This year, the association “CHANCEN – Bildung in Nepal e.V.” is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The association is committed to enabling children from poor families to attend school. We are delighted to be part of this wonderful project, which was founded 10 years ago by Peter Hess and other dedicated companions. What began as a study trip to Nepal has developed into an impressive aid project that is sustainably changing the lives of many children.
At the beginning, there were almost 30 members and two “sponsored children” whose school education was financed by the association. The first step in 2015 was to found a small learning café in Bhaktapur, where the growing number of children in care were accompanied daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. while doing their homework. In the meantime, there are already more than 70 sponsored children who have been able to successfully complete their school education thanks to the association and the sponsors found.
2015: Earthquake in Nepal & Expansion of the association's activities
In the first year of the association's activities, a momentous event occurred: on April 25, 2015, the earth shook in Nepal, destroying buildings, some lives, and, above all, much of the people's hope. The members of the association faced this challenge and immediately collected donations, which were then used both for initial aid (with the distribution of medicines, food and the financing of some simple accommodations such as tin huts) and for later reconstruction. Many from the large “Peter Hess Sound family” followed the call for donations at that time and made a large amount of local help possible. This is how further pillars of the association's activities were created at that time: charitable special projects and the promotion of state schools.
"In recent years, we have been able to significantly support the construction or reconstruction of five state schools. In addition, by financing teaching materials, laboratories and many renovations, we have been able to significantly improve the quality of educational work at a total of eight state schools. We have decided to continue this work at the state schools, as this allows us to support even more children and young people in their school education."
Jürgen Bossert
1st Chairman of CHANCEN – Education in Nepal e.V.
2019: Development of a program to promote lunches in schools
In 2019, the association was asked by a school to help set up a sustainable lunch program. This is how another pillar of activity was created: Social projects/health projects. In Duwakot, the warm lunch for the students, some of whom previously had nothing to eat all day, is now being financed for the fifth year. In the meantime, CHANCEN – Bildung in Nepal e.V. is the long-term sponsor of a meal program at six state schools. The association has also ensured hygienic conditions in newly built or newly equipped large kitchens there.
"As another health project, we have started our women's/girls' project in recent years," reports Jürgen Bossert. "We provide reusable menstrual pads to female students and teachers at some schools and, with the help of a social worker, provide information about them in the schools."
2021: Corona aid for Nepal
In 2021, at the request of the German and Nepalese ambassadors, the association participated in a special charitable project for “Corona Aid for Nepal”: Two hospitals were supported with medical equipment (X-ray machine, patient monitors, oxygen devices, and protective clothing). Families in particular need – including most of the association's sponsored children – were provided with basic foodstuffs such as rice, lentils, flour, and oil. A small village that was particularly hard hit was provided with warm lunches for all residents for half a month.
Support from Hess Sound
To mark the 10th anniversary of the association, Hess Sound decided to support a current project. This involved renovating and refurnishing the kitchen at the Shree Janajyoti Secondary School in Banepa. At our summer sound event this year, we collected €300 in donations and added another €500 to these donations to help finance the kitchen equipment. The new kitchen enables the students to prepare meals more healthily and safely, as previously cooking was done over an open fire in a room without adequate ventilation.
Current: Natural disaster – call for donations to our community
Recently, a severe weather disaster in Nepal has cast a shadow over the many achievements of the association. 15 families whose children attend our school have lost everything. In addition, the disaster also claimed a young life – a former student who had just attended the 11th grade died. Every help counts to give the people on the ground hope and perspectives back. You can find out more about the work on the ground and how you can help here: https://www.chancen-nepal.de/
