Back to School Project
2022
This video brings Marlene to tears every time she watches it. It is the stuff that motivates us to do what we do.
This video combines NEEF's two most recent projects where orphaned kids received a coat, a school uniform, and some school supplies.
All of which would have never been possible without your generosity!
Thank you so much for all you do!
Can only imagine where things go from here!
Please read below for all the detail on NEEF's latest campaign to raise funds for the 2022 BACK TO SCHOOL Project
July 17, 2022
A core value of NEEF, from its inception, is the belief that Himalayan children will benefit from any level of English proficiency. NEEF understands that all tourists are not English or American but English is still the common language of global tourism and commerce. So, for anyone to participate in the tourist industry a level of English proficiency is essential. For most of these children, on the lower slopes of Mount Everest, assisting tourists is their only future. An orphaned child has no chance of getting any education without help. NEEF supports children getting to school, keeping them in school, and helping them learn while they are there.
Government corruption remains one of the biggest hurdles to any progress for Nepal. As a small organization NEEF is nimble and able to operate directly at the homes and the desktops of these children away from the notice of all government officials. We are very proud of everything that we have accomplished. Every donated dollar has gone directly to help these children.
COVID 19 has impacted all of our lives over the past two years. We think back to the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020 when the whole world stopped overnight. We were kept at home, economic activity crashed, we lived in fear of touching or even seeing one another. Through our personal struggle the poorest children of the world could easily have been forgotten as we focused on our own hardship. Yet, NEEF supporters, you found the grace and generosity in your hearts to financially support orphaned and overwhelmingly poor children who had been left to fend for themselves on the lower slopes of Mount Everest. As the climbing / tourism community of the Himalayas began coming back this spring no one was asking how these kids even survived for the past two years!
But you did! You stepped up early when NEEF asked you to support COATS FOR KIDS 2020 where these children needed a warm jacket and shoes to get to school and to sit in an unheated stone-walled classroom and learn. Another core belief of the NEEF organization is that a successful future for each child will only be determined by their individual ability to succeed in school.
NEEF's 2021 project, SCHOOL UNIFORMS FOR ORPHANS, asked you to support providing these children with pants/skirt, a school shirt, and some important school supplies as each of these children were being held out of school because of it. I personally believe that Nepal's adherence to an outdated British custom is madness but nonetheless it was a huge barrier to their success.
NEEF works closely with the MERA Foundation, an amazing group of selfless Indigenous Nepali people, led by Dilip Kulung, who seek funding for food and other supplies for these children and distribute it on our behalf. We honor the work of other international foundations such as the New Futures Foundation, based in Britain, as they have also stepped up during the COVID pandemic to provide for these kids.
As part of NEEF's ongoing support we are launching our BACK TO SCHOOL 2022 project. The goal of this project is to assist orphan and poor children on their studies from five primary schools and one secondary school in Chheskam, Mahakulung a scenic village on Mount Everest's lower slopes.
These kids have lost at least one parent to their work in high altitude on Mount Everest. In our comfortable lives at home, we have no idea of the dangers that their parents risked to provide for their children. Without a dad these kids are now lost. Sadly a number of these children have lost parents to cancer as it appears to prevail for an unknown reason in this area.
Today, these orphaned children need educational materials the most. Only 25% of students complete the 11th and 12th grades. Sadly, it is rare for any to go to university as it is totally unaffordable.
The last two and half years have been a very hard time for everyone because of COVID 19. The relatives of all orphaned and poor children have been jobless as Everest tourism has collapsed. The physically capable from this area have relied on Everest tourism and carrying goods and equipment for years. If desperate before, things are even tougher today.
Nevertheless, graduating from school means superior English skills. Again, English is the main language of tourism in Nepal and around the world. Having any English skill will provide a better job and pay. NEEF's current BACK TO SCHOOL project directly supports what these children need. We are following up on a direct request from the MERA Foundation who monitor these children and their progress closely.
BACK TO SCHOOL aims to provide each of the 350 orphaned children the following much needed school supplies:
(a) English-Nepali dictionary $4.50
(b) English-Nepali grammar book $5.00
(c) School backpack $7.00
(d) Simple geometry set $1.50
(e) Shoes $6.00
$24.00
These kids would have absolutely no way to afford or access these materials without NEEF's BACK TO SCHOOL project.
Total cost per student: $24
Total project funds needed for school supplies: $8,400
KTM-Mahakulung transportation charge: $250
Total project cost: $8,650
NEEF has always been absolutely transparent with every dollar that is raised and how it is spent.
No one associated with NEEF, or the MERA Foundation in Nepal, receives ANY compensation for ANY of the work being done. Not one thin dime! All donations go directly to help these kids in need. That is an incredible performance standard of which we are all very proud!
