Dear sponsors and supporters,

Namaste.

We need your support again!

Monsoon damage in Gope - A school is asking for help

Since the construction of the health centre in Gope, we have also been supporting the local state school ‘Thulung Dhudkoshi Rural Municipality’.

In addition to a kindergarten and a primary school, there is also a secondary state school. It is ranked as one of the best schools in Nepal. In contrast to private schools, attendance is free for the 400 pupils. The school relies on modern teaching methods and even group work is not unknown to the teaching staff.

This is entirely due to the highly committed team of teachers and the very special headmaster. The direct cooperation with our maternity and health centre in Gope is also due to the outstanding initiative of the teachers. However, the regular financial means provided by the state are less than inadequate, as is the case almost everywhere in the districts.

In order to be able to afford additional school equipment, the pupils are even taking action themselves and have installed a waste separation system together with the teaching staff. School books and exercise books that are no longer usable are collected, picked up once a year by a lorry and recycled at the Indian border. The proceeds from this go towards the school’s special expenses.

Free lunches are provided for destitute pupils thanks to food donations from the local population.

The teaching team submitted a request for support to Gecotec e.V. via NHEFoN before our trip in spring 2024. During our visit in May, we had the opportunity to discuss the request with the school team.

There are two focal points:

Construction of a new toilet and wash house

The old building slid down in the 2023 monsoon due to heavy rainfall. It is irresponsible to continue using it. However, an application to the district for a new building was not approved.

It is impossible for us to imagine our children going to a school where there is no toilet or where going to the toilet is life-threatening.

Together with DESWOS and our partner organisation NB&G Switzerland, we would like to build an earthquake-proof toilet and wash house in a safe location.

Our civil engineer Madhav Regmi has already drawn up the plans and calculations. Ram Kumar Tamang will take over the construction management and our experienced foreman Kachang Tamang is also back in the team.

The building will have seven toilets, two showers and an additional barrier-free toilet for students with disabilities. Pupils with special needs will be able to take a shower there and enjoy a minimum level of personal hygiene.

The construction costs for the toilet and wash house amount to approximately €21,000.00

New construction of a clean water supply for the school and a further 100 residents

In the same monsoon of 2023, the pipes and the catchment of the spring for the water supply to the school and to other residents in the area were also destroyed. As a result, the water is not only full of sand and dirt, but faeces from the many animals in the area also end up in the drinking water. The number of stomach and intestinal diseases has risen sharply as a result. The district did not feel responsible for this serious problem either.

We will take over the financing and build a safer water supply. The parents and neighbours will lend a hand. Residents will also pay a small connection and usage fee to the district. In return, after lengthy negotiations, the district has agreed to pay a water attendant to regularly check and maintain the condition of the pipes.

The construction costs for the water supply amount to approximately € 5,500.00

What will happen next

Construction is due to take place between the end of October and the beginning of March.

But, as in the past, it won’t be possible without your financial support!

Every donation, however small, will help! Once again, we guarantee that 100% of your donations will go towards the project.
You will, of course, be regularly informed about the developments.

Information about our donation account can be found at Support us.

The team from Gecotec e.V., DESWOS and NB&G would like to thank you for your support.