Children of the Mountain Have Fun in the Desert!

Namaste!

To continue our efforst to raise awareness in Dubai of the Children of the Mountain, we have settled upon Friday 25th November as the day for the Desert Yeti Hunt and BBQ. This will cost 200 aed a head to cover costs and is a fun day out for all supporters.

More details soon ... watch this space!

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Children of the Mountain are Heading Back to Tandrang

Namaste!

Next week, John will travel to Tandrang and it's an opportunity to load his yak up with supplies and books :-)

This is just a brief reminder that you can help support our efforts to educate children without spending one dirham.  

Its as easy as A B C!!

A : Donate second hand KG 1 picture books. We can accept these as the English to basic. Please take a few minutes this week to gather up unused books and we will collect.

B: Drop into an Early learning center, choose from the special list [starting from only 65 aed] and we will do the rest.

C: Drop supplies into the specially designed drop boxes in your school, college or workplace [if you school or workplace doesn"t have one, ask your 'Boss" or  'Head' why not!]

Thank you for your continued support.

Danyabad!

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Generous Donors for Children of the Mountain

Namaste!

Debbie and Jeff and their daughter Darya, used to be parents at Horizon school, generous donors who have enabled the building of Nobujutty Kaachhua Klub, which will open in October 2011.

Here is the plaque that will be erected at the Klub in recognition of their very generous donations. 

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Have an Adventure and Show Your Support

If you remember, I mentioned earlier, we are planning the 2012 Great Yeti Trek.  We have two options:

• 14 day climb of Yalla! peak, costing 6,500 AED including flight  
•  9 day trek to Annurpurna costing 4,500 AED including flight.  

The one we decide upon will depend upon initial feedback.

Separately The Dubai Round Table are planning a volunteer trip to the schools during Easter 2012.  (such trips cost approx 3,500 AED and are not intended to deliver supplies rather than be fund raisers)

Your ongoing support is much appreciated.

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Ongoing Training ...

Namaste!

During his visit to Tandrang this weekend, John will chair the first community co-ordination and teacher selection meeting regarding the Teacher Training.

This is programmed to will take place in the first week of December.  This is a big milestone for us and the community of Tandrang and will be our first official intercation with local government.

Thanks for your support.

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Hot off the Press ... Children of the Mountain Build Update

This weekend, John will travel to Tandrang to inspect the Maitum school build and report on progress to date.  It is planned to open at the end of January 2012.

John will also make an important announcement regarding the Saraswati build which will be scheduled to start in February 2012.

There is also the opening of our third Kindergarten at Nobbyjutty.  So, as you can see, all your very kind and generous donations are making a real difference to the Children on the Mountain.

A huge 'Thank You' to you all.

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

The Need for Children of the Mountain

Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in Asia with 31% of the population equating to 8 million people living below the poverty line.  In the recent 10 year civil war, Nepalese children were killed, illegally detained, tortured and recruited for military activities.

Child Labour and Abuse Still Exists in Rural Nepal and Nearly 20% of Children are Sold Into Child Labour.

It is not uncommon for poor children to leave school at the age of 8 to look after younger siblings, allowing parents to work.  Just as often, they will leave school to work in the fields or carrying heavy loads up the mountains themselves.  The children from the poorest families do not attend school and miss out on an education and are trapped in a cycle of poverty.

This is just one of the reasons for the inception of 'Children of the Mountain' ...

We appreciate your ongoing support of our vision to provide much needed supplies and education for the children.

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

We Now Have Washrooms!

Namestae!

The Children of the mountain now have washrooms thanks to the ongoing hard work and financial contributions of our supporters.

However, it was not easy to complete this part of the project.  Due to heavy rain, there was a landslide at Dhawa and Kocheale, so transport was banned for 4x4 heavy vehicles for about 10 days.  Then we could not transport furniture and toys.

As soon as transport was allowed again, the work continued at full speed ahead.  See the results below - we are very happy for the children of the mountain who now have usable sanitation, as the washroom of Shree has now been completed.

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Straight from the Yaks Mouth!

There are always plenty of stories to tell you about the amazing Children of the Mountain in Nepal.

Our well respected organiser, John will be delighted to come and speak to your group about the things we have achieved to date. We have built schools, provided books and toys and practical help on the mountain, plus lots, lots more!

