Community – The Aandhimul Project

December 31, 2019

Review of the decade!

We have wanted to thank to all our donors and write statistics of what was achieved so far. Beyond graphs and numbers I want to simplify it and recently I received this photo which made me super proud. Here you see the Elders who worked with me and Choice Nepal to create so needed safe drinking water pipeline in 2011, only this time the Elders become the teachers and theirs son’s their students. They were able to request local funding for the needed material themselves.

The primary school where most of our efforts was focused have also a teacher from their community. Kisor Bhujel was our student when we first came to the village. The teachers also received a positive feedback and are being recognised for their continues improvements. The school has more women teachers and they work as one team, still making lunch for all the children which is being sponsored. Thanks to you!

We realised very early that important part in education is a nutrition and hungry kids just can’t learn. By providing free lunch we attracted more students to become regular students, by providing materials, training and workshops we made class a fun place to be.

The school has brand new creative class 1 from Children of the Mountain and our teachers are receiving weekly support from our project manager. He has been invaluable in making connections, bringing people to hospitals in emergencies and bringing villagers to any free health camps provided by the Government hospitals and private organisations. He has earned trust of the locals who are very shy.

The village soon will also have health assistant as Urmila Bhujel is the first to achieve such qualification. Back in 2015 she came to school crying that she will have to stop the school and that all she wanted to do is to continue her studies, with her dad’s failing health she was being pushed to work at home, making nanglos. Without the direct support and help over the years which means everything from pencils to school fees and exam fees, this would not be possible. Choosing the profession in health – she will be able to support and give back to the community.

Lastly this project would not be possible without people who have no qualification in rural development yet, what they all have is a deep empathy, love, stubbornness to not give up because no man is an island and Education is the way.

It was not an easy ride but I am so grateful that we all made it possible and although it takes a long time to see real impact. I feel they have the tools to make the change themselves now. Thank you for supporting us and please still do!

Happy New year to all !

Teacher training from Ella Piya on how to read stories.

New creative class provided by Childern of the mountain charity.

October 20, 2017October 20, 2017

Rotarians from Scotland and Nepal visit Aandhimul

An update from our project manager Bikram Piya:

“First of all I would like to beg my pardon being late to report on the school and village because I have been very busy for the official opening of the Bandipur social enterprise. Finally it was opened on 12th October. It is named “BANDIPUR CHHEN” HERITAGE GUEST HOUSE AND COFFEE SHOP. There was a grand program in front of BANDIPUR CHHEN on that day. Our headteacher Rameshwor and SMC chairperson Resham Bhujel took part in that program. 12 Rotarian guests from Scotland stayed at the guest house from 12th October. There were 16 Rotarians from Scotland and many Rotarians from Kathmandu, including District Governor Mr. Sanjay Giri. Rotarians from Scotland stayed 4 nights in the guest house.

On October 15th all 16 guests visited our school and they looked at our classes and interacted with the teachers. The Headteacher answered the question asked by the guests. I explained how the Aandhimul Project has been helping the school and village for 10 years.

Rexsona (a government teacher) participated in 3 day training from 15th to 17th October that was organised by ROOM TO READ. This time training was focused on how to teach students to use the library.

With best regards,

Bikram Piya”

March 14, 2016March 16, 2016

School’s 28th anniversary and parents day

On the 3rd March the Aandhimul school celebrated its 28th anniversary and also parents day. The parents participation was remarkable. Our project manager Bikram says it shows their concerns and commitment towards school.

On this Occassion Ram Bahadur Gurung, candidate for the constituent assemble election 2023 was the chief guest. Resource person from the District Education Office, Durga Bahadur Ale; Surya Bahadur Bhujel, president of Bhujel social welfare committee and Bikram, our project manager were special guests. Headteachers from neighbouring schools, former teachers of the school and social workers were invited. The schools teacher Nirmala Poudel gave a welcome speech. As a member of the Bhujel community Kisan (an ex-project teacher) addressed the gathering. He spoke that Aandhimul Project has played a crucial role in the development of school as well as community. Headteacher, Rameshower, presented an annual programme of the school.

On the basis of attendance, Nira Bhujel and Manoj Bhujel received prize as most regular girl and boy in school. Teacher Sarita Shrestha rewarded as most motivated teacher. Ward civil society forum representative Dhruba Lamichhane informed that the Bandipur Municipality has allocated some budget to our school for this fiscal year 2072/2073 (2016/2017).

Then the school management committee chairperson Harischandra Bhujel offered a token of love to the resource person. It was a bamboo photo frame with Goddess Saraswoti. In addition, past chairperson of the SMC, Resham Bhujel, was honoured for his contribution to the school.

Addressing the gathering Bikram spoke on behalf of the Aandhimul Project. He explained the projects help for the earthquake victims, providing salary to 3 teachers, school caretaker, litter officer, khaja (school lunch) and school materials monthly. He conveyed the message of hello and thank you from project members to the community and also about the financial aid to help build the new nursery building.

