Namaste GFV Friends!
A heartfelt Thank You for your continuing interest and support!
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and Board Chair, Barbara E. Cook, on October 24, 2011. Memorials around the world have been praising this incredible woman who had devoted herself so generously for those less fortunate, especially woman and children in developing countries. Barbara’s presence brightened any room she was in! She was a whirling ray of sunshine, always smiling and upbeat, while also being so extremely hard-working, dedicated and committed to all her projects, Her spirit will live on in all of us who were so affected by her generosity and love.
On a brighter note we are so pleased to announce that our project in Bungamati is doing very well, despite the setback caused by the collapse of a section of the nursery school. The preschool classes will take place at the Bungamati House until the school building is repaired. See photo: 2) Inspecting preschool damage
It has been about a month and the first family is settling in to their new routine. The family of 4 children and 2 mothers be growing very soon. There are a few orphaned children who have recently been referred, including 8-year old Rakesh whose mother died and father does not take care of him. The new Mother, Tirthamaya was illiterate and is enjoying her literacy education, with the other children in the kindergarten! (see photo: 'Mother' Tirthamaya is also a preschool student!) She will also be trained and counseled as a caregiver Mother over the course of the year. Sukumaya, who had previously supervised the children at the hostel will be staying on to assist the new mother and ease the transition for the children. See photos: 4) Getting ready for school, 5) Picking vegetables for dinner and 6) 'Mother' Sukumaya helping Pawan with his homework
Please follow our progress at our website (www.globalfamilyvillage.org), front page under Project Update.
We wish you all a healthy, happy holiday season! We hope you will keep us in mind when you start your holiday gift giving!
Namaste.
JUST IN! Bungamati School Collapse!
A section of the Tri Ratna (Bungamati Cooperative) school building collapsed last Tuesday, the 27th at approximately 6 am, perhaps due to the heavy monsoon rains and the recent earthquake. Fortunately it was before class and there were no injuries. The 2nd floor library was severely affected, as were the kindergarten rooms below. As soon as the Dashain holidays are over, the kindergarten children will be shifted back to the Bungamati House and remain there until there is a safe structure in place.
The unofficial damage report is estimated at approximately $ 6,200, not including labor. Global Family Village would like to assist repair the building. If you would like to help us rebuild the school rooms please keep in mind that GlobalGiving will be matching all donations, for 1 day only, October 19th! Starting at 12:01 am EDT. (There will be more photos and further information on the school repair in the upcoming Update Newsletter, due October 15th.)
GFV- FALL 2011 UPDATE
Thank you all for your participation and support of Global Family Village in Nepal. Because of you, we have been able to make very exciting progress with our project! The Bungamati House is now being run by the community cooperative and Global Family Village-Nepal are on-site advisors.
We are proud to introduce the new family that is moving into the Bungamati House! In keeping with the GFV model, the family consists of children who were living in the existing hostel or orphanage; some are full or half orphans, and others may have parents but need assistance with Boarding and/or school. They will be joined soon by 2 more young children, about 4 years old, who have been identified as orphans and are in need of a nurturing family situation. The big difference for the "hostel" children is that now the children will live as a “family” with a Mother. The former supervsor of the hostel, Sukumaya Lama will move with the children. She will be joined by Ms. Tirtha Maya Maharjan, a widow who will eventually be the new Mother. She had previously been employed as a construction laborer, carrying bricks on her back all day. She is now too old for that type of manual labor. Global Family Village will be training her for a minimum of 1 yearin literacy and in being a “Mother" for traumatized children. The children and the Mother are encouraged to see themselves as an integral part of the family group, as well as the community.
The 6 children who were living in the hostel (pictured above, from left front) –Binita, 18 years old, grade 10, from Sindhupalchowk, Nepal. Binita has parents but they are very poor, don’t live together and can’t take care of her. Pawan, 5 years old, kindergarden, is being supported by his parents who live in Chitwan. Reshma, 3 years old, lower kindergarden, from Kathmandu. Her father cannot work due to physical problems. Her mother has a tailoring shop in the Kathmandu. From Left Back: Pasang, 16 years old, grade 9. Pasang is a full orphan. She lost both parents at a young age. Rohan, 15 years old, grade 10, from Salyan, Nepal. Prakash, 15 years old, from Sindhupalchowk, Nepal. Prakash’s father had left the family and is believed to have died. Mother left Prakash alone and married someone else.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) Program
Our ECD program continues to do very well. There is a constant flow of volunteers. This is a great help for the teachers and a wonderful cultural experience for the volunteers. We are always happy to find positions for people who are interested in coming to Nepal and experiencing our program first-hand. Please feel free to contact us at globalfamilyvillage@gmail.org.
TREK NEPAL 2011
GFV Vice-chair, Anda Bruinsma is leading an exciting mountain Trek in Nepal, to benefit GFV beginning Oct 12th, preceded by a visit to Global Family Village's project site in Bungamati. You can follow the progress of the amazing fundraising effort and the trek on the Trek Blog.
Links:
Namaste GFV Friends!
A heartfelt Thank You for your continuing interest and support!
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and Board Chair, Barbara E. Cook, on October 24, 2011. Memorials around the world have been praising this incredible woman who had devoted herself so generously for those less fortunate, especially woman and children in developing countries. Barbara’s presence brightened any room she was in! She was a whirling ray of sunshine, always smiling and upbeat, while also being so extremely hard-working, dedicated and committed to all her projects, Her spirit will live on in all of us who were so affected by her generosity and love.
