Contentskaruna-shechen.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Nepal-2014-Half... · Contents Location of Karuna-Shechen Projects in Nepal 1 Highlights until June 2014 2 Health 3 Education

Contents

Location of Karuna-Shechen Projects in Nepal 1

Highlights until June 2014 2

Health 3

Education 4

Social & Environmental 5

Financial Summary 6

CHAPTER 1

Location of Karuna-ShechenProjects in Nepal

Districts where Karuna-Shechen Projects are located highlighted in blue

Details

Humla: Mahaboudha High School and 7 Primary and Lower-Secondary Schools SupportDolpa: Construction of a Primary SchoolDailekh: Solar Home LightingJajarkot: Solar Home LightingSurkhet: Pelvic Organ Prolapse (PoP) & Solar Home LightingBaglung: Pelvic Organ Prolapse (PoP)Kathmandu: Shechen Clinic & Hospice, & Mobile Medical ClinicsKavre: 3 Primary Schools Support, Rainwater Harvesting & Solar Home LightingRamechhap: Primary School Support Dhanusha: 2 Schools Support, Malnutrition & Pelvic Organ Prolapse (PoP)Morang: School Support & Pelvic Organ Prolapse (PoP)Sunsari: Pelvic Organ Prolapse (PoP)

Highlights from January to June 2014

CHAPTER 2

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (PoP) programs launched in 5 districts; up to 50,000 women will directly benefit.

Construction of 1 Rainwater Harvesting System completed in a school; 2 other systems currently under-construction; agreement just signed to construct a new system in another school.

Student enrollment and exam pass rate have increased in 6 Mid-Hill and Terai schools supported by Karuna-Shechen, while the student dropout rate has decreased.

Advance First Aider Training, under Disaster and Emergency Response Program, continued. 60 people already trained, while for the 2013 batch, a mock training drill was held at Shechen Monastery, with H.H Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche gracing the occasion and distributing certificates to the participants.

2 Nepalese women from a remote village in Kavre district completed 6 months of solar electrification training program in Rajasthan, India. They have now returned to their village to help electrify their area.

Shechen Clinic & Hospice is starting to attract students for elective study courses from prestigious institutions like Harvard University

CHAPTER 3

Health

In Nepal, the performance of government hospitals, where treatment is free, is rather poor. In private hospitals, treatments can be very expensive and unaffordable for many. In this situation, the poor and the disadvantaged are trapped between seeking treatment in government hospitals, where they know their disease may never be diagnosed or treated properly, and in private hospitals, where they could lose all their life’s savings. Shechen Clinic & Hospice is attempting to bridge this gap by providing quality treatment free for the poor and underprivileged, and at very affordable rates to those who live above the poverty levels.

Each year, we provide care, counseling and give health awareness programs to over 100 thousand patients through our Clinic, mobile medical clinics, NGOs and health workers.

In 2014, our activities have continued to expand. While our Clinic and mobile clinics continue to grow popular, our Pelvic organ Prolapse programs are now running in 5 districts and our Malnutrition program in 1 district. By the end of 2014, these programs will have reached women and children never reached before. Additionally, the programs will also strive to change the mentality of the society so that the stigmas attached to many diseases can be eradicated, and people can come forward to seek timely treatment.

Health Facts of Nepal

Total Population 27.4 millionHuman development index (of 194 countries) 126Life expectancy at birth: 67Probability of dying under five (per 1000 birth) 42Underweight children under 5 28.8%Total physician (per 1000 people) .021Stunting, moderate & severe (%) 40.5Total expenditure on health per capital (in US$) 80

Different Departments of Shechen Clinic

The Dental Department and Dental Lab treated 3246 patients until the end of June 2014. The Department provides treatments such as root canaling, dental scaling, dental prosthesis, dental repair, dental crowns and bridge fixing. The Department consists of a team of 4 dentists, 2 dental assistants, 1 dental hygienist and 1 dental lab assistant. The working hours of the Department are from 8.45 am to 4.15 pm for 6 days a week (Sunday to Friday).

Dental Department

Monthly patient figure of Dental Department from January to June 2014

JuneMayAprilMarchFebJan

Total 3246

629

525

409

602

532 549

Shechen Clinic’s Dental Team

Out Patient Department

OPD Department treated 5918 patients from January to June 2014. The Department consists of Out-patient medical consultation, Pathology lab, UGS & radiology, Pharmacy and Wound dressing. The 4 doctors and 5 health assistants in the Department provide treatment for 6 days a week (Sunday to Friday) from 8.45 am to 4.15 pm. 96% of the patients treated by the OPD Department were free of charge.

Monthly patient figure of OPD Department from January to June 2014

972


987 974

1072

948 965

Total: 5918

Meeting Dr. Sabina LamaDr. Lama doesn’t think working at Shechen Clinic & Hospice is real work. “It’s social work,” she says. “I am delighted to help the needy.”

For 4 years, Dr. Lama has worked in the OPD and mobile clinics and cured thousands of patients. “Shechen Clinic is like my home,” she says. “From my grandfather, we’ve always been close to Shechen Monastery and all my family supports me so much when I work here.” Dr. Lama has also recently finished her Masters degree in Health-care Management and hopes one day to utilize her degree. At the moment, her every day at Shechen Clinic, helping and curing the patients, is like a blessing to her.

Mobile Outreach Medical Clinic

Monthly patient figure of the departmentfrom January to June 2014

697

789 790

1013

634 661


Total: 4584

76-year-old Hari KrishnaWhen Hari Krishna walks in to our medical clinic every week in Teku Slum, even our medical staff greets him saying, “Oh ho Hari ba!” Ba is father in Nepal. He talks to the nurses, the doctor and even patients waiting for checkup.

