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.

Kopan Recycling and Composting Farm

During July, 2008, a volunteer from Engineers Without Borders visited the compost and recycling site in Kopan. His report was very positive and suggested that it might be possible to use this project as an example to other areas in a similar situation.

The greenhouse is protecting the tomato crop from the monsoon rains.

The recycling project

The farm is producing some vegetables which have been sold for around $600. A new planting of a variety of vegetables took place in April and in around three months time these will be harvested. It was planned to develop a recycling project to produce compost for the farm, but the lack of funds meant that this was postponed until next year. A representative from Engineers without Borders might visit the project to help with some advice about composting.

Farm

The farm has been set up to use the compost produced from the recycling project. It is about 2kms from the library and there are local markets for the vegetables. It is hoped that the local farmers can be educated in the use of compost and organic vegetables.

Recycling Project

The latest project plan is to start a recycling project which will clean up part of the Kopan area. Each day 300 tonnes of rubbish is produced in Kathmandu. About 70% of this is biodgradable and a recycling project could help reduce the amount being sent to landfill.

Artist in Residence

A local artist (NG ) has offered to teach some painting to the card makers and other interested students. He ran an interesting class in simple water colour painting.