Category: News Nepal

After a month of great work in Karmidanda, Johanna wrote us a letter:

Dear Friends of WalkAlong Nepal,

In this cover letter we would like to report the latest state of our school reconstruction project in Karmidanda, Johanna is on site to work together with the villagers and to ensure that the donation money will be used in a sensible and transparent way. The buildings of the Secondary School are partly destroyed or entirely collapsed. Temporary shelters made of corrugated iron are an impertinence for a healthy lesson: in the sun too hot, in the rain too loud and by no means sound. The school needs 11 classrooms, 2 teacher’s rooms, 1 toilet and 1 bookshop. So far, the central government cannot afford to support more schools monetarily.

For reconstruction, it requires state approval and compliance with an earthquake-proof construction plan laid down by the state.

After a meeting with the director of Sec. School, the District Education Officer and the responsible engineer, we can say that with our donations of 19,000 euros, we can build two classrooms with earthquake resistance.

The next steps will include the detailed elaboration of the construction plan, transparent material procurement and the implementation of reconstruction. At the moment, however, we need to wait for construction plans and further information from the Department of Education to be completed in November. We hope to be able to complete the lengthy bureaucracy section at the end of November. Our goal is to complete the restoration of the buildings at the beginning of the new school year in April.

In addition to Secondary School, we would like to support the primary school of the village with around 600 euros. Furthermore we have built up tables, dictionaries, and learning tables.

With reference to the general actual situation of Karmidanda: The largest part of the village was destroyed during the earthquake. Families live in makeshift corrugated huts: sleeping camps, eating houses and living space in one. The State-promised, monetized aid of $ 2000 has so far been waited in vain. The construction of an earthquake-proof house is, however, estimated at around $ 8000. Many people, living from their own agriculture, cannot afford it.

Have you ever built a school?

WalkAlong is rebuilding part of the school in Karmidanda and we need active support on the ground.
If you are committed, self-confident, creative in action, patient, love the nature, the silence, simple life… then this would be your perfect job.

We cannot give you a list of tasks since there is a lot that you can do! You can take care of the construction of the school such as plan, organize and tackle! Of course with our support. We provide you with free accommodation and food at a very hospitable family in Karmidanda, make sure that you will be safe in Kathmandu and picked up. We cannot pay you, but we can offer you a unique adventure, a great culture and a wonderful job. You will not have any fixed working hours, because we trust you and we know that you will solve your problems independently. The basic requirement is that you must be at least 18 years old. A good English and a few Nepali words will help and a previous experience in the development cooperation will be an extra point.

If you are interested or have questions, please contact: vreni@walk-along.org

Johanna has already been in Karmidanda for 2 weeks and represents WalkAlong on site.

Together with the village dwellers and school workers, we are developing plans to use the numerous donations that have been achieved since the earthquake in April / May 2015 in a meaningful and transparent way.

It is oppressive to see how much damage the earthquake has actually caused, In a few photos we want to describe the situation more vividly. An engineer from the state came to review the situation after the earthquake. The security of the buildings was characterized by a point system.

Green = still usable and safe

Red = no longer usable and unsafe.

In the Shree Nava Vijayee Mahendra Secondary School of Karmidanda, only one building has received a green point: the toilet.

Buildings that are still standing are threatened to collapse and are no longer safe. Where previously a safe roof and stable teaching materials were existing now everything is improvised.

 

Simple corrugated metal constructions offer the pupils a provisional classroom. The weather conditions make teaching for teachers and students a challenge: In the sunshine it is too hot, in the rain, it is too loud on the sheet and the lack of barrier between the rooms let the noise level of the classes increase enormously.

The library, which was set up in 2013 by Anika and Sebastian, has also been hit hard. Not only the building, but also the land have been classified as a hazardous area. Another building, in which the village’s students and women used to read and study, does not exist anymore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Director Jitraj is very concerned about the fate of his school and his pupils and he is really relying on our support.

 

 

Despite the drama that has been experienced by the children, they are still curious and joyful through the school day.

Primary School

The primary school of the village has also been hardly hit by the earthquake. About 45 children attend this school. Together with the director, the teachers and the School Management Committee, Gopal and Johanna can provide support. With a value of 800 euros we want to equip the students with the necessary teaching material, which were destroyed by the earthquake. This includes learning materials, dictionaries, a table and benches.

 

 

 

 

 

The village

The largest part of the houses of the village was destroyed during the earthquake. Families live in provisional built corrugated huts – sleeping camps, diners and living space in one. The state-promised monetary aid of around 2000 dollars has not arrived yet. However, the cost of constructing an earthquake-proof house is estimated to be much more. Many people, living from their own agriculture, cannot afford it. So they are still dependent on donations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

During Johanna’s first week, the children were undertaking exams every day. This means a test every day for a week….no matter the circumstances!

Four months have passed since Nepal was shaken by the heavy earthquake on April 25 and repeated aftershocks. Large parts of Nepal have since then been in ruins. For the villagers the survival battle is not over yet. In June, the monsoon started. This means continuous rain until the end of September. There is a risk of landslides and flooding due to the high precipitation. Many people in Nepal’s villages had to leave their home town because of avalanche danger. In addition, sludge and rubble made the transport and supply routes more difficult. Access to Langtang (the village of Karmidanda), Manaslu and the Everest region, which is directly affected by the earthquakes, is not possible or is possible only with considerable difficulties.
The people in Nepal usually welcome the monsoon, because it is the time when rice and grain are sown in the fields. This year, however, the rain is causing grief and sorrow. People are afraid of the rain in their makeshift repaired homes self-made tents or emergency shelters.

