Kees (GBFON Treasurer) & Anton Nepal Visit to Bhumlutar: March-April 2017
Kees (Treasurer of GBFON) and his good friend Anton (experienced potato and greenhouse farmer) returned in April 2017 from Nepal. They went for a trekking trip to Solu Khumbu (Everest region) and also spent about 6 days in and around Bhumlutar meeting the locals, laughing with the children, and bringing more donations from New Zealand (donated laptops, gardening tools and more). Anton planned to host a workshop for the locals on soil microbiology and basic greenhouse construction, but an unfortunate stomach bug forced him to rest and recover in bed. Anton has many years experience growing potatoes and starting greenhouse projects in developing countries and has offered assistance to the village (via email) as they begin to construct greenhouses. Highlights and donations delivered during their visit are also below. (Please note: Kees & Anton personally financed their visits to Nepal)
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Composting toilet and washing area for the Friendship Academy
Cost: NZ$228.57 With large numbers of students coming every morning and evening, we felt it was a good idea to provide toilet facilities and a washing area. We decided to install a simple composting toilet system and constructed a covered benchtop area for washing hands and tea cups with soap. Materials provided: Piping, joints & roofing sheet for composting toilet (walls were made from local plants & bamboo) Piping, joints, rock wall & foundation for washing station 2 large water storage tanks for toilet and washing area |
5 laptops for learning
Golden Bay Friendship Academy now has 5 used, donated laptops available for training and teaching. Special thanks to Line Tech Consulting in New Zealand for their contributions of 3 additional used laptops to the Golden Bay Friendship Academy. A total of 44 students have now completed basic and advanced computer training as a direct result of your donations. |
74 rechargeable solar lights (Total cost: NZ$235.71 = NZ$3.18 per student)
During the short winter months, the children often walk in the dark in the early morning hours to arrive at the Academy by 6am. They asked for a solution. We wanted to provide a renewable, rechargeable, and affordable light without battery waste (and cost). Bhupal (Achni Dev) and Kees researched options in Kathmandu and purchased 74 units of these solar powered, rechargeable hand lights and distributed them to the students. The feedback so far has been positive and the children can now walk to our Academy in the early mornings or home in the evenings with their own energy charged from the sun. The lights are also used in village homes. |
Greenhouse supplies
Cost: NZ$232.57(plastic) and NZ$25.71 (steel rods) = total NZ$258.28 Anton (friend of Kees and an expert greenhouse builder in developing countries) visited Bhumlutar with Kees. Materials (plastic sheeting, metal rods and PVC piping) were purchased for construction of a large greenhouse next to the Golden Bay Friendship Academy (now under construction). Anton has generously offered assistance and guidance via email to the people of Bhumlutar as they begin to grow vegetables year round. The greenhouse will also serve as a demonstration/teaching area for future greenhouse workshops as well as a seedling propagation area (for distribution of seedings to local villagers). We plan to offer free greenhouse building workshops for local adults including distribution of plastic sheets and bamboo for locals to build their own small greenhouse next to their house. |
Thomas ("Taj") Nepal Visit to Bhumlutar: July-August 2016
Thomas (Taj) Rabosky (chairperson of GBFON) visited Nepal from mid-July through late August 2016, including Bhumlutar village, Sindupowlchok, Kavre, and Solu Khumbu regions. The earthquake damage in Nepal is extremely localized - some clusters of houses in Kavre and Sindupowlchok are 100% destroyed while a few hundred meters away there is little, or no, damage. It depends largely on 2 factors (quality of house construction and construction base - dirt or rock). There is extensive damage in and around Bhumlutar. We visited many families who received food, emergency supplies and roofing sheets from Golden Bay Friends of Nepal and the gratitude and appreciation from the villagers was overwhelming. We have made a difference for hundreds of people and now we are providing an opportunity for the local children to receive a better education. The local government schools are "open" but we visited 6 in surrounding villages during school hours and only 1 was open, with one class watching a movie. Education in the government school system in rural Nepal is inconsistent (at best) and we are providing a happy, stable, loving, and nurturing environment for motivated local children to come and learn. The Golden Bay (NZ) Friendship Academy is fully packed most mornings at 6am with eager students wanting to learn!
