| Project | : | Shree Chharka Bhot Basic School |
| Location | : | Chharka, Upper Dolpa |
| Project Partners | : | Die Bambusschule e.V., Berndorf Stiftung, Land Vorarlberg, Dr. Ernst-Günther Bröder Stiftung, Chay Ya Schweiz, Chay Ya Austria, Dautari, Verein „Wir teilen“, Sunaulo Sansar, Lions Club Köniz, German Embassy Nepal |
| Project Features | : | Provision of supplies to the exiting library, Construction of 5 Classrooms and 2 Toilets |
| Construction Modality | : | Use of Stone and Cement Mortar Masonry |
| Support Period | : | 2018 - 2022 |
| Current Status | : | Completed |
Chharka Bhot is an isolated village in the northeastern part of the Dolpo region, on the border with Tibet. The Shree Chharka Bhot Basic School is a government school managed by the local community. 60 children attended it in the last years although it was dilapidated, and parts of it in danger of collapsing. Chay Ya, in cooperation with many sponsors and local networks, has built a new, solid and bright school building including dormitories. For a healthy nutrition of the students, Chay Ya Switzerland has financed a greenhouse – a bit of clay, bamboo poles and plastic film ensure three months longer harvests and fresh vegetables.
Now a total of 120 children, including those from the surrounding villages, can attend classes. Previously, half of the students lived in villages further away, much too far for the daily walk to school. A total of 19 rooms (a kitchen, a storeroom, an office, a library, two dormitories for the teachers, four dormitories for the students, nine classrooms from kindergarten to sixth grade) will be built to provide accommodation and education for all children. The project is supported by the village population, among other things by helping with the construction free of charge. The local population also provides food for the students.
Chharka Bhot is located at 4,300 meters and is our highest school. To get from Kathmandu to Chharka Bhot, you have to fly to Nepalganj (in the south of the country) and take another flight to Juphal the following day. From Juphal, another 5 to 7 days on foot over 5,000-meter passes are needed to reach Chharka. Dolpo has no road access and is one of the three most remote districts of Nepal. Due to the cold weather, construction can only take place for six months (summer).
Cultural characteristic of Chharka: The inhabitants of Dolpo belong to the discriminated Bhote ethnic group (Buddhists descended from Tibeto-Burman tribes) and live a semi-nomadic lifestyle. In summer they move to the pastures with their cattle, and in winter, they live in fortified huts made of stone and clay. However, the winters are so bitterly cold (sometimes as low as – 30° Celsius) that school attendance is impossible. In addition, there is danger from snowstorms and avalanches.
About five years ago, a teacher, Samdup Tserin Gurung, approached our association asking for support for building a boarding school for the given reasons. The initiative found great approval among the local population because the boarding school will give children the chance to an education, who so far could not attend a single day of classes due to their geographical location. The boarding school will also give all nomadic children the opportunity to remain integrated in the social environment of their region. Some children of the few rich families currently attend a boarding school in the capital Kathmandu, which can only be reached after a week of travel. The boarding school is intended to make it possible for parents at risk of poverty to send their children to school, and to motivate them to allow girls to attend school as well, if they are well looked after and can learn in a safe environment.
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