With his ever-present smile and friendly nature, he is a popular figure in the clinic. Hari Krishna comes from a very remote and mountainous region of Easter Nepal. Having lost all his prop-erty, he was forced to live in a slum. He worked as a bus driver and then as a mechanic. Now, he’s retired and lives on his saving. “Without this clinic,” says Hari Krishna, “all my savings would have already finished in medical treatment.”

Manoj Gurung (wearing blue shirt), mobile clinic coordinator, with mobile clinic team

Our Mobile Medicine Clinics reach out to remote villages around Kathmandu Valley to treat the underprivileged people who cannot afford medical treatment. Every week, our patients in the slums and many deprived areas look forward to our medical clinics to re-ceive treatment. 100% of services and medicines provided are free of charge. Most patients seek treatment for variety of diseases like respiratory track infections, obstructive pulmonary diseases like asthma, diarrhea and gastritis, and other communicable disease like measles, chicken pox and scabies. Complicated cases are either referred to Shechen Clinic or to other hospitals.

Gynecology and Reproductive Health

Gynecology and Reproductive Health Department consists of gynecology consultancy, family planning program and reproductive health (RH) with safe pregnancy and antenatal/postnatal consultancies. The team is composed of 3 medical staff - gynecologist, social worker (for counseling sessions of abused women and children) and one RH care worker.


166 168

150144

106

172


Total: 906

” Visiting Shechen Clinic from Udayapur, more than 100 miles away

Min Dhuk Sherpa is a farmer from a remote region. She’s also got multiple health problems, from uterus

prolapse to stomach ache to swelling in the leg. But instead of visiting a closest hospital, she chooses to visit Dr. Kunsang at Shechen Clinic. “I have been seeing her for 5 years now,” says Min Dhuk. “I trust her completely. And I also like visiting Shechen Clinic because of the friendly environment.” Min Dhuk is currently in Kathmandu to help her daughter recover from child birth. “I will be in Kathmandu for 2 weeks,” she continues. “While in Kathmandu, I will come to Shechen Clinic regularly to check and cure all my complications.”

Gynecologist Dr. Kunsang (left) with Nurse Kunzang, her assistant

Himalayan Indigenous Medicine

The Himalayan Indigenous Medicine Department comprises of 4 members - one full time Amchi (doctor), one assistant and two M. F. A. (Medicine fabrication assistant). The traditional Himalayan Indigenous medicine is based on a complex method of diagnosis using a pulse, urine and or tongue examination. Remedies (medicines) are produced directly in Shechen Clinic’s Medicine Factory with me-dicinal herbs and minerals (200 different types of herbs).


181


153 157 154

130144

Total: 919

38-year-old Ramita’s storyAfter years of continued menstrual pain when Ramita’s friend recommened her to visit the resident Amchi of Shechen Clinic, she was hesitant. She had, after all, never heard

of Amchi and Himalayan medicines. But her current medication wasn’t working so she came reluctantly. Ramita makes handicrafts to supplement her husband’s income. The pain meant she couldn’t work, resulting in loss of additional income. At our Himalayan Indigenous Medicine Department, she learnt of new ways to cure her problem. The medicine she got was completely new to her. But after a month of treatment, her pain completely disappeared. She even returned to the Amchi to ask if her chest pain could be cured. Today, Ramita is a regularly visitor and even advises her friends to visit Shechen Clinic.

Amchi Sonam (left) with her medical team

DOTS & DressingMonthly patient figure of the department

from January to June 2014

49

5769

97

109


98

Total: 475

DOTS or Directly Observed Treatment Short Course is the name given to the World Health Organization recommended tuberculosis control strategy. Shechen Clinic’s DOTS Center is approved by the Government of Nepal and provides diagnosis and free distribution of medicines for the TB patients. The diagnosed TB patients take medication for the entire 6 months under the direct supervision of DOTS Center’s medical staff. The DOTS Center at Shechen Clinic also has a Dressing Section, and together the Department treated 475 patients from January to June 2014. All medicine distributed was free of charge.

Hospice Monthly patient figure of the departmentfrom January to June 2014

7

11

4

7

8


7

Total: 44

The Hospice admitted 44 patients in 2014. The occupancy rate was 75%. The Hospice has 7 beds and the medical team consists of 5 nurses with 4 support staff who work round the clock to provide 24 hours service. Dr. Suresh Maharjan, visiting Oncologist, comes to the Clinic twice a week to examine and supervise patients care. Our medical staff provides compassionate end-of-life care and creates a loving atmosphere while caring for the patients.

Hospice team

Elective Program student from Havard University at Hospice

Shechen Clinic & Hospice is starting to attract students from prestigious institutions around the world to do elective study courses at the Clinic. The elective study program is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about medical practices in Nepal and the Clinic. The students will learn a lot from our resident medical teams by shadowing them, holding discussions and debates, and investigating different cases. This year, Pema Sherpa of Harvard

University, is undergoing an elective study course at the Clinic related to the chaplainship specialty. She is currently studying for a Masters degree in Psychology and Buddhist Studies.

Pathology, Radiology and USG

Radiographers and Path Lab Technicians of Shechen Clinic

Homoeopathy

Dr. Ambika Gyawali

Pathology Lab

The Pathology Lab employs one full time and one part time Lab Technician. The Lab conducts all basic tests to help diagnose different diseases. If further complicated investigations are required Shechen Clinic works with other pathology labs in Kathmandu to carry out the fur-ther tests.

