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.
While I am in Australia, Netra Basnet continues to run Bright Future Community Center. He also oversees Dreamland Computer School.
Report about the developments in Nepal (2010) This year I felt that real progress is being made with Bright Future Community Center. The local people are more supportive of what is being done and where possible we are encouraging them to have an input. I had planned to have a baby health centre, but it is evolving as a clinic. The young girls who are teaching in BFCC are passing on knowledge they learn at school. Netra has enlisted the help of some local girls who are attending university and they are making a valuable contribution. The visits by tourists - Teresa William's trekkers, Rotary Eyes Wide Open and passing tourists - are making a big difference as the children meet people from different cultures. Their spoken English has improved and they are more confident.
Developments at Bright Future Health Clinic (2013)
The teaching of children at the clinic has continued which is important for their general health. The local Red Cross organized for Doctor Doig and his son (volunteers from Melbourne) to teach general health to the local health workers.
They also monitored the local people for Type 2 diabetes and discovered 25% were in danger of developing diabetes. It is now important to continue educating about the need for improved diet.
Cathy Ryan, a nurse from Horsham, also voluteeredto help with the survey and other health issues.
Aparna, a local health worker, has presented information about women's health problems and we are hoping to continue and expand this work.
The local branch of the Red Cross has run several classes about Earthquake Awareness.
The Sewing School has continued to teach the local ladies some sewing skills. In most cases they are happy to be able to use the machines to produce clothes for their families.
Some goods have been sold in the sewing school shop, but business is very slow.
Some generous donations have made it possible to improve the BFCC building and the clinic (Bright Future Health Clinic). The addition of hand basins at both buildings means we can teach about hand washing with proper demonstrations.
I am hoping to introduce some classes for exercises which help with rehabilitation and Type 2 diabetes. If there are volunteers out there who can help we would love to hear from you.