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“Rebuilding Sanjiwani Hostel for visually impaired students in Dhulikhel, Kathmandu.
On April 25th, 2015, a massive earthquake struck Nepal, devastating the country. Schools and buildings across the nation were destroyed, and the process of reconstruction has been ongoing. In the town of Dhulikhel, located twenty miles east of Kathmandu, a hostel for students affiliated with Sanjiwani School, which serves as the home for up to 26 visually impaired children who must board far away from their families, lost one of its two buildings. What remained was not safe, and all the children were cramped into a single building. These children couldn’t return home to visit their families, as Dhulikhel’s government school was the only option for educating them, requiring several days of travel.
Even before the earthquake, the hostel was in poor condition, but after the earthquake, the site itself became even more dangerous, with three-meter drops surrounding the building where the foundations of the old structure had been destroyed. Temporary safety balcony fences within the hostel were loose, and access around the school was very hazardous for those with visual impairments. Inside the hostel building itself, there were no study desks, dilapidated kitchen facilities, and minimal entertainment options for the children who live on-site for ten months a year. Despite these challenges, the children remained remarkably friendly, optimistic, and welcoming. John Davis first visited Dhulikhel School in 1999 as a student on a Ullswater Community College expedition to Nepal. He returned for the third time in the summer of 2016, this time as a qualified and experienced teacher, to volunteer in schools in Dhulikhel with his wife, Paula.
Many evenings were spent at the hostel with the visually impaired children. Upon their return to the UK, John and Paula gave a presentation at the George Hotel in Penrith, which was attended by the Juniper Trust who agreed to collaborate with them to improve the lives of these children. Working together with the local community, they raised funds to support a complete renovation of the hostel. ”
Even before the earthquake, the hostel was in poor condition, but after the earthquake, the site itself became even more dangerous, with three-meter drops surrounding the building where the foundations of the old structure had been destroyed. Temporary safety balcony fences within the hostel were loose, and access around the school was very hazardous for those with visual impairments. Inside the hostel building itself, there were no study desks, dilapidated kitchen facilities, and minimal entertainment options for the children who live on-site for ten months a year. Despite these challenges, the children remained remarkably friendly, optimistic, and welcoming. John Davis first visited Dhulikhel School in 1999 as a student on a Ullswater Community College expedition to Nepal. He returned for the third time in the summer of 2016, this time as a qualified and experienced teacher, to volunteer in schools in Dhulikhel with his wife, Paula.
Many evenings were spent at the hostel with the visually impaired children. Upon their return to the UK, John and Paula gave a presentation at the George Hotel in Penrith, which was attended by the Juniper Trust who agreed to collaborate with them to improve the lives of these children. Working together with the local community, they raised funds to support a complete renovation of the hostel. ”
Construction began in December 2016, thanks to a £5000 donation from the Trust and with the assistance of John and Paula. The remaining £10,000 required for the renovation was also successfully raised. The hostel was completed in May 2017. In addition to the building work and essential living equipment, the children were asked to provide a wish list of simple things that would enhance their quality of life, to supplement the USB players and headphones already donated and in frequent use. They requested several traditional musical instruments to play, which would help integrate them into the community – as music and singing are integral parts of Nepali culture.
The Juniper Trust has made multiple visits to the hostel while in Kathmandu as part of their school rebuilding program and continues to support the Sanjiwani hostel for visually impaired children.
30 Wordsworth Street
Penrith, Cumbria
CA11 7QY, United Kingdom
Registered Charity Number: 1053356
