Here is the latest progress and happy news from the Golden Bay Friendship Academy
Mushroom house and training for local income
Mushroom farming existed in Bhumlutar village before the earthquakes, but were all destroyed in the 2015 earthquakes. We are completing construction of the first mushroom house in the village as a workspace for training and education. Mushroom farming can generate significant income in rural Nepal and we want to help provide this opportunity to local farmers. |
Internet for learning
Golden Bay Friendship Academy now has fixed line internet (password protected). The internet will be used only for learning and educational purposes. Soon we will connect the students in Bhumlutar with students here at local schools in Golden Bay (and eventually around the world) to share language, culture, knowledge, friendship and more! |
New greenhouse for learning, teaching and growing
We can now use the greenhouse for growing food, training, workshops, and generating some income. We plan to teach local villagers how to grow small quantities of high-value food and donate the materials (PVC plastic sheets and bamboo poles) needed for small greenhouses around the villages. This gives locals the option to grow year-round and we are also growing cauliflower, pineapples, tomatoes, and soon coffee. |
Student progress at Golden Bay Friendship Academy 74 registered and regular students attending Golden Bay Friendship Academy 35 primary-level students completed basic computer course 9 high school level students completed intermediate computer course 24 young students can now recite letters, numbers, and basic sounds 62 students completed basic English language course 3 local Nepali government schools thanked Golden Bay Friendship Academy for the significant improvement in student English skills. |
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 |
Teacher Salaries for Bhupal Kharel ("Achni Dev") and Kopila
Cost: NZ$2032.55 We paid 5 months salary (Nov - March) to head teacher Bhupal Kharel and his wife Kopila. Bhupal is earning NPR20,000 (NZD$271) per month and Kopila is earning NPR10,000 (NZD$135) per month. We are currently considering adding a 3rd part-time instructor to focus on Organic Agriculture and provide a back-up when our head teacher Bhupal Kharel ("Achni Dev") is away tending to NGO needs. |
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 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. |
We are now a Nepali registered NGO (non-government organization)
Golden Bay Friends of Nepal is now formally and fully registered with the Nepal Government under the name "Sunaulo Maitreeya Pratisthan" meaning as closely as possible in Nepali ("Golden Bay Friendship Academy". To continue funding the Golden Bay Friendship Academy and help in the surrounding villages, the government required us to partner with an existing NGO (non government organization) or set up our own NGO. Taj and Bhupal met with several NGOs in Kathmandu but decided in the end it was best to set one up ourselves. This is a time consuming and onerous process in Nepal - many thanks to our head teacher Achni Dev (Bhupal Kharel) for making it happen! |
Local committee established
A group of 9 village residents have volunteered to represent the local committee in Bhumlutar. They will help administer the local NGO we've set up and make decisions to determine how we can best help in the local villages going forward. They are currently deciding on the need for an extra teacher/gardener at the Academy as well as the location of the first rainwater collection pond. They will also help run the greenhouse currently under construction.
Future Goals/Ideas/Ambitions
Greenhouse building workshops for locals (including plastic sheets and bamboo to build their own small greenhouses)
Hosting free earthbrick/earthbag construction workshop - so locals can start rebuilding
Several rainwater storage ponds (50,000ltr) to enable food production in the dry season (Oct - May)
Free basic health course (sanitation, nutrition, first aid, sugar risks, etc)
Establishment of fruit garden to feed children fruit during breaks
Creation of women's group (weaving, seed saving, handicrafts, etc)
Creation of village cooperative to sell organic produce in Kathmandu and trekking areas
Offer basic yoga and meditation course on Saturdays (adults and children)
Bee keeping
Calendar to local villages (negative effects of poisons and pesticides, advantages of organic farming, importance of bees, bio-pesticide production, usefulness of animal urine, etc)
A group of 9 village residents have volunteered to represent the local committee in Bhumlutar. They will help administer the local NGO we've set up and make decisions to determine how we can best help in the local villages going forward. They are currently deciding on the need for an extra teacher/gardener at the Academy as well as the location of the first rainwater collection pond. They will also help run the greenhouse currently under construction.
Future Goals/Ideas/Ambitions
Greenhouse building workshops for locals (including plastic sheets and bamboo to build their own small greenhouses)
Hosting free earthbrick/earthbag construction workshop - so locals can start rebuilding
Several rainwater storage ponds (50,000ltr) to enable food production in the dry season (Oct - May)
Free basic health course (sanitation, nutrition, first aid, sugar risks, etc)
Establishment of fruit garden to feed children fruit during breaks
Creation of women's group (weaving, seed saving, handicrafts, etc)
Creation of village cooperative to sell organic produce in Kathmandu and trekking areas
Offer basic yoga and meditation course on Saturdays (adults and children)
Bee keeping
Calendar to local villages (negative effects of poisons and pesticides, advantages of organic farming, importance of bees, bio-pesticide production, usefulness of animal urine, etc)
Evolution of the Golden Bay Friendship Academy
Construction of Bhumlutar/Golden Bay Friendship Academy (Feb-May 2016)
Funded 100% by your generous donations to Golden Bay Friends of Nepal
12 May 2016 - Bhumlutar / Golden Bay (NZ) Friendship Academy opens!
Thank you everyone for your generous donations!
There are 110+ students attending the academy
The teacher is Bhupal Kharel "Achni Dev" - the amazing man who made this school a reality
Your generous donations have recently provided the following:
Thank you everyone for your generous donations!
There are 110+ students attending the academy
The teacher is Bhupal Kharel "Achni Dev" - the amazing man who made this school a reality
Your generous donations have recently provided the following:
- Pipes, joints and roof for composting toilet system
- Pipes, joints, roof and stone foundation for washing area
- 1 stove for making morning tea
- Rain ponchos for all students (110+)
- Prayer flags (donated by Motupipi School)
- 2 donated laptops
- Distribution of textbooks, teaching aids, chess sets, and sports equipment (soccer/volleyball)
- New sign for the school – Namaste (friendship), Heart (love), Agriculture (nuturing), Cow (respect)
- Tree planting day at GB Friendship Academy
- Teacher salaries for 2: Bhupal Kharel ("Achni Dev") and Kopila
Bhumlutar/Golden Bay Friendship Academy
Funded 100% by your generous donations to Golden Bay Friends of Nepal
Your donations have provided school materials, carpets, paint, stove, tea cups, and happiness!
Local budget from Achni Dev for school construction (all in Nepali Rupee, 1$NZD =approx NPR77.5)
Wood cost = 29,590
Labour cost = 21,000 Special wood worker cost = 46,000 Wood cutting machine cost = 7,760 Transportation cost =7,050 Nail cost = 6,000 |
Cement cost = From my self (Achni Dev)
Glass/ windows cost = 9,000 Plastic cost = 2,600 Colour cost = 8,000 Remaining money = 5,000 (Achni Dev used for foundation of toilet) |