Kia ora, Namaste.
Some of these items have already been covered in our regular updates (please get in touch at intimetrust@gmail.com if you don’t get these). But in case you’ve missed anything, here’s a quick summary of the past year.
Kailash Bodhi School, Jumla
The new school building in Jumla, with 23 classrooms and a library, was completed in 2016 and all students (around 500 children) and staff have moved in. Apart from a loan which the school arranged with a local Bank, all funding for the construction of the school was provided by the In Time Trust, over several years.
The Principal, Tashi Dondup, continues to do an outstanding job – hard-working, compassionate, and always focused on the next step forward for the children.
In 2017, a key project was for the school to offer computer training, this being seen as vital in helping children and their families towards a better future. The Trust paid for a local computer teacher and provided funds for computers, together with solar power for these.
There are three Kailash Bodhi schools in Nepal which work closely together. We are pleased to report that one of these, in Kathmandu, won the ‘International School Award 2016 – 2019’, organised by the British Council, Nepal.
Trustees
The In Time Trust Board took on a whole new look in 2017. Three of us, Tessa Flatt, Kay Grant and I (Bruce Gilkison) had joined the Board in late 2016. Pat Amos joined us in early 2017. Cynthia McConville, a founding Trustee, retired in May to focus on other priorities. Brittany Norman, who’d been a Trustee previously and was missing the Nepal connection, rejoined the Board mid-year. That means we have five Trustees and it feels like a great team.
We have also been supported by Lakma Godigamuwa this year, a regular willing and able volunteer.
Fundraisers
There were three main ‘events’ in 2017. First, we were happy to be selected as HealthPost ‘charity of the month’ for May. Then we held a wonderful - and sold-out - concert at Fairfield House in Nelson in July, with 8 musicians donating their services. And there was a final fundraiser in October, with the Nepali Director of ‘Kalo Pothi’ (‘Black Hen’) allowing us to show this movie in Nelson for its NZ premiere. Between them, these raised around $12,000. And alongside these, Sponsors provided on-going support for about 90 children from needy families. Few costs are incurred in NZ, and over 98% of all funds raised are sent directly to the school.
Dr John McKinnon, who has lived and worked in the Health system in Nepal over many decades, spoke at one of these events. ‘Medicine is important’, he said, ‘but not nearly as important in Nepal as education.’
Thank you!
Everything that has been achieved by the In Time Trust this year has been made possible by you, our sponsors and supporters. I know we always say this, but it’s always heartfelt. Our best wishes and very many thanks, from the Trustees, Principal and staff, and the children of Jumla.
Bruce Gilkison
Chair, Board of Trustees
School opening, February 2017