Together We Can Support Others

Following the success of St Christopher’s Infant and Junior Schools’ project, in association with United World Schools (UWS), to raise funds to build a school in Cambodia, St Christopher’s Senior School students have embarked on their own challenge to fund, again in association with UWS, the building of a school in Gurase, Nepal. More than 800 students in Years 7 to 11 attended a special assembly led by Mr Nick Wilson, Head of Senior School, Mrs Annabel Brandreth, Infant School and Senior School Community Service Co-ordinator, Mrs Kristina Bourner to launch the Nepal project. The focus of the assembly was to encourage students to reflect on the importance of education in their own lives and to gain a deeper understanding of the lack of opportunities for many under-privileged children. A number of fund-raising events are planned throughout the year including an Unplugged Concert in October, a SPARTA 1Km Challenge in November and a range of House Competitions.

The immediate target is to raise BD 10,000 in this academic year. During the recent earthquake, 9,000 people were killed in Nepal and all buildings in Gurase were destroyed. The Nepalese government is unable to finance the construction of a new school given the extent of the devastation in the country. Many of the children have to walk 3-4 hours to reach the nearest school and the terrain is often difficult and dangerous. Crossing rivers using unstable rope bridges is a routine feature of the journey. The funds raised will be used to build the school, including a Library, and to provide clean water and teaching resources for 200 students and 2 teachers. The building work will start at the beginning of October with a completion date of March 2016. The hope is for the school to formally open in June 2016. The support for the project is very strong, with many students inspired to become very actively involved in supporting this very worthy cause.