Not much will happen in Nepal over the next week and a half – people are celebrating Dashain. For the country’s Hindus – a good 80 percent of the population of this Himalayan nation – it is the most important religious festival of the year. They celebrate the goddess Durga’s victory over the demon Mahishasura, the triumph of good over evil. During the main days of Dashain, which begin this Saturday and last until 26 October, schools will also remain closed. Everyday life resumes on 27 October – though not quite in Golche, located about 50 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu as the crow flies.
As is the case throughout Nepal, classes will resume that Tuesday in this mountain village in the Jugal Himal. But in Golche, an extraordinary time is beginning for another reason: After Dashain ends, construction will begin on the new school building, made possible by your donations to my new aid project, “School up 3.”
Construction site cleared
The planned start of construction had been delayed, in part, due to the parliamentary elections last March. Traditionally, in Nepal, it takes several weeks to months after elections for the authorities to adjust to the new balance of power and for their work to resume as usual. Until then, many projects are put on hold.
In addition, the monsoon rains created difficult conditions in Sindhupalchowk District, where the village of Golche is located. “The road to the school is now in better condition, making it easier to transport construction materials,” writes Hari Adhikari, Country Representative of the German aid organization Nepalhilfe Beilngries in Kathmandu. “The construction site for the new school building in Golche has been cleared and is ready.”
Eight new classrooms
With support from Nepalhilfe Beilngries, a new wing with eight classrooms is being built. Four of the rooms will be used for grades 3, 4, 5, and 6; two for early childhood education; and two for science, as a computer lab, or as general classrooms.
Once the new building is ready for use, some rooms in the existing school wings may be used as a dormitory for children and teachers who travel long distances from surrounding villages to attend school in Golche. In addition, school restrooms, school furniture, computer equipment, and a fence around the school grounds are needed.
Your donations are still necessary so that we can successfully complete this third “School up” project – following those in Thulosirubari (in 2019), northeast of Kathmandu, and in Rama in the far west of Nepal (in 2024).
Every euro goes directly to Golche. So that you can see how your money is being put to work, I’ll continue to report on the progress of the construction work here on my blog from time to time, as I’ve done in the past. Here are the bank details again:
Recipient: Nepalhilfe Beilngries e.V..
Bank: Volksbank Bayern Mitte eG/Germany
IBAN: DE05 7216 0818 0004 6227 07
BIC/SWIFT-Code: GENODEF1INP
Intended purpose: School up 3
I’d like to thank you in advance for your wonderful support – also on behalf of the people in Golche. You’re amazing! 🙏
