On February 18, 2016, Pax Earth provided educational and hygienic materials to nearly 200 earthquake affected students (50% were girls) of Shree Raktakali Primary School, Shree Kalika Primary School and Shree Seti Devi Primary School situated in Kanpur VDC, Kavrepalanchok, Nepal. Similarly, Pax Earth planted 21 fruit plants in these schools.
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On February 18, 2016, loading all the educational and hygienic materials in a micro-van, a 14-member Pax Earth team led by Program Coordinator Guna Raj Pyakurel along with Joint Coordinator Manohar Sapkota, President Sujan Koirala, Secretary Binod P. Mainali, Board Member Laxman B. Pahari, Members: Laxman Neupane, Kapil Deuja, Shiva Hari Mainali ‘Sital’, Prabin Giri, fruit development officer from Central Horticulture Center Ramhari Prasad Upadhyay, well-wishers: Rounik Aryal, Rosy Kasula, Sangita Ghimire Mainali and Akriti Shakya Shrestha headed for Kavre from the Secretariat.
The team arrived at Shree Seti Devi Primary School at 11:50am. Upon arrival at the school, each team member was warmly welcomed by Principal Ram Lalla Thakur, teachers and students. Then, President Koirala and Coordinator Pyakurel divided entire team into six sub-teams consisted of two members for each class (Playgroup: Laxman B. Pahari and Shiva Hari Mainali ‘Sital’, Class 1: Laxman Neupane and Rounik Aryal, Class 2: Prabin Giri and Rosy Kasula, Class 3: Binod P. Mainali and Akriti Shakya Shrestha; Class 4: Manohar Sapkota and Sangita Ghimire Mainali and Class 5: Guna Raj Pyakurel and Kapil Deuja) and briefed about the program. Accordingly, the sub-teams distributed the educational materials (such as notebooks, pencils, ball-pens, erasers and sharpeners) and hygienic materials (such as toothbrushes, toothpastes and soaps) to the students in each class with the help of class teachers. These materials are expected to be enough to support in their study for the next four months. They also distributed some candies to the students. Total 93 students are currently studying from play group through class 5 in this school and 80 students were present on that day. The sub-teams handed the educational and hygienic materials of the absent (13) students to the class teachers. The sub-teams handed a small token of educational and hygienic materials to five teachers as well. Pax Earth has been supporting in the education of these underprivileged students since 2013. No formal ceremony or address was observed during the distribution.
The massive earthquake of last April had destroyed the old building of the school. The Pax team had built a temporary school with two rooms in June 2015. The team members were quite satisfied to observe its utilisation. The students are enjoying their study in this temporary school after the earthquakes. The condition of the temporary school was so good that it has been running class 4 and class 5 without any interruption for the last 9 months.
The program was not limited to the distribution only, the team headed by fruit development expert Upadhyay sir observed tree plantation area particularly the fruits plants planted previously. He was quite delighted to see the progress of the fruits plants. He appreciated the teachers and the students for taking care of the fruits plants. He also gave some useful advices to protect these plants. The team formerly planned to plant seven fruit plants to indicate symbolically 7-years of founding of the organisation. However, considering the limitation of the time, the team could plant only one plant following the proper instruction of Upadhyay sir. President Koirala, Coordinator Pyakurel and a few members involved in planting a pear plant and put water on it. The team handed the remaining six plants (apple 2 pcs, pear 1 pc, persimmon 1 pc, walnut 1 pc and peacanut 1 pc) to Principal Thakur to plant later in the day. Upadhyay sir handed a branch cutter to the Principal as well. After receiving warm farewell, the team set off for the next school – Shree Kalika Primary School located at Kalikasthan, Ward No. 2.
The team arrived at Shree Kalika Primary School at 1:30pm. Principal Ram Lal Shrestha, teachers and students warmly greeted each member. They welcomed each team member with red tika and marigold garland. Without any formality, the sub-teams distributed the educational materials (such as notebooks, pencils, ball-pens, erasers and sharpeners) and hygienic materials (such as toothbrushes, toothpastes and soaps) to the students in their respective classes with the help of class teachers. These materials will help in their study for the next four months. They also distributed some candies to the students. Currently 20 students from playgroup through class 3 are studying in this school and 18 students were present on that day. The sub-teams handed the educational and hygienic materials of the absent (2) students to the class teachers. The sub-teams handed a small token of educational and hygienic materials to three teachers as well. Few new students were seen coming at the school to develop a study habit for the next academic year. The team distributed a notebook and a pencil to about 10 such students. The team also distributed some pair of shocks to the students and new recruits sponsored by Scientology Volunteer Minister. Pax Earth has been supporting in the education of this school since 2010.
