Child Education Nepal UK (CENUK), established in 2007, is a small charity with a big mission. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every cent donated directly benefits the children of Nepal, without any deductions for administrative costs. I, Philip Fluck, the Chairman and Founder, personally spend a significant part of each year in Nepal, from April to December, overseeing projects and ensuring that every donated penny goes where it's needed most.
The journey that led to the creation of CENUK began after my 28 years of service in the British Army. I embarked on a global expedition with the aim of identifying and assisting those in desperate need. While there are many impoverished countries in the world, Nepal stood out as a nation facing extreme poverty not due to conflict but primarily because of a severe lack of resources. Nepal heavily relies on tourism and remittances from its citizens working in Arab states, which are subject to taxation. Despite their challenging circumstances, the resilient people of Nepal carry on with their daily lives, striving for a better future. Education is our way of lending a helping hand.
Nepal ranks among the top 10 poorest countries globally, not due to war or lack of effort, but solely because of resource scarcity. Nepal holds a special place as one of the UK's closest allies, thanks to its historical connection with the Ghurkhas. This is why CENUK mainly focuses its efforts on the village of Ashrang in the Gorkha district and Palpa in the Lumbini district, working towards improving the education and health of children. The devastating earthquakes that struck in April and May had a profound impact on the lives of Nepali people, especially children, as many schools were completely destroyed and required extensive rebuilding.
Securing funding for our projects remains an ongoing challenge. The majority of our funding comes from CENUK's trustees, St. Barnabas Church, Bebbington cubs and scouts, and my own contributions from profits generated by my small independent travel company. Unless there is a major catastrophe, obtaining funding proves to be quite difficult, as Nepal often goes unnoticed in the news, despite being a nation where over 125 different castes and ethnic groups coexist harmoniously. Nepal has remained largely peaceful, except for the Maoist insurgency in the 1990s.
CENUK has made progress in constructing new schools, but our ultimate goal of ensuring that every child receives a full-time education requires more teachers and expanded infrastructure. We welcome any form of assistance and support, recognizing our status as a small UK registered charity with a profound desire to make a significant impact. We refrain from advertising to ensure that every cent goes directly to the children of Nepal.
Nepal has a population of over 27 million, with over 50% living on just $2 a day. Sending a child to school can cost nearly two months' wages for many families unless government funding is available. CENUK firmly believes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. However, recent setbacks, such as the collapse of the tourist industry due to earthquakes and the fact that over 60% of the Nepalese population is under 16 years of age, have made it even more challenging. There are not enough jobs, and the tourism industry generates limited wealth, making it difficult for parents to afford private schools, which often offer better education than government schools.
CENUK strives to make a difference by building and funding schools and providing training for skilled teachers. While we have supplied computers, Nepal's slow internet speed makes teacher-student instruction the primary mode of education. We are achieving positive results, but to continue this work without additional funding would be impossible. Government schools, while free, only teach in the Nepali medium, unlike private schools that offer instruction in English for core subjects like Nepali, English, Maths, and Science. Additionally, government schools struggle to attract highly qualified teachers due to insufficient pay.
The Palpa Project encompasses two significant components:
- The construction of a new computer library equipped with 10 stations, powered by a 1000-watt solar panel.
- The specialized training of two teachers/librarians in IT skills.
The Palpa Project has secured a guaranteed 10 years of funding from Trustees (through direct debits), Donors, Bromborough Church, and Tyrolean Adventures Limited. The financial allocation for this project is as follows:
- Teachers/Librarians: $3,000 per annum.
- Internet: $150 per annum.
- Maintenance: $750 per annum.
The total cost of the computer library project, including construction, book acquisition, computer provision, chairs, tables, and teacher training, is $30,000. We wholeheartedly welcome any form of assistance, as CENUK is a very small UK registered charity determined to make a significant difference. We do not advertise, and we are committed to ensuring that every cent goes directly to the children of Nepal. Your support, in any form, will be greatly appreciated as we continue our mission to provide education and hope to the children of Nepal.
