Scholarships
Updated: September 2024
Although Nepal is changing, the original traditions are still firmly anchored in rural areas. In the village, it is still common practice for poor families to marry off girls at the age of 16 after they have completed primary school. We want to counter this.
Since 2018, boys have also been included in the program because it is important to Nepalis to support the poorest families and not “just” girls. Although the boys are not married, they cannot continue to attend school and have to help in the fields.
So that these young people can complete the two-year high school (grades 11 + 12 including certificate), we have decided to cover the school costs for the two years and thus give them a better future.
Project information
As of September 2024
You can find the exact billing here
The school costs for the Faculty of Engineering are approximately USD 330 per year per person. The costs for the Faculty of Agriculture are approximately USD 360 per year per person. Included in this amount are:
- Admission fee
- monthly fees
- Books
- school uniform
As in normal life, costs increase a little every year. We adjust them every time.
We launched this project together with Arjun, Narayan's brother. Arjun is a teacher and treasurer at Phulkharka school. This means he is well informed about which families in the region are dependent on this support.
He has done a very good job over the years. Since there isn't enough for all the children of poor families, he also looks at who is particularly willing and talented, so that the money is certainly well invested.
During my trip in September 2022, I found out that there would probably be +/- 15 children per year who would need support.
There are also orphans in the lower grades who are allowed to attend school but do not receive any money for decent school clothing or good materials.
Our goal is to collect around 5,500 CHF per year for the scholarships and an additional 1,000 CHF for the orphans.
Success stories
In September 2022 I finally visited school in person again. I was able to get to know some active students, as well as some who received the scholarship years ago. When word got out that I was coming to visit, some parents came over to thank me personally.
Sunita
During my visit she asked if she could say something. She got up and started talking.
"Thanks to the scholarship, my life has changed. I am very grateful for this opportunity. Now, three years later, I am working as a lecturer at the school. With the money I now earn, I can support my mother and my sisters. For the students who receive the scholarship, it is the only chance for an educated life, a way out of poverty. Please continue this work because it gives us hope and saves so much suffering."
Your words did me a lot of good because sometimes, so far away from Nepal, you doubt whether you can make a lasting impact.
Sunita showed me how important our work is.
A student opened a hair salon in Kathmandu. You can only get a license to run such a business if you have completed the 12th grade.
Both now work as teachers. This look, this gratitude and warmth - priceless!
Several students who received the scholarship have started army training. This is only possible with a completed 12th grade. The army is a good employer in Nepal, one of the few that offers security such as access to medical benefits or a pension fund.
Amrit
Actually, he doesn't live in Fulkharka district. He had already completed his 10th year of school and was working as a temporary worker in the village. But Arjun recognized his potential and included him in the program.
During my visit he told me very proudly that after his training he wanted to open his own farm with all the knowledge he had now gained so that he no longer had to work for other people.
Apparently he is also one of the best students, which I was extremely happy to hear. So I saw that Arjun takes his job very seriously and awards the scholarships carefully.
A girl from Bhumesthan, who lost her father in an accident, was able to graduate thanks to our scholarship. She was so successful that she received an advanced scholarship to Japan. So your future has changed so massively thanks to our little help ♥
Thank you letter from Mandali Secondary School
What happened until now...
Every year, Arjun and the school board identify the children who need help most.