Marlene and Ken, as NEEF representatives, plan to travel to Kathmandu this fall to assist in purchasing, and travel overland to the Solukhumbu to assist in distributing these materials to the 350 students in these five schools:
Chomolungma Basic School, Nimkham, Chheskam
Mahakulung Basic School, Sumkhim, Chheskam
Ratna Pragatishil School, Khardo, Chheskam
Chheskam Secondary School, Chheskam
Denam Basic School, Chhemsi, Chheskam
(If COVID and international travel allows it.) And yes, again, that will all be at their expense.
Can you find it in your heart to donate to NEEF's BACK TO SCHOOL project this year? You have been so generous in the past. We appreciate everything that you have done through NEEF so far.
July 17, 2022
UPDATE
COVID caused us all incredible disruptions so this distribution was not able to occur until June, 2021. The following pictures were taken to show the distribution when it occurred. Nice to see the kids wearing their new uniforms and receiving materials to be back in school. It was good to have the kids ready when school was finally able to reopen again. All of you should have received a thank you card and a photo from Marlene of students wearing their new uniforms of this activity.
April 5, 2021
When we began this project a couple of months ago we identified 74 children who needed NEEF support to stay in school and return to the classroom when things resume in May. Now we have expanded to 110 students as more students caught in this same situation have been located. We don't believe that we will need to raise any more support and we hope to be able to stretch the current funds to make it all work.
Students have all been measured for uniforms and they are being made as I write this update. It is a wonderful feeling to know what kind of impact NEEF is having. We take pride in saying that every dollar donated goes directly to help kids. It is through updates like this that you can see exactly what that means.
Even better than buying clothes for kids these shirts and pants are being cut and sewn right in the village that they will be used. The village of Chheskam will see a further direct benefit by having the money go straight into its economy to help the workers who are making these clothes. Smallest possible carbon footprint too.
The pictures below show the work being done and at the latest reporting we have 80 of the 110 complete.
Thank you all for your ongoing support. Couldn't do any of this without you!
by kenladouceur April 4, 2021
Synopsis
Our latest rural Nepal project is to support children's access to education whose fathers died in tragic accidents while carrying tourists' gear and equipment on Mount Everest.
Supplying school supplies and uniforms to kids who can no longer attend school.
Description
We are honored and humbled to be able to participate in the work of directly helping kids in rural Nepal. It is truly lifesaving work. We coordinate our efforts with the MERA Foundation, a Nepal-based foundation that ensures the work on the ground is carried out. The founder of MERA, Dilip Kulung, is a good friend that we have known for many years. Dilip is a person of great integrity with a big heart and a desire to do good things for others. The area of Nepal that we all serve is the Solukhumbu, the lower slopes of Everest.
Trekkers and climbers from around the world are drawn to Everest every year. The climbing season is always exciting as there is work for the people in the region but when it is over the work is gone and poverty is left behind. The local Kulung people are essential to making every expedition a success. They carry incredible loads into high altitude allowing the foreign climbers to participate and be successful. Unfortunately, every season, there are fatalities among the local people as they participate in this terribly dangerous work. We never hear about these fatalities as they are not tourists. Tourists make the news, locals do not. We also don’t hear about the families left behind. It is often the family’s primary earner who is killed leaving a young family to survive somehow.
Our project for Spring 2021 is to support those fatherless kids to attend school. Without support they have no way to afford a school uniform or school supplies. Life is tough in the Solukhumbu anyway but, without an education, the future is bleak. A uniform consists of a button-down shirt, a tie, and a pair of pants. A holdover from British colonial days but, if that’s a requirement, then they are held out of school if they can’t afford it.
This is quickly becoming a project with legs of its own. It really has taken off. We still want to include as many people as possible in this fundraiser though as the cause is so profound and so important. Dilip has provided a family picture and a short bio of each child. As always all funds raised go directly to support each of these children. As founders of NEEF Marlene and I cover all administrative costs for making these projects happen. The total cost for each child’s school uniform and school supplies (notebooks, textbooks, pencils and pens) is about $35 depending on the age of the child. In the village of Chheskam there are 74 children who have lost their father in a climbing accident or were murdered during the recent civil war. The civil war is another horrible event for this region where innocent civilians were executed to terrify others into support. The outcome is still the same where children were left abandoned and futures look bleak
Children supported by this project
Project Summary
Funding Agency
Nepal English Education Foundation USA
Partner Organizations in Nepal
Nepal English Education Foundation, Golden, Colorado
Everest MERA Foundation, Kathmandu, Nepal
Major Beneficiaries
74 orphan Students from 34 Families
Contact Persons
Ken Ladouceur, Administrator, Nepal English Education Foundation
Dilip S. Kulung, Chairman of Everest MERA Foundation
Mr. Sagar Kirati, the Chairman of Mahakulung Rural Municipality
Total Budget
School uniform and Stationery cost USD 2865 + Transportation Cost USD 200 = USD 3065
Timeframe
· February - 15th March : Fundraising
· 15th March - April 12 : Measuring Sewing, collection of stationeries
· 15th April: Distribution
Overview
Chheskam, a beautiful village on to the southern slopes of Mt. Everest is known as home of many porters as the farmers from this area go to the Everest area for tourist porter jobs. Porters die while working in high altitude carrying heavy trekking loads of more than 70 kilos and their children become helpless. The children presented below are fatherless and are cared for by a single mother. COVID19 has made it impossible to cover their school expenses so we are hoping to find help in our American and Canadian communities. The estimated cost below will cover a school uniform for at least for two educational years and school supplies including class books for one educational year.