Every speaker after Bikram praised the projects attempts in their speech and expressed their thanks to the project members. Resource person, Durga Bahadur Ale, told that they are so impressed from the school’s progress, that the District Education Office has decided to provide two lakhs and fifty thousand rupees (NRP 2,50,000.00) to our school in this year. This money can be used according to SMC decisions.

March 1, 2016

Teacher training and immunisations

On 26 and 27 February project teachers, Pampha and Kamala Gurung went to Seto Gurans Nursery in Bandipur to take part in a two day workshop.

In school teachers and students themselves have been dubbing the classrooms. This is a traditional method of repairing the clay floors and walls of houses and buildings, with the use of water to soften the surfaces.

On 28 February two project teachers, Pampha and Sarita and some mothers, took their kids for immunisations of rubella, polio and measles. Bikram and the teachers took 14 children from school and some other mothers took their children themselves. After the immunisations Bikram treated the children with some biscuits.

kids going to immunization certre

On 3rd March the school will be having its anniversary day, with lots of celebrations. We are really looking forward to seeing the pictures!

February 16, 2016February 16, 2016

Parents meeting at school

There was a parent meeting on 15 February at school. All the school management committee members, all the teacher staffs, all the parent teacher association members and 50 parents were present at meeting. Most of the parents who attended were the mothers/carers. They had a good discussion on each agenda.

Headteacher Rameshwor presented the agenda to be discussed. The parent meeting endorsed the following agendas:

the school anniversary will be organised on 3 March.
to fix the electricity at school.
to bring a computer to the school and appoint a computer teacher.
to collect NRP 100 from each parent for the salary of the computer teacher.
to nominate Banu Bhujel from Pari Gaon in place of Dil Maya Bhujel and Ram Bahadur Bhujel as new members of the School Management Committee.
to appoint Ram Maya bhujel ( Kumar’s (the caretaker) wife ) for the post of litter officer in place of Ran Bahadur Bhujel.
to start student admission champion immediately after yearly exam result.

After the parent meeting Bikram and the school held a separate staff meeting. All the project staff expressed their willingness to continue their job for next school year. They hope that there will be around 100 children studying in the school by the new session. Therefore they will need more bowls, glasses and spoons for the school lunch (khaja). They will also need some more learning materials and educational/fun games.

In light of this increase the project will need to increase the money provided for both khaja and school materials, possibly as much as 50% to what it is currently. The project staff are also hoping a reasonable increment in their salary.

Bikram met with Urmila’s (a student being supported by one of our donors) mother, Junki Bhujel, and gave her NRP 400.00 for the month of Magh to support with Urmila’s schooling costs. Until now (this current academic year), Bikram has given Urmila and her family NRp 4000.00.

Pampha and Kamala (project teachers) will join training that is organised by Seto Gurans in Bandipur on 26 and 27 February.

There is an immunisation programme for Rubela, measels and polio to be held on 28 February at Jaldevi Primary School, Kalchok nearby Thumka, for children from 9 months to 5 years. So they will take all the school children there for their immunisations.

It is confirmed that the project will need to contribute NRP 348,914.00 as 70 percent of total cost to construct the new nursery building.

The local government, the Bandipur municipality, have given money to cover for new desks and benches for the new Class 5.

One of the villagers whose house is being rebuilt/repaired, Junkiri Bhujel, is taking medicine regularly to help recover from TB. She also took part in the parent meeting yesterday.

Ram Maya Bhujel (the new Litter Officer) has been made clear about her duty.

February 8, 2016February 15, 2016

Project update: school plans, school life and visitor from Spain

On 5 February, there was a joint meeting between the School Management Committee and some influential person from community, at school. In that meeting the Headteacher presented the income and expenditure of the Bhailo Programme. The total income was NRP 103,954 and expenditure was NRP 39,000. A total profit of NRP 64,954.

That meeting decided to call a parent meeting on the 10 February. Also, the school’s anniversary will be celebrated on 3 March. In that meeting Bikram also discussed on School Programme for new Academic Session. By the new session they will start Class 5. The Project will contribute towards the build of the new classroom, alongside the profit from the Bhailo Programme and help from Bandipur Municipality. The school will also need 10 sets of desks and benches for Class 5.

School Class are running smoothly. All the teacher’s are regular they are benefited from Training they have made an using materials which they have learned from Training .Student achievement level is increasing and all the student are happy at school.

Junkari Bhujel to whom project promise to help to rebuild her house has been suffering from tuberculosis for the past 2 months and is taking medicine regularly, that is why she is delaying rebuilding work. Bikram requested her come to Bandipur Hospital for treatment and he promised to help her.

Below are also pictures from the last health camp held a few weeks ago.

Our litter officer Rana Bahadur Bhujel is sick so he can no longer continue in his job. He has been thanked for his hard work and helping keep the community clean. The community, alongside Bikram, will appoint a new litter officer by 10 February, the Parent Meeting.

