An Isle of Man charity and long-standing supporter of education projects in Nepal has secured a grant from the Isle of Man Government to replace two schools destroyed by earthquakes in 2015.
The Pahar Trust, which has built more than 80 schools in the country bordering China and India, has received International Development funding of £82,545 to help carry out the work.
In one community, all the pupils are crammed into the single remaining school. In another, classes are still taking place in temporary tarpaulin shelters two years after the disaster occurred.
Project Manager Harriet Hancox said:
'We are delighted to receive this grant from the Isle of Man Government which has been a generous supporter of the Pahar Trust, an Island based charity, for a number of years.
'9,000 people died in Nepal as a result of a huge earthquake in 2015, which also destroyed 52,000 classrooms. Over two years later children are still being taught in temporary shelters of bamboo and tarpaulin.
'This project will enable two remote communities to receive a safe, secure and earthquake-proof learning environment. As with all our construction projects the communities will be our joint venture partners by providing supplementary labour and materials.'
Chief Minister Howard Quayle MHK said:
'The devastating earthquakes that struck Nepal in 2015 are still fresh in our minds. The Isle of Man was quick to provide £150,000 of emergency support to the response efforts and I’m delighted that we are able to continue our support through funding for this project which aims to rebuild two schools that were destroyed in the disaster.'
The cost of the project is estimated at £111,644, with the charity’s on-Island fundraising efforts contributing to the total. Additionally, a volunteer group from the UK will be assisting with the construction, as well as fundraising towards the overall budget.
As with all Pahar Trust projects in Nepal, the local community is also actively involved through the provision of labour and materials.
