Nepal: Lumbini Girls School
Construction Partner Chosen: Q1 2017
June 12, 2017
Ganesh Shrestha, Pragya Gautam, and Deanna Boulard
Summary of Activities
Lumbini is not among the earthquake hit regions and is situated in western Nepal. The program was selected by RMF’s team because of its strong alignment with our motto, “Liberating Human Potential.” Although the region is only 205 km west of the capital city, Kathmandu, the treatment of women in Lumbini is astonishing. The region has the lowest female literacy rate in Nepal, at just 18%. This is a clear indication of gender bias and discouragement of women’s education and growth.
RMF has joined hands with Karuna Girls’ School, which provides education for girls from grades 6–12, as well as vocational training for underprivileged girls and women in Lumbini. The curriculum emphasizes reading, writing, computer literacy, health, hygiene, nutrition, and family planning, while vocational training includes courses in computer literacy and tailoring.
During the course of 2016, the school grew from serving 150 students to 186 students. The curriculum emphasizes reading, writing, computer literacy, health, hygiene, nutrition, and family planning, while vocational training includes courses in computer literacy and tailoring.
RMF’s current support to the school is in constructing a 4-classroom building and handing it over to Karuna Girls’ School. This is a step in helping the school to meet its long-term goal of accommodating 500 students.
Full Report
Results &
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Finalizing Construction Plans
Construction Company Chosen
Of the three quotations received, Lumbini Sanskritik Associates Pvt. Ltd.’s was found to be the most economic and the most appropriate. The company is properly registered and has plenty of experience in building within the Lumbini area. Therefore, the team decided to recommend Lumbini Sanskritik Associated Pvt. Ltd. as the project’s implementing construction partner.
Monitoring Visit from RMF
Finalizing Construction Partner
A team from RMF Nepal, including Program Manager Ganesh Shrestha and Grant & Finance Manager Gaurav Pradhan, visited Lumbini from April 24th to April 26th, 2017. The goal of this visit was to finalize our choice of the construction company and to get full information regarding the progress of the project’s approval from the local municipality. The team had separate meetings with the principal of Karuna Girls’ School, the engineer of Lumbini Sanskritik municipality, and the representatives of local construction companies.
Next Steps of Construction Process
Ready to Begin
The process of construction will be started after signing the contract between RMF and the chosen construction company, Lumbini Sanskritik Associated Pvt. Ltd.
The construction process will be monitored regularly by RMF Nepal’s staff, and the quality of materials and technical procedures will be carefully examined. In recognition of RMF’s support, signage with our logo will be properly placed in the school building, and the completed building will be handed over to the Management Committee of Karuna Girls’ School, expanding infrastructure to provide quality education to a larger number of girls and women in Lumbini.
Background
& Objectives
Background
Karuna Girls’ School was founded in 2013 by Global Karuna, a branch of the Nepali organization Lumbini Social Service Foundation (LSSF). The school is Lumbini’s only inclusive all-girls school, where girls can study regardless of religion or caste.
RMF began working with Global Karuna shortly after the April 2015 earthquake, and we are pursuing plans to construct an additional building for Karuna Girls’ School and, in partnership with the school, develop a nursing and midwifery program.
Objectives
- To build capacity at Karuna Girls’ School
- To develop a nursing and midwifery school
- To improve the education, health, and wellbeing of girls and women in Lumbini
More Reports on: Lumbini Girls School Archive
Country Page: Nepal
Initiative Page: Lumbini Girls School