Quake-hit school gets new life

Nepalese students return to class after Chinese relief project

KATHMANDU, Nepal — Just a few kilometers from the Ring Road in Nepal’s capital city Kathmandu on Tuesday, colorful balloons and national flags of Nepal and China dominated the street leading to a community school.

Despite the public holiday to mark Nepal’s Constitution Day, hundreds of students lined the sidewalks with fresh flowers and balloons.

The celebration was held to celebrate Yuba Sahabhagita Secondary School’s new building and classrooms, built with help from the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation, the first Chinese NGO working in Nepal, and Chinese company Suning Group.

Sun Weimin, vice-chairman of Suning, who attended Tuesday’s handover, said: “Through the bright classrooms, we are very glad to bring smiles to the faces of students who experienced the deadly disaster. This can be regarded as a new chapter in the ties between Nepal and China.”

It was the first school reconstruction project completed by a Chinese firm.

The ceremony was also attended by parents, government and embassy officials, newly-elected local representatives and members of the community.

The school, established in 1985, was severely damaged in the earthquake in April 2015.

Afterward, nearly 500 students were compelled to study in temporary classrooms for over two years.

Teachers and parents expressed the hope that the new school building will enable the students to learn in more pleasing and comfortable environment.

“We were awarded as the best community school by the government two years ago. We are committed to being the best in coming days as well,” school principal Kamal Rimal said.

As well as the handover of the building, the Chinese organization also distributed school bags and stationery to support the education of the students.

Fifteen-year-old Sonu Bhujel, a Grade 10 pupil, said: “For two years, we faced extreme sun and rain and faced several troubles in temporary classrooms. We are very happy to learn in the new building now and with new stationery.”

Her classmates and juniors echoed similar statements.

There are 12 classrooms in the new two-story building, while the school’s administration has also asked the Chinese side to construct computer and science labs along with a library.

At a time when the Nepalese government has completed

... We are very glad to bring smiles to the faces of students who experienced the deadly disaster.” Sun Weimin, vice-chairman of Suning Group

reconstruction of only half of the quake- damaged schools in the 14 worst-hit districts, officials appreciated the assistance from China.

Doctor Govinda Raj Pokharel, head of Nepal’s National Reconstruction Authority, the body that was authorized to carry out the repairs and renovations after the quake, said: “China is one of the biggest donors and the neighbor helping Nepal in the reconstruction process in various areas. Through such school projects, China is also trying to mobilize its social sector to help the government of Nepal and the Nepalese people, which is really praiseworthy.”

The CFPA, which started working in Nepal right after the earthquake, has been focusing on health, education and community development programs.