The following story comes from Geeta Thapa, the headmistress of Shree Masta Basic School in the rural municipality of Khaptad Channa in Far West Nepal. In October 2023, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck the area causing extensive damage to many of the schools. 

Class was disrupted as student safety became increasingly difficult to guarantee with frequent aftershocks threatening to raze classrooms to the ground. With students forced to conduct class outside, Geeta describes the impact of the earthquake and how the assistance of Reed Nepal and AHF allowed students to return to class and resume their education with confidence.

Hello, my name is Geeta Thapa. I am the Principal of Shree Masta Basic School. This school is considered one of the most remote schools in the Khaptad ChannaRural Municipality. Many students in this school come from disadvantaged families. There are three teachers, one support staff, and a total of 16 students in this school, which goes up to Grade 3.

Last year, in the month of Ashoj* (October, 2023), a devastating earthquake hit near the district headquarters of Bajhang, causing extensive damage to many schools located in remote areas of the district. As a result of this earthquake, study became extremely difficult for the students. The impact of this earthquake led to damage to our school and with the frequent aftershocks, conducting classes inside the school building became impossible. Students were scared, and studying under the open sky became mandatory. 

After the earthquake, REED Nepal along with the rural municipality, conducted rapid field monitoring and observation of the damaged schools. Based on the detailed reports and assessment of the schools affected by the earthquake, it was considered necessary to establish a Temporary Learning Centre at our school. The construction of two classrooms has ensured a safe learning environment for students, enabling the continuation of regular teaching with various educational materials. 

We have felt so much relief from this emergency project. The design of this Temporary Learning Centre is child-friendly and earthquake-resistant. After the construction of this structure, students feel secure and protected. We have also realized that the quality of learning of the students has increased thanks to training provided by REED Nepal in the classroom.

We are grateful to REED Nepal, the Australian Himalayan Foundation, and the community for their support. We deeply appreciate your continued support in further educational improvements.

*Ashoj is the 6th month of the Nepali Calendar.

Posted August 2024

Learn more about our Education programs.

Sitting deep in the Himalaya, the Waku Health Post provides health care to the people of the Rural Municipality of Mapya Dudhkoshi, Solukhumbu. Due to its remoteness, getting access to healthcare is difficult, sometimes meaning hours of walking for the people of the region. With the support of Action for Nepal and AHF, recent adoption of telehealth consultations in Waku is bridging the gap and getting people treated. 

Bimala, an Auxiliary Health Worker at the post has witnessed the impact of these telehealth consultations and their ability to diagnose and treat patients. In one such experience, Bimala encountered an elderly woman who had walked three hours to receive treatment for pain and shortness of breath. She required further assistance from doctors in Kathmandu.

“I thought teleconsultation was needed here. We recently have started teleconsultation service after the orientation and on-site coaching by Action for Nepal. The decision of teleconsultation was for the better. So, I gave the phone to the woman herself and she shared her pain with the doctor. I could really see the assurance and hope in her eyes being relieved from the pain that she was going through – and I also could feel the trust she had in us.”

Diagnosed and prescribed medication, the patient was asked to come back for a follow up appointment. A week later, Bimala was surprised to see the woman arriving at the health post with a broad smile, seemingly cured of her condition, allowing her to go about her daily life.

“You know, I was amazed to see the impact of one short teleconsultation service and realised how important this was to the people of Waku. People have started to know about this service and have come to the health post with their complaints.” 

With support from Action for Nepal, telehealth consultation infrastructure is not the only improvement Waku has seen. The Waku Health Post has set up a lab service with new equipment and received staff training and recruitment assistance. When paired with the telehealth consultation service, this new infrastructure has allowed staff to upskill through virtual and onsite coaching.

“We are able to provide improved health services through teleconsultation as well as lab services, and this is all because of support from Action for Nepal. Before this training we were not really aware of the appropriate way of taking and writing down the history of the patients but now we do it with ease.  The training has amplified our confidence to treat the patients and elevated our motivation to provide quality and improved health services.”

Birmala is grateful for the support of Action for Nepal.

“I am deeply thankful to Action for Nepal for introducing such an impactful program that has been directly benefiting the community through improved health services – and bringing smiles to their faces. Thank you for realising that the teleconsultation service was needed here and supporting the equipment for lab services. We have been highly encouraged by your support.”

This project is delivered in partnership with the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and with support from our generous donors. 

Posted August 2024

Learn more about our Health program.