In this Issue

Projects update

Introduction

This is the fifth bulletin from HeNN, a network of volunteers across the world engaged in making a difference in Nepal. We round up on projects that are currently being supported and also those that we have recently completed. Additionally, we want to draw your attention to the strategy HeNN is going to undertake to help Children affected by the ongoing conflict in Nepal. Our website has the full details but such is the feeling within HeNN to get started that fundraising has already started within different HeNN chapters. More on this project can be found in the link here.

Mugu Health Post update

Mugu health post saves woman's life

The health post built with local participation has now been open for one year. It is located in a region of the world having one of the worst mortality rates for pregnant women and young children. Emergencies such as what happened with Maghi Rokaya, a 40 year old woman are commonplace. Maghi Rokaya, resident of Murma village was brought to the health post as an emergency after suffering from severe bleeding whilst pregnant. Maghi who has given birth to 13 children so far has lost 5 of them.

Janaki Shah, the assistant mid-wife at the health post, spoke to HeNN officials in Kathmandu , and described how severe the condition of the woman was when she was brought to the health post. “She wouldn't have lived if she hadn't been treated on time.” - Janaki tried to describe the feeling of Maghi after her treatment who thanked all the staffs at the health post for saving her life.

Janaki is not only providing medical assistance to the people but is also acting as a motivator by providing suggestions on health care and health awareness to the local people.

The cost of keeping the health post going for the next 12 months is given in the figure below. HeNN USA sent Rs. US $6,602 on May 30th, 2005 towards this cost. The total represents funds raised since last year through screening of Numafung in Boston and New York and funds raised by Navin Dhakal and Suvayu Pant. An additional US $4000 provided by Healthcare Nepal should enable us to cover expenses for the healthpost for the next 12 months. If you are interested in helping the healthpost please contact us at admin@helpnepal.net.

 

SN

Particulars

Rs.

US $

1

Salary for Health workers

256000

3649.32

2

Training Expenses for 2 ANM

60000

855.31

3

Reproductive Health Service

143000

2038.48

4

General Pathology Lab

75525

1076.62

5

Minor Operation theatre

14500

206.69

6

Volunteer Mobilization

85000

1211.68

7

Medicines

50000

712.75

8

Carrying Freight

30000

427.65

9

Miscellaneous

25000

356.37

 

Total Budget Required

739025

10534.93



An effort is on to provide better and effective service at the health post by giving training to the staffs and adding new medical equipments. Recently, training was provided to Janaki Shah on how to use an Oxygen concentrator, Nebulizer, and other medical equipments. These vital pieces of equipment were provided by donors from the UK.

Projects update

Projects Completed

Re-Construction of Buddha Primary School completed

The re-construction of Buddha Primary School, situated in Champi Village (Lalitpur) has been completed. The school building has been brought into use since 30th of January, 2005. HeNN contributed Rs. 2,94,630 (US$ 4200) for the project which took three months to complete.

HeNN-Nepal team visited the school after the construction of the building. All of them were very impressed after observing the successful completion of the project. The students and the teachers told them that- “Before the classes were very suffocating and narrow, after the new building the classes have become airy and comfortable”.

It touched their sentiments when local people offered their genuine gratitude for the re-construction of the school. Rabi Kumar Manandhar, part of Nepal team became emotional when he saw the happiness that the re-constructed school brought on the face of the students. He personally provided the students with toys and other play stuffs worth Rs. 5,000 (US$ 72). If you have similar toys or educational items that you wish to give to the children at the school please contact us. The contact details are given here.

HeNN-Australia Treasurer Ranjan Koirala also visited the school. Simon Bond, a volunteer from Australia taught English at the school for two months.

Construction of Sarswati School roof completed

A project led by HeNN for the construction of the roof of Sarswati School in Sudal Village in Bhaktapur has been completed. The project was carried out in partnership with District Development Committee-Bhaktapur, Village Development Committee-Sudal, Earthquake Resistant Society Nepal & the Saraswati School . HeNN contributed Rs. 1,61,345 (US$ 2300) for the project which was just under 50% of the total cost. The rest was raised through local fundraising. This Project was coordinated by HeNN-Australia.

Classes have begun in the reconstructed building. The school was established in B.S. 2017 (1960 A.D.). It has 455 students and 19 staffs among which 18 are teachers and one is an office assistant.

