The hailstorm that pounded the lawn and gardens outside the cafe at Rogkp, in Boudha, Kathmandu, was a big surprise. I expected the usual dry, hot, dusty Spring time weather, but now was wondering how I would keep warm in the villages wearing cotton skirts and tees. Today the clouds piled up again and then let loose with rolling thunder, or as my Tibetan friend Karma would say, "sky dragon talking". I wondered how the children who sit in fields to attend school were doing in this unusual climate.
Yes, there are schools here that have no walls, no desks, no benches to sit on or even water for drink. Or toilet. Yet there it was in today's Himalayan Times, a photo of children sitting in neat rows their books on their laps, having school outdoors, where they hold it every day. The newspaper article went on to report that Adarsha Saraswoti Primary School has 150 students attending it, but instead of classrooms the children carry mats from home that they sit on all day. What happens when kids get thirsty? "They have to walk all the way home to drink water," said one teacher interviewed in the article.
This is actually not the first time I've heard of this in Nepal. Many remote areas in these Himalayan areas are difficult to build in, or the authorities who can help put up their hands with a "Ke Karne?" gesture- translated as, "what to do?"
At least we've been successful in getting four schools built and functioning, plus 2 libraries through our HANDS in Nepal org. Children in these villages have more than mats now to further their education along.
Today I met Tashi, a softly spoken Mustang Tibetan who has asked for help in building a school on land where currently the children from his homeland sit outdoors, same as the children at the Adarsha school and other outdoor schools like them in remote areas of Nepal. I am guessing when the rains fall, or the wind howls, or the sun is pounding on you, school is cancelled, which makes me wonder how any schooling is achieved at all in the outdoor scenario.
Tashi Deleks, by the way, is the Tibetan greeting, sort of a "I wish you all the best, to your family and future."
After meeting with Tashi today to discuss the palns to bring the outdoor school for Mustang Tibetans "indoors," through a HANDS in Nepal school building, I feel hopeful-for at least these children the sun, rain and wind won't dictate whether or not their education continues.
Yea, "Tashi Deleks, Amma la and everyone!"
Yes, there are schools here that have no walls, no desks, no benches to sit on or even water for drink. Or toilet. Yet there it was in today's Himalayan Times, a photo of children sitting in neat rows their books on their laps, having school outdoors, where they hold it every day. The newspaper article went on to report that Adarsha Saraswoti Primary School has 150 students attending it, but instead of classrooms the children carry mats from home that they sit on all day. What happens when kids get thirsty? "They have to walk all the way home to drink water," said one teacher interviewed in the article.
This is actually not the first time I've heard of this in Nepal. Many remote areas in these Himalayan areas are difficult to build in, or the authorities who can help put up their hands with a "Ke Karne?" gesture- translated as, "what to do?"
At least we've been successful in getting four schools built and functioning, plus 2 libraries through our HANDS in Nepal org. Children in these villages have more than mats now to further their education along.
Today I met Tashi, a softly spoken Mustang Tibetan who has asked for help in building a school on land where currently the children from his homeland sit outdoors, same as the children at the Adarsha school and other outdoor schools like them in remote areas of Nepal. I am guessing when the rains fall, or the wind howls, or the sun is pounding on you, school is cancelled, which makes me wonder how any schooling is achieved at all in the outdoor scenario.
Tashi Deleks, by the way, is the Tibetan greeting, sort of a "I wish you all the best, to your family and future."
After meeting with Tashi today to discuss the palns to bring the outdoor school for Mustang Tibetans "indoors," through a HANDS in Nepal school building, I feel hopeful-for at least these children the sun, rain and wind won't dictate whether or not their education continues.
Yea, "Tashi Deleks, Amma la and everyone!"
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