Shangri-La International School - introduction
With the construction of the Shangri-La International School (November 2001 - April 2002) we extended our actions from charity (orphanage home) to effective development aid in the Nepalese education sector. This gives 500 children the opportunity of a profound school education and helps in financing the orphanage home.
In August 2001 we bought for this purpose 6000 m² land located at a tranquil pollution free spot between the orphanage home in Neopane and Chapagaon (
GoogleMap), the next city with bus stop. Next to this site are 8000 m² state owned land, which we got for free from the local VDC (they leased it for 50 years). To support that decision we made a 10 year plan that shows what development aid initiatives we plan in Nepal.
In a personal talk ex-premier Dheuba confirmed that the whole concept makes sense and assured us his full support for implementing our plans. Dheuba himself comes from the poorest regions of West Nepal and he accompanied our school project here all the time. Against his own party Dheuba did at that time work on a ground reform favouring the poor, casteless and woman.
More than strange a villager from Chapagaon will feel, when for the first time since 6 month walking down the valley of Ratomates. Where in November everywhere rice terraces were waving in the wind, after only 6 month there is now the Shangri-La International School, which is already being attended by 294 pupils.
Unbelievable above all because a building big as 1200 m² floor space normally takes 24 month in Nepal. Because of the state of emergency, raising building material prices and the incompetence of the Nepalese building contractor, as well as the typical Boli-Boli (tomorrow-tomorrow) mentality the 6 month were a real psycho terror and a race against time. There was not only the almost impossible construction work to be implemented, but also out of 300 teachers we had to choose the best, the pedagogic concept, the management structures, the 4 weeks of teacher training, the furniture and many more things were to be planned and organized. Despite all this difficulties we managed to open school on 04/15/2002 and completely finish the construction in the following month.
The next steps are the drainage installation, the fastening of the slopes and the enhancement of the street which is impassable during monsoon.
The construction of a separate kindergarten and a pottery workshop will be carried out at the beginning of next year - so we can offer enough space to play for little ones as well as ample possibilities for creative arts and crafts for the older ones. After all the construction works over the last 6 month it is touching to observe everyday's life in the new school. To see almost 300 children in red-blue school uniforms jumping around happily and to know that some of them will take the chance for education and achievement of skills and take it over into Nepalese society. Everyone in his own way, with his/her individual tone and his/her own social situation.
Amor es vida - Love is life.
A big THANK YOU to all who were involved in this so called 'mission impossible' and helped in completing it. Thanks for the trust which gave us once more the strength to make this step!