Likewise, the Pax team along with Upadhyay sir observed the tree and fruits plants planted in previous visits. He was quite delighted to observe the progress of the fruits plants. He admired the teachers for taking a good care of the fruits plants. He also gave some useful advices to care and protect these plants. Then, President Koirala, Coordinator Pyakurel and others involved in planting an apple true and showered water on it. Due to the time limitation, the team handed the remaining six plants (apple 2 pcs, pear 1 pc, persimmon 1 pc, walnut 1 pc and peacanut 1 pc) to the Principal Shrestha to plant later. Upadhyay sir handed a branch cutter to the Principal as well. No formality was observed in this school too. The team, after receiving warm farewell, headed for the final destination – Shree Raktakali Primary School, Kot Timal.
The team arrived at Shree Raktakali Primary School at 2:40pm. Principal Hira Kaji Tamang, teachers and students warmly greeted and welcomed the Pax members with red tika and khadda. Without any delay, the sub-teams distributed the educational materials (such as notebooks, pencils, ball-pens, erasers and sharpeners) and hygienic materials (such as toothbrushes, toothpastes and soaps) to each student in their respective classes with the help of class teachers. These materials will be enough for the next four months. They also distributed some candies to the students. Total 70 students are currently studying from play group through class 5 in this school and 60 students were present on that day. The sub-teams handed the educational and hygienic materials of the absent (10) students to the class teachers. The sub-teams handed a small token of educational and hygienic materials to five teachers as well.
Like in Shree Seti Devi Primary School, the massive earthquake of last April had also damaged the old building of the school. The Pax team had built a temporary school with two rooms in September 2015. The team members were quite encouraged to see that the students are enjoying their study in this temporary school after the earthquakes. The condition of the temporary school was quite nice that it has been running class 4 and class 5 without any interruption for the last 6 months. Some members recalled their school days sharing time with the students inside the temporary school.
Upadhyay sir led the Pax team in observing the plantation area particularly the fruits plants planted previously. He was happy with the progress of the fruits plants. He appreciated the teachers and the students for taking good care of the fruits plants. He also gave some key advices to protect these plants. Like in former two schools, due to time limitation, the Pax team could only plant a tree in this school two. President Koirala along with Coordinator Pyakurel and a few members planted a persimmon plant and handed the remaining six plants (apple 2 pcs, pear 1 pc, persimmon 1 pc, walnut 1 pc and peacanut 1 pc) to the Principal Tamang to plant later in the day. Likewise, Upadhyay sir handed a branch cutter to the Principal as well. The school had offered some cups of teas and biscuits to the Pax members.
After the hi-tea and receiving farewell from the teachers and the students, the team headed for Duee Pokhari – one of the favourite tourist sites in Kot Timal. The team members managed to kill the tiredness and get refreshed on the lap of nature for some time. The team could enjoy some cold drinks and snacks there. The team left for Kathmandu at 5:00pm. It was already 8:30pm while the team arrived at Kathmandu.
Pax Earth feels privileged to contribute to the education and hygiene of these underprivileged children for the past six years and supporting them after the devastating earthquake was a different feeling and satisfaction. The Pax team is quite happy as they could contribute to underprivileged children’s rights to education. Similarly, Pax Earth could add 21 trees in the earth. Yes, Pax Earth cares for education and environment!
Reported by PEN Secretariat!
Acknowledgements:
Pax Earth would like to extend hearty thanks to:
President Sujan Koirala, Secretary Binod P. Mainali, Committee Member Manohar Sapkota, Laxman Neupane, Laxman B. Pahari, Debraj Ghimire and Rounik Aryal for the procurement and packing of the educational and hygienic materials.
Fruit Development Officer of Central Horticulture Center Ramhari Prasad Upadhyay for managing 21 fruit plants and Member Kapil Deuja and Well-wisher Tarun Ranjan Dutta for bringing trees from the Center.
Well-wishers Devinder Thapa and Rounik Aryal for sponsoring candies and some of the hygienic materials.
Scientology Volunteer Minister for providing shocks for the students.
Parents of Secretary Binod P. Mainali for offering teas and delicious snacks at their home.
Driver Harindra Lal Shrestha and assistant Arjun Basnet for offering a sound traveling in the treacherous road.
Last but not the least, Coordinator Guna Raj Pyakurel and Joint Coordinator Manohar Sapkota along with all team members for conducting the distribution and tree plantation program successfully.
