Target Reached to Build Nepal School

Press Information | 15th January 2019

Yeovil Rotary Club reaches target to build school in Nepal

Members of the Rotary Club of Yeovil are delighted to announce that as the new year gets underway, it has succeeded in reaching its £64,000 target required to enable the building of a brand new, six-classroom school in the mountainous Sindhupalchok region of Nepal that was struck by the earthquake of 2015.

It has taken the Club a little over 18 months to raise this significant amount, the campaign helped by other clubs in the local Rotary District together with a number of groups and organisations that have each made considerable contributions to the appeal.

“We are so pleased to have reached the £64,000 target and to have done it in time for the new year”, said Rotary Club of Yeovil President Caroline Ansell. “We can now start 2019 in the knowledge that we’ve achieved what began as an ambitious initiative two years ago.”

Caroline continues: “Whilst it’s been great to see our club pulling together in order to raise the money to build the school, we could not have done it alone and on behalf of the club I have to thank everyone who has supported this project, no matter how big or small their contribution. Every penny that’s been raised has helped us reach the target. It’s a truly fantastic effort and everyone involved can be proud that they have helped to create a legacy for 1000s of children who will benefit from an improved education for many years to come.”

Stephen Carrick-Davies, CEO of Mondo Foundation, the organisation that has supported the project and channeled the funds to Nepal, says: “This is an amazing achievement and everyone who has contributed should be so proud that they have supported the Yeovil Rotary Club with its appeal.  They used to say 'it takes a whole village to raise a child', but this project demonstrates that our 'global village' can play its part and this school will help transform the lives of children and future generations.”

Having now reached the target for building, fitting out and equipping the school itself - including teacher training - the Yeovil Club is continuing its fund-raising efforts in order provide the school’s first 200 pupils with a ‘School in a Bag’ rucksack and its contents.

“With each school bag costing £20, to fund 200 will require an additional £4000 being raised”, explains Caroline.

“I’m pleased to report that we’re already making headway towards this additional amount and we hope that by the time the school opens its doors in the summer, we will have not only provided the building and its infrastructure, but the equipment the children will need too. It completes the package perfectly and endorses the link between this project, our Club and the School in a Bag charity.”

Two forthcoming fund-raising events the Club has planned are: a Nepalese Supper evening and audience with Rear Admiral Terry Loughran CB FRAeS at the De Vinci Restaurant, Yeovil College on Friday 1st February and a Line Dancing event on Sunday 3rd March.

About the ‘Build a School in Nepal’ project

At the end of 2016, the Rotary District Governor set a challenge to the District’s 52 clubs to come up with a significant international project that would involve and motivate its members across the region. Due to the Yeovil Club’s association with Luke Simon of School in a Bag and his current work in Nepal, a plan to build a school in one of the areas that was affected by the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25th 2015.

The natural disaster killed over 9000 people and, according to government figures, destroyed 475 of the 545 schools in the Sindhupalchok area. This left 1000s of children without a school to go to and, although temporary learning centres have been established, facilities are few and far between and there is a risk that a whole generation may miss out on adequate education.

Working through the existing School in a Bag partners the Helambu Education Livelihood Project (HELP) and Mondo Foundation, President Michael Fernando together with members of the Yeovil Rotary Club set about a focused fund-raising campaign to secure the £64,000 budget needed to fully build, fit out and staff a school that will accommodate over 200 pupils.

The construction of the Shree Saraswoti School in the Sindhupalchok region, around 70 km north east of Kathmandu, commenced in June. The main building is expected to be completed in the spring of this year, with tuition commencing in the summer.

For further information about the Rotary Club of Yeovil’s Build a School in Nepal project and to find out how to make a donation, visit: www.hungryplanet.com