile he brings out in me is a very clear illustration of our whole orientation; it is “In Giving We Receive”.

The program has three ‘classrooms’ each with around 12-15 kids, and they all have healthy snack and a good toothbrushing time as an integral part of the School+Plus daily routine.

I wish all our supporters could see and experience the difference they share in creating.

Another picture shows three out of five musicians are rehearsing a song they will perform at a wedding ceremony for two of our visiting sponsors. Two of the five guitar players have been attending the School+Plus program and were taught to play by one of our senior students(instructors). We will contact the parents of the two budding musicians and plan to lend them a guitar so they can continue to practice at home. It is a delight to honour Unik, who gives his time and share his talents so freely with others.

We all love opportunities to celebrate together, and we had a chance to share cake with all the School+Plus kids when a sponsor from Australia wanted to buy cake for everyone.

For our children, it was a special treat, and I reflected on the times (every week) I go out to a local café for coffee and cake; sharing what we so often take for granted can really bring delight to the lives of others.

Thank you again for joining in the activity of IGWR, for supporting our School+Plus program; thank you for all that you give and for the inspiration that ripples from your generosity.

Thank you for making a real difference in the lives of our children in Nepal

Links:

• More information on School+Plus

• full report (PDF)