(Pease note: all expenses associated with Taj's travel including flights, accommodation, transport and food were paid out of Taj's own personal savings).
(Pease note: all expenses associated with Taj's travel including flights, accommodation, transport and food were paid out of Taj's own personal savings).
Organic Farming Training (July 25 – 27, Patlekhet, Nepal)
Everything Organic Nursery (www.everythingorganicnursery.com)
Attendees: Bhupal Kharel (“Achni Dev”), Kopila Kharel, Krishna Kharel (Head of Agriculture in Bhumlutar), Thomas (Taj) Rabosky
We stayed in local homestays and attended training each day from 9am – 5pm.
Subjects covered: Composting, Seed beds, Seed saving, Nitrogen fixing, Seed composting, Liquid fertilizer/compost (Gitimol), Pruning, Air layering, Grafting (side, tongue, bud, top working), Plant propogation, Organic pesticides
We all received certificates which are laminated and hanging proudly in the Golden Bay (NZ) Friendship Academy
Why organic training? Organic farming/agriculture presents a massive opportunity in rural Nepal. So much grows in and around Bhumlutar (mango, papaya, lychee, pomegranate, coffee, etc) and everyone can be eating so well (many are not). Our training can make a huge difference and provide better nutrition and income potential for villagers who are mostly subsistence farmers. Many of the local farmers (growing primarily rice and corn) have been using Urea and other chemicals in recent years (since the construction of driveable roads) with the hopes of increasing crop yields. This worked temporarily, but now farmers realize they need to add more chemicals which costs more money in order to keep yields steady. The villagers now realize the damage caused to their rich, beautiful soil by using chemicals and most want to stop, but they need an alternative. That alternative is a return to organics. It will take time and effort, but with enough locally produced fertilizer (from manure) it is possible. We want to make Bhumlutar fully organic again over time and also introduce some new opportunities for the local farmers - grafted nuts (pecan, macadamia, walnuts), avocados, coffee, etc. These can be grafted from the school trees and distributed throughout the local villages (along with free training)
Everything Organic Nursery (www.everythingorganicnursery.com)
Attendees: Bhupal Kharel (“Achni Dev”), Kopila Kharel, Krishna Kharel (Head of Agriculture in Bhumlutar), Thomas (Taj) Rabosky
We stayed in local homestays and attended training each day from 9am – 5pm.
Subjects covered: Composting, Seed beds, Seed saving, Nitrogen fixing, Seed composting, Liquid fertilizer/compost (Gitimol), Pruning, Air layering, Grafting (side, tongue, bud, top working), Plant propogation, Organic pesticides
We all received certificates which are laminated and hanging proudly in the Golden Bay (NZ) Friendship Academy
Why organic training? Organic farming/agriculture presents a massive opportunity in rural Nepal. So much grows in and around Bhumlutar (mango, papaya, lychee, pomegranate, coffee, etc) and everyone can be eating so well (many are not). Our training can make a huge difference and provide better nutrition and income potential for villagers who are mostly subsistence farmers. Many of the local farmers (growing primarily rice and corn) have been using Urea and other chemicals in recent years (since the construction of driveable roads) with the hopes of increasing crop yields. This worked temporarily, but now farmers realize they need to add more chemicals which costs more money in order to keep yields steady. The villagers now realize the damage caused to their rich, beautiful soil by using chemicals and most want to stop, but they need an alternative. That alternative is a return to organics. It will take time and effort, but with enough locally produced fertilizer (from manure) it is possible. We want to make Bhumlutar fully organic again over time and also introduce some new opportunities for the local farmers - grafted nuts (pecan, macadamia, walnuts), avocados, coffee, etc. These can be grafted from the school trees and distributed throughout the local villages (along with free training)
Golden Bay (NZ) Friendship Academy Updates
Our learning center is now being officially and formally registered with the Nepal government as an NGO (Non-Government Organization). Because the local government schools are now re-opening (but rarely actually open) and we are not offering a full curriculum, we are registering the project as a learning "academy". Golden Bay Friendship Academy is initially providing training in 3 subjects (organic agriculture, English and computers) to increase opportunity and income potential for local students, as well as adults. We met the headmaster of the local government school who is appreciative and supportive of the role Golden Bay Friendship Academy can play in the local community. Children (110+) come to the Academy everyday from 6-9am and 3-6pm.