Should you wish to know more and about our amazing charity, then please do leave us a comment so that we can contact you to arrange a time for John to come and show you how far we have come ...

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

The Great Yeti Trek 2012

In response to your demands, we are organising a week long trek to the schools and surrounding hills at Easter 2012.

Our schools for Children of the Mountain are in the shadow of Manaslu which is 8,000 metres high. This trek will give you the opportunity to visit the schools, spend time with the children in the local community, see our progress to date and have the adventure of a lifetime in the footsteps of the illusive Yeti.

For more details on this and other exciting events, head over to our website:

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Our Vision

We often get asked 'why' we are so passionate about the Children of the Mountain'

Here is our 'Vision':

Children of the Mountain is committed to supporting rural communities in Nepal by providing educational infrastructure and teaching aids to ensure no child is excluded from opportunity due to lack of educational facilities.

Children of the Mountain is committed to supporting rural communities in Nepal develop a sense of fairness, equality and social responsibility to ensure no child is excluded from opportunity due to their economic situation, gender or caste.

Children of the Mountain is committed to providing teachers from Kindergarten to grade twelve with continued development training in child centered learning and school management skills to ensure no child is excluded from opportunity due to insufficient educational capacity.

Children of the Mountain is committed to providing pupils with lifeskills to ensure they are confident and prepared to make the most of opportunity as it arises.

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Easy as A B C ...

Helping children is now easier than ever!

Helping children in Nepal is now as easy as A B C .

We are delighted to announce Early Learning centers in Dubai are supporting our efforts to provide Kindergartens with creative learning toys. Simply visit your local participating store, select the specially labled toys and donate. No need even to take the toy home. We, with the help of Fly Dubai will make sure a Khakuua Klub receives your gift! What are you waiting for? Toys start from as little as 65aed.

Share the Love :-)

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Would You Like to Help Raise Awareness?

Well, now you can ... Here is How...
HOLD AN AWARENESS EVENING
As an individual, group of friends or company, you can make a real difference to the lives of children by holding a Private event to raise awareness. A speaker from Children of the Mountain will attend.

Contact us by adding your comments and we will be in touch, alternatively you can drop us an email direct to cotmnepal@gmail.com and we will contact you to discuss how simple this is to do.

Thanks again for all your support :-)

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Around and About Nepal

While we were working we managed to get some time to take some pictures for you of the amazing countryside in Nepal

It is such a tranquil place and so peaceful - you can get a good idea of the nature that abounds here... Enjoy :-)

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

See How Far We Have Come...

Hi

Thought you would like to see how far we have come on our journey to date:

2009 Project:

• Shree Kindergarten ( Khakuua Klub 1) 50 pupils , opened October 2010

2010/11 Projects:

• Shree Sanskrit Primary & High school 600 Pupils: opened March 2011.

• Washrooms for Shree Primary & High school : Opened June 2011.
• Saraswati Kindergarten( Khakuua Klub 2) : Opened Sept 2011.
• Maitum primary school 4 classrooms for 75 pupils :Opens Dec 2011.

• Nobbyjutty Kindergarten ( Khakuau Klub 3) : opens November 2011
• Maitum Kindergarten ( Khakuua Klub 4) : Opens December 2011

We are slowly transforming the mountain and providing for the future...


http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

About Nepal

Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia and is the world's youngest republic. It is bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India.

With an area of 147,181 square kilometers and a population of approximately 30 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by land mass and the 41st most populous country. Kathmandu is the nation's capital and the country's largest metropolitan city.

Nepal is a country of highly diverse and rich geography, culture, and religions. The mountainous north contains eight of the world's ten highest mountains, including the highest, Mount Everest. The fertile and humid south is heavily urbanized.

Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in Asia with 31% of the population or 8 million people living below the poverty line. Nepal ranks 136 out of 177 countries in the UNDP Human Development Index.

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

The First Reading Room 2010

The first Reading Room opened in Tandrang in October 2010, providing a library of over 1,000 books

The 'Repton Reading Room' a library of over 1,000 Nepalese / English books opened in Shree Sanskrit school. This was the first library in a school in Ghorka VDC and the nearest for over 100kms. It provides a bright and quiet space for children of all ages to study and read.

