Students at the Stockholm International School (SIS) are taking a hands-on approach to tackling global poverty and educational conditions. A handful of students started The Nepal Project, which has recently celebrated its second year.
The students felt inspired to do something to improve the living and educational conditions of poor children across the globe. As a result, they organized a partnership with Shila Devi primary school.
The students provided material and educational needs to the best of their ability. These needs range from basic food and supplies to physical facilities and training for teachers.
According to the program’s website, the SIS hopes that, in return, “SIS students will further expand their understanding of the world and developing their sense of international mindedness; through this long term charity project students will gain an understanding of the concept of Service and what their contribution can mean for a global issue [such as education].”
The students do the majority of fundraising in Sweden during the school year. Students often organize charity drives to gather necessary supplies (such as shoes and toys and more common educational items).
Each spring, a group of ten or so students and ambassadors travel to Nepal. They visit Sila Devi primary school and deliver the donations they’ve collected. As a result, they are able see the effects of their work firsthand.
In their most recent trip, SIS delivered 12 bags of toiletries, school supplies and clothing to the primary school. The Nepal Project’s website states that one student’s family was even able to provide everyone with a pair of sunglasses.
The project recently celebrated its two-year anniversary in improving educational conditions in Nepal. In its honor, the students at SIS hosted an event at their school. The students showcased videos, testimonials and other examples of their handiwork in action.
They also talked about their goals for the future— having already installed solar panels at Shila Devi to help the school produce its own electricity, they are now working to provide clean water access for the students.
At the event, Krešìmir Krajnovìć, the Student Chairman of the project, said, “The Nepal Project has been such a success because so many different people worked really hard. All the members of the team are crucial.We have built it up to become one of the defining points of our school.”
– Sabrina Santos
Photo: Flickr