School Supplies for Children at a Village School

We distribute school supplies to 150 children at a village school. For two girls, this day leads to a very special gift.

Schoolgirls show a sheet of paper with ‘Thank you Namaste Welfare’
A thank you to Namaste Welfare

As in previous years, the children at Bungtang village school receive exercise books, pencils, sharpeners and erasers for the new school year. Plus a packet of noodles and a packet of biscuits. It's still holiday time and some of the children have walked two hours to get to school. But they are used to it, it is their way to school.

School supplies are loaded into a jeep Many children line up in a queue When handing out the school supplies A girl holds her school supplies in her hand

The village is located 4 jeep hours north-west of the capital on a steep mountain slope. The people here live from agriculture and are mostly self-sufficient. There are no tourists because the big mountains and the trekking routes are too far away. At best, there is an income if some vegetables, grain or fruit can be sold - but the nearest market is far away.
This makes it a challenge for many families to cover the school fees for their children. I strike up a conversation with Hashmi and Akriti. The two girls have now finished tenth grade and pluck up all their courage to speak English with me. They tell me how much they would like to go to grade 11 and 12, but they would have to go to Kathmandu and their parents don't have the money.

Two girls in their mountain village of Bungtang

Back in Germany, we talk about the two girls and one of the first members of the organisation spontaneously agrees to cover the school costs for the two years. The two girls and their families are overjoyed!