Bamboo Schools, Nepal

Nepal's extreme poverty and the lack of a government infrastructure deprive many Nepali children of an education. These children, especially girls who are rarely allowed to attend school, have little hope for a better future.

In 2008, Karuna-Shechen partnered with Uttam Sanjel and his Nepali organization, Samata Shiksha Niketan, to construct schools quickly and efficiently by using bamboo. Bamboo is inexpensive, strong, earthquake-resistant, and easy to find. Its use as the main construction material, along with corrugated iron roofs, lowers the construction budget by 60%.

The first Bamboo School opened in Jorpati in 2001 and now has 4,000 pupils and 100 teachers. It was soon followed by more schools providing an education to over 30,000 children (over half of whom are girls). In 2011 Karuna-Shechen supported the construction of the first Bamboo College.

A school can be completed in three to four months, for a budget of USD 110,000 (as of 2011) depending on the size of the school, its location, the political climate, and inflation. Schools can enroll between 1,000 and 2,500 students who are taught by 70 to 100 teachers. The results obtained by the students are above the national average. Secular values, such as benevolence, cooperation, dedication, truthfulness and commitment to peace are taught and the children practice short meditation sessions every morning.

 Uttam's aim is to create a Bamboo School in each of Nepal's 75 districts. Karuna-Shechen is helping him by building three schools a year.

To invest money in the Bamboo Schools is to work directly for the future of Nepal. Contact us if you would like to help build a school or support the operating expenses of an existing school.