Improving rural schools in Nepal

Thank you so much for supporting the ongoing work of Child Rescue Nepal.

We have just received this update from our colleagues in Kathmandu that demonstrates how we have been working to prevent the trafficking of very vulnerable children in Nepal. 

Radio Message Broadcasting

We have been regularly broadcasting anti-trafficking message through local FM radio in Hetauda. The Jingles are broadcast five times a day. According to the Radio Makwanpur, their coverage is in six districts e.g Makwanpur, Bara, Parsa, Sindhuli, Sarlahi and Lalitpur. This means that up to 1,100,000 people are listening to Radio Makwanpur. The radio jingles are prepared in typical Nepali dialog which is very popular and effective to deliver anti-trafficking message in larger scale. The main theme of this jingle is to spread messages about the importance of education and that you should not trust unknown people as well as general risks of child trafficking.

Legal Action against Traffickers

We have been working to protect children from trafficking for a long time and legal action against traffickers is one of the core components of our programme. There are two reasons for doing this: firstly to stop them trafficking children again and secondly to spread the message amongst middlemen that trafficking is a serious crime against humanity. 

Street Drama on Child trafficking

Street Drama is an effective tool to deliver the message against human trafficking. Especially it is effective in rural area where large numbers of trafficking case persist. There were 30 dramas performed in 10 villages in the Makwanpur district. We conducted interviews with the audience before and after drama shows and the results showed significant increase in awareness levels. The drama was observed by more than 3,000 people.

Poster Competition

This was organised in the close coordination with District Education Office and the Esther Benjamin Memorial Foundation. The theme was anti-trafficking. The drawing competition was held at Lead Resource Center (LRC) and Siddhartha higher secondary school. A total of thirty-eight participants participated from thirty eight community schools. Two professional experts of drawing and EBMF representatives were in the jury team. After the programme, prizes were distributed for the winner and certificate for all participants. The main objective of the programme was to spread the Anti-child trafficking message, provide a suitable platform for students from various community schools to show their aptitude and prepare for publication of anti-child trafficking materials.

School Reconstruction  

According to Disaster Report - 2015, more than 5,000 schools were damaged by the massive earthquake in 2015 in Nepal. Among 14 earthquakes affected districts, Makwanpur is one of the most affected districts. Across the Makwanpur District 747 school buildings and 2,390 class rooms were damaged and thousands of students were affected. (Source: District Education Office Makwanpur). In order to continue to provide education, many organisations were working to rebuild schools and their environments. EBMF is one of the leading partner organisations with the District Education Office for rebuilding schools in Makwanpur district. For this purpose, EBMF have committed to reconstruct 22 community schools of rural Makwanpur. Reconstruction work has been done with the recommendation of DEO and approval of Nepal Reconstruction Authority. In the reconstruction plan, EBMF supported classroom construction, toilets construction, drinking water, fencing, maintenance and repairing. In March 2017 a three day field visit was made to inaugurate newly constructed schools in Dhiyal and BhartaVDC.  

Supporting the Families of Rescued Children

We have been regularly providing intensive support to children who have been reunited with their families after being rescued.  All together 17 children have been receiving support from us. Out of 17, five have been recently reunified with their family. These children are regularly going to school and happy with their families.

Dear supporter

First of all a huge thank you for supporting our work in Nepal to rebuild better, stronger schools following the massive earthquake on April 25th 2015.

Our progress to date at the 22 schools we have been approved to reconstruct is as follows:

- Work at eight schools has been fully completed
- Work is underway at the remaining 16 schools 

All the work we are funding is being undertaken by local companies using locally sourced material. Work ranges from completely rebuilding flattened classrooms to installing vital toilets and water supplies.  

Every school that is "Built Back Better" means higher levels of attendance. For example a school with running water will see on average 1/3 higher attendances. And keeping children safe in school is the best way of keeping children safe from traffickers.   

So thank you for giving to this project. Not only are you improving standards of education in Nepal, you are directly helping to keep children safe from traffickers and from ending up in a life of slavery.

Jo Bega
Chief Executive

PS There are many more schools to be helped. If you are able to donate once again, we can ensure that even more children are kept safe.