Breakdown of Total Test Figure of Pathology Lab from Jan. to June 2014

Male Female Children Total657 1090 345 2113

USG

Radiologist Dr. Banita Shrestha comes to Shechen Clinic every Saturday from 7 to 8.30 am. Most ultrasound scans are carried out mainly in the pelvic-abdomen area to de-termine the state of kidneys, liver and uterus; and in ante-natal women, to determine the health of the pregnancy. If any emergency ultrasound is required during the week, it is currently carried out in other facilities in Kathmandu.

Breakdown of Total Test Figure of USG Department from Jan. to June 2014


X-Ray

Two part-time Radiographers work in X-ray Department which is open from 9 to 4.30 pm every day. Though all body parts are x-rayed to diagnose different diseases, x-ray of the chest and lower back area are done the most. The chest x-rays help in determining pneumonia, bronchitis, TB, etc., while lower back x-rays discloses possible causes of back pain and arthritis.

Breakdown of Total Test Figure of X-Ray Department from Jan. to June 2014


Dr. Gyawali is one of the foremost Homoeopathy practitioners in Nepal. He has also been involved with Shechen Clinic since the very beginning. He currently comes to Shechen Clinic once a week for just 2 hours, but there is always a long queue of people waiting to consult him and take treatment. “I happened to come here because I used to treat many foreign patients”, says Dr. Gyawali, “and through them I happened to treat Yangsi Rinpoche. And it is from there that Dominque, our first Clinic Director, came to know me and I was asked to be part of Shechen Clinic.”

Dr. Gyawali says Homoeopathy is a wonderful way to heal an illness. He says, “it’s cheap, has no side effects, is a holistic healing method, and you work with the symptoms, not by suppressing them but by considering them friends that can lead you to where the problem is, so that it can be tackled”. For many diseases like arthritis and diabetes, Homoeopathy offers effective long-term solutions as compared to other treatments. From Jan. to June 2014, Dr. Gyawali has treated 68 patients in the Clinic.

Patient Statistics of Shechen Clinic

2711 26962565

3097

24862602


Total Patients: 16,157

Department wise Patient Statistics of January-June 2014

Monthly Patient Figure of January-June 2014

36%

48.5%

15.5%

Male

Female

Children

Male, Female and Children Patient Ration

1555

535

1254

2280 2243

5217

3073

70 +20-6920-4915-195-141-41 yr

Total Patients: 16,157

Age Range of Patients

Out Patient Department - 5916 (36.62%)

Mobile Clinic - 4584 (29.37%)

Dental - 3246 (20.09%)

Himalayan Medicine - 918 (5.68%)

Reproductive Health - 906 (5.61%)

DOTS & Dressing - 475 (2.94%)

Others - 68 (0.42%)

Hospice - 44 (.027%)

Images of Shechen Clinic

Support staff who make Shechen Clinic tick everyday

Street drama being organized in Dhanusha District to disseminate information about Pelvic organ Prolapse. The event was organized by CFWA, a local partner of Karuna-Shechen.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse (PoP)

In 2011, Karuna-Shechen partnered with One Heart Worldwide to launch the PoP program in Nepal. After having funded the development of a national curriculum for addressing PoP problem in 2013; in 2014, our PoP program has expanded to reached 5 districts and will benefit up to 50,000 women directly. We are now working with 4 local NGOs in 28 Village Development Committees (VDCs).

Below is the list of NGOs Karuna-Shechen is working with, the district where they operate, and the activities in 2014. NGO District ActivitiesOne Heart Worldwide

Baglung (10 VDCs)

• Use government network to reach women• Train local health workers and female community health workers• Involve government health workers for screening camps to find women with mthe problem and advice exercise for 1st degree case, insert ring pessary for 2nd mdegree cases and suggest operation for 3rd degree cases• Run awareness campaigns alongside screening camps

Community Family Welfare Association (CFWA)

Dhanusha(10 VDCs)

• Use government network, train female community health workers• Use social mobilisers, hired and trained by the CFWA, to reach local villages and campaign through one-to-one counseling• Massive awareness campaign, e.g. organize street dramas to inform local people about PoP; set up stalls in local markets to tell people about PoP and install banners, banners and hoarding boards; use schools to target adolescents to inform them about PoP• Work with government officials to strength support for PoP programs and work mwith government hospitals to operate 3rd degree PoP cases for free

Aawaaj Surkhet (2 VDCs)

• Awareness campaign using social mobiliser to inform mother’s group, cooperative groups and other local groups• Screen program to detect women with PoP cases and advice exercise for 1st degree case, insert ring pessary for 2nd degree cases, and operation for 3rd degree cases• Utilize government network to orient female health works

Nari Bikash Sangha Morang and Sunsari

(6 VDCs)

Same as CFWA program in Dhanusha

Malnutrition

5 Reasons for Malnutrition in Nepal

1. Poor health

2. Poor sanitation

3. Outdated early childcare practices

4. Lack of investment in agriculture

5. Not on priority setting

Diarrhea is Nepal’s leading cause of deaths among children under five. In 2011, of the 1.7 million reported cases of diarrhea only 38 percent of children saw a healthcare provider.

More than three million people do not have access to safe drinking water.

55 percent of rural mothers do not receive antenatal care while babies are not fed nutritious food, especially after six months.

Food insecurity in remote areas and unavailability of nutritious food, combined with poverty, has had a dramatic impact on nutrition.

Political instability, no village level election and neglect from central government have all contributed to the worsening of malnutrition.

In 2014, Karuna-Shechen launched a malnutrition program in 6 VDCs of Dhanusha district. The program will benefit up to 5 thousand children and women directly. We are partnering with Community Family Welfare Association (CFWA), a local NGO, to implement the program in the district.

