Funding provided by the Island has assisted the construction of more than 25 schools in the landlocked sovereign state in South Asia.
Tek Magar, a former Queen’s Gurkha Engineer, recently visited with his family to say a personal thank you to the Isle of Man for helping to realise his lifelong ambition.
Tek grew up in Hangpang in the district of Taplejung, East Nepal, and learned to write by using a stick in the soil. He always dreamed that his village would one day have a proper school.
Tek and his family raised more than £13,000 towards a new building and equipment and the project was completed thanks to a grant from the Isle of Man Government’s International Development Committee.
The school, which has about 250 pupils, continues a long association between the Isle of Man and the Pahar Trust, a charity which has helped to build and equip schools in many remote Nepali villages.
Howard Green MBE, Chairman of the Trust, introduced Tek, his wife Indra, son Sangum – who has been a Queen’s Gurkha Engineer for eight years – and daughter Sabhana, to Chief Minister Allan Bell MHK and Phil Gawne MHK, Chairman of the International Development Committee.
Tek thanked the Ministers for their support and presented them with a traditional silver khukhari knife as a token of appreciation.
The Chief Minister said:
‘The Isle of Man has a reputation as a responsible and caring nation and we take our commitment to supporting international development projects very seriously indeed. It was a pleasure to meet Tek and his family and hear how assistance provided by the Island has played a part in helping to improve the lives of hundreds of Nepali schoolchildren.’
