Volunteers help build Nepal school for dropouts

dubai — Fourteen Dubai Cares volunteers recently flew to Nepal to break ground on a threeclassroom primary school that will benefit 150 school dropouts.

As part of the charity’s Volunteer Globally initiative, the UAE residents joined forces with the local community in digging, mixing concrete, bricklaying and other building work. The construction of the school in Basauti village, Nepal, was funded by Amal Education Limited led by Ahmed bin Byat.

Slated for completion in 2019, the school is targeted to help the village’s children who were forced to give up their education after the horrific 2015 earthquake that pushed families deeper into poverty. In 2016, Unicef reported that 23.2 per cent of 5.2 million primaryschool-age children in Nepal are out of school.

Besides the initial construction work, the delegation also took part in cultural workshops in the community. For the volunteers from nine nationalities, the opportunity was a “rewarding experience”.

Natasha Vaz, one of the volunteers, said: “It has been truly memorable to have worked side by side with the Nepalese community, who have incredibly welcomed us. Our greatest joy was seeing the sparkle in the children’s eyes when they realised they will soon have a school of their own.”

Mohammad Al Balooshi, another volunteer, said: “I will forever cherish my time with the people from Basauti village and the opportunity to join fellow UAE volunteers in a noble cause that will change the lives of the children and their community.”

Abdulla Ahmed Al Shehhi, chief operating officer of Dubai Cares, said: “Dubai Cares is grateful for the generosity of Amal Education Limited led by Ahmed bin Byat. We would also like to thank the volunteers who continue to come forward for each edition (of the Volunteer Globally initiative), and dedicate their time and energy.”

Dubai Cares’ Volunteer Globally initiative is a popular programme that attracts large numbers of UAE residents who wanted to make a difference in the lives of underprivileged youth across the world.

The first edition of Dubai Cares’ Volunteer Globally 2018 was hosted in Senegal, where 13 volunteers from the UAE joined hands with the community in Tasset Peul village to build a new community school for 60 children.

150 Dropouts will benefit from the school built by the UAE charity