In normal times, our principal activity is to fund a scholarship programme at Jeevan Jyoti School in Kohalpur, Nepal for almost 400 girls and boys from lower caste families, who would not otherwise receive a quality education. Many of the children's families live a hand-to-mouth existence in surrounding villages, working in the fields each day to provide that night’s meal.
Covid-19 required Nepal to impose lockdown and other restrictions that, with no furloughing or benefit safeguards in place, meant no income and no food for many of our families. Since June 2020, we have raised more than £12,000 to support the poorest families with food and other essential items. We have used Jeevan Jyoti School in Kohalpur as a hub for purchasing supplies and distribution to families in greatest need. It typically costs about £30 per month to provide rice, potatoes, oil, lentils, onions, vegetables, face masks and hand sanitizer for a family. While the number of families that need our support is reducing gradually, we intend to use the £1,000 you have awarded us to continue that programme of support to those still in most need, enabling us to provide vital food and other essential supplies to 33 families for one month.
