Vidhyadatri Primary School – The Juniper Trust’s 16th School
After the 2015 devastating earthquake in Nepal, The Juniper Trust stepped up to support the reconstruction of damaged schools in remote areas that were otherwise receiving little help. Despite the challenges of sourcing and delivering materials to these remote regions, navigating complex permissions and earthquake regulations, and dealing with unpredictable weather, The Juniper Trust achieved its initial goal of rebuilding 10 schools, including a hostel for blind students in Kathmandu, by the end of 2016 – just 18 months after the earthquake.
Although the project was occasionally daunting, the Juniper Trust persevered with the invaluable help of local volunteers and the communities themselves. As news of their good work spread, many other villages approached the Trust for assistance in rebuilding their own schools. The Trust remained committed to its Nepal Earthquake appeal and set an ambitious target of rebuilding 10 more schools by 2020, making a total of 20 schools rebuilt by that year.
The Juniper Trust rebuilt a further 7 schools before work came to a halt due to the Covid pandemic in spring 2020. However, the resilience of the Nepalese people shone through, and as soon as it was safe to do so, they resumed work on the remaining schools. In December 2021, the 18th school, Bampti Kindergarten, was completed, and Maili school was successfully rebuilt in 2022 with the help of the first western volunteers to return to Nepal since the pandemic.
Although the project was occasionally daunting, the Juniper Trust persevered with the invaluable help of local volunteers and the communities themselves. As news of their good work spread, many other villages approached the Trust for assistance in rebuilding their own schools. The Trust remained committed to its Nepal Earthquake appeal and set an ambitious target of rebuilding 10 more schools by 2020, making a total of 20 schools rebuilt by that year.
The Juniper Trust rebuilt a further 7 schools before work came to a halt due to the Covid pandemic in spring 2020. However, the resilience of the Nepalese people shone through, and as soon as it was safe to do so, they resumed work on the remaining schools. In December 2021, the 18th school, Bampti Kindergarten, was completed, and Maili school was successfully rebuilt in 2022 with the help of the first western volunteers to return to Nepal since the pandemic.
Work has already begun on the 20th school rebuild, in the remote village of Ranjana Beni, and the Trust is committed to completing it by November 2023. The Juniper Trust’s success in rebuilding these schools is a testament to the power of collective action and the determination of the human spirit, and we are grateful for the support of all those who have contributed to this important cause. Thank you to the volunteers from Adventure Aid Nepal for helping to complete a new three-classroom school for 40 children. The school was officially opened in October 2019.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has contributed their time, effort, and resources to make this amazing project possible.
Change Their World. Change Yours. This Changes Everything.
Penrith, Cumbria, UK
Registered Charity Number: 1053356