Dhulikhel Eye Camp completes successfully

HeNN has successfully completed a one-day eye camp in Dhulikhel on 27th May 2005 . The project was accomplished jointly with B.P Koirala Lions Centre for Opthalmic Studies (BPKLCFOS), Nepal Red Cross Society and Nepal Blind Association (Kavre). Total of 604 patients attended the eye camp out of which 48 patients were diagnosed with mature cataract. All of them have been successfully operated in BPKLCFOS in two phases on 30th and 31st May 2005.

The eye-camp was conducted with an estimated cost of Rs.2,45,000 (US$ 3492). BPKLCFOS conducted all the operations with a substantial reduction in operation charge, contributing Rs. 1,65,000 (US$ 2355) equivalent amount for the project. All the remaining charges including medicines, transport cost for patients to hospital etc. were borne by HeNN. All patients were provided free treatment along with the distribution of free medicines.

People from Bhakundebesi, Panauti, Sanga, Banepa, and Panchkhal along with the people from Dhulikhel benefited from this eye camp. The locals were very pleased with the Eye camp. They have requested HeNN to hold a health camp there soon.

Projects in Progress

Chanaute Primary School, Parbat

A project to provide necessary furniture for this school in Gharede Danda (Parbat) is in progress. HeNN provided a total fund of RS. 75,950 (US$ 1084) for this project, which is being co-ordinated by HeNN-UK.

The School was established in year B.S. 2031 (1974 A.D.) at the initiation of the local people. The school has 156 students and some students belong to downtrodden community as well. HeNN had provided fund of Rs.1,25,000 (US$ 1782) for the renovation of the same school in year B.S. 2058 (2001 A.D.).

The fund released for the project had been handed over to a teacher of the Chanaute Primary School, Mr. Indra Prasad Sharma, who visited HeNN-Nepal office regarding the same project. Mr. Sharma was quite gratified with the help HeNN had provided to the school so far. According to him, the number of students has noticeably increased after the renovation work carried out with HeNN funding. The students are now getting better study environment.

Construction of a School in Salyan

On 7th March 2005, Kantipur daily published an article about the dilapidated condition of Sarswati Primary school in Ghanjhari Pipal-8, Salyan. The local correspondent, Moti Lal Poudel was contacted by HeNN to get further details about the school.

Currently, the classes are being run in four huts constructed by the local people in Ghanjhari Pipal VDC-8 in Salyan District. At the initiation of the local people, classes are being run up to Grade-2. There are 43 students in the school. The hut cannot provide protection against sun or rain. There is no required infrastructure except for a desk and a bench. The students are forced to sit on the ground and take classes.

The total population of "Ganjhari Pipal VDC" is about 1200, and other village near to Ganjhari Pipal VDC is "Mul Khola VDC" which has the population of about 1000. The population of other nearby village "Rauche VDC" is about 800. After the construction of this school, the entire population of this area will be benefited as the area where the school is situated lies on the way to all these villages.

The local community participated in planning out the reconstruction of the school. They are working hard to get it constructed before the monsoons begin so that class can continue without disruption.

All necessary paper works and required estimation for the start of the project have been completed. HeNN will provide Rs. 3,00,000 (US$ 4276) towards the costs. This project is being coordinated by HeNN-Australia.

Construction of a school in Sunsari

HeNN has approved a proposal to fund the construction of a primary school in Panchakanya Village Development Committee, Ward No 1, Sunsari District. HeNN will be contributing Rs. 2,20,000 (US$ 3136) out of a total of Rs. 7,31, 556.58 (US$ 10428) estimated for the project and the rest will be covered from local community donations. A UK based charity, Chances for Children, is also providing Rs. 1,30,000 (US$ 1853) towards the cost after hearing about the School through HeNN.

The school was built with concerted effort of the local community after a big-hearted illiterate farmer donated a piece of land. With fund collected from the people of the locality, a five-room thatched roof building was constructed. Even after 7 years of its construction, the school remains in the same state. The walls of the building are built with bamboo sticks. The middle part of the building is still uncovered. Noise of one classroom easily travels to another. The situation is particularly pathetic during the monsoon season when the students and the teachers have to flee to protect themselves from water.

This project is expected to provide decent school environment to 5 teachers and 205 students who are currently studying in this school.

Network News

From HeNN-Australia

Partnership with Oz Quest

HeNN-Australia is making the necessary preparation to collaborate with the Australian NGO, Oz Quest which sends young people from Australia aged 18-30 yrs overseas for expedition and voluntary projects such as building schools. This is a significant partnership and will help HeNN direct volunteers to schools that desperately need assistance in building work and teachers in Nepal.

