Kia Ora and Namaste to our dear sponsors, supporters and friends.
Nepal & Covid-19
When we last reported on the pandemic (July 2020) Nepal was in lockdown and schools were closed, but there seemed to be a chance that the country might somehow be spared from the worst of this. For a time, this continued to be encouraging, and schools did reopen late 2020.
Unfortunately this has turned much worse with a ‘second wave’ in 2021. There has been a lot of news coverage of the impacts of Covid-19 on India in recent weeks, with hospitals overcome by demands for help. The border between India and Nepal is open and is crossed by large numbers of people from both countries, so it was inevitable that the situation in Nepal would deteriorate.
To date (mid-May) there have been about 450,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases, and almost 5,000 deaths. In the past month, the number of cases has soared from around 100 to over 8,000 a day. Almost certainly, these are under-reported.
On a per capita basis, Nepal’s rate of new infections is now on a par with, or worse than, India’s. And the UK Guardian reports: “The country of about 30 million people has only about 1,600 intensive care beds and fewer than 600 ventilators for its population. There are 0.7 doctors per 1,000 people, a lower rate than India.” The newspaper called it a ‘human catastrophe’.
Recent correspondence with our own contacts puts this in context. Tashi, the Principal at the Kailash Bodhi School in Jumla, told us this week:
“The Covid’s second wave has been more and more serious day by day here. Country like Nepal being very small... death toll per day 225... so scary and even in Jumla 200 plus Covid cases so far… luckily no death till now but some are serious too so we don’t know. From today the lockdown in Jumla has extended for another 10 days with strict rules… All grocery shops are not allowed to open at all... before we can buy foods from 6-9am but now no... we did shopping yesterday.” He has told us that many businesses have had to shut down, so this too will have an on-going impact on families and other folk in the Jumla district.
In an earlier message (March 2021) Tashi gave some indication of the difficulties in his role there:
“After 8 months of lock down the government was bit flexible to allow all schools to reopen. So, I was quite excited and left for Jumla from Kathmandu. That journey of mine was a nightmare… With the rain and landslide coming continuously we keep heading with our heart on our palms, such a dangerous journey, stone rolling from the hills but we are still walking running and shouting… Then the next day we headed for Jumla, but again same problems roads closed but somehow we got some lift for a short period and sometime walking later in the evening in Jumla. When I arrived the very next day government has changed their mind stating that the school may not be opened for another month.”
Our partner organisation, Little Sisters Fund, said:
“As is consistent with all disasters, it is the poor, under-served and vulnerable who are hit the hardest. 2,000 Little Sisters and their families are struggling mightily. Many parents of Little Sisters support their families through day labour and housekeeping jobs. The government lock down once again means they are unable to journey outside their homes for work. With little to no income, and no resources to fall back on, the families of Little Sisters are struggling to put food on the table.”
A Little Sisters Coordinating Mentor wrote to us recently:
“Right now, in this pandemic situation everyone is praying to end Covid-19. I am very much aware of this and trying my best to make aware to all my little girls through phone counselling and visit. I was able to visit my girls for two times throughout this lock down. In my visit I distributed Covid-19 support and supplies maintaining social distance and being aware from each other. I have been planning to visit the girls of four different schools after finishing my festivals. This time I am going to distribute mask and soap to the girls provided by LSF Team.”
Kailash Bodhi School, Jumla
How can we respond? In Time Trust has continued to support the school, teachers and students in Jumla, in any way we can. We have transferred available funds to the school in the past week. This time it has not been appropriate to ‘tag’ the funds in the way we would like (i.e. with sums to be used for particular purposes) and instead have requested just that these be used in the way that provides the greatest benefit and relief from suffering for the most people. At this stage, with the school closed and no income from fees, there is currently no other source of income.
The Trust could not do what it does for these children without the support of our sponsors and supporters, and we do thank you all so much for this continued support. We are sure that one day we will see the benefits of education to these children.
Little Sisters Fund
With the support of our New Zealand LSF sponsors, the Trust is continuing to support seven Coordinating Mentors in several parts of Nepal.
Trevor from Little Sisters Fund said: “We are deeply grateful for your partnership and I must convey that the CM's are doing an incredible job, doubly so during Covid. Thanks to you all for your wonderful support.”
And in an earlier message to sponsors he said: “Nepal has just recently re-entered a countrywide lock down which means schools are once again closed. Prior to school closings, the Little Sisters had enjoyed a few months of a partial return to "normal" with classes taking place in person and small gatherings with family and friends. We were even able to finally celebrate our 2020 graduates. Once again, we are incredibly proud of all the work they have put into their years of education and are excited to see them continue on their path to becoming doctors, nurses, engineers and more!
“With all the ups and downs of the past few months, LSF's Nepal Team and Coordinating Mentors have remained steadfast in their commitment to overseeing the well-being of each and every Little Sister. We are incredibly grateful to them for their dedication and to you for your continued support and belief in the Little Sisters.”
Namaste, dhanyabad, thank you!
Our partner organisations, staff and students are facing huge challenges in Nepal just now. The help we can provide is quite limited. But it’s direct, it’s personal and it’s needed more than ever! And however small, it must be reassuring for them to know that people 12,000 km away are thinking of them, and helping where they can.
Thank you so much to you for making this help possible.
Bruce Gilkison, Chair ITT
Happier times in Jumla (Kailash Bodhi School, 2018).
And hopefully, more to come..