The children of Marigold School in Nepal

I Initially came to Nepal to renew my visa for India. Rather than simply sightseeing, I felt called to do something life changing such as playing a small role in a big cause. At age 55, it was either now or never. Life had recently brought me to my knees and I knew the only way to stand back up was through love. Little did I know that helping people who are truly in need is the quickest way to heal my heart.

After learning about the impactful work at New Marigold School, I was compelled to visit and offer my assistance. In Nepal, public schools resort to severe corporal punishment for discipline, creating a challenging environment for families with an average monthly income of $124. With private schools often unaffordable, children attending public schools endure the constant fear of violence.

This school is not only a nonviolent school but also offers free education for those unable to pay. Recognizing the importance of English proficiency for future opportunities, the school ensures language education. Moreover, it is inclusive, providing education to children with special needs, a commitment absent in public schools in Nepal. Additionally, the school stands against discrimination, refusing to segregate based on the caste system.

In the last year, under Principal Sansheer's leadership, the New Marigold School has experienced remarkable growth. Formerly a for-profit school lacking essential facilities like running water and proper hygiene, significant transformations occurred under his guidance. The introduction of running water and hygienic bathroom facilities marked pivotal changes. The school transitioned to a donation-based model, providing free lunches, books, and school supplies for the children.

One of the big concerns that I’ve recently tackled is the nutritional intake of the children at the school. Previously, their meals were limited to sugary porridge, rice pudding, and a “potato only” version of dalbhat. We recently introduced lentils, chickpeas, and additional vegetables for a more balanced diet. There are four teenage boys living at the school due to financial constraints, and they have been tremendously grateful for the changes we’ve made to the diet!

There is a boy here named Nitesh, a sweet child facing some learning challenges due to malnutrition in his early years. Recently, Sansheer paid for a hospital visit for him. Nitesh was experiencing blood in his urine for two months but the family couldn’t afford a doctor’s visit. They finally asked SanSheer for help and immediately Nitesh was able to get the help he needed. Another student here who I introduced in the video is Sousmita. She is 8 years old and can’t speak. If it wasn’t for this school she wouldn’t have a place to go to learn. It’s real stories like these that have inspired me to launch a GoFundMe campaign, aiming to secure a little extra support for the children of New Marigold School.

Since the beginning of my stay here I've been teaching yoga and some meditation classes to the children here. They seem to really enjoy it and I’ve seen an increase in self esteem and kindness! Recently, I introduced a dance class for those interested, and we've created some dance routines. I've initiated plans to sustain these classes through WhatsApp video chat. Before I leave, my goal is to guide them on independently posting their new routines, empowering them to continue their dance practice and posting it for fundraising purposes.

I will send my old phone so they can post to the school’s Instagram (my Instagram as well) which will be linked to the GoFundMe. We are forming a student council that will be in charge of these campaigns and together we will determine which philanthropic initiatives at the school to fund (such as hospital visits for children like Nitesh).

Almost all of these girls in my class need longer uniform pants that fit. They grew out of them but their families can’t afford buying new ones. I’m hoping to raise money during this trip to buy them pants that fit. These children, despite their circumstances of poverty, are happy and playful children. Playing with a soccer ball is of utmost importance to them but the balls we have access to are such poor quality that they keep breaking. I believe we need to bring in balls from another country so they don’t break.

One of my main concerns for these children is that I’ve seen extreme aggression which they display towards each other. This stems from generational trauma linked to poverty and the oppressive caste system. They need to be continuously shown compassion and empathy with positive role modeling. It would be great to have some specialized volunteers here to teach conflict resolution as well.

I believe if we improve the conditions for volunteers and create a safe and comfortable living environment with nutritious food, then it will entice older, more specialized volunteers to come. Enhanced accommodations can contribute to longer volunteer commitments, ensuring continuity for the children. I’ve already cleaned and painted the kitchen and scrubbed the algae off of our common sink but we need to do a little more- for example, mosquito nets are needed for each bed to address the outstanding health hazard of mosquito bites. In Nepal there is a particular risk of Dengue fever transmitted by the mosquitoes.

Cleaning products and cleaning tools have been purchased but I hope to buy a little more before I leave so it’s easier for them. The older boys willingly took on the responsibility of assisting volunteers in maintaining cleanliness and adhering to new kitchen protocols. This includes using repurposed jars for storing sugar, preventing issues with ants that occurred when it was kept in open bags.

Every contribution, even $5.00, can make a significant impact here in Nepal. I'm not trying to “change the world” here. I’m just trying to raise awareness and help one step at a time. I will make all contributions and purchases for the school and children transparent. If you can’t give anything, that’s okay, but please repost this link.

Sending much love from New Marigold School!