These are the children whose fathers were killed on Everest and we are seeking funding to get them back in school.
Family 01 Samkhim Village - Chaman Kulung+ Father died on Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Chaman Kulung, 12 M gr 3 Janasudhar Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary Cost: $30.00
Sukrita Kulung, 10 F gr 2 Janasudhar Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Manbir Kulung, 8 M gr 1 Janasudhar Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $20.00
Total: $70.00
Family 02 Samkhim Village - Ramesh Kulung+ Father died on Everest, single mother taking care of 2 children
Ramesh Kulung , 7 M gr 2 Mahakulung Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $25.00
Family 03 Samkhim Village - Suga Kulung+ Father died on Everest, single mother taking care of 4 children
Suga Kulung, 17 F gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Rita Kulung, 14 F gr 6 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Sagar Kulung, 9 M gr 3 Janasudhar Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $30.00
Ridam Kulung, 7 M gr 2 Janasudhar Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $150.00
Family 04 Samkhim Village - Kiran Kulung+ Father died in civil war, single mother taking care of 3 children
Kiran Kulung, 17 M gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Bibas Kulung, 11 M gr 6 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Suman Kulung, 8 M gr 2 Janasudhar Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $120.00
Family 05 Samkhim Village - Ramita Kulung + Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Ramita Kulung, 16 F gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary Cost: $45.00
Sagar Kulung, 14 M gr 6 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary Cost: $45.00
Sumana Kulung, 8 M gr 2 Mahakulung Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $30.00
Total: $120.00
Family 06 Samkhim Village - Parvati Kulung+ Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 4 children
Parvati Kulung,16 F gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Sumita Kulung, 8 F gr 2 Mahakulung Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Mohan Kulung, 6 M gr 1 Mahakulung Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $20.00
Total: $95.00
Family 07 Chhemsi Village - Raj Kubir Kulung+ Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 2 children
Raj Kubir Kulung , 9 M gr 2 Denam Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Mani Kumar Kulung, 7 M gr K Denam Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $15.00
Total: $40.00
Family 08 Chhemsi Village - Diwasa Kulung Father died on Everest, single mother taking care of her
Diwasa Kulung, 8 F gr 2 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $25.00
Family 09 Chhemsi Village - Krishna Kulung+ Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 2 children
Krishna Kulung,12 M gr 4 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $35.00
Suresh Kulung, 10 M gr 3 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $30.00
Total: $65.00
Family 10 Pelemla Village - Anita Kulung+ Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Anita Kulung, 16 F gr 7 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Dhan Raj Kulung, 13 M gr 7 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Ansuman Kulung, 7 M gr 2 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $125.00
Family 11 Pelemla Village - Prashanta Kulung Father died of Everest, single mother taking care her
Prashanta Kulung, 13 M gr7 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Total: $50.00
Family 12 Pelemla Village - Gyan Bdr. Father died of Everest, single mother taking care her
Gyan Bdr. Kulung, 14 M gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Total: $50.00
Family 13 Pelemla Village - Shashikala Kulung+ Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Shashikala Kulung , 7 F gr 1 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $20.00
Sonika Kulung, 9 F gr 4 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $55.00
Family 14 Pelemla Village - Dipika Kulung + Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Dipika Kulung , 12 F gr 5 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $40.00
Khusi Kulung, 7 F gr 2 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $65.00
Family 15 Pelemla Village - Heman Kulung Father died on Everest, single mother taking care her
Heman Kulung, 14 M gr 7 Chheskam Secondary School Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Total: $50.00
Family 16 Pelemla Village - Mr. Soman Kulung Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Soman Kulung , 13 M gr 6 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Mandira Kulung, 13 F gr 4 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $35.00
Jay Kulung, 7 M gr 2 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $105.00
Family 17 Pelemla Village - Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 2 children
Akraj Kulung, 16 M gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Krishchana Kulung, 13F gr 7 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Total: $100.00
Family 18 Pelemla Village - Chalit Kumari Father died of Everest, single mother taking care her
Chalit Kumari Kulung, 14F gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Total: $50.00
Family 19 Pelemla Village - Jasmita Kulung Father died of Everest, single mother taking care her
Jasmita Kulung, 10 F gr 4 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $35.00
Total: $35.00
