June 21, 2004

We did it! The new school is complete, and the villagers of Simalfanta wish to thank the students in the U.S. for helping make this day possible. The people here have had to overcome a lot in a short period of time. Three years ago, the entire village (including the school) had to relocate from an area that fell under the confines of the National Park to its present location. Many people still had to build there own homes in addition to helping build the new BwB school. At first they built a quick three-room mud hut building for their school. But they new this was terrible inadequate and had to be short term. Then they realized BwB might be able to make their dreams a reality.

After three months and 2,100 volunteer hours of hard work, they villagers have built their new school. The building is painted and decorated, and even features a two-room toilet and metal furniture. BwB has a policy of using metal for the doors, windows, and furniture so as to conserve the forest, and the people here appreciate that.

We held a short event where we handed the school building from BwB to the community. On that day, we reached the village early in the morning. Members of the Project Support Committee, teachers, students, and most parents, came out. A local priest performed a Nepali ritual where we worship the Goddess Satyanarayan. We talked about how we would conserve the school and about how thankful we were to BwB and its representatives for making it all possible. The children are fully satisfied to have their new building and they can't wait to use the new classroom.

After finishing the schoolhouse, the temperature has now begun to cool down because of the current rainy season. The villagers had hoped to get some free time after finishing the school, but the rain means they now have to prepare their fields to plant rice. June is the rice planting month. Farmers who have their own land plant rice in their fields. Rice is Nepal's most popular food, and planting rice is taken seriously. Farmers plough their field with the help of ox-plough as seen in the picture.

I'll also add that the new prime minister has been selected. Let's hope he is successful in bringing peace and development to the country!

Well, that's all from Simalfanta. Thank you for tracking the progress of our school these last three months. Hope you follow along on another project in yet another village in need. Let's pray for peace all over the world.

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