Newsletter 2017

Nepal: One Year On The tragic reality of this terrible natural disaster was the death toll of 9,000 people and a further 22,000 that were injured during the two earthquakes that struck Nepal last year. The first was on 25th April 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake which caused most of the damage and loss of life. A number of aftershocks followed, including one that measured 7.3 on 12th May 2015. The quakes destroyed or damaged over 800,000 homes in the western and central districts of Nepal. Nepal is not a rich country by any means and the geographical location and harsh terrain made assistance and recovery a logistical nightmare. The country declared itself to be in a state of emergency and asked for support. Financial aid was pledged from all over the world, but many obstacles stood in the way of progress from civil unrest between the borders of Nepal and India, to rocketing prices for materials and supplies. However, there is still so much more we could do. Dr Rijal will soon be returning to Nepal and will announce further details of a new phase, which will focus on helping the children of Nepal build a better more sustainable future which we hope to deliver via a new structured curriculum. When tragedy strikes it is so hard to know where to start, but when you step back, having given initial aid you see an opportunity to rebuild and improve is crying out to be actioned. Thank you for helping those in need across the globe. Please follow us on social media for updates. However, thanks to our amazing Team 21, led by Dr Rijal, your donated funds can actually be seen making a difference in the most remote of villages. The Team delivered aid personally, and used local Nepalese suppliers. Because of this we have not experienced the red tape that many of the larger charities have faced. Your money has reached people who are now rebuilding their lives. Dr Rijal and his team wish to say a very big thank you to everyone who contributed to the appeal. Together we have raised over £100,000. This has enabled us to complete all three phases that we set out to achieve. • Phase 1: Our Team 21 flew out to deliver immediate medical aid and distributed vital food supplies. • Phase 2: 155 shelter homes were designed, transported and built in remote villages across Nepal. • Phase 3: We constructed eight school halls to replace previously damaged schools to get the children back to school with pride. “I have been overwhelmed by the support for this appeal. I would like to thank everyone who has donated and enabled us to do so much” Dr Kapil Rijal All the build sites were chosen because our Team 21 had already visited them in phase one and two of our projects. It was fitting that we returned to give them more permanent support to ensure the sustainability of the children’s education. All the school halls are now up and running and have been provided with the basic supplies to start afresh. This could only happen thanks again to your generosity. School Name Area Project Completed Jageshwor Higher Secondary School Navajagritri Chandi Higher Secondary Ratna Rajya Higher Secondary School Ramashwori Secondary School Bhagwati Himalaya Higher Secondary School Bijaya Bhawani Higher Secondary School Durga Secondary School Ranchowk Bal Bikash Kendra Children’s Welfare Centre Borlang V.D.C No 7 Gorkha Asrang V.D.C. No 6 Gorkha Gorkha No 9 Gorkha Bungkot V.D.C. No 9 Gorkha Ghairung Batase V.D.C No 2 Gorkha Makai sing V.D.C No 8 Gorkha Saurpani V.D.C. No 8 Chautara in Sindhupalchowk One School Hall has been built and divided to run two classrooms and we have also repaired the washrooms. One School Hall been built and divided to provide two classrooms, and new washroom facilities are now on site. Here we have built two school buildings to achieve four classrooms. One School Hall with two classrooms is now up and running. One School Hall with two classrooms is now open One School Hall with two classrooms is now fully utilised. One School Hall been built and divided to provide two classrooms, and new washroom facilities are all operational. We have restored and renovated the original building and pathway leading to the building.