News

Finally – a new constitution for Nepal?

Nepal’s Constituent Assembly began voting on a draft of the Himalayan nation’s much-delayed new constitution on Sunday despite protests from ethnic minority groups.

The constitution has been delayed by years of disagreements between the main political parties, and the voting on the draft is seen as major progress. The three main parties finally reached agreement this year, enabling the process to move on after years of stalemate.

Nepal has had an interim constitution since pro-democracy protests forced then-King Gyanendra to give up authoritarian rule and turn the country into a republic.

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What is happening to the money you sent us for earthquake relief in Nepal

Dear friends,

This edited report (below) from Himalayan Projects, the Belgian NGO we partner in Western Nepal, provides an update on the Nepal earthquake relief work that your donations are helping to make possible. I am sending it to everyone in our mailing lists, since a good number of you helped us raise the £5593 in response to the disaster. Although the earthquake is no longer in the news, the work of rebuilding homes and schools will continue for years. We have already sent over £2000 to Himalayan Projects.…

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Earthquake relief

I am pleased to report that we have received £5593 in response to my appeal for donations after the Nepal earthquake. This exceeds the expectations I had, and stands as testimony to your compassion for and generosity towards the many victims who have lost their schools and homes in what was a major disaster. In addition to individual donations, a school in Spain and a church congregation in Scotland held collections and fund-raising events which raised sums of over £1000 respectively.…

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Earthquake in Nepal

Many villagers have lost their homes in the recent earthquake in Nepal and are living in tents. We can help provide shelter and utensils so that they can stay in their villages and start the re-construction process and re-build their lives.

We need money to do this, so we would welcome donations from anyone reading this. Just go to the donations page of the HELP website if you would like to make a contribution.…

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Volunteer news from West Bengal

Anne Taylor, who has returned to her school near Kalimpong five times, has written this account of her latest adventures:

 

“I am spending Easter weekend in Darjeeling and I woke up to a magnificent view of the snowy peaks of the Himalayas with Kanchenjunga (India’s highest mountain) the centre piece. And that was before I even got out of bed! It was so clear at 7am it felt as though I would be able to reach out and touch the snow.…

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Nepal’s political crisis deepens

The Guardian reports on the political crisis in Nepal, 23rd January 2015:-

The  Nepal crisis deepens after opposition politicians storm parliament Rivals throw shoes and microphones in scuffle over new constitution, intensifying public angst over slow political progress .

A new constitution is widely seen as a crucial step to ending the instability that has plagued the country since 2006. Photograph: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters Nepal has plunged deeper into crisis after feuding politicians – throwing microphones and shoes – failed to meet a deadline to table a new constitution, a key step to stability.…

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Newsletter 2014 (No. 12)

December 2013 – November 2014

This year marks a transition for HELP. After 12 years at the helm, Jim is handing over some key responsibilities to Barbara Porter (our new Director, Volunteer Programme) and Ben Coleman (Director, Sponsorship Programme). Jim will retain an advisory role, and handle Projects and Accounts for the time being. Jim’s wife, Yami, remains as HELP secretary. Everyone on the HELP team is a volunteer, which means none of your money goes on salaries!

INSPECTION VISIT (October – November 2014)
Homework on the verandah
Homework on the verandah

Barbara undertook last year’s inspection visit, so it was my turn this year.

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Voluntourism. How should HELP respond?

How should HELP respond to the growing numbers of organisations, both foreign and local, offering volunteer placements for tourists in the regions where we have been operating over the past twelve years?

Briefly, our aim is to place teachers on long assignments of at least a month in schools that not only welcome them, but can make good use of them. We regard the schools, not the volunteers, as our ‘clients’. We are not a ‘voluntourism’ business but a registered charity.…

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I think it’s a great organization. I’m really impressed with how small and focused on each project HELP is.
Jill PeckVidya Sagar Gyanpeeth School
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