Baluwa Village

Gorbinda beside the large crack in his house

Sunmina showing her arm after it was kicked by a cow 3 months ago

The roof on Sunmina's house, in need of repair

Local water source

Site for new secondary school

Primary school toilets

Inside a classroom

Handing over of water tanks

Using the drinking water

Young girl carrying a doko

Baluwa Primary School

Delivery of water tanks and filters to Baluwa Primary School

Inside of classroom

Baluwa Primary

Drinking water at School - prior to new tanks

Baluwa Village is located in a poor area in the plains below Dhulikhel. It took us a good 45 minutes to get there over dirt roads, winding gradually down into the valley. We first visited Baluwa Primary School where we had the privelege of bringing two 750 litre water tanks and some water filters which had been donated to the school by the Rotary Clubs of Papamoa, Tauranga and Matamata (New Zealand). The students were very excited to see us, and the staff also very appreciative. The school (no bigger than a half acre) provides an education for 300 local village children. The school has no water supply - meaning buckets of water are carried in. Plans are in progress to build a well for the school that will provide constant and safe water. The school has 2 long drops (with no water) that left a decidly unpleasent odour through the entire school. Plans are also underway to build a new toilet block, with piped water. At present there are many cases of sickness and diesease due to the water and sanitation situation. Resources (books etc. ) are also very limited. Any assistance to the school is greatly appreciated and definately needed!

There is no secondary school in the village, those families that can afford to will send their children to neighbouring areas for a higher education, others simply end their education after primary. Some children receive no education at all. Land for a secondary school has been purchased and the community are currently trying to raise funds for the construction of a school.
The majority of villagers earn less than $1 a day from selling vegatables. Life is very hard. We met one villager, Gobinda, whose home was struck by lightnig a year ago. His house has a large crack in it and he needs to rebuild, this will cost $300US. He is very concerned about the safety of his 5 children, but cannot afford the rebuild. We also met Sumina, a village woman with a broken arm. She was kicked by a cow 3 months ago but has not received any medical treatment. Her arm was swollen and in pain. We were fortunately able to recommend a free health camp to her that was being held the following week for treatment.