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pics? updates? curious.
Here's the latest on this from our contact at Room to Read:
Our Nepal team has selected the fourteen partner communities we
will work with to implement our 2009 constructed library projects. They
have identified the Shree Janajagriti Primary School as the site to
build the library you have so generously sponsored. The school serves
114 students and employs five teachers. It is located in the village of
Vhingri which is in the Pyuthan district about 354 kilometers southwest
of Kathmandu.
Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update
on the current situation in Nepal. As you know, Room to Read began its
work almost 10 years ago in Nepal. We have made it our mission to help
the Nepali people create a better world for their children through
educational opportunities. Since the beginning, Nepali communities have
committed to co-investing with us not simply because it is a requirement
but because of their strong belief in the power of education.
Unfortunately, sometimes events outside our control interfere with this
process.
Following a year of significant transition that saw the end of the
monarchy and the conclusion of a guerilla war, the Prime Minister
recently resigned. A new political coalition has quickly formed and a
Prime Minister elected, however it is a fragile partnership facing many
competing interests. In the meantime, general instability including
frequent road closures, power outages, and sky-rocketing cost of goods
and services are among the additional challenges our Nepal team faces as
they work hard to complete the construction on the over 200 schools and
libraries which we began in 2008 and as they begin implementation on the
292 schools and constructed libraries we have planned for 2009. Just
this morning, we received an email from our team that our School Room
Program Officer, Devkota, had to curtail his visits to our projects when
he came upon a highway blockade that forced him to abandon his vehicle
and walk 7 miles to reach the next town.
Due to the current environment, we are anticipating delays to our
forecasted 18-month implementation and reporting schedule for our 2009
schools and constructed libraries. We anticipate having an application
report to share with you on your library in August, instead of June as
originally planned. The completion report which we had expected to
receive in June 2010 will also likely be delayed. Throughout the year, I
will continue to provide updates on the situation in Nepal as they
becomes available. Now more than ever, the people of Nepal need our
assistance during these challenging times and we greatly appreciate your
partnership. Please let me know if you have any questions about the
delays.
Again, thank you to you and your colleagues for generously supporting
our work, and for helping us to bring so many children in the developing
world the lifelong gift of education.
Warmest regards,
While we're all disappointed that the people of Nepal are facing increased uncertainty and instability due to the political situation there, we greatlyappreciated Room to Read's willingness to keep us apprised of the situation. They've been among the best charities we've worked with thus far interms of maintaining contact and keeping us informed regarding both progress AND delays.
I hope we can provide some additional details soon, if they're able to complete an application report this month, but we should also have a new donation toannounce within the next month or so as well.