It has now been 12 weeks since the first devastating earthquake of 25th April that caused considerable damage to the village. The second quake of 12th May with its epicentre in Dolakha and Sindhupalchok made sure that very little was left standing. These past 12 weeks have been extremely busy both here in Australia and for those recovering and responding to the impacts of the quakes.
In Hobart and Victoria, friends rallied together to raise funds to support directly the immediate relief needs of the villagers in Mirge and the exceptional work undertaken by ECCA in delivering aid and conducting a recovery programme for the children. Our very generous friends and Ballarat Rotary managed to raise over $20,000.00. After the first shock, food was immediately delivered to the village and on the day of the second quake tarpaulins, tools and materials arrived in Mirge. Overall, about 1000 households benefited from the donations and the work of ECCA. The final act of compassion was expressed through the delivery of the Children's Recovery Program where more than 500 children's spirits were lifted.
Despite the obvious benefits gained from the relief responses, one more significant and encouraging thing arose from the rubble. Predominantly young people rose to the occasion and took action. In Mirge itself a new Face Book group emerged - 'Mirge Youth Association's Rebuilding Program for New Mirge' and ECCA mobilized and trained young adults to facilitate their programs. In fact, if you were to search Face Book the evidence is clearly publicised that the young adults of Nepal are the go-getters of today and the future of Nepal. I have been so impressed with the energy and authenticity of their response whether it had been in Mirge or else where. Young educated Nepalese are trying to make a difference and are not only to be congratulated, but also encouraged and supported.
From our perspective, this encouragement and support starts early - in Primary School and throughout High School and College levels. Education has given these young people the imagination and skills to be leaders and to care about their country, people and future. It might be presumptuous of me to draw such a conclusion but I am willing to take the risk and say that the efforts of so many aware entrepreneurs who realised 10 - 15 years ago that Nepal should invest in Education is most likely witnessing now the fruit of that initiation. All of us who are involved in education have to realise that improving the quality and opportunities of education is not just about jobs alone (though obviously critical for sustainability) but about providing a formal and informal education system that fosters imagination. Giving young people the skills and permission to imagine a better world is the primary step from which all other development will emerge. Without an image of how something can be improved no change will occur.
This is why MSEIP (along with other significant holistic education programs) is so important. It is not just about short term literary and improved learning outcomes, it is about teaching young people to imagine a world that they wish to live in and then teach them the skills and connect them with the resources and networks so they can enact on their ideas.
Our work is not finished in Mirge, not by a long shot! So back to the village I will go, as soon as monsoon allows it, and keep supporting the teachers so they can empower young people over and over again. This earthquake, nor the next, is not going to stop or slow our work. In fact bolstered by the passion of young people like counsellors from ECCA we will never yield, only strive.
In Hobart and Victoria, friends rallied together to raise funds to support directly the immediate relief needs of the villagers in Mirge and the exceptional work undertaken by ECCA in delivering aid and conducting a recovery programme for the children. Our very generous friends and Ballarat Rotary managed to raise over $20,000.00. After the first shock, food was immediately delivered to the village and on the day of the second quake tarpaulins, tools and materials arrived in Mirge. Overall, about 1000 households benefited from the donations and the work of ECCA. The final act of compassion was expressed through the delivery of the Children's Recovery Program where more than 500 children's spirits were lifted.
Despite the obvious benefits gained from the relief responses, one more significant and encouraging thing arose from the rubble. Predominantly young people rose to the occasion and took action. In Mirge itself a new Face Book group emerged - 'Mirge Youth Association's Rebuilding Program for New Mirge' and ECCA mobilized and trained young adults to facilitate their programs. In fact, if you were to search Face Book the evidence is clearly publicised that the young adults of Nepal are the go-getters of today and the future of Nepal. I have been so impressed with the energy and authenticity of their response whether it had been in Mirge or else where. Young educated Nepalese are trying to make a difference and are not only to be congratulated, but also encouraged and supported.
From our perspective, this encouragement and support starts early - in Primary School and throughout High School and College levels. Education has given these young people the imagination and skills to be leaders and to care about their country, people and future. It might be presumptuous of me to draw such a conclusion but I am willing to take the risk and say that the efforts of so many aware entrepreneurs who realised 10 - 15 years ago that Nepal should invest in Education is most likely witnessing now the fruit of that initiation. All of us who are involved in education have to realise that improving the quality and opportunities of education is not just about jobs alone (though obviously critical for sustainability) but about providing a formal and informal education system that fosters imagination. Giving young people the skills and permission to imagine a better world is the primary step from which all other development will emerge. Without an image of how something can be improved no change will occur.
This is why MSEIP (along with other significant holistic education programs) is so important. It is not just about short term literary and improved learning outcomes, it is about teaching young people to imagine a world that they wish to live in and then teach them the skills and connect them with the resources and networks so they can enact on their ideas.
Our work is not finished in Mirge, not by a long shot! So back to the village I will go, as soon as monsoon allows it, and keep supporting the teachers so they can empower young people over and over again. This earthquake, nor the next, is not going to stop or slow our work. In fact bolstered by the passion of young people like counsellors from ECCA we will never yield, only strive.