Family 20 Pelemla Village - Sushanta Kulung Father died of Everest, mother also died of cancer
Sushanta Kulung, 18 M gr 9 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Total: $50.00
Family 21 Pelemla Village - Laxman Kulung Father died of Everest, single mother taking care her
Laxman Kulung, 18 M gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Total: $50.00
Family 22 Pelemla Village - Siman Kulung Father died of Everest, single mother taking of 2 children
Siman Kulung, 11 F gr 4 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $35.00
Sujan Kulung,9 M gr 2 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $60.00
Family 23 Pelemla Village - Niruta Kulung Father died of Everest, single mother taking care her
Niruta Kulung, 14 F gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Total: $50.00
Family 24 Pelemla Village - Bhim Raj Kulung + Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Bhim Raj Kulung , 18 M gr7 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Gaurita Kulung, 12 F gr 5 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $40.00
Sirjan Kulung, 10 M gr 3 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $30.00
Total: $120.00
Family 25 Pelemla Village - Rojina Kulung +Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Rojina Kulung , 12 F gr 6 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Bikesh Kulung, 10 M gr 3 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $30.00
Manita Kulung, 10 F gr 1 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $20.00
Total: $95.00
Family 26 Khardo Village - Sukrita Kulung + Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 4 children
Sukri Maya Kulung , 10 F gr 2 Ratna pragatishil School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $20.00
Dirga Raj Kulung, 12 M gr 4 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $35.00
Ramesh Kulung, 15 M gr 5 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $40.00
Ramita Kulung, 17 F gr 6 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary Cost: $45.00
Total: $140.00
Family 27 Khardo Village - Manita Kulung +Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 4 children
Manita Kulung , 17 F gr 8 Ratna pragatishil School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Rojinan Kulung, 15 F gr 8 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Roshan Kulung, 15 M gr 4 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $35.00
Yoman Kulung M gr 1 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $20.00
Total: $155.00
Family 28 Gudel Village - Sagar Kulung + Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Sagar Kulung, 18 M gr 7 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Sahina Kulung, 12 F gr 5 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $40.00
Samir Kulung, 9 M gr 4 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $35.00
Total: $125.00
Family 29 Gudel Village - Tanka Raj Kulung +Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 2 children
Tanka Raj Kulung, 18 M gr 7 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Sumnima Kulung, 14 F gr 5 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Total: $95.00
Family 30 Gudel Village - Rakala Kulung +Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 4 children
Rakala Kulung , 17 F gr 8 Ratna pragatishil School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Manjil Kulung, 14 M gr 7 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Rinjin Kulung, 10 F gr 3 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $30.00
Som Kulung, 8 M gr 2 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $150.00
Family 31- Mamerku Village Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 2 children
Furba Sherpa, 14 F gr 5 Mamerku Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Angfuti Sherpa, 9 M gr 3 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $30.00
Total: $75.00
Family 32- Mamerku Village Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 2 children
Pemba Sherpa, 12 F gr 5 Mamerku Basic School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Yanji Sherpa, 8 M gr 2 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $50.00
Family 33 Gudel Village Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Sunil BK , 16 M gr 7 Ratna pragatishil School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $50.00
Sanjay BK, 13 M gr 6 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Aarati BK, 8 F gr 2 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a set of school uniform and stationary
Cost: $25.00
Total: $120.00
Family 34 Gudel Village Father died in Everest, single mother taking care of 3 children
Rita Kulung, 16 F gr 7 Ratna Pregatishil School Needs a set of school uniform and stationary
Hiradevi Kulung, 13 F gr 6 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $45.00
Sanjog Kulung, 10 M gr 3 Chheskam Secondary School Needs a Set of School Uniform and stationary
Cost: $30.00
Total: $125.00
TOTAL program cost in US dollars $2,865.00
Transportation $ 200.00
GRAND TOTAL $3.065.00
Any contribution that you could make to this incredible project would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
by kenladouceur February 16, 2021
A photo of Chheskam Village:
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NEEF is a registered 501(c)3 in the USA
NEEF is a registered Canadian charity. Registration number 100910-5
All donations are tax deductible.
Contact us: myneef2@gmail.com Ken & Marlene Ladouceur Golden, Colorado USA 80403
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