Stensdal Group sponsors the construction of a school for 200 students in Nepal

February 12, 2019

Stensdal Group sponsors the construction of a school for 200 students in Nepal

We also take responsibility for buildings that provide light in the darkness - in Nepal.

One day, Søren Stensdal came home from a meeting and spoke enthusiastically about the Danish Human Practice Foundation. And once you turn on the light in his eyes, it's hard to turn it off again. Luckily, it is.

That's why we at Stensdal Group have chosen to support a selected project: the construction of a new Pathivara Basic School, located in the village of Bokkhim in northeastern and very inaccessible Nepal. In fact, the area is so inaccessible that it takes about two hours to hike up the mountain - from the nearby road.

The village is home to around 420 people who live from farming and have virtually no income. They produce just enough to live on - without being able to sell and make a living from it. The level of education is low and thus the village's path out of poverty is very limited. That's why a new, modern school is essential for the small community. We are happy to contribute to this - by paying for the entire construction. The old school is in very poor condition and was hit by an earthquake in 2015, making the conditions poor and difficult to teach in.

By building an earthquake-resistant school, the students will have much better conditions and will not risk the school collapsing in the next earthquake. Because there will surely be more. From the time the special foundation stone is laid in a ceremony, it will take about 10 months before the school is ready to welcome students and teachers. There will be 8 classrooms for the approximately 200 students. As well as providing employment for around 60 people during the construction period, the school will also provide work for many local people. Seven local teachers will be hired, food will be prepared for the children, etc. The goal is to involve the locals as much as possible so that they take ownership and create financial independence from us as a sponsor. When the school is finished, approximately 200 students will receive an education that will give them a better chance of a better life.

Why Nepal?

In Nepal, approximately 40% of the population is illiterate and 30% live below the UN poverty line. As a result, many young people are lured to other countries and end up working and living in inhumane conditions. Young girls and boys are forced into prostitution and many never return home. This vicious cycle is a scourge for Nepal.

Education is therefore a light in the darkness. The first step in the virtuous circle. The Human Practice Foundation works to ensure that children learn to read, write, count and speak English. Basic skills that allow children to one day get a decent job or even create their own business.

We have chosen to support through the Human Practice Foundation - precisely because of the organization's approach to development work. The founders and the people involved are all respectable with strong commercial backgrounds - driven by compassion and dedication. Factors we buy into as a sponsor. We are also pleased that our donation to the construction goes 100% to the work locally. We buy into the promise that the Human Practice Foundation has made - to break the cycle and turn things around to make life better for those in need.

Read more about the Human Practice Foundation via the link below.