Program Structure

CFWA will conduct widespread awareness programs, which includes giving orientation to parents and pregnant women about how they can eat healthy food. In local festivals, CFWA will set up stalls to explain how malnutrition can be prevented. CFWA will also conduct surveys to locate severe malnutrition cases and bring suffering children to Nutrition Rehabilitation Center.

Around 300 families will also be trained on how to set up a kitchen garden in their homes. This involves teaching locals about nutritional values of different vegetables and how they can grow them in their garden to supplement their dietary needs. A revolving fund of Nepali Rupees 250 thousand will also be set up under the program so that trained families can take a loan of up to 1 thousand for setting up their kitchen garden.

Disaster & Emergency Response Program

On 10 March 2014, a Disaster Response Drill and Graduation Ceremony was organized at Shechen Monastery for 49 monks and 7 other people trained as Advance First Aiders in 2013. The occasion was graced by H.H. Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche. On the occasion, H.H. Yangsi Rinpoche distributed certificates to the participants.

The Advance First Aid Training under the Disaster & Emergency Response Program has continued in 2014. This year, Shechen Clinic, working with Nepal Disaster and Emergency Medicine Center (NADEM), started training people from all walks of life. In 2013, the training was provided mostly to the monks of various monasteries in Nepal.

Until the end of June 2014, 61 people (37 male/24 female) in total were trained in 4 groups. The participants from both rural villages and urban centers participated in the training program. Many were trekking and mountaineering guides.

The trained first aiders have now returned to their communities and practice the skills they have acquired. They will record problems they encounter, learn from helping people and if required will request Shechen Clinic for more advance or specific first aid training.

Different phases of Advance First Aid Training program First Aid Center at Nyingma Payul Monastery

After 7 monks from Payul Monastery in Pharping were trained by Shechen Clinic, the monks have now setup their own first aid and emergency support center at their monastery. The monks will provide 24 hours support to more than 300 monks of the monastery and will also help the local people. The monks are expected to learn from the experience and if required update their skills with new training at Shechen Clinic.

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

2 weeks training at Shechen Clinic and NADEM Centerreturn to community to practice and collect data on emergency health care assessment and if require build an ‘emergency disaster support’ centerfurther specific training at Shechen Clinic and NADEM Center as requested by the participantsreturn back to community to collect data on emergency health care assessment and first aid service1-2 day Feedback Seminar and Re-evaluation Training

CHAPTER 4

Education

Most of the children, from 40% of Nepal’s population classified as poor or deprived, study in community schools. As education is crucial for future prosperity, the community schools play a very important role in educating young Nepalese students and hence, offer opportunities to break the cycle of poverty many of them are currently trapped in. But these schools often fail to motivate students to study and complete their education.

There are two very important reasons for this. Firstly, the community schools depend on the Government for the funding and the supply of teachers. But both the funds and the teachers the government provides are not enough to run the schools properly. Secondly, in most schools, the management committees that are responsible for the overall running of the schools, do not play an active role and this is a contributing factor in the overall degeneration of the schools.

Karuna-Shechen’s school support program in Nepal currently supports 1 secondary and 13 primary (up to 5th grade) or lower secondary (up to 8th grade) community schools. We work with the management committees to improve the quality of the education the schools can impart, so that the committee members can start to play an active and a stronger role in the running of the schools, and any positive changes we bring can be sustained for many years to come. We also support the schools to hire local teachers so that the schools can have adequate number of teachers. We also assist in providing uniforms and textbooks for the students, as well as strengthen and upgrade the infrastructure, where necessary. Our ultimate goal is to provide excellent working models for the Government to replicate in other community schools, and with it also bring changes to the educational policy.

Mahaboudhha Secondary School, Yalbang, Humla

With the support of Karuna-Shechen, the Mahabouddha Secondary School continues to provide quality education to the local people of Upper Humla. Currently, 319 students are studying in the school, out of which 210 are girls. There are 242 students staying at the hostel.

In 2014, Karuna-Shechen is supporting the school in various ways. They are:

• Sponsoring 130 children so they study in the school and stay in the hostel• Ensure the hostel functions smoothly• Construct toilet drainage system• To run a computer training program, which will merge with the SIAB project at the end of the year• Construction of an Infirmary• Support the administration of Himalayan Children Society so they can manage the school project effectively

With this support and the effective supervision of Himalayan Children Society, the Mahabuddha Secondary School is providing quality education and bringing hope to the impoverished and deprived communities of Upper Humla.

Highlights until June 2014

Two students from Mahabouddha Secondary School passed School Leaving Certificate (grade 10 country wise exam) in 2014. This exam is the most important milestone and is also one of the hardest for the students to pass. A person who has passed S.L.C is held in high esteem in Nepal.

The students of Mahabouddha School stood First in the District Level Dance Competition. The event was organized to bring together the students from scattered schools in Humla district and through entertainment motivate them to study well. The students got musical instruments as a prize for winning the competition.

Activity Update of Mahabouddha SchoolComputer Training ProgramIn 2014, Karuna-Shechen started a computer training program with the aim of modernizing the teaching method at the school as well as impart computer skills to the students. Jigme Kunsang, a qualified computer teacher, was hired and 10 desktop computers were purchased to teach the students. The school has finished constructing a computer lab and the purchased computers have all been in-stalled. This project will later merge with SIAB.

