November 2020 newsletter

Find out what’s been happening in Malagiri with our latest newsletter.

Download a pdf version to read at your leisure or view the content below.

We hope you enjoy it!

 

Welcome

As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise and we become accustomed to a further period of lockdown here in England, it feels like an appropriate time to provide an update about the Malagiri School. Sadly, the situation in Nepal has not improved sufficiently to enable the children to return to school. However, there are glimmers of hope as the teachers and staff are providing support for the pupils by visiting them in their homes.

Members of the Malagiri Committee have kept in touch with our friends and colleagues in Nepal and we have been amazed and humbled by their creativity and resilience throughout this period. The school will celebrate its 10th Anniversary in April next year so we are beginning to think about how we can mark the success of this amazing project, not least because without the help and support of so many of you, the school could not possibly have thrived.

Below are some thoughts and reflections from individuals who are closely involved with the school. We hope that these accounts help to paint a picture of this remarkable school.

Aneeta Tamang, former headteacher

Aneeta, who is photographed here with a pupil recovering from illness, was appointed as headteacher when the school opened in 2011. She continues to support the school, thanks to the generosity of our Swedish partners. In her own words, Aneeta reflects upon the impact that the school has had since opening –

“I’m so glad to be part of this very meaningful project, it is such a very beautiful project for very poor families children in Malagiri. Of course not only for children, together with parents got an opportunity to learn so many creative ideas through our Malagiri school.

“Since I started Malagiri school and up to today there are huge differences.

“Before there were only some public schools but there wasn’t schools for small children like kindergarten/playgroups ages children.

“The older children they were also not going school because they had to responsible for their younger brothers/sisters where parents are very busy working on farming.

“Most of the girls were not allowed to go to schools only boys. Girls used to do all household works and helping their parents at home.

“Lack of educated parents. The parents were not helpful to schools. They were always busy on field and they didn’t know about creativity/creative works. They were unknown about how important education is and so on.

“After our Malagiri School opened it is very easy for parents to freely work on their own farming and the older children they also got an opportunity to go to school for education, it helps a lot. Small children with the age of 3 years and above that age joined our Malagiri school. Slowly the parents understood how helpful to have a Malagiri School for their younger children.

“Not only that the children got all love and care, healthy food, sanitation and warm clothes and fun learning through our school which brings a positive and hygiene awareness among the parents they learn from school and they realised it is very important to send their child in school and then parents became very positive and supportive to School’s family.

“Our former students they became very positive and continue their further education too. They are able to understand the importance of education in their life. And they are teaching what they learn to their junior siblings and friends.”

West St Leonards Primary Academy links up with the current headteacher, Yubraj Rasaili, at the Malagiri School

The principal of West St Leonards Primary Academy (WSLPA) in Hastings, Dominic O’Regan, has recently established a link with the Malagiri school. This is such an exciting project with so many possibilities that will undoubtedly benefit the staff, pupils and communities of both schools. Here, Dominic writes about how he envisages this relationship moving forward:

“I was seeking a long-term meaningful link school in another country and believe The Malagiri school is a good match.

“Firstly, having had several email exchanges this Summer, I learnt the headteacher believes in a creative approach to teaching and learning which links well with the WSLPA focus on the wider curriculum.

“Secondly, I am keen to foster a reciprocal relationship to support education in the broadest sense and share learning on three levels; senior leaders, teachers and the pupils.

“Thirdly and most importantly, pupils in both schools can benefit from learning about each other-Yubraj Rasaili is in agreement with using exchange of songs as an initial way for the children to get to know each other.”

Anniversary Celebrations

In April 2021, we intend to launch a range of celebratory events.

Headteacher Yubraj Rasaili (pictured here with his guitar), has expressed his enthusiasm for marking the anniversary and says:

“It’s so good to celebrate decade. It has been so beautiful journey completed. But the pandemic has been bad. I was thinking it from so earlier.

“Let’s do what we can…….we can make some programme and party to do celebrate. Or I think you may have some more ideas. Let me share too.

“I will think more ideas again what can be done for the 10th anniversary of ours. So will keep in touch in fact and will discuss. If you organise the programme in UK recommend me and let me make possible. I will recognise the school and Nepal.

“Maybe I can sing there too.”

And finally…

As you’ll appreciate, this extraordinary period has made our ongoing support for the Malagiri school quite challenging. All money donated goes straight to the school and benefits the pupils and staff directly.

A monthly donation of £5, for example, would buy lunch for a child for 7months. A monthly donation of £10 would equip 12 children with the stationery they need for a year.

Any support that helps us to keep the school going for this and future generations will be appreciated more than you can possibly imagine. You can donate via the Springboard platform.