Birkdale experience new beginnings in Nepal
27 March 2007
28 pupils aged 14 to 18 years and 3 staff returned from having spent nearly a month in Nepal, last week. They found the country a much more peaceful place than experienced last year when political problems prevailed and it is now happily a more stable society. However, it was disappointing to see that tourist numbers are still low. This affects the economy greatly since the Nepalese rely on visitors for much of their income.
Birkdale is making a real difference in the Kokhana region of Kathmandu. The Peace Garden School (built with money raised by Birkdale) had 25 pupils sitting the Nepalese School Leavers examination for the very first time. These were the first pupils to have been through the school since it started. Staff were delighted with the excellent results and especially since two pupils gained distinction, which is very difficult indeed to achieve.
The latest project that Birkdale is involved in is the construction of another school in the nearby leprosy colony, to be called Flower Field School. Keith Brook, leader of the Nepal trip, was pleased to see that it was half built with final completion expected later this year. This school is very important to the community since it provides the only hope for a brighter future for the children from the colony.
In addition, Birkdale is now supporting a new orphanage which is housed above the church within the leprosy colony. It is hoped that the numbers will increase from the current three to up to thirty girls in the future and that they all will attend the Flower Field School when it is complete.
The future looks brighter for all those benefiting from these projects and all of the Birkdale pupils gained a great deal from living amongst the children whilst in Nepal over the Easter holidays.
