NEWSLETTERJUNE 2016

ONE YEAR ON THE CHALLENGES

THE SUCCESSES

WHAT LIES AHEAD?

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A CHILD WITHOUT EDUCATION IS LIKE A BIRD WITHOUT WINGSTibetan Proverb“ ”

The last year has been a positive year for CAIRN in the face of a succession of new challenges. In response to the devastating earthquakes on 25th April and 12th May, in addition to funding our regular programmes and development, CAIRN launched an earthquake relief appeal to help with the immediate needs of the communities we support. A phased approach provided shelter, food, Temporary Learning Classrooms, Emergency Educational Supplies and trauma counselling. The experience of CAIRN’s long-term partners in Nepal meant we were able to reach our communities swiftly, in some cases in advance of the larger aid agencies, and ensure the funds raised had an immediate impