After COVID-19, So Happy To Be Together Again
Basanta Budha (grade 5) was so eager to get back to SMD that he walked four days straight from his village.
“I love to stay in school for many reasons such as, when I go to my home in the village, I have to work. To be honest, I don’t have friends outside, but in SMD, it’s different. I’ve lots of friends here. I can study, play and eat together with my friends. If I need help, my friends will help me and above all, the school provides me with many facilities, for example; good education, hygienic food and clean drinking water. SMD fulfills all my basic needs. I also feel secure and happy here with the SMD family. There is peace in SMD. So, I love to stay in SMD.’’
Ravin Khadka (B15.34) of Grade 8.
Handful Of Our Boarders Still Need Help
This year started with 70 unsponsored boarders – Thanks to your support, only a handful of boarders still need help. Kids Needing Sponsors
It’s hard to get sponsors for older boys like Ravin Khadka, pictured above. Ravin comes from Namo Buddha village, 3 hours away. He wrote elsewhere,
”Life in village is very difficult. We have to work in the field and graze the domestic animals. Sometimes there is not enough food in the winter. At that time we have to face countless problems. I did not attend any schools in the village. We didn’t have enough money but my village is slowly developing. I did not have any dreams or passion. All I knew was, life is difficult.
After few years I got rare chance to study in Shree Mangal Dvip School. I was happy to read books and write letters. SMD provides clothing, food and many other necessary facilities. I am very happy to be in SMD. SMD is like my own family. After my further studies I want to be a good teacher and teach as many students as possible. I would love to be a teacher of my own school. I like playing soccer and drawing pictures.”
L-R: Sangita Rai, Tsewang Bhuti Lama and Sonam Dolma Sherpa. (Their Childhood Photos)
A Shoutout To Three SMDers Who Are Overseas
Sonam Dolma Sherpa, Tsewang Bhuti Lama and Sangita Rai all volunteered to help our US – based 501(c)3 foundation, Himalayan Childrens’ Fund when Debra Ann, the HCF Director requested help. Note – all three have Masters’ degrees in their respective fields.
If You Are Visiting Nepal & Want To Help, Please Bring A Book Or Two
See our Wish List on Amazon: Click here to See our Wish list
Prefer to support local bookshops? Buy Books Online Bookshop.org
Photo Collage of Grade eights during Deusi-Bhailo Programs.
Tihar/ Dipawali – Festival of Lights
On October 26, our Grade 8 class went up to our monastery at Namo Buddha to perform a cultural program and Dheusi – Bhailo (traditional songs that are sung during the Tihar festival) for all the monks. Traditionally, Dheusi-Bhailo performers are showered with blessings – flowers, fruit and also money.
The next day, they organized a cultural programme to perform song and dance and Deusi – Bailo. However, since Tihar is not one of the festival we celebrate, the kids organized a programme honoring to all cultures and religions. Many guests attended. They enjoyed our students’ performance and also donated to us as per their wishes. We all appreciate all the love and kindness towards our school and SMDers. The funds the kids raised are targeted towards upcoming “Teachers’ Day”.
NEA Changing Electrical Poles near SMD
Electricity and Internet Cut Offs
Mid-month, without notice, the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) cut all the lines on our street, including cut all the Internet Service Providers’ lines – so no electricity for a couple of days and no internet for several days. SMDers had online scholarship applications due! Luckily, we were bailed out by Lavie Hotel owner who let us use their lobby wifi.
In Case You Missed It…
Another earthquake: An earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale rattled Kathmandu on Octtober 19, Wednesday afternoon at 3:07. The school was evacuated. All students, teachers, and staff (Amalas & Palas) assembled on the soccer pitch. No damages, so far.
Annual Art Competition: Kids are encouraged to paint anything they like. We group into three groups by age and prizes are offered!
Dengue Fever: Thanks to global warming, Nepal is undergoing a dengue epidemic. It is a mosquito-borne virus, called ‘break bone fever’ in the Caribbean. When coming to Kathmandu bring mosquito repellant. If you would like to help keep SMDers safe, please bring a couple of extra bottles.
Indoor games – Pickup Sticks, Clue, Uno, Scrabble, Bananagram, Cards Board games – Chess, Snakes & Ladders
Child Protection – We ask your cooperation: SMDers may not have contact with adults on the via digital media. SMDers may not ask sponsors for anything. This also affords protection for sponsors from desperately poor family members who may see you as a meal ticket and may coerce the child into demanding things.
No outgoing mail: The Nepal Postal System cannot handle outgoing mail. Incoming mail is ok. Please remember to use children’s admission numbers in all correspondence — it really helps us.