Rebuild a Secondary School for 250 Kids in Nepal

Dear friends and supporters,

Today, we bring good news.

Yes.

In a world full of uncertainty, today we bring you a good news story that YOU helped write.

Despite the hardship and red tape…

Despite the construction and mobility delays due to COVID…

Despite our Canadian team not being able to travel to Nepal for the final stages of construction and the ribbon cutting ceremony…

Despite it all…

WE. DID. IT.

We are beyond thrilled to announce that the Shree Bhumimata School has reopened its beautiful new doors for the 250 children in the village. 

Because of you, the impossible has become possible.

Because of you, 250 children now have a safe and clean school in which to learn and further their education.

Because of you, 250 children now have access to an education that will help them escape child marriage, human trafficking, gender-based violence and poverty.

Because of you, a generation of young people know the power of giving back and of empowering marginalized communities with education. 

As Project Leader who has spent significant time in Nepal and come to know the community of Shree Bhumimata, I am sad to have missed the ribbon cutting ceremony. The village was expecting me and the families wanted to greet us and thank us in person.

But, this doesn't really matter.

What matters is that the school doors are now open. This is what it's all about. 

We'd like to thank our amazing project partners, Maiti Nepal, for managing the project on the ground in Nepal and for Architects Without Borders who provided the skills and consulting necessary to get the project done. Collaboration is everything.

Once travel restrictions are lifted, I will be travelling to Nepal to visit the school. In the meantime, I am told a video from the community is coming our way to give us a better view of the school and some messages from the families and school staff. I will share that when it comes. 

We have not yet made an official announcement of the school project on Aura Freedom’s main channels. We were keeping things quiet until construction was finished for many different reasons. We would like to keep this quiet for a little while longer while we settle the financial reports and other project matters. Once all lose ends are tied, we will be releasing an official photographic report, video and newsletter to all of our supporters, not just the ones here on GlobalGiving - as we have received donations from so many different donors, organizations and beautiful humans around the world.  Please subscribe to Aura Freedom's newsletter and follow our social media channels for those updates. 

Until then, please enjoy this mini report and see some of the pictures of the ribbon cutting ceremony with our project partners Maiti Nepal, who supervised the building of the school on our behalf. Our good friend and heroine Anuradha Koirala was even there to see the doors open. We thank her and her team for all their tireless work.

This is not the end.

This is only the beginning for so many bright little minds and budding artists in the village.

The ripple effects. It’s all about the ripple effects.

For those who would like to keep supporting the school, we will be putting together Bright Kits for the children (backpacks, school supplies, snacks, reusable water bottles, etc.) and we'll be starting a fund for repairs and other small furnishings that will be needed in the coming months. Your donations are still appreciated! 

I am so grateful to be able to do this work. And I thank you for supporting our dream of humanity and equity for all.

With all the love in my heart and in solidarity,

Marissa Kokkoros and the entire Aura Freedom team

 www.aurafreedom.org

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