The Rising Ku Fund Raising Appeal 2023

Help provide an educational opportunity to the children of the western Himalayas. In an environment that is well resourced and conducive to the welfare of students and teaching staff.

Follow this link to see a brief documentary about the Rising Ku project made by Ayla Maagdenberg.

The Rising KU- Documentary Link: https://youtu.be/Z1Mnsv5Pq8E

Even a small donation can bring about a life changing event for a child.

The Rising Ku ensures 100% of your donations go to Tashi Sumdho Basic School; providing it with the materials and resources to keep it open, year after year. Every year our fund raising is aimed not only at covering the running costs of the school but also upgrading the facilities and educational resources there.

Background

Ku is a village in the remote Dolpo region situated between the Tibetan plateau and the Dhaulagiri ranges in north western Nepal.

Tashi Sumdho Basics School was begun by the villagers of Ku in 2011. The objective was to provide a good standard of education to not only primary age children but also to all adults wishing to improve their academic skills.

Having a school available in such a remote area means children and adults can receive an education without having to make the arduous and sometimes dangerous journey across mountainous terrain to larger settlements. The school provides tuition in Nepali, English and Tibetan. As well as social studies, art and mathematics. It also provides extra curricular classes such as cultural activities, religious education and sports. Presently, there are about 45 students attending regularly and 6 teachers.

Current Situation

In 2022 we were able to run the school for six months. Despite the continuing danger of Covid and harsh weather conditions classes for Grades 1 to 5 were held for the village children. Two classrooms were provided with concrete floors and waterproof roofing. Two toilets were also constructed. Eighteen students took part in a regional Education and Sports Programme and achieved success winning ten prizes. The number of students attending the school has risen, necessitating classes being held in the playground. The pandemic has also caused costs of materials and food to rise steeply meaning operating costs have risen too.

It was hoped we could raise funds through attracting tourism into our area. Due to the remote location of Ku it is very difficult for tourists to reach there; most go only as far as the settlements of Pho, Bhijer, Karang or Saldang.

This is why we are launching an urgent appeal for funding. Our plan is start buying necessary equipment in Kathmandu for a new project in February and start construction work at Ku between June and August. We are also planning to do the school’s shopping and then transport it all by pack mules in the first week of March.

We are requesting the following things in order of priority:

A PERSONAL NOTE FROM THE FUNDRAISER

As well as providing a basic education to children and adults in Ku village, there are so many benefits to having an active school there.

It acts as a focus for the community. Providing a well resourced location for social and cultural activities. It educates children in basic personal health and social conduct. Providing them with opportunities to be creative and competitive. As well giving them the foundation to move onto higher level educational studies. The school also employs teachers and a cook. As well as local labourers in the construction projects.

KEEPING IN TOUCH

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