Project Nepal - A Partnership between ACS Egham Intl School and HANDS International Nepal
ACS Egham Project Nepal Partners with HANDS International to Improve Nutrition in Jana Bhawana Community
In 2016, Project Nepal joined forces with Health and Nutrition in Developing Societies (HANDS) International of Nepal to address the nutritional needs of the Jana Bhawana community. Three full-time Nepalese staff members were hired to assess malnutrition and educate local families on how to address deficiencies.
The initiative is ongoing, with the development of a school garden underway and regular health surveys being conducted. Thanks to a generous donation, this partnership will continue through March 2018.
Enhancing School Attendance and Comfort for Students
In November 2016, Project Nepal received another donation that enabled the purchase of one solar lamp per student and two charging stations for the school. This initiative aims to encourage better attendance.
Additionally, fundraising efforts in November 2016 allowed for the purchase of 78 winterization kits for students and teachers. These kits provide essential winter clothing and blankets.
HANDS International Makes into Final 14
Education in Emergencies - An Education Project for Nepalese Children
Education in Emergencies-EiE - Temporary Learning Centres - A help For Schools Children hit by Earthquake
On April 25th and May 12th, 2015, Nepal was struck by two powerful earthquakes. Measuring 7.8 and 7.3 on the Richter scale respectively, these tremors caused immense tragedy. Over 8,000 lives were lost, and more than 18,000 people were injured.
The impact was widespread, affecting 35 out of Nepal's 75 districts. The devastation stretched from mountainous and hilly regions with scattered rural communities to densely populated areas, including Nepal's two largest cities: Kathmandu and Pokhara.
The worst damage was concentrated in the Central and Western regions, impacting districts like Sindhupalchowk, Kabhrepalanchowk, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dolakha, Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur), Dhading, Kaski, Gorkha, Lamjung, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Makawanpur, Manang, Chitawan, and Nawalparasi.
Education Dashboard:
24,974 classrooms destroyed, Department of Education (DoE) reports estimated 20,071 public and additional 4,903 private school classrooms destroyed, while 9,986 classrooms have reported minor damages but still unsafe for students to carry out their studies inside these classrooms. 870,000 children are out of school, due to destroyed/majorly damaged classrooms 1.6 million enrolled pre-crisis in 14 most affected districts. Hundreds of thousands are affected in other districts by interrupted schooling, damaged classrooms and psychosocial impact (figures from Nepal Education Cluster)
Sindhupalchowk district is one of worst affected districts in recent earthquakes. As per district education officer 95% school buildings in Sindhupalchowk district have suffered damage due to the devastating earthquake occurred on April 25 and May 12 and hundreds of students are unable to restore their schooling as soon schools re-open.
Educational activities are still suspended due to earthquake and government announced to reopen the schools from 30th May, 2015. As per figures shared by district education officer and field visits of schools, describing the crisis as a "children’s emergency," HANDS and its Nepalese partner ECCA have taken steps to provide these children with a safe and supportive environment. To that end, temporary learning and recreational centers are being set up in schools affected by the earthquake.
HANDS model for Education in Emergencies (EiE).
HANDS has taken Education in Emergencies (EiE) as a great challenge and developed education Strategy for establishment of TLCs to ensure education in emergencies.
HANDS vast experience in Education in Emergencies:
HANDS has been actively part of relief, recovery and rehabilitation process of Pakistan earthquake 2005, super flood 2010 and flood in 2011 and 2012 by establishing 100 Temporary Learning Centers in disaster hit areas. HANDS also constructed 25 TLCs aftermath of earthquake in Awaran District BalochistanPakistan. We also rehabilitated 1100 schools and mobilized 120,000 children in these schools through UKAID Funding.
Temporary Learning centers TLCs
At the temporary learning centers, children have the opportunity to learn in a protected environment. Caregivers not only teach the basic primary-school subjects through semi-structured learning but also encourage artistic expression and recreation, which help the children deal with the stress they are under.
