KATHMANDU: World change starts with educated children.

This simple credo keeps this organisation ticking, changing the world one child at a time. This nine-year-old organisation started with a school in Nepal and shows no sign of stopping. With one more school opened, the writing on the walls is clear — the change has begun and that change is in the here and the now.

Room to Read (RtR), an International non-government organisation, has been operating in Cambodia, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zambia. John Wood, founded RtR in 1998 following a six-week long trek through the Himalayas. Saddened by the lack of resources in several local schools, Wood felt the urge to help. Soon in partnership with Dinesh Shrestha, RtR was introduced in Nepal.

Their mission is “to provide underprivileged children with an opportunity to gain the lifelong gift of education”.

RtR Nepal started working with rural communities of Nepal in 2000 by building schools and establishing libraries as an integral part of their educational mission. But gradually with an increasing demand from schools and communities and direct approach from villages, RtR incorporated additional programmes to improve the educational infrastructure of overnment and community schools of Nepal.

Targeting children from grassroots level, underprivileged and marginalised families, RtR “hopes to sustain and make this programme work and also work on arousing interests of students,” said Pushkar Shrestha, Country Director, RtR.

Shree Shanti Niketan at Bhaktapur has a Girl’s Education Programme Scholar run by RtR. With a total number of 262 students, 38 students enjoy this scholarship programme. Mostly kamalari girls are helped by this organisation.

“They are given a nine-month bridge course and then undergo selection for scholarship and enrolment in schools,” said Sumita Dhakal, social volunteer, RtR. It works in partnership with NYOF and FNC to tackle the problem of kamalari system.

Dhakal said, “Only those children whose parents’ economic condition is really bad are selected. The target is to keep helping students till Class XII.”

Students like Poornima Joshi, Subha Karki, Supriya Lama, Sushila Shrestha, Rajeshwari Bohaje from Class VI-VIII had their own tales to share.

Joshi, a first position holder, for instance has two siblings and both her parents are physically-challenged. After finishing school, she wants to work on her own, earn, study and become a doctor. For her this scholarship is a boon.

“Sushila Shrestha is a hardworking student and wants to be an engineer,” said Deepak Ankalgi, founder of the school.

Principal of Shree Shristikanta LSS, Nala, Kavrepalanchowk, Shanta Lal Shrestha said, “We acquired support from the community, NGOs and INGOs, RtR particularly, helped with a library, technical support and seed money.”

Library coordinator Balaram Dahal said, “There are around 2,400 books and students enjoy reading those, especially story books.”

Rishi Amatya, Documentation Associate added, “Students love reading Tommy Tempo, a book that was even appreciated by Queen Elizabeth II.”

Pujan Prajapati and Anita Dawadi students of Class VII have similar views with regard to the library. “It feels good. We get the opportunity to read books and learn new things. We have now become more aware about hygiene and good morals.”

Pujan wants to be a doctor, whereas Anita’s aim is to become a teacher as “one can impart one’s knowledge to others”.

Chandeswary Higher Secondary School, Nala, with a total of 400 students recently got a computer laboratory. Gaurav Dahal, computer teacher said, “There are 16 computers and the plan is to include this subject in the curriculum. The basics of computer are taught to the students followed by practicals.”

Shree Shreekhandapur Secondary School, Panauti, enjoys 3G wireless Internet computer laboratory. Introduced for the first time in Nepal, it’s a tripod partnership among NTC, RtR and Qualcomm. Nissen Shrestha, IT Officer, RtR said, “There are 21 PCs with licensed software. 3G provides high-speed net service, good quality multimedia, video conferencing, that is not yet out in the market.”

“All we need is an environment conducive for this pilot scheme of ours. We are facing a bucket of challenges and are in the process of solving it,” said Pushkar Shrestha.

‘Pen is mightier than the sword.’

The young enthusiastic learners of these schools have shown it is really true. Education has now become a possibility and the first priority even for marginalised and nderprivileged parents and their children.