Drinking water and construction of water tank

Before After

To meet the growing demand of water in the school and the hostel, the project installed a rainwater harvesting system and also brought water through a pipeline from a river source, so that the children can have running water, and the water can also be used to keep the school and the hostel clean. The construction of water tank to hold the rainwater was completed in June 2014. As part of the project, 8 taps were also installed.

Construction of an InfirmaryThe 4-room infirmary is currently being constructed near the hostel. It had become necessary to construct an infirmary since a large number of students stay in the hostel. The sick students can now be housed in the infirmary during treatment. These students need to be isolated as diseases they have can be communicable. The infirmary also allows the staff to provide special care to the sick students. The construction will be completed in September 2014.

Maintenance of School and HostelAs 242 students are currently studying in the hostel, it is imperative to maintain and smoothly run the hostel. Since food needs to be imported to Humla and stored in large quantities to feed to the children, transportation of the food and storage is a big operation. Food items, like rice, pulses, flour, vegetables and tsampa are stored in large quantities. This year all the windows in the hostel were fitted with glasses to keep the cold away. In the school, a hall ceiling 7 ft. by 12 ft. was constructed, and construction of 250 sets of table and benches for the classrooms started from May.

7 Community Schools Support in Upper Humla

Background

The 7 community schools are located in 7 villages (Yangar, Yari, Muchu, Khangalgaun, Tangin, Gharapari and Hekpa). The total number of students studying in the seven schools is 368, out of which 206 are girls and 162 are boys. There are 30 teachers in all 7 schools (22 government, and 8 hired with support from Karuna-Shechen). The enrolment of girls in primary level has improved but their dropout rate is still higher than desirable due to heavy workload at home, early marriages, lack of awareness from the community and parents, lack of school supplies and monitoring from the government.

Key Objective that Karuna-Shechen wants to achieve in 2014 with 7 Community schools in Upper Humla

1

2

To improve the quality of education in all 7 Community Schools by supplying educational and support materials such as stationeries, textbooks, uniforms and sports items every school. To expand and improve the facilities and infrastructures in the schools so they can provide quality education. For this, these activities are planned:

• Construction of two classrooms and two toilets in Khasarpani School • Construction of two toilets and renovation of classrooms in Motiram Primary School • Provide school furniture and construction two toilets in Chyasara Primary School• Construction of two toilets in Namdu Chomu and Namkha Khungzom

4

5

6

7

8

To provide at least 1 teacher (capable of teaching both English and Tibetan) and if required, one Math/science teacher, in order to run classes smoothly.Provide assistance to the schools to ensure effective staff recruitment, management, development, training, retention and motivation.Network with other stakeholders, INGOs and NGOs working in the child development sector - to share ideas and practices, and to learn from each other.Work closely with the 7 schools, parents, school management committees, and the government, to work out and implement strategies to improve the performance and educational outcomesEnsure the 7 Community Schools comply with all applicable regulatory requirements and all requirements of the government.

Progress of 7 Community Schools in 2014Overcoming ChallengesIt is natural that when there are no roads and people are illiterate and deprived, there will be many problems and challenges. But Karuna-Shechen is focused on overcoming these challenges and bringing quality education to this remote region.

Multi-grade Teaching Due to shortage of teachers in all 7 schools, a single teacher in a single class used to teach students from 2 or more grades. Karuna-Shechen has supported the hiring of teachers to alleviate this problem, but the problem still persists in Arniko school, as qualified teachers are still hard to find in remote places.

Manpower Shortage To construct furniture we have had to import skilled carpenters and keep them in Humla for 7-8 months. Not many want to come and live in Humla. One team of carpenters is currently working hard to make desks, chairs and other furniture in all 7 schools. We also have to work extra hard to find and convince teachers to teach in remote villages of Humla.

Harsh Climate “Good” weather in Humla lasts about 8 months. During this time, the schools open but many local people also take their cattle and the children to higher altitudes for grazing and they live there for 2-3 months. This prevents young children from attending school. Karuna-Shechen, together with our local partner, is successfully convincing local people not to take their children with them.

Illiteracy Due to lack of awareness and education, many local people do not want to participate in improving their local schools even though they feel the need to educate their children. We are now holding regular meetings with parents and local people to change this attitude. Members of management committees are being made aware of their responsibilities so they can work actively to improve the schools. Without community participation, any improvements in the schools will be temporary.

Towards a Brighter FutureMulti-grade teaching will soon disappear from all the schools as Karuna-Shechen will support the hiring of more teachers. All the schools will also have toilets and clean water. The students will have uniforms and textbooks and many schools will also have new classrooms, and chairs and desks. All this will create an ideal learning environment for the students to educate themselves.

Newly constructed classrooms of Buddha Secondary School

Karuna-Shechen Program Officer holding Management Committee meetings

Goals & Activities for the rest of 2014

Despite many challenges, Karuna-Shechen will continue to strengthen the schools. Below is the list of activities for 2014.

Construction of toilets and classrooms will continue

Until the end of December

School support through various activities like providing textbooks, uniforms, teachers, ensuring the classes run smoothly and holding regular meetings with parents and management committees

Until the end of December

Training of school teachers from the 7 community schools

31 July 2014

Continued monitoring and follow up visits to all 7 Schools

End of DecemberManagement Committee meeting being held at

Namkha Khungzom School

Success Story

A year back, Tsedup Zangmo didn’t even want to go to school. She wanted to stay at home and help her parents with household chores. But her father, despite being illiterate, wanted his daughter to study. Tsedup reluctantly attended school. She wore torn clothes and had no textbooks or exercise books to write her homework. Her father was not able to buy these for her, and the school didn’t provide her either. She looked lost and dreamt every summer of taking a long vacation when her family migrated to higher grounds to graze their animals and there they normally

stayed for 2-3 months.

