Editors Note:

First of all, we would like to wish all our readers and well-wishers a very Happy New Year 2010!

Year 2010 will mark the first decade of establishment of Help Nepal Network. Established initially to encourage Nepalis and friends of Nepal around the world to contribute and provide assistance in the fields of health, education and emergency relief in Nepal, HeNN continues to champion these activities by mobilizing resources within the country and abroad.

To help us achieve this goal, in January 2010, a Nepali businessman Siddhartha Rana donated the equivalent of US$133,000 to HeNN Admin fund. The interest from this Fund will be used to run the HeNN office in Nepal. This allows HeNN to use 100% of all charity donations raised worldwide entirely for projects.

The death of hundreds of men, women and children in Dailekh, Jajarkot and other districts due to a preventable disease like diarrhoea last year exposed the inherent weaknesses of the health services delivery system in Nepal. It has also highlighted the need for strengthening local service outlets and making them accessible to local people. Of course, it is easier said than done. In fact, it is due to such a ground reality that HeNN chapters around the world have renewed their commitment to assist in our own small ways.

As in the past, we look forward to hear your comments and suggestions regarding our activities. We also bank on your continued support in the New Year that remains the backbone of our entire activities. We are committed to prove that every small help counts—that too in a big way.

Thank you.
Editorial team
Help Nepal Network

Scheduled: British 10K Run in July 2010:

Help Nepal are teaming up again with Run For Change group to participate in the British 10K Run in July 2010 for the third consecutive year.

Last year the team raised over £4,000 to rebuild a primary school in Jhapa, Nepal where it was in dilapidated condition and needed immediate renovation.

This year the target amount to be raised is a significant total of £10,000 to fund rebuilding of three schools in various remote regions of Nepal. There is an exciting opportunity for you to participate in this years British 10K as part of the Run For Change team and attain a great achievement. Please offer your support and visit www.helpnepal.net or www.runforchangenepal.com

» Projects

Mugu Health Camp

Mugu is a remote hilly region in Western Nepal with limited access to basic health, education and transportation facilities. The objective of the Mugu Health Camp is to provide basic health services to the local and surrounding villages. The health camp offers services such as free health check up, minor surgery, medicines, and workshops to create awareness about general hygiene and safe motherhood.

The Health Camp is accessible to the local inhabitants and others living in vicinities nearby, whereas they would normally have to travel 2 days to find a suitable health care facility. Thousands of patients have benefited from the treatments offered at the Health Post. The camp has treated chronic problems such as Gastritis, eye diseases, gynaecological, cardiac, oral health issues and conducted minor surgeries. It has also helped to create awareness on general health, sanitation, hygiene and successfully treated infants and children.

Help Nepal Health Post, Sarlahi

HeNN and the Ananda Community Development Committee have signed an MOU to construct a permanent health post in Sarlahi district. The cost for this project is estimated at US$17,143, which is to be paid in 4 instalments. Hon. Minister of Industry, Mr Mahendra Ray Yadav laid the foundation stone on 19th July 2009 in the presence of more than 1000 local people. He has also committed to offer continuous support to the health post.

» Completed Projects

Shri Bhola Higher Secondary School, Bara

Shri Bhola Higher Secondary School is located in a remote village called Ganjbhawanipur in Bara. The school requested Help Nepal Network (HeNN) to establish an e-Library to enable the students to learn and improve their IT skills.

HeNN contributed USD 5,000.00 to set up the e-Library in October 2009, which is fully functional with 11 computers and a server

Shri Simpani Higher Secondary School, Khotang

HeNN contributed USD 5,000.00 to implement an e-Library in the school premises to develop and enhance new skills. The e-Library is now fully set up.

Shree Devi Primary School, Jhapa

HeNN has approved a contribution of USD 5,714.25 to construct a new school building with 2 rooms. At present, the school building is in a dilapidated condition and requires immediate help to build a new structure. Remaining funds will be contributed by the local government agencies and the community. 

The construction of the new building is expected to be completed by April 2010.

Shree Saraswoti Higher Secondary School, Gulmi

HeNN has approved a sum of USD 5,714.29 to construct a new building with 10 rooms. At present, the school building is in a dilapidated condition and requires immediate help to build a new structure. Remaining funds will be contributed by the local government agencies and the community. 

The construction of the new building is expected to be completed by April 2010.

» Fundraising

Cruise Party, Melbourne, Australia

Help Nepal Network-Australia (HeNN-Australia) celebrated its annual HELP NEPAL International Fund Raising Day on 7th April 2009 by organising a Cruise party.

The event raised a total of AUS$ 6,000.00, out of which the following contributions were made:

• AUS$ 1,000.00 was donated to Victoria Bush Fire Appeals
• AUS$ 500.00 was donated to the Bush Fire victims of Bhutanese Refugee camp in Nepal

Remaining funds were used to support an e-Library project in Sindhuli Secondary School, a joint collaboration between HeNN and NRNA.

HeNN would like to thank all the volunteers, members and sponsors for their help in organising and making this event a great success. We would also like to thank Mr. Nick Farr, Hon. Ambassador Y. Dhakal and Consulate C. Yonzon for their participation and support.

HeNN-Australia Annual General Meeting 2009

HeNN Australia Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Sunday 29th Nov 2009 at the Caulfield Park in Melbourne, followed by a BBQ.

The AGM started by observing a one minute silence for the late Achyut Sharma. Achyut lived in Victoria, but sadly passed away in his   hometown in Bharatpur after suffering from a prolonged cancer treatment in Melbourne. Before he died, he donated AUS$50,000.00 to HeNN- Australia stating his wish to use the money to help cancer patients in Nepal.  HeNN team in Nepal is working closely with his family members to establish a fund to help Cancer patients.