Projects
The New Marigold School Nepal
The latest project that we at HNGF are eager to support!
We would like to draw your attention to this initiative, which plays a vital and defining role in the lives of the children who attend this school. Read the founder’s inspiring story below.
The New Marigold School is the latest school founded by Shamser Thapa. He grew up in a farming family in Nepal. At school, children were frequently subjected to corporal punishment as a means of correction — a practice that was, unfortunately, not uncommon in the Nepalese education system. Shamser was afraid to go to school. It was not until secondary school that he met an English teacher who taught without resorting to violence. This non-violent approach inspired Shamser. After secondary school, he went on to study English in Kathmandu. He began a career in secondary education, employing a non-violent teaching style, but found it deeply troubling to see corporal punishment used against students at the school. He resigned and took a job at a primary school. There, too, he was unable to achieve his ultimate goal: a non-violent approach and access to schooling for every child, including those whose parents could not afford the fees. In 2015, he founded his first school, Heaven Hill School in Gaunshahar. Together with volunteers and donors, he expanded the school from 40 to 133 students. The children receive school supplies, a uniform, and a hot meal at school. The school is open to students from all backgrounds and castes.
In 2018, Shamser founded a second school: the Vision Academy. A childcare facility was added in 2021, and in 2022 he established the New Marigold School. This school includes a childcare facility and offers both primary and secondary education, preparing students for potential higher vocational training or university studies. The school has grown rapidly and now has 190 students, including four children with learning difficulties. As with the other schools, the guiding principles here are non-violent teaching methods and free education for all children. In addition, students receive instruction in sustainability and learn how to clear away waste and garden. You can read much more about these schools on the website: https://1drv.ms/w/c/5705c9f2b964962f/IQDwZnchYa98Q5uoOScqDqJGAYBfSwX_UTDBC1TBE0dVMRM?e=xSIQ6S&nav=eyJoIjoiNzc2OTgyMTQ0In0
The school relies entirely on donors. Preparatory education for higher vocational or university studies, in particular, is a costly undertaking. These specially trained teachers earn a higher salary, costing 4,000 euros per year. These salary costs are high, and ensuring continuity is a challenge. We would therefore like to ask you to consider making a donation for this purpose. We — and the students of the Marigold School — thank you for your support!
P.S. You might be wondering how we came into contact with this school. Ursula, a German board member, connected with Joachim, a German teacher who volunteers at the school. After productive conversations with him and an extensive interview with Shamsar, we were convinced of Shamsar’s reliability and dedication. As HNGF, we are eager to do our part to support this initiative.
Rumtek Nunnery
Ouring our visit to Bodhgaya in 2018, we carne into contact with a number of nuns from a monastery in Rumtek. That monastery houses 25 nuns, ranging in age from 9 to 45 years, under very simple conditions. The step to the monastery is often taken when children live in poverty. In any case, shelter, clothing and food will be guaranteed, and education is often provided. In 2019, the HNGF donated the furnishings of a classroom and 2 washing machines. Due to the COVID pandemic, there has been little contact since then. Fortunately, we were able to donate the annual salary for the teacher in English and Mathematics which they have hired since September 2022. We are happy that they have taken this step and that the education of the girls and young women in the monastery is becoming more and more serious. We would like to continue to support this and ask for your help!
Education Monastery, Mainpath, India
Following Nepal’s devastating earthquake in 2015, the 30 young monks of H.E. Beru Khyentse Rinpoche monastery in Boudanath were scattered over different monastery locations. Now, it has been decided to have the boys stay permanently in Mainpath (lndia). The conditions there are more comfortable, the weather is pleasant and the monastery has been set up specially for their residence. School benches and tables have been purchased with the support of the HNGF. Further investments will be made in school supplies for the students (stationery, educational games) and for the teacher (laptop and printer). A plan is underway to teach English at elementary school level. Communications via the contact person there are smooth and transparent.
Your support, but also your ideas, are very welcome!