During the earthquake, If schools building have been damaged and are at risk for children, a temporary learning center TLCs by using tents, poles and plastic sheeting will utilized to provide temporary learning center and create a safe spaceto conduct educational activities. This model will accommodate and help to start education activities for 40-45 children age 4-12 years until a new school building is constructed.
This initial emergency response emphasizes non-formal approaches, permitting a more flexible deployment of space, time and materials, which takes into consideration the unstable situation at the onset of an emergency.
MoU with Education Department, District Sindhupalchowk.
HANDS in partnership with ECCA signed a MOU with District Education Department Sindulpalchowk to establish 15 TLCs in four schools to help 600 earthquake affected students for their education by providing opportunity to learn in a protected environment and continue their education and recreational activities.
HANDS will establish 15 TLCs in ward 1 & 2 of Sindulpalchowk district where schools building are fully damaged and students have no place to continue their educational and recreational activities.
HANDS & ECCA will establish TLCs in following schools in ward 1& 2 in District Sindulpalchowk.
1. Siddiqkamaldevi secondary school
2. Dalshinjali lower secondary school
3. Begosheri lower secondary school
4. Sita primary school
Standard specification for TLCs
As per Bill of Quantity (BOQ) and drawings provided by Nepal Education department.
Cost of each model:
Total cost for one TLC model is 1500 US $
The Following activities are planned to carry out while implementing the project.
· Signing MOU with education department
· Technical need assessment
· Establish Temporary Learning Centre, especially for girls protection
· Re-enroll student/children (Girls and Boys)
· Ensure girls attendance and session will be conducted with parents
· Ensure teachers presence with support of district education department
· Conduct training of teachers regarding EIE & joyful learning environment
· Provide learning material
· Provide white board and mate for seating
· Meeting with DEO for coordination and support from education department provide textbooks for children
· Provision of indoors and out door games material ( Gender-specific separately for girls and boys)
· Conduct health & hygiene session with children & parents
· Each TLC maintains a record of learners’ – by sex and age - enrolment, drop-out
· Conduct monitoring visits
· Share monthly reports with Education officials & Education Cluster
Partnership of HANDS International & ECCA (Nepalese Partner)
HANDS, considering its huge technical capacity and experience will support ECCA to implement the TLCs project in earthquake hit areas. HANDS will provide all training module and TLC related technical skills to ECCA to smoothly achieve the objectives of TLC model. ECCA’s role will be to implement, facilitate and monitor overall project.
HANDS International Responds to Earthquake in Nepal
A massive earthquake measuring 7.9 magnitude struck Nepal, leaving a devastating trail of destruction. Sadly, over 5,000 lives have been lost (and the numbers are still rising), with countless others injured. Homes and infrastructure have been shattered, leaving survivors in dire need of help.
Standing with Nepal
HANDS International stands in solidarity with the strong people of Nepal during this difficult time. We urge your generous support to help those affected by the earthquake.
Funds will be used for:
Essential Relief Supplies: Providing food, water, and shelter to the over 1.4 million people in need.
First Aid and Medical Facilities: Treating the injured and ensuring access to critical medical care.
Psychological Support Services: Helping survivors cope with the trauma of the earthquake.
The Situation in Nepal
As of April 27th, the death toll has surpassed 5,000, with over 6,800 reported injuries.
An estimated 8 million people across 39 districts are affected, with over 2 million living in the most severely impacted areas.
Food, water, shelter, and medication are the most pressing needs for survivors.
Our Response
HANDS International, in collaboration with HANDS Pakistan, is sending a specialized team of medical professionals to Nepal. This team includes orthopaedic surgeons, experienced doctors, anaesthetists, and paramedics. Working alongside the Kathmandu teaching hospital, Rehabilitation Response, and the Ministry of Health, HANDS International will establish surgical camps to provide crucial medical support to the victims.
Financial Commitment
HANDS International has already committed £20,575 towards relief efforts. Additionally, Medico International has generously donated €20,000. Fundraising continues in partnership with organizations like MCEC.
Collaboration for Impact
HANDS International has joined forces with UN Muslim Welfare, Life USA, Baitul Maal USA, MCEC, Children In Need, and Al Khair Foundation to deliver comprehensive emergency relief to Nepal.