Oldchairs has been providing funding to the Charity Pipal Tree

Building classrooms in south Nepal;  –   We’ve been raising money through our courses to provide education opportunities

29 March 2024 Pipal Tree blog page
The new classroom block at Bhatighadi School nearing completion. Dhanusha District, south Nepal.
The new classroom block at Bhatighadi School nearing completion

Two of the partner organisations of Pipal Tree Charity in Nepal, the Mithila Wildlife Trust (MWT) and Lily’s Leaves, are currently engaged in major school building projects. MWT is overseeing the construction of a new classroom block at Bhatighadi School, a community school that serves the children of marginalised people who have been involved in our reforestation projects. This school dates from 1961 and was very dilapidated and under-resourced. Over the past two years we have transformed children’s prospects at this school by:

  • Renovating some classrooms and building this block – project work funded by the same private donors, Nigel and Pepie in Ireland.
  • Building and equipping a computer classroom – funded by UK charity Guy’s Trust
  • Funding an additional support teacher – funded through our Big Give Christmas Challenge
  • Issuing material support including free school rucksacks and reusable sanitary pads made by Lily’s Leaves and funded by several Foundations including Maiden Factor Foundation and Last Night a DJ Saved My Life and a major corporate that requests anonymity.

The picture below shows what the school looked like before we got to work!

Pipal Tree charity
Bhatighadi School in 2020 before our investment.

Meanwhile, Lily’s Leaves has been supervising the construction of an additional floor on a government-owned building in Sarlahi District (also funded by The Big Give Christmas appeal that will be used as a Community Learning Centre (CLC) for up to 200 low-caste children. These children will receive extra tuition and help with their homework, supporting their attendance at four mainstream schools and reducing the risk of early dropout. This project is costing £15,741 for the building work, classroom furnishing and operating costs for the first half of this year. Priority is being given to providing extra tuition for Class 9/10 students towards their passing the Class 10 SEE examination that will allow them to progress to college and to become CLC tutors of the future.

Pipal Tree, through its Nepal partners is now looking ahead to further construction and revenue projects that will be funded through a special Big Give matched funding appeal in June. Will you, your company or organisation please be able to follow Nigel & Pepie’s example and help us with a major pledge towards this appeal? Let me know as soon as you can and we can discuss specific needs and opportunities.