Education+care+mentorship for 100 Nepali children

Due to Covid-19 lockdown, schools and school hostels have been shut down since the end of March 2020. The virus pandemic has made it uncertain as to when schools and hostels will be able to reopen. In the meantime, the government is broadcasting some basic lessons for each grade level over the television and radio, and HCC is continuing to serve each student in our program as best we can.

This week, HCC staff travelled to three districts to meet with students for the first time since the pandemic shutdowns. During this trip, we were able to meet with 25 students and distribute regular scholarship funds and school stationery supplies, as well as extra COVID-19 relief support and personal care items including masks, soap, and sanitizer. 

While a few of our students who are studying in the Dhading district headquarter are able to continue their regular studies via distance learning, the majority of our students in rural communities do not attend schools with enough resources to provide this opportunity to them during the extended school closures. Unfortunately, this means that many of our students in the rural areas are currently not in school. HCC is keeping in close contact with each student and their guardians to make sure that they are safe and have their basic needs met. Additionally, we are doing our best to counsel each student to help meet their unique needs and encourage them to work independently on their coursework so that they do not fall behind. This is important because a consequence of the pandemic school closures is that millions of students including more than half of Nepal’s girls are at-risk for dropping out of school. HCC has also been able to make special arrangements with two school principals to keep a handful of students at each school housed and cared for at the school hostel, enabling them to continue their studies with dedicated teachers and tutors. 

All of our students are desperately looking forward to going back to their respective schools and continuing their students. 

Anu* says- “I have been really bored since I am not attending college these days due to lockdown. I am missing my school a lot and want to go back as soon as possible and also meet my friends”.

Sunita* says- “ During this lockdown I have been exposed to different places around my area which has become a part of learning. But I have a very big dream of being able to stand on my feet and give back to my family and society and this is not possible without attending the school.”

We want to thank all our supporters for their continued sponsorship. As we navigate these uncertain times, your support is immeasurably helpful in keeping our students safe and ensuring they receive excellent care and continuing education. 

Anurav*Namaste!!

My name is Anurav and I live with my mother in a rented room in Dhading Besi. Recently I got promoted to grade 8. My classes have resumed online for the past two months. The online classes are not so effective but still I am happy that I get to attend them during this COVID-19 pandemic period and get to learn new things from my subject teacher. Everyday I keep myself busy with my studies, helping my mother in the household chores and learning various life skills.

During this COVID-19 pandemic period I am utilizing my time by practicing English, reading, learning typing on the computer, playing cricket, going for morning walks with my mother, reading books, and doing my school assignments. My favorite thing to do during the lockdown is go bike riding and practice typing on the computer. Now I am good at typing. 

From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank all the sponsors and donors for your continuous love and support. Thank you!!!

Ram, Sonu and Melina*

These three are siblings. They stay with their widow mother and run a small restaurant in their village. Due to this lockdown, they could not run their business but they had enough funds for their family to survive. These three children help their mother in their work and also help themselves in need. They attend their online classes, as long as it's possible. They have been waiting for this lockdown to be over so that the family can again run the business and earn for the living. 

*names have been changed