They are taught in English and Nepalese to give them more options for the future. Their happy disposition is something you cannot fail to notice... the constant support of our community here in Dubai is making things possible that we could only ever have dreamed of ...

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Donate for an Amazing Cause

When you see the smiles on the faces of the children who are so grateful for everything they have, you cannot fail to want to help these kids.

Until now, their lives have had no structure, they have little if no education, many have been subjected to child labour. Most of us cannot even begin to imagine how they function in such circumstances.

They now have teachers, schools, education and supplies and more help and donations are getting through thanks to the efforts of the Children of the Mountain team.

Should you wish to help this worthy cause, please head over to: http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org where you can choose how you would like to help...thank you.

Learning is Fun

One of the main objectives we have is to create a learning environment for the Children of the Mountain, that is effective and fun.

Over 20 Kindergarten and junior school teachers have completed courses at Shree School in Tandrang to enable them to incorporate bring fun into the learning environment.

Children are stimulated by using colour, books and encouraging role play. One of the schemes set up to assist with this element is the Early Learning Centre initiative whereby you can go to the Early Learning Centre stores in Dubai and purchase a toy that will be donated to the children. The toys are being flown out to Kathmandu with the support of Fly Dubai. We are very grateful to the efforts of Early Learning Centre and Fly Dubai - THANK YOU :-)

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Teacher Training ...

A teacher from Dubai College, Richard Dennis, has very kindly agreed to help us out by providing his skills and expertise during the summer holidays to provide 40 Nelalese teachers in Kathmandu with training and support focusing on child centred learning.

In addition we organised a creative learning training session for teachers to learn to develop the creative skills of the children from an early age.

The toys are inexpensive, but make a huge difference to the creative skills of the children.

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Update on Second School in Maitum

Namaste!

The build of the second school in now well under way at Maitum - the primary school build commenced in August and despite the recent monsoon rains, it is progressing well.

The school 2 school program in Dubai continues to provide much needed supplies for the schools on the mountain - these include books, paper, pencils, pens and craft supplies. Last year, we supplied 300 kilos of supplies to Nepal.

There is no limit to what we can do to help - Fabulous Fly Dubai are also supporting our cause which enables us to provide more.

Here are some more images for you to enjoy today ...

http://ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

How you can help the Children of the Mountain

Namaste!

So often we get questions about how you can help us to provide education and support to the Children of the Mountain in Nepal.

We are delighted to announce that the new website is now almost completed - there you will find the many ways that you can help us to help them. Some ideas are sponsorship, toys, hands on help (be a volunteer) - it really does not matter how little you think you can offer - every little helps.

We have come a long way in 2 years but still have much more to learn and do to continue providing the children with education, a stable learning environment and hope for the future.

The challenge keeps us all focused and busy and the vision of how we can keep moving forward is always on my mind.

Here are some more images for you to enjoy :-)

www.ChildrenOfTheMountain.com

About Khacuua Klubs

Greetings or 'Namaste'

Why Khacuua? Because the first letter of the alphabet in Nepalese is Kha for Khacuua (a small turtle)

During the past months we have been working to get the supplies and manpower we needed to open the Khacuua Klubs - 2 are already open and the 3rd is almost ready - we are delighted and most grateful to all who have helped to make this happen. The Klubs include brightly painted walls, child friendly furniture, dual language books and educational toys.

We have so much more to share with you and hope you will enjoy reading about our progress as we move froward on our mission to leave no child behind.

http://www.ChildrenOfTheMountain.org

Children of the Mountain celebrates 2 years in Dubai

On Saturday 17th June 2011 the Yaks in Dubai celebrated 2 years since our wonderful initiator, John, took action to help the Children and their families in Tandrang.

Amanda very kindly hosted the event at her gorgeous villa on Palm Jumeirah. It was a social affair with Rosi making momos which were delicious and there was a HUGE cake ... if you can contribute in any way to this amazing cause, please do comment and we will get in touch with you directly.

Alternatively, you can make a donation at:


http://childrenofthemountain.org

Child Centred Learning Leads the Way forward in Khatmandu

One of our stated long term objectives is to build capacity in the schools we build.

Two teachers from Dubai joined 40 Nepalese teachers on week long Child Centered Learning course in Kathmandu.

Children of the Mountain will launch our specially designed training program in June and move beyond. This course will compliment our existing creative learning course.