Prastav's Dance Class

Prastav, who has just completed his SLC, has taken on the task of teaching dance to the younger children.  This is his Saturday morning class in the new section of BFCC.  It is bright and clean and his class is learning quickly.  Some, like Kritik, are tired and he may not be sleeping well.
I am very pleased with Prastav's efforts and he seems to have some enthusiastic dancers.

More dancing in BFCC

More Dancing in BFCC.  Prastav has started teaching dance to the younger girls and boys.  Netra's photos show the children have learnt the dances very quickly.  It is great therapy to distract the children from their fear of the earthquake.  Prastav is doing a wonderful job.

Dancing in BFCC

Developments around Kopan during the last month

It is two months since the earthquake and life is still very difficult.  We were lucky that BFCC was not damaged too much. There were a few cracks, but they have been patched.  The new upstairs room is still standing and we have added a fence to prevent the children falling onto the street below.  The electrician has installed the wiring.
People still have to collect water and the local committee has built a large underground tank which will fill during the Monsoon.

Waiting in line for water.  Just put the container in the line and return to fill it later

Putting up the railing at BFCC.  This is near the back of the building and you can see the stairs which go up beside the toilet

Electrician at work in the upstairs room

People who have come into the fringes of Kathmandu and are camped in the forest at Ghorkana.  They are being helped by the government, but Netra was buying water for them.
They will be living in tents until it is safe to return home to their village
The children are going to a school nearby.  It was organized by a charity.

children from the Ghorkana Camp walking to school

tents in the Gorkana Camp

New Science equipment being demonstrated at Yagamati School.  The Government is trying to introduce Science teaching into all schools, but the equipment is rather expensive

It is two months since the first earthquake and the tremors are continuing.  The children have returned to school, but classrooms at some schools are crowded.  The children at Yagamati School have two shifts, so there is time for activities at BFCC.  The children are happy to be at the centre on Saturdays.  There are music classes and Prastav has taken over the role of dance teacher for the younger children.  Rick Chong from Australia visited one day for a chat.  Letters have been written to children in Australia and hopefully this will continue as a friendship.The Rotary Club of Pashupati held a special meeting to pay school fees.

Music teacher with a large class

Rita working with the children on Saturday morning

Writing letters to friends in Australia

Rick Chong talking to  the children

Rotary visit to BFCC

Distribution of help to earthquake victims

It is several weeks since the last update.  The second earthquake created a sense of despair throughout Nepal, but the Nepali people have organized self help groups.  There is general suspicion of the government and officials which is fueled by the media and the discovery of some misappropriation of donated goods.Netra has formed his own self help group and this week he has

Collecting tin in Kangel

Tin, for collection, beside the road

Ma recording the distribution of tin

tarpaulin shelter for the woman with her little baby

Tarpaulin to provide shelter

gone out to Kangel, his village in the Solu Khumbu, and with the help of some local officials he has distributed tin roofing.  According to Netra - "I was bit popular people are very happy with me".  This was because he had already organized the distribution of goods before the politician and government officials arrived to carry out a survey.  I assume they flew in by helicopter.  Netra has been using the advice of local people who know the area.
Netra has also made sure the people around BFCC in Kopan have been helped.  He bought tarpaulins and food for people who needed help. I think the money we have raised has been put to good use.

There was a sizable donation from Trinity Grammar School (Kew) and we are hoping to set up a relationship with the School - fund raising and friendship.

Since April 25, I have been overwhelmed by the generousity of all sorts of people who have given personal donations or worked with friends to raise money.  So far our money is getting through to the people who need it and we can see it being used to buy useful materials.
The effects of the earthquake will be felt for many years, but we can help to build a better future for our friends in Nepal.

Netra has just sent through some more photos which show some of the personal difficulties.  The lady who had the premature baby was unable to find her family back in the village so has returned to Kathmandu.  The other mother does not have enough food.
The group is with Teresa and we are now using a loan from Teresa to pay for the food parcels.  Our money still has not arrived.

A newly arrived baby.

