Nepal is a wonderful country with wonderful people. Some of the world’s most magnificent views and spiritual experiences can be found there. Yet 25% of the Nepali people live below the International Poverty Line of US$5.00 per day for a family of four.
Many people live in areas that have no roads, no electricity, no telephones, no hospitals, and no schools.
These subsistence farmers rarely have any schooling and little time to worry about educating their children.
However, some of those subsistence farmers have moved their families closer to Kathmandu, the largest city, for a better chance of getting work and improving the future of their children. Having no education, many of these parents have become “dump pickers,” looking through trash at the Kathmandu dump for whatever they can sell to recyclers.
They live in the town of Tinpiple, close to the dump site, hoping to make one US dollar per day, which is more than they had before, but not enough to significantly improve their lives.
Art For Education (AFE) is one of the few organizations that has been able to improve the future of these families by providing English speaking education to their children. English is the primary language used by business people in Nepal and is becoming increasingly important as Nepal does more international business and as tourism increases. Speaking English gives students a huge advantage in future employment. And these children are smart! All boys and girls in the Tinpiple program successfully passed their end of year examinations, and eight children did so well that they skipped a grade.
Art For Education has been solely supported by Giving Asha for the last year. Giving Asha ensures that AFE personnel visit student families twice per month to discuss children’s educational progress, living conditions, and other information. Nutritional and medical information is taught to the parents and the children are taken to dental camp where they are given check-ups and appropriate care. In December, a Christmas program is held to give the children simple but much needed supplies such as socks, underwear, and toothbrushes. In emergencies, Giving Asha has paid for the medical care of the student’s families, to ensure the students can continue their schooling.
Art For Education has been solely supported by Giving Asha for the last year. Giving Asha ensures that AFE personnel visit student families twice per month to discuss children’s educational progress, living conditions, and other information. Nutritional and medical information is taught to the parents and the children are taken to dental camp where they are given check-ups and appropriate care. In December, a Christmas program is held to give the children simple but much needed supplies such as socks, underwear, and toothbrushes. In emergencies, Giving Asha has paid for the medical care of the student’s families, to ensure the students can continue their schooling.