But things changed in 2013 when Karuna-Shechen started to support Namkha Khungzom Primary School in Muchu where she studied. She got textbooks, exercise books, uniform, bag, shoes and socks, and suddenly she wanted to go school. Tsedup said she finally even began to do her homework and study at home. This year, Tsedup was the most improved student in the school, and also had the best handwriting. She says she now has the desire to learn because she has been supported and trusted. Many in her school also feel the same.

Primary School Construction in Dolpa

In one of the most stunning but harshest region in the world, Karuna-Shechen is currently building a school. The Dolpa region, where the school is located, is characterized by high altitude, snow, stunning landscape and lakes. But the region is also backward and most of the people are illiterate. The local people depend on seasonal agriculture and transhumance.

The school will operate under the license of a community school and will be known as Jana Jagriti Primary School. It is being constructed at Seri Village in Mukot Village Development Committee. Seventeen rooms will be constructed out of which six will be classrooms. The rest will be office, toilets, hostel, kitchen and dining rooms. Over 100 students will start studying from 2015 after the construction of the school is completed.

Currently, the local people have to migrate elsewhere to study and face discrimination as they cannot speak Nepali. The people who migrate also risk losing their ability to speak their own language. In the new school in Dolpa, the local language, along with other important subjects, will also be taught.

Local people and ponies carrying wood required for the construction of the school

The site where the school is currently being constructed

Local villagers of Seri Village where the school will be constructed

Panchakanya Primary School

Facts

Total Staff: 8 (7 teachers & 1 support staff)Teacher provided by Karuna-Shechen: 2 teachersTotal number of class: 6Total students: On-going Karuna-Shechen support:

Catchment area of the school:

Total Support Budget for 2014: US $ 3437.29

Provided textbooks and stationery; fencing wall; leased playground for the school Connected with road but the in-habitants poor and deprived; majority farmers or laborers

In March 2014, Panchakanya School announced the start of English medium teaching in the school. For a resource poor school that was facing a closure before the intervention of Karuna-Shechen, this was a major and positive step forward. This move offers greater hope to the students and parents, as English language has become important for the students in Nepal in order to have a brighter future. With this annoucement, the student enrollment is expected to increase even further as this will make the school more popular.

Karuna-Shechen has also worked with the management committee of the school to in-stall a fencing wall around the school, leased a land for a playground, and also provided uniforms and textbooks so thestudents can feel motivated to study better.

Staff of Panchakanya Primary School

42 (21 boys/21 girls)

Sundarimai Primary School

Facts

Total Staff: 8 (7 teachers & 1 support staffTeachers provided by Karuna-Shechen: 3 teachersTotal number of class: 6Total students: 36 (12 boys/24 girls) On-going Karuna-Shechen support:


Total Support Budget for 2014: US $ 3325.35

Provided textbooks and stationery; construction of rainwater harvesting system, teachers provded; construction of 4 toilets Connected with rough road and the inhabitants poor and deprived; majority farmers or laborers

Sundarimai Primary School is located in a rural and deprived region, about 1 hour from Panuati, a local town. The school has 36 students (24 girls and 12 boys) who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and study in the school because it’s free of charge.

Karuna-Shechen began supporting the school from 2013 after realizing how strategically the school was located in its ability to help the deprived local population.

We have currently finished building 4 toilets and are currently about to finish the construction of a rainwater harvesting system. With this, the school will be able to provide a very good environment for the students to study, as without toilets and water, the students often go home to use the toilet and miss a class. They sometimes do not even return.

Karuna-Shechen has also supported the school to hire 3 teachers so all the classes can run smoothly and also provided textbooks, teaching tools and uniforms for the students.

Staff & Chairman of Sundarimai Primary School

Shree Prabhat Primary School

Facts

Total Staff: 7 (4 teachers & 3 support staffTeachers provided by Karuna-Shechen: 3 teachersTotal number of class: 6Total students:

On-going Karuna-Shechen support:


Total Support Budget for 2014: US $ 10,106.825

Provided text-books and statio-nery; construc-tion of rainwater harvesting system, teachers Connected with rough road but the inhabitants poor and de-prived; majority farmers or labor-ers

Shree Prabhat School has the distinct privilege of helping marginalized and Dalit communities as most of the students in their school come from these communities. Though the school has a better building and classrooms compared to other schools we support, the quality of the education it was imparting was below the satisfactory level. Even the management committee of the school wasn’t meeting regularly to ensure the school was running properly.

Now, with the help of Karuna-Shechen, the management committee meets regularly. The local community is also much more interested in how the school is performing since the school also hold regular parent-teacher and community meetings. The school also has clean toilets and classrooms because we have installed rainwater harvesting system in the school. Other activities the school is currently undertaking are: building retaining wall for the support of water tank, involving students in extra-curricular activities like dance, music and others, building newer furniture for classrooms and involving the students and community in tree plantation program.

149 (70 boys/79 girls)

Staff of Shree Prabhat Primary School

Other Schools Supported in Mid-hills & Terai

Tarkeshwori Lower-Secondary SchoolLocated in a remote hill district, the school serves children from largerly deprived community. This is the only school in the area and without it many young children would either be deprived of education or would have to migrate to other villages or towns to study. Extra expenses of sending their children outside their village is beyond the means of many local people. Karuna-Shechen is supporting the school by providing salary for the teachers, and also providing stationeries, textbooks and teaching tools.