Above all, children have to help their familiar in the everyday life. In order to give them at least a bit of normalcy and to forget the horrors for a short time, several tent schools and child-friendly zones have been set up in many villages and cities, offering learning and playing opportunities. Teachers are specially trained to deal with the traumatized children. But many adults also need psychosocial support to deal with the catastrophe and to take courage for the new beginning. Many are facing the ruins of their lives and do not know how to go on.

Click on the following links to keep track of everything:

https://www.facebook.com/drerinmoore?fref=nf

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Walk-Along-eV/379247675424001?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/karmidanda?fref=ts

Finally, finally, finally …

Thanks to Anika and Sebastian, the ABC playground we wanted to build is now a reality! Sebastian and Anika have been in Nepal for a week and a day.

They are really good and they enjoy the hospitality, the breath-taking nature and the very lively Kathmandu.

The work for the library – ABC playground in Karmidanda have already begun. At present, there is a building with four rooms. In one there are already shelves and some books – here more books have to be bought. Two rooms of the building are empty and are in a relatively bad condition. After tidying up, cleaning and renovating, cosy and inviting rooms for reading and learning will be created here. With approximately ten pupils, the first room were already freed from the dirt.

Here are some pictures of the first week of the two in the village.

 

 

We are looking forward to hearing from you again soon and seeing new pictures.

Thanks to all the helpers and supporters for this super great, successful Sunday at the flea market! Thanks to you we have recollected 180 € for the ABC playground.

 

 

 

 

 

Shopping, shopping, shopping …

Mark the 20^th of January in your calendar. We will sell our belongings and unwanted Christmas gifts at the flea market in the Huxleys. All the proceeds go to our current Nepal project.

Where: Hasenheide 107-113                                                                                                             When: 10am – 4pm                                                                                                                         Further information: http://indoormarkt.de/

We look forward seeing you!

Steffi gives a brief summary of her work ….

11.11.2012 Development of a play focused on Gender Based Violence in Lubowa during the event of the Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) “Uganda at 50 – the journey in combating Gender Based Violence (GBV)” on 26.11.2012 in the Makerere University on the topic of violence against women.

14.11.2012 First meeting for the circus project (information will shortyly follow)

15.11.2012 Arrival of the partner groups from Bukwo, Kapchorwa and Karamoja. Together with three members of Rafiki Theater, they will travel to South Sudan to participate in a meeting of different theater groups.

18.11.2012 Development of a piece on “tribalism”. The tribes of Pokot, Sapiny and the Karamojang are always waging war. One steal the cattle of the others, kill and rape. The play is about both the accusations and prejudices of the individual tribes, as well as how people in the city think about traditional tribes living in the bush and living with their cows. For the piece, a survey was used as a material in Kampala, a biographical material of the tribe members, traditional tribes and members of the tribe.

20.11.2012  Preparation for the workshop on the development of an Integrated Research Monitoring Framework for the Human Rights Project, organized by the Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) and the National Planning Authority Uganda (NPA)

– The performance took place at the Hotel Africana to celebrate the Global Week of Action of World Vision’s Child Health Now Campaign.

21.11.2012 – 23.11.2012  Monitoring and Evaluation Workshop of the GIZ and the NPA.

Lecture on the work of Rafiki Theater in general and evaluations of cooperation with GIZ and NPA on gender based violence in the Bukwo and Kween District Uganda in the period from August 2012 to July 2013.

Participation in monitoring and evaluation training.

23.11.2012  Participation in the child rights event of the National Planning Authority Uganda (NPA) on Child Sacrifice. Discussion of the topics and gathering information and facts for a planned piece on the subject. Planned cooperation with HumaneAfrica. http://www.humaneafrica.org/

25.11.2012  Opening of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender

Violence Campaign. Parade of Rubaga Church to the Pope Paul Training Center, led by big dolls. Next information on the Rafiki Theater at the Pope Paul Training Center and performance of the Partnertheater group of Rafiki Theater “Chosen”.

 

The ABC playground

At the Tibetan border, in a small mountain village,

Beautiful children need a new library. This is yours

Chance WalkAlong eV.

The entire building is ailing and needs new book shelves,

Especially because the villagers really want it and they will be actively involved!

For the learning and teaching program

Great spaces are needed.

Help us realizing this dream.

In Karmidanda, the mountain village, children will be very happy if you help them.

Join us promoting the right of education, especially

Keeping in mind that every kid must have the same chance to learn

Like our kids!

Make this project alive and help us supporting the Shree Mahendra Navavijayee Secondary School.

Nepal is one of the most beautiful, but at the same time poorest, country

Of the entire world.

The goal of WalkAlong eV is to improve the educational standards and raise kids with

Questioning minds!

Respect the local culture and take little

Steps in order to reach our goal is for us

The key.

Uniquely together we can help the

Volunteers of

W alk Along eV to create a better future!

Future = education + cultural exchange

With our ABC poem, we would like to ask for your support in the creation of the library of Karmidanda. A total of 1000 euros is required for all the materials and related works.

Your little help can do a lot for this kids!