Contributing In Education
A group of Americans from Vermont State support to build new schools in Mukten
By A CORRESPONDENT
For the children of Multan Village of Dhankuta, 500 miles east of Capital city, the dream to study sitting in furniture with adequate space and light in the room has come true after the completion of modern school building.
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The School in Mukten : Joyous parents and children |
Thanks to the contribution of Phulmaya Foundation of Vermont, a building was inaugurated recently along with other three buildings constructed through the contribution from similar groups.
As there is a lack of basic infrastructures like toilets, water and space, the drop out in primary school is very high in the village. Children sit in floor and dark room. As roof is too old, it leaks when there is rainfall. After the completion of buildings, the students now don't have to sit in floor and there is furniture.
For approximately 65 students at the primary school in Mukten, three schools buildings were built - Phulmaya funded one of them. Following the construction of new buildings the situation has drastically changed now.
"The conditions of the old schools were horrible - the roofs leaked, there was very little sunlight which is needed when the community lacks electricity, and the walls were decaying. The new school is both soundly built and very attractive. The community expressed deep appreciation for the school at the commemoration. Hopefully we can move to teacher training at this point, since that is essential," said Patrick Beggam, founder of foundation who attended the inauguration program along with another founder
member Scoot Skinner, a former American Peace Corp Volunteer.
Established in 1996, Phulmaya Foundation, Ltd has also supported a children home in capital. "I named the foundation after my friend Scott Skinner's friend and porter, Phulmaya, who Scott visits whenever he is in Nepal," said Patrick Biggam, board of director.
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Skinner and Biggam : Genserosity |
"She is not literate, yet she spent what little money she earned to send her sister and brother to Secondary Schooling. Her dedication to the value of education was inspirational to me. In addition, we experienced the same level of commitment to education among many, many people in Nepal. Phulmaya came to represent the "New Nepal" - a country where education and personal growth would be available to everyone, regardless of sex, status or caste," said Patrick Biggam. "The purpose of Phulmaya Foundation is to raise money to be used for the educational needs of Nepali children. At first we sent money to an NGO in Kathmandu which provided scholarships to children to
enable them to remain in school."
"Lately we are raising money to build new schools, provide educational material, and train teachers. This later purpose of training teachers is most crucial, since poor instruction will fail children's educational goals," said Biggam.
"To date we have provided sufficient funds ($20,000) to build a primary school in Mukten. This was inaugurated during our recent visit,” he said.
With a per capita income of less than one dollar a day, parents of the village have been happy to see the school building for their children in Mukten. "The building will bring much needed relief for the parents as well as the students in these communities, where many are on the verge of losing hope," said Harka Prasad Lama, principle of local high school and community coordinator.
The USA Board of Directors of Phulmaya Foundation, Ltd. is: Patrick Biggam - Attorney; Scott Skinner - Attorney; Diane Derby - former press secretary to US Senator Jeffords; David Kelley - Attorney and founder of Project Harmony; and Steve Conlin - president of Above the Clouds Trekking.
Whether one lives near or far, it does not make any difference if people have zeal and commitment to do something to help oppressed communities. This is what a group of Americans from Vermont State have shown.