Launch of Sydney team in Australia

HeNN-Australia with its existing team in Victoria has expanded with a new team in Sydney . Currently, Sydney team is comprised of 7 members with Indra Ban as Team Co-ordinator, Harsha Gautam and Tara Shrestha as Project Co-ordinators, Hari Devkota in Public Relations and Bhisma Gauchan in IT. Rajendra Rajbhandary and Satish Koirala will provide help to all departments whenever required.

Sydney team will work closely with the team in Melbourne. Main areas will be:

  • Fundraise and draw support from the Nepalese and wider community in Sydney.

  • Initially take up a project in a smaller scale to develop management and coordination skills in close consultation with HeNN-Australia team in Victoria.

HeNN-Australia Annual barbeque in Melbourne

On April 2005, HeNN-Australia held its annual barbeque event at Albert Park in Melbourne . The event was attended by 60 people. HeNN-Australia, Melbourne has been organizing barbeque program anually to raise funds for its projects in Nepal. HeNN would like to thank all those who participated and supported this event. The amount AUS$ 500 (US$ 378) raised from this event has been allocated to the Salyan School Project.

From HeNN-Russia

HeNN receives separate administration fund

HeNN has received the administration fund for the year 2005 A.D. Rs. 1,00,000 (US$ 1425) was handed over to HeNN officials in Kathmandu by Mr. Arun Ojha on behalf of a group of Nepalese businessmen living in Russia . They had provided the same amount last year as well to run HeNN's office in Kathmandu . This ‘sponsorship' of HeNN Nepal office allows us to use 100% of funds donated to HeNN for projects.

Along with the administrative fund, Rs. 1,41,300 (US$ 2014), which was raised at a function in Moscow on the occasion of the ‘Help Nepal International Day' in July last year, was also handed over. HeNN would like to thank all those generous Nepalese living in Russia . Their help will be fully acknowledged both here in the bulletin, on the HeNN website and on the occasion of the annual ‘Help Nepal International Day'. If you are interested to support the administrative fund, please write to us on admin@helpnepal.net and to read about our admin supporters, please click here.

From HeNN-UK

Anil runs again!

Anil Thapa, a member of the HeNN-UK team is putting himself through another marathon this summer to raise funds for the Children appeal. He will take part in the British 10 Km Open Run on 3 rd July 2005 . Some may remember he ran the Iceland marathon last year and raised funds for the Mugu health post. He would welcome your sponsorship. You can do it online here.

Partying and helping Nepal at the same time

PartyGroup UK , an energetic team of young Nepalese based in London organized a Dance party program on 13 th April 2005 to celebrate Nepali New Year. The program was aimed to entertain Nepalese, bringing them together in a common forum and also raise much needed funds for projects in Nepal .

The program was successful beyond its expectation with a huge participation of Nepalese youngsters. Out of the total amount collected from the program, Rs. 30,000 (US$ 450) was donated towards the ‘Conflict Impacted Children ' appeal. HeNN is very grateful towards the organizers and participants of the Party. For pictures from the event, please click here.

From HeNN – USA

Screening of movie “Daughters of Everest” in Boston

To raise funds for the "Conflict Impacted Children" of Nepal , HeNN USA team screened a documentary, "Daughters of Everest" in Boston on March 19 th and 21 st , 2005. This captivating 55-minute documentary reveals the first-ever expedition of Sherpa women to climb Everest organized in 2000 A.D. The documentary directed and produced by Sapna Shakya and Ramyata Limbu generated a lot of interest and funds raised were in excess of Rs. 70,150 (US$ 1000).

In addition, Suresh Chowdhary raised Rs. 31,290 (US$ 447) through private screening of “Daughters of Everest”. Karmacharya Family (Sunila, Anup, Pranup and Shrinkhala) also donated Rs. 1,16,690 (US$ 1667) towards CIC in memory of late Ashok Shrestha (Karmacharya) (1951-2005 A.D).

From HeNN-Ireland

Fund for CIC Project

After a proposal from HeNN-USA for initiating Conflict Impacted Children (CIC) project, HeNN-Ireland immediately pledged 500 Euro (US$ 700) for the project. HeNN-Ireland team on their message to HeNN-Network said – “Though 500 Euro is just a drop of water in sea for such an important project, we feel it would help to provide some starting fund for the initiation of the project. We will try our best to make more contribution in the future.”

On behalf of HeNN

HeNN-Ireland Team

Shrinkhala Thapa (Nepal)

Rama Nath Shrestha (Nepal)

Ram Babu Shrestha (Technical Support UK)