Teresa with the group and their food parcels

Another mother and baby in dire need of food

Netra has been working very hard to distribute food and shelter to the local people.  Originally we were restricting help to those who have links to BFCC, but there are lots of people who are more needy.  One group in particular was living in a building which collapsed, killing 12 people.  Netra found them with almost no food and no hope and has bought enough supplies to keep them alive.
Most of our affected families live in the area near Yagamati School. The old traditional farm houses has collapsed, but people are okay, although some have gone to hospital.

Collapsed building near Tensing Chok

Netra delivering a food parcel

Another collapsed building

Group near Faika Chok. Their four storey home collapsed and left them without food or shelter. 

Dipesh and Dipesha with their food parcel

Kushum and her mother

Twins with their food parcel

EARTHQUAKE IN NEPAL

I do not have any recent photos from the area around BFCC, but Netra says the building is still standing.  It may not be safe so it is not being used.  The after shocks may cause further damage. Netra posted some photos of groups of people who are staying outside their homes.
If you want to help you can donate to the Bendigo Bank account of the Rotary Club of Yarra Bend.  I am then about to transfer some money to the Bright Future account and Netra can help the families. The details are: BSB 633000 Account number 144357050.
If you need a taxation receipt you need to donation through the Rotary site at www.rawcs.com.au You need to go to Donate and find Bright Future Community Centre in the projects in Nepal.  If there are problems you can contact me.
The details are also on Facebook.

Sleeping in the Tri Jyoti shelter

Sitting together in the school yard

Sheltering from the rain

The roof has been added to BFCC and now we just have to wait until the render can be added.  The windows will soon be added.  

Teresa and her trekkers enjoyed some time with the children befor heading off to Langtang.

The headmaster from Kangel has been in Kathmandu and Netra talked to him.  We now have photos of the progress with the library furniture.  Netra says it might take about a month to finish.  The toilet block is nearing completion and will make a big difference to the lives of the young students at the school.

Library shelves being built from the timber which was harvested in the local forest

The money for this furniture was donated by the Rotary CLub of Camberwell

Toilet block being built from local rocks.  The money for the toilet block was from the Wilson Family and Abbeyfield Residential Assoc. (Richmond)

Netra and I have talked about helping the local women in the Kopan area.  He has somehow managed to make it happen.  Some women from the slum area near the Ring Road are learning to sew in our Sewing School.
The local women want to learn to use the computer so they can contact family members overseas.  Netra has started a class in BFCC using the laptops donated by Lauriston Girls' School and Trinity Grammar (Kew).  His wife and one of our students, Prastav, are the teachers.  These are two wonderful developments.

Samila teaching in the laptop centre at BFCC

Ladies in the sewing centre

This is a request for some help for a young man.  He is in Year 9 at the Kangel School and about two months ago developed a problem with his bladder.  The mother brought him to Kathmandu hospital and they sent him away with a catheter.  He has been back with infections and other problems which are really horrible for anyone, especially a teenage boy.  The family is really poor.  Through BFCC we have helped with clothes for the mother and the boy and have paid some of the school fees.  The village people also donated some money.
This week the boy returned to the Kathmandu Teaching Hospital and Netra says they might operate.  If anyone would like to help cover some of the hospital and living costs of this poor family it is possible to donate through RAWCS.  Go to the site at www.rawcs.com and from there to donate and find the Bright Future Community Centre in Nepal and follow the prompts make your donation.  You will recieve a taxation receipt from RAWCS.

Boy and his mother in the hospital

Here is the latest photo, sent today (March 30, 2015) from Netra.  The builder is making very good progress and it is starting to look like a room.

building at BFCC

Change is taking place at BFCC in the form of an a new room.  Netra sent photos of the delivery of sand and bricks on March 19,  Work began shortly after that and has progressed at a rapid pace.  The bricklayer is also a 'sort of engineer', so I am hoping the building is going to be constructed to last.

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Engineer, who is also the builder, watching the bricks being unloaded in front of BFCC

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The start of the building on the roof of BFCC