Kia ora, Namaste. We’re hoping the year has started well for you. A quick update…
Kailash Bodhi School, Jumla
Things seem to be going quite well in the KBS Jumla School. For several years the school was not able to run Year 9 classes – due to some political changes, students were required to move to government schools for year 9 – but the rules now seem to have changed a bit and the school can operate these classes again. They seem to have gone well.
A highlight of the week seems to be the ‘Friday activities’ (the school week runs from Sunday to Friday, with the only day off being on Saturday).
Tashi the Principal tells us: “We organized inter house solo song, and quiz competition. Apart from that we had inter house senior futsal competition. We also had wonderful times with the students on Friday by organizing interclass speech, poem reciting and group dances in which everyone enjoyed it including parents.”
Little Sisters Fund (LSF)
LSF is doing well, with record numbers of girls achieving their goal for higher education. This story, told by Akina, one of their sponsored ‘little sisters’, paints a picture of how LSF works in Nepal:
“Life and death are natural rules, which we cannot eliminate. This is the reason one unlucky girl was born in a poor family without her consent. And, that girl is me. I do not know, maybe because of a past life’s sin I had to grow in this as punishment. My mother married with another man and left me behind. I was three years old.
“There was only my father to take care of me, but due to the social customs of my village my father was compelled for another marriage. Then I could not get parental love and care. My step-mother never loved me. I was treated as a servant of the house. Grazing the animals and cutting the grass was my daily routine. My father changed into a type of devil. My heart started breaking up. Pain and sorrow started filling my heart. So I learnt hate more than love. I lived this way for seven years.” But then her mother returned…
“My mother took me to Kathmandu, but her financial situation worsened. She used to work 24 hours straight. She started sending me to a school nearby. I was about to drop out while I was in Grade 3. My future took a turn and LSF/UGESP rescued me. It started providing me good education. I am in the 9th Grade now because of this help. I am dreaming to be successful in my life. I want to stand on my own feet.”
A visit to Nepal by an ITT sponsor:
One of our local sponsors, Hugh, recently made a visit to Nepal and to the Little Sisters Fund office in Kathmandu. When I had visited there in 2018, I came away feeling inspired, encouraged and enormously appreciative. I was delighted to find that Hugh, who had visited Nepal several times before, felt just the same as I had. A few impressions:
· He met with all LSF staff including a number of mentors at the main Kathmandu office, and was very favourably impressed. Staff morale, dedication and motivation seemed extremely high. The students themselves apparently continue to have very good education outcomes, with a minimal drop-out rate. The model that has been developed is clearly an effective one.
· He found that Covid has ceased to be the major disruption experienced in schools and elsewhere in 2020. The country and education services are not yet back to normal, but they’re heading in the right direction.
· He found that the staff and mentors were very grateful for the support sponsors in NZ were providing, but do wish to be independent in the longer term. He said they were appreciative of any contact, and were “busting to communicate” with supporters.
All of which augurs well for the future, and for vulnerable young girls and women in particular.
Trustees
My thanks once again, to our Trustees: Kay, Lakma and Tessa. And a special welcome: at our last Trustee meeting, Tessa attended with her son, River, who was just one year old and most of us were meeting for the first time. Great to see you both!
Thank you, Dhanyabaad!
Once again, thank you so much everyone for your support, whether by way of donations, sponsorship or encouragement. It’s greatly appreciated, here and in Nepal. Very many thanks!
Bruce Gilkison, Chair - In Time Trust
Kailash Bodhi School, Jumla: Early morning exercises and inspiration