SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

Okhaldhunga, District of the Himalayas - This small paradise on the earth is in the Everest Region. It is located in the North-East part of Nepal. Okhaldhunga is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. If Okhaldhunga is viewed with sacred vision, it has numerous fascinating sights. VIN’s Project site (Taluwa, Bhadaure, and Thulachhap communities) is on the South-East part of the district headquarters, Okhaldhunga. From Kathmandu, the bus route is about 250 km, which is a rough trip that takes one day (9-12 hrs). In Okhaldhunga, VIN implements an integrated approach to community development. Because of the geographical situation, it has limited developmental activities and facilities. Unlike Kathmandu, Okhaldhunga has a number of illiterate people. Okhaldhunga lacks proper education facilities. Due to the lack of education facilities, young people move from Okhaldhunga to other cities like Kathmandu or fly abroad to secure proper education. There are schools, but they don’t impart quality education. Not many people complete high school due to poverty, not having good schools, resources, and geographical remoteness. According to VIN’s baseline survey, only 91.56% of children have been attending school regularly, but 1.44% of children are not regular in school. Similarly, 10.42% of students drop out of school. 2.99% of families are well aware of child rights, and 20.69% of families know a fair amount about child rights. But, 76.30% of families do not know anything about child rights. Most children who drop out are involved in household work, field/farm work, household plowing, agriculture labor, collecting grass/firewood, grazing cattle, etc. Work camps will be organized with local community schools and community stakeholders to create a child-friendly teaching and learning environment. Most of the schools lack basic infrastructures like school buildings, education material, playgrounds, and drinking water. Volunteers can make a big difference in the daily lives of these children by providing the necessities listed above and educating children through fun and creative ways. The work camp will also involve teaching children from poor and marginalized communities in formal and non-formal schools about Basic English and Mathematics, Health and Hygiene, and Environmental protection through creative learning methods like art, music, games etc. There will also be house visits and meetings with local people as part of inter-cultural learning and awareness of health and hygiene. In addition, volunteers will also get a chance to participate in simple renovation work at local schools and engage in activities like painting, tree plantation, protection from landslides, etc. As part of the cultural exchange, volunteers will witness and participate in the available cultural programs with the local community.