Education in Humla, Nepal
Rural Empowerment and Development Initiatives (READI) Nepal is partnering with TRAS to conduct a pilot project in remote western Nepal to educate 20 of the poorest children, representing the lowest castes and groups in five villages.
Humla in the summer
Humla in winter
Though its natural beauty is outstanding, Humla District ranks 75th in terms of poverty out of Nepal’s 75 districts. Humla is the highest, most remote district of Nepal, lying in the country’s north-western corner along the border with Tibet. The agricultural season is short in the high mountain valleys, and life is challenging during the long, severe winters.
Reaching Humla is also a challenge, via intermittent flights to Simikot, Humla’s small capital, or by walking from the nearest road head for 20 days.
Although the government has built schools and a few tiny health posts, resources are limited, and the sheer difficulty of reaching and supplying them leaves most children without basic health care or education.
READI Nepal, a local volunteer non-governmental organization (NGO), is dedicated to ‘fighting untouchability and illiteracy’ by improving the education, health and income generation opportunities of Humla villages. Partnering with TRAS, READI Nepal has started a pilot project to educate 20 young children (50% girls) selected from very poor, dalit (untouchable), minority or conflict-affected villages.
TRAS is providing 73% of the funds. A house in Simikot has been rented and furnished as a hostel where the children are living. A young cook has been hired and trained to use local foods (rather than the expensive, low quality rice brought in by the government). One of the long-term goals of the hostel is that age-old barriers will begin to disappear as children from different castes and backgrounds sit and eat together at the same table. The children are enrolled in a private school in Simikot. With TRAS funding, two of the teachers attended an innovative teacher-training course in Kathmandu, and have returned full of confidence and ideas to share. TRAS has arranged for the creation of the very first library in Humla to be set up at the school, thanks to a grant from the Nepal Library Foundation of Vancouver.
Children in their school uniforms
The parents are delighted and grateful that their children are receiving an education, and READI Nepal reports that weekly requests come in from villagers anxious for their children to join the project.
TRAS is pleased that the initial goals have been accomplished and is keen to continue supporting READI Nepal’s work.
