Monday, June 8, 2009


Last year the children held two concerts to show the local people and the tourists some of the dancing and singing that they are learning at Bright Future Community Center. The Shambhala Resort Hotel was happy to let us use the restaurant on both occasions.

In June, 2009, Netra Basnet began lessons teaching about recycling and composting. The children are cleaning an area near the Centre and creating a garden.

Dancing at Bright Future Community Center is becoming very popular. There are now several classes and there are many young children are learning to dance.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

People involved with the project


Isabel Armer first visited Nepal in January, 1990 and returned ten years later. Many changes had taken place during that time, but the same man, Niru Kumar Basnet, led the group. Trinity Grammar School (Kew, Victoria) wanted to do something in Nepal to repay the kindness the Trinity boys had experienced while trekking in Nepal. It was Niru’s suggestion that led to the establishment of a library in a local community centre in the district of Kapan. Niru has lived in this area for over 15 years and has many friends and contacts. He also understands how the system works in Nepal and without him the project would have faltered many years ago.
The support of Trinity Grammar School has been valuable because of some contacts with Shuvatara School in Patan and help with computers and other administration. Several people connected with Trinity have continued to help with the project.
Money to support the library and schooling is raised through donations of goods which are sold at markets. Donations of any trash and treasure which can be sold at markets are welcomed.
If you are visiting Nepal and have some time to spare Niru and the other helpers would love to see you. We need advice about card making in the library. If you have computer skills it would be wonderful if you could visit the computer school.
Niru's brother, Netra Basnet has taken over the running of the community centre, which has been renamed Bright Future Community Center. It is now registered with Rotary International (RAWCS) with the help of the Rotary Club of Kew on Yarra (Australia) and the Rotary Club of Pashupati (Nepal).

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Help from Trekkers


On several occasions people who have been visiting Nepal have helped the project by carrying books and equipment for the library in their luggage. This has been a great help for the project. Teresa Williams, who runs a small trekking company called Slow Trekking has helped in this way on a regular basis. Teresa brings her trekkers to look at the library and many continue to help the project when they return to Australia.
If anybody is planning a trek to Nepal they should check out Teresa’s website (http://www.slowtrekking.com/ ). Slow trekking means that you have time to look around and meet some very interesting people. You learn a lot about Nepal and most trekkers maintain contact with their guide after they return home.
Another person who helps the project by bringing his group to the library is Graham Peck. He works for the Leprosy Mission and organises treks to raise support and awareness for leprosy. His presentation about the work is fascinating and can be tailored to suit school groups or Rotarians. He can be contacted at grahamp@leprosymission.org.au

Kopan is not far from the tourist sites and is an interesting area to visit, so if you have time please visit. There is a local hotel for those who do not want to stay at Kopan Monastery. http://shambhala88.com/

Community Centre in Kapan




During the three months of October, November and December, 2007, I spent many hours in the Community Centre teaching English and trying to organise the books. The main opening hours for the library are in the early mornings and on Saturdays. Netra Basnet is now the man in charge of the library and he keeps it tidy and well organised. He has also started teaching English to a class of young children at 6.30am. There are about 12 students on a regular basis.

There have been many changes in the organization of the library. The number of students using the library has increased and most mornings there are around 60 children in the Center.