Nepal Project

Friday, November 5, 2010

Dashain clothes

Some of the money which is donated to the Bright Future project is used to help families. At the time of the Dashain Festival families buy new clothes for their children. Netra likes to help some families who cannot afford this extra expense.

Dreamland Computer School

Dreamland Computer School continues to provide education for local children and adults in the Kopan area. Netra has used some of the Rotary money to upgrade the computers in the Center. Computer lessons are an important addition to the children's education because many schools which claim to provide computer education, only provide access to computers for a few minutes each week. Most computer lessons are theory lessons only.

Bright Future Volunteers

Bright Future Community Center could not continue without the local and foreign volunteers. Netra Basnet has gathered a group of young people who work in the Center each morning. Sanju and Raju are university students who can only work part time, but they make a valuable contribution. Volunteers, such as Liz Dobson, and this year, Bronwyn Russell-Slater, make a big difference with their teaching ideas.
The other group who contribute to the Center are the card makers, led by Santosh.

Netra and his brother Niru share a motor bike. It has made a real difference to their lives as they can complete business much quicker. A trip which used to take half a day by bus can now be completed within a couple of hours.

Dancing at Bright Future Center

Dancing classes have become a part of BFCC. Sweta still teaches some classes, but the older girls run most sessions. The young children really enjoy dancing and Sweta manages to encourage even the very shy children to participate. Visiting groups are entertained at Shambhala resort. Dancing gives children confidence and they feel part of the group. The boys' group included some boys who were learning to dance. The older boys enjoyed helping them.

Teaching Homestay ladies

Liz Dobson, Bronwyn Russell-Slater and I spent many happy times teaching the Homestay ladies who really want to learn. I continued with the class when Liz and Bronwyn left. This program is not really a part of the BFCC project, but it helps the people of the Kopan district. If anyone wants to volunteer to help with this program or any other project linked to BFCC they should contact me or the Rotary Club of Kew on Yarra.

Raising Money for Bright Future Community Center

Bright Future Community Center and the linked projects rely on donations from friends and money raised at the markets. The goods for the markets are donated by friends and a wide circle of people who want to help the children and families in Nepal.
Friends also help sell the goods at the Camberwell Sunday Market and the Saturday market at Chewton. Anyone can donate goods or help us at the markets.

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Latest changes

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.