On 7 February, one Spanish traveller visited our School and she is planning to do some volunteer work in future with the school.

February 1, 2016February 15, 2016

Quake Quilts update

Please see below a message from Tony who set up Quake Quilts:

We had a great day yesterday delivering AAndhimul Quake-Quilts up in the middle hills to Chepang People

It was essentially the same area as two weeks before. . . . however this time villagers trekked down to our distribution point (5hrs in some cases) and this was more heart-wrenching for these people clearly had so so little – aka even less. We had been asked specifically to return for this very purpose – and to ensure no more and no less than 162 quilts as this was the number of Chepang couples/families and it would be a bad idea to mess with this clear-cut ‘entitlement’ qualification.

I also expect we shall be putting together a short power-point presentation (now available QQ Aandhimul PPP Feb16.pptx (11mb)) which should tell a lot. Further to which yesterday’s sortie was a great photo opportunity; The Aandhimul logo featuring worthy and prominent.

With best wishes and high-fives of solidarity

Tony

December 1, 2015February 15, 2016

Rebuilding update

The Rebuilding has increased Bikram’s responsibility quite a bit. The first phase of rebuilding work has been finished. On the first phase 7 families have benefited. In the second phase, Krishna Bahadur Bhujel has finished rebuilding work and Hira Bahadur Bhujel will finish his within the next few weeks. Kamala’s rebuilding work is late due to transportation problems with materials. He is planning to use cement block for his rebuild. Sita will start within this week. And with the festivals being over, rebuilding will build up speed. Hopefully all rebuilding will be finished within the next month or two.

November 23, 2015February 15, 2016

Celebration time is over and back to school!

school girls who took part in bhailo

After the celebrations of Deshain and Tihar daily life has returned to the community. Though that did not stop the community to continue to enjoy the festive period. From November 11 to 17 school staffs, students and villagers played Bhailo (a kind of culture played in Tihar) to collect fund to build Nursery building. They had organised khaja (lunch) program for those people who took part in Bhailo program. Before the khaja Bikram, our project manager, held a meeting amongst the teachers and School Management Committee (SMC). They had collected a good sum of money. They also decided to use this money towards the new nursery building. They are now able to contribute 30 percent of the cost.

From the new academic session 2072, which means from 14 April 2015, Bikram has developed a separate attendance sheet for our project staff. They do their attendance on our project attendance sheet and the school attendance register too. The teachers are regular on their duty. If they need leave they inform Bikram one day in advance unless suddenly ill or other emergency. And, except public holiday, they get one day leave in a month. Bikram mentions that he finds them regular in attendance and punctual.

To measure students learning achievement, Bikram uses two types of assessment that are:
a) Pre and post reading assessment (Early grade reading assessment)
b) Early grade Maths assessment.

These two assessments are prepared by World Education, an INGO, which is used throughout the schools of Nepal. Bikram received those assessment models from Chij Kumak Shrestha who on occasion comes to train in Bandipur, our project teachers always joining.

Bikram applied for those assessments in beginning of then new academic session and discussed with the teachers during the Kathmandu tour, in the presence of 5 school teachers and trainer Ela Piya. Our students achievement is good. According to DEO calender we have conducted first quarterly exam. In this exam their achievement is good. Participating in teacher training, Bikram reports he has found an important change in the teachers’ teaching skills. Firstly they learn to make job chart which make student participatory in learning activities. Secondly making materials and thirdly teaching through play and singing.

Whenever Bikram visits the school he listens to the teachers and headteacher discuss about school life. Sometimes he gives them written assignments too to refresh on what they have learnt in previous teacher training.

Bikram have given the responsibility of preparing khaja to Kamala, and she is doing her duty honestly. The children a getting khaja regularly. Though, due to the Indian blockade there is no cooking gas, so they need to cook the khaja with firewood.

New bamboo chair made by one of the school committee members, Resham.

The Litter Officer, Ran Bahadur Bhujel, is doing his duty well. Sometimes he does his work in Bikram’s presence too. The village is cleaner than past. Sanitation in some areas is still poor. The main route to school is clean.

October 13, 2015February 15, 2016

Project update: School, House rebuilding and new Nursery

On 12 October there was school management committee meeting. This meeting endorsed to collect 20 percent resource of total cost of the new nursery building, along with 20 percent from the local government, and 60 percent from the project.

Now in Nepal the winter season has began so the school with project money will buy thick mats for Nursery and Class One to be put under the carpet and prevent the cold coming through.

With the help of students all school room have been scrubbed.

The school is going to be closed from 13 October for Dashain holidays and it will reopen from 27 October.

Krishna Bahadur Bhujel has almost finished his house rebuilding work. Hira Bhujel has finished half the work. Bikram gave him NRS 5000.00 as second instalment. Kamal Bhujel has just finished the foundation work for his house. After finishing these 3 houses, the others will be started.