On a brighter note we are so pleased to announce that our project in Bungamati is doing very well, despite the setback caused by the collapse of a section of the nursery school. The preschool classes will take place at the Bungamati House until the school building is repaired. See photo: 2) Inspecting preschool damage
Fortunately there is still plenty of room for them because we have only our first family (4 children and 2 caregiver ‘Mothers’ living there.
It has been about a month and the first family is settling in to their new routine. The family of 4 children and 2 mothers be growing very soon. There are a few orphaned children who have recently been referred, including 8-year old Rakesh whose mother died and father does not take care of him. The new Mother, Tirthamaya was illiterate and is enjoying her literacy education, with the other children in the kindergarten! (see photo: 'Mother' Tirthamaya is also a preschool student!) She will also be trained and counseled as a caregiver Mother over the course of the year. Sukumaya, who had previously supervised the children at the hostel will be staying on to assist the new mother and ease the transition for the children. See photos: 4) Getting ready for school, 5) Picking vegetables for dinner and 6) 'Mother' Sukumaya helping Pawan with his homework
Please follow our progress at our website (www.globalfamilyvillage.org), front page under Project Update.
We wish you all a healthy, happy holiday season! We hope you will keep us in mind when you start your holiday gift giving!
Namaste.
Thank you again to everyone who has participated in supporting Global Family Village (GFV) through GlobalGiving.
As you know, our mission is to help disenfranchised children reach their full potential through family-centered, community based homes– thriving and becoming productive members of their society. To accomplish this mission we must create and prove our sustainable community-based model. We are very pleased to report great progress has been made these past few months.
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS
We are proud to announce a most significant event towards reaching our goal of a sustainable community program. On June 3rd, Global Family Village-Nepal signed a partnership agreement with the Cooperative Society of Bungamati (CSB), Bungamati Village, Nepal. This is the threshold culmination of all our efforts since moving to Bungamati over a year ago.
The agreement acknowledges that the Global Family Village model and Early Childhood Development (ECD) program are a community-based activity to be “owned” and run by the cooperative, with assistance and support from GFV for 5-7 years or until fully sustainable.
EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT (ECD) PROGRAM
Our ECD program is filled to capacity with 38 children, ranging from 2 1/2 to 4 1/2 years old. We have three teachers, 3 helpers and 3-5 on-going volunteers. We are continuing to demonstrate the importance of learning-by-doing and creative skill development rather than the rigorous rote learning long accepted in the local community. Teachers, volunteers and ECD experts continue to meet regularly for training and planning sessions. (Photos 1-6)
It is projected that by early July 2011 the ECD Program will have moved into classrooms within the Tri-Ratna School complex, right next door to the Bungamati Family House. (Photos 7&8) All teachers, helpers, students, furniture and supplies will leave Bungamati House. It will be more convenient to have all the education components together. Over the next few weeks the necessary renovation to prepare the space will be completed.
Parent Community Meeting
Even though it was planting season, over 20 parents responded to our call for a community/parent meeting. Since previously reticent parents expressed satisfaction with our "learning-by-doing" (verses rote) instruction methods, we used this opportunity to introduce the concept and significance of parent participation. Many parents are illiterate and had no understanding of their importance nor how they could be involved. Together, we talked about helping by telling stories, listening to children, overseeing activities, making snacks, cleaning after class, and involving school talk at home – thereby feeling program ownership and pride. They were so proud to take a picture for this Update. (Photo 9)
THE BUNGAMATI FAMILY HOUSE
Our original lodging plans are back in place again. Now that the ECD program will be moved to the school building facility, there will be sufficient room in the house for 3 families. (The Bungamati Cooperative Society decided to use their existing hostel/orphanage to house 16 students who had been rescued from child labor in the carpet industry. CSB receives an income from the rescuing agency that will be used in part to help support our families in the House.)
The search now begins to identify the first family "caregiver" while simultaneously identifying the children to become part of the first family.
Thanks so much for your support of the children of Nepal, and the implementation of our model concept that can potentially help many children in many countries. Right now we are seeking funding for 2 Caregiver’s salaries ($145 will provide one month's salary for a caregiver "mother" including all benefits). We are also seeking funds to support renovation for the preschool classrooms and play area.
GlobalGiving’s second Bonus Day of the year is coming up! On June 15th, GlobalGiving.org will be matching all donations at 30% up to $1,000 per donor per project while funds last.
Please visit us, on the website (www.globalfamilyvillage.org) or in Nepal!
Namaste!
Links:
Namaste!
I would like to thank everyone who supported Global Family Village (GFV) through the GlobalGiving Challenge. It has been a very exciting few months for us. The Early Childhood Development (ECD) Program began on January 1st. And now, because of your generosity we are able to begin implementing the Family phase of the GFV model – establishing 2 “families” of orphaned, abandoned and disenfranchised children, in the community.
Early Childhood Development (ECD) Program Inauguration!
A major component of our community partnership program is an early childhood program, open to all. An Early Childhood Committee of Bungamati community members, early childhood experts and representatives from GFV-Nepal organized orientation and workshops for new teachers, young mothers and the community-at-large. There were also workshops for use and make learning “toys” from local materials.
The first group of eighteen 3-year-old children will soon be joined by the next group of children in April.
New Partnership and the “First Family”
Global Family Village is in partnership with the Bungamati Cooperative Society and the Bungamati Village community to transform an existing hostel/orphanage into a GFV family-centered, community-based model of care for orphaned, abandoned and disenfranchised children. Implementation is scheduled to begin in April.
Please continue your support of these families and donate to help fund 2 disenfranchised women to be Mothers. $145 provides1 month’s salary for a trained caregiver “mother”, including all benefits.
We welcome your active participation as well. Please feel free to contact us, in the US or Nepal. www.globalfamilyvillage.org
Thank you all!
Links:
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