Facts: Total number of class: 9Total number of teachers: 8 (3 supported by Karuna-Shechen)Total students: 95 (37 male/58 female)Total Support Budget of 2014: US $ 2570.84

Bajrang Rastriya Primary SchoolThe school is located about 30 minutes from Janakpur, the district headquarter of Dhanusha District. Most of the students come from marginalized and deprived communities. In 2013, we provided benches and chairs to the school as the students were sitting on the floor while studying. In 2014, Karuna-Shechen is providing support for maintaining 2 teachers, providing textbooks, sports equipment and teaching tools.

Facts: Total number of class: 5Total number of teachers: 6 (2 supported by Karuna-Shechen)Total students: 196 (93 male/103 female)Total Support Budget of 2014: US $ 3044.65

Rastriya Lower-Secondary SchoolThe school is located in a remote area. Though connected with a motorable road, there is no public transportation currently serving the area, and this forces the public to walk to go to other places. The local people are all farmers and are mostly poor. The school gives the local children hope for a better future. In 2014, Karuna-Shechen will be building a boundary wall around the school’s compound and provide support to maintain 2 teachers so all classes can run smoothly.

Facts: Total number of class: 9Total number of teachers: 11 (2 supported by Karuna-Shechen)Total students: 460 (216 boys/244 girls)Total Support Budget of 2014: US $ 3152.13

Staff of Bajrang Rastriya Primary School

Children Sponsorship Program

This year, 4 student from our sponsorship program passed School Leaving Certificate (SLC) with very good marks. The students, who all come from very remote areas of Nepal, had been studying in Kathmandu under our sponsorship program, which paid for their tuition fees, and accommodation if they stayed in the hostel. The SLC exam (grade 10) is considered the most important milestone in the educational journey of Nepalese students. It’s also the hardest to pass.

The sponsorship program currently takes care of the education of 26 students (10 boys/16 girls). Next year, further 5 students will appear for SLC exam and the number of students sponsored will be reduced to 21. All these students come from extremely deprived background and their parents are not able to educate them. Total sponsorship budget for 26 children in 2014 by Karuna-Shechen is US $ 13,260.00

Dakshina’s future plans

Dakshina, who passed SLC this year studying under the sponsorship program, wants to visit two countries in future – France and Japan. France because that is where her brother lives with her adopted parents, and Japan because that is where most of the comics and cartoons that Dakshina watches or reads come from. Dakshina, though, doesn’t just read or watch cartoons, she likes to sketch them and write comics too. Her fellow students, Sonam, Pema and Akash, who also passed 10th grade exam from the same school, and studied under Karuna-Shechen scholarship, all said she has a rare

talent for drawing cartoon characters. But at her school, Dakshina never had the chance to develop her talent. “That is why I want to study art,” she said. “I’m looking at studying hotel management too,” she continues. “That is because with that degree I can get work and also go abroad to work in hotels. But with just an arts degree nothing is guaranteed.”

Dakshina could also learn how to draw thanka painting and earn her livelihood from there, but considering how artists in Nepal have difficult earning money, Dakshina is gravitating towards a degree in hotel management. Whatever she decides, Dakshina’s motivation towards life will make sure that she will have a very good future ahead of her. Under our scholarship program, Dakshina, along with 3 of her classmates, have flourished and gained a very important degree. This will hold them in great stead as they pursue higher degrees and better careers. We wish them all the best.

4 students who passed School Leaving Certificate (grade 10) in 2014 and

successfully completed their sponsored school program

Social & Environment

Rainwater Harvesting

Ram Krishna Kunwar, principle of Sundarimai Primary School, talks about the benefits of rainwater harvesting system in his school

Mr. Kunwar has been working as a principle of Sundarimai School for over 8 years. During this time, he has worked hard to improve the quality of education but he has achieved little success. “Without the support of management committee, I could do little to help the school in the long run,” says Mr. Kunwar.

The school is located in a very remote and hilly region. The local people are most illiterate and so are most of the members of management committee. They are not fully aware of how to run the school smoothly or improve it. The school is also located in a drought-prone area and this has led to water scarcity. The nearest source of water is 1500 meters away.

“If there is no water,” says Mr. Kunwar, “the students appear very dirty and they get discouraged to even come to school.” This has a direct bearing in their academic results. It is also near impossible to keep the school clean without water. All this is changing, as a rainwater harvesting system, with 60 thousand liters of reserve water tank, is currently being constructed in the school by Karuna-Shechen. “Water is gold here,” says Mr. Kunwar. “The water reserved will be used for drinking, cleaning and sanitation. Now, the students will be clean and hygienic.” Karuna-Shechen has also built 4 toilets in the school. With this, the students no longer have to return home if they want to use the toilet. Mr. Kunwar knows this, along with teachers, uniforms, textbooks, stationery and teaching tools we have provided, will motivate the students to study harder.

Due to the hills, stiff terrains and ravines, many parts of Nepal are drought-prone. The community schools located in these places suffer from acute water shortage and this has a detrimental effect on the quality of education the school can offer, as the school cannot keep the classrooms and toilets clean and this discourages students from coming to school to study.

In 2014, Karuna-Shechen installed a rainwater harvesting system in Ganga Devi School, where a reserve tank of 60,000 liters has been built. The school has 130 students and 18 staff.

Three other rainwater harvesting systems are being constructed in 3 schools. This will benefit over 350 students.Karuna-Shechen also plans to install domestic-sized rainwater harvesting systems in 2 remote communities that suffer from severe water shortages.

Solar Home Lighting

Due to the inability of the government to adequately address the energy deficiency in Nepal, the whole country suffers from chronic shortage of electricity. During winter months, electricity is not available for up to 18 hours a day and people resort to other means to power up their homes. In the cities, many people have electrical backup systems in their homes, while some have solar charged batteries supplying the electricity. But in rural villages, this is generally not possible due to lack of disposable income.

In 2014, Karuna-Shechen will install 600 solar home lighting systems in 4 districts (Surkhet, Dailekh, Jajarkot and Kavre). A survey is currently underway and on the verge of finalization in all these districts. This survey will locate economically backward villages with no access to electricity, and will also identify households that will qualify for Karuna-Shechen’s subsidy to enable them to install solar home lighting systems. One of the criteria for qualification of the grant is the presence of school going children in the households, as it has been found that solar lights provide children the opportunity to study at night, and this will have an extremely positive impact on their studies.

During the implementation of the program, 2 local women from each village will be trained to install, repair and maintain the solar home lighting sets. These women will undergo a training program in Kathmandu where they will also train in different facets of personal development, entrepreneurship and capacity building. Currently, a model solar home lighting set, specifically designed for Nepal conditions, is being imported from India. This set will need to be approved by the Alter-native Energy Promotion Center for tax exemption. The set is portable, can be easily assembled and installed, and can also be maintained easily. 2 LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lights can be used for 5 hours a day from one set and 1 mobile phone can also be charged. The recurring cost for the beneficiary will also be greatly reduced. Because of the system efficiency, a relatively smaller battery can power the system and the cost for this is cheap and it is also readily available.

A typical house in rural Nepal where solar home lighting system will be installed

Financial Details

Shechen Clinic and Hospice

Program Total Budget in 2014 (US $)

Total Budget Transfered until June 2014 (US $)

Total Expenditure until June 2014 (US $)

Shechen Clinic & Hospice 250,000.00 149,633.00 124,843.03

Health

Other Health Programs

Program Total Budget in 2014 (US $)

Budget Transfered until June 2014 (US $)

Budget Utilized/Accounts Received until June 2014

(US $)Pelvic organ Prolapse (PoP) with One Heart Worldwide (Baglung)

27,520 27,520 585.11

Pelvic organ Prolapse (PoP) with Aawaaj in Surkhet

11,850 11,850 1,283.28

Pelvic organ Prolapse (PoP)with CFWA in Dhanusha

20,820

Pelvic organ Prolapse (PoP)with Nari Bikash Sangh in

Morang and Sunsari

22,650

Malnutrition Program in Dhanusha with CFWA

21,910 21,910 1,775.32

Income of different Departments of Shechen Cinic from January to June 2014

Expenses of different Departments of Shechen Cinic from January to June 2014

Total Income: US $ 32,312.78 Total Expenditure: US $ 124,843.03

OPD & Mobile Clinic (51.77%)

Hospice(18.49%)

Dental(19.08%)

Himalayan Medicine (10.02)

Reproductive Health (0.64%)

Out Patient Department US $ 13,207.43 (40.87%)

Dental Department US $ 11,807.76 (36.54%)

Himalayan Medicine US $ 6686.58 (20.69%)

Reproductive Health US $95.75 (0.30%)

HospiceUS $514.96 (1.59%)

EducationEducation

Humla & Dolpa

Program Total Budget 2014 (US $)

Budget Transfered until June 2014

(US $)


(US $)School and Hostel Construction in Dolpa 119,320.00 30,000.00

School and Hostel Sponsorship of 130 students in Mahabouddha School in Yalbang, Humla 108,770.00 55,000.00 44,698.37

Infirmary Construction in Mahaboudha School, Yalbang 21,660.00 21,660.00 10,996.65Maintenance of Hostel and Mahabouddha School in

Yalbang 8,870.00 8,870.00 1,981.21

Construction of Toilet Drainage System in Mahaboudha School and Hostel 4,380.00 4,380.00 922.65

School-in-a-Box Project at Mahaboudha School 3,610.00 1,900.00 2,117.00Computer Training at Mahaboudha School 8,220.00 8,220.00 5,173.45

Administration and Management Support to Himalayan Children Society 10,720.00 4,900.00 3,722.00

7 Community School Support in Humla 86,200.00 61,00.00 15,771.76 Mid-Hill & Terai School



(US $)


(US $)School Support for Shree Prabhat School 10,000.00 10,000.00 2428.02

Support Support for 5 Schools 21,350.00 21,350.00 1228.66

Scholarship ProgramProgram Total Budget

2014 (US $)Budget Transfered

until June 2014 (US $)


(US $)26 Children 13,260.00 13,260.00 2813.82

Social & Environmental



(US $)


(US $)Rainwater Harvesting 45,720.00

Solar Home Lighting Project in Kavre, Surkhet, Jajarkot & Dailekh districts 82,350.00 82,350.00

Supervision CostProgram Total Budget

2014 (US $)Budget Transfered until 2014 (US $)


(US $)Supervision Cost 36,000.00 13,532.40

Social & Environmental Supervision Cost

We serve others with joy and determination by cultivating altruism in our hearts and actions.

We work with local partners to pursue our mission with excellence and integrity.

We believe that every individual, regardless of race, gender, class, or caste, is important.

We respect our beneficiaries and work with them to find long-term and sustainable solutions to their needs.

Core Values of Karuna-Shechen

Karuna-Shechen NepalP.O. Box: 136Boudhanath,Kathmandu, Nepalwebsite: www.karuna-shechen.orgphone: 00977-1-4487924, 4479168

Karuna-ShechenHumanitarian Projects in the Himalayan Region

Documents

Contentskaruna-shechen.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Nepal-2014-Half... · Contents Location of Karuna-Shechen Projects in Nepal 1 Highlights until June 2014 2 Health 3 Education