On January 23rd and 24th, Lok and I went to Nalang again to look at how the building of the school is progressing and to deliver a bundle of rupees for made costs (below an overview of the financial situation). We arrived a little late because we were involved in a small accident (only material damage). Unfortunately, this turned out to be a case example of how corruption plays out in Nepal (Nepal currently ranks 143/ 180 on the Corruption Perception Index). Within minutes of the accident at Tankhot, a group of people - who seemed very well organized - surrounded the accident site to pressure and control the traffic police's decision on the case. While walking out of the office there, we heard people complain out loud about the direct way in which an under the table arrangement was proposed.
When all was over, Lok and I took the chance to taste the local momo's on the way.
On arriving, both Lok and I broke into big smiles...the new building looks excellent (photo's on the blog, top right). New walls are supporting a new roof, and the carpentry looks great.
The next day we were able to see the work in progress; really good to see how the parents are engaged in one way or the other. What is left now is buying cement for plastering the walls and making the floor.
As I am writing, Lok calls me that Hari Ram has arrived to collect money to pay for the cement. So...hopefully more report on progress soon.
Below, please find Lok's report on the finances received and spent so far
_____________________________________________________________
Jaleswari Primary School (Banjagara, Nalang VDC, Dhading, Nepal) School Re-Building Projects: 2009/2010
Priority List:
1. 3 class rooms – re-building: works in Progress…
2. Benches of three class rooms.
3. Chairs for teachers and visitors.
4. Two more rooms for teachers and library … (to be built by next year …under condition/source of fund).
5. Meeting table and playground…
6. Other awareness programs /sanitation for the teachers and the villagers.
Cost estimations:
-- Walls and wages: Rs. 50,000 – done
-- Carpenters and woods: Rs. 30,000 – done
-- Fees to community forest: Rs. 1,000 – done
-- Roof + Transports: Rs. 35,750 – done
Others…estimated
-- Cement: Rs. 65,000 – approximately…
-- Sand: Rs. 40,000 – approximately…
-- wage contract for plaster: Rs. 30,000
-- Utility /door lucks: Rs. 2,500
-- Class room benches (15): Rs. 30,000 – approximately
-- Black-board (3): Rs. 5,000
-- Teachers’ chairs (5): ---- NA ----
-- Meeting table: ---- NA ----
-- Two more rooms to be built ---- NA ----
Source of fund (collected):
1. Funds collected in the Netherlands: Rs. 196,895 --
2. Fund Collected from Canadian guests(Neil and Gail) Rs. 48,000 --
3. Fund from Lok’s office Rs. 2,000 –-
4. Fund from another Canadian guestC/O Wanda Rs. 20,526
-Expenses - for the work in progress:
1. Cost for Car transfers (NOV.09): Rs. 3800 -(For Lok + Wietse to visit school)
2. Cash given to school (DEC.02) Rs. 30,000 –
3. Cash given to school (DEC.30) Rs. 50,000 –
4. Cash given to school (JAN.23) Rs. 70,000 –
5. Cost for Car transfers (JAN.23) Rs. 3800 -(For Lok+Wietse to visit school)