Our learning center is now being officially and formally registered with the Nepal government as an NGO (Non-Government Organization). Because the local government schools are now re-opening (but rarely actually open) and we are not offering a full curriculum, we are registering the project as a learning "academy". Golden Bay Friendship Academy is initially providing training in 3 subjects (organic agriculture, English and computers) to increase opportunity and income potential for local students, as well as adults. We met the headmaster of the local government school who is appreciative and supportive of the role Golden Bay Friendship Academy can play in the local community. Children (110+) come to the Academy everyday from 6-9am and 3-6pm.
Ambitions/plans/hopes/dreams for the coming year
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Improvements and progress made to Golden Bay (NZ) Friendship Academy through your generous donations
Rain ponchos for students
During the monsoon season, children often don't go to school when the rain is heavy. Umbrellas are expensive and easily broken. We bought 2 rolls of heavy PVC plastic, measured every student, seam sealed the edges with candle flames and for about $45 made 100+ rain ponchos. Now the village children can learn in any weather!
During the monsoon season, children often don't go to school when the rain is heavy. Umbrellas are expensive and easily broken. We bought 2 rolls of heavy PVC plastic, measured every student, seam sealed the edges with candle flames and for about $45 made 100+ rain ponchos. Now the village children can learn in any weather!
Two laptop computers
Two laptops were generously donated in NZ and given to the school. Now the children can learn how to use a mouse, type emails, and see the world beyond Bhumlutar. Eventually we plan to offer training to adults in the villages too and offer a computer literacy certificate. A data connection is also planned. |
Textbooks, teaching aids, art supplies, football/volleyball
English and computer textbooks, drawing pads, colored pencils and 2 chess sets were donated. An empty field, just below the school, is being converted into a football and volleyball zone where students can get some exercise and have some fun during breaks. |
Prayer Flags from Motupipi School (NZ)
Last year in the wake of the Nepal earthquakes, the students and staff at Motupipi School organized a fundraiser for the victims in Nepal. These donated flags are an inspiration to the local children who know they have caring friends on the other side of the world. Soon we hope to connect these new friends with each other thru video chat! |
Seedlings and seeds for local propagation
We brought back 7 seedlings from Everything Organic Nursery (apple, seedless lime, grape, macadamia, etc) and dozens of bags of organic, non-GMO seeds for development of a food forest around the academy. Seedlings and grafted branches can be distributed to students and villagers, along with free training. |
Other donations made through your generosity
Piping, joints and roofing sheet for composting toilet (under construction)
Piping, joints and foundation for washing station (under construction)
2 large water storage tanks for toilet and washing area
First aid kit (bandages, burn kit, etc) and basic first aid kit
We've also now started paying teacher salaries to Achni Dev and Kopila
Piping, joints and roofing sheet for composting toilet (under construction)
Piping, joints and foundation for washing station (under construction)
2 large water storage tanks for toilet and washing area
First aid kit (bandages, burn kit, etc) and basic first aid kit
We've also now started paying teacher salaries to Achni Dev and Kopila
These photos, probably better than words, show the gratitude, love, and appreciation shared by everyone in Bhumlutar
Thank you again everyone for your generous donations! If you'd like to donate, click on the button below.
Thank you again everyone for your generous donations! If you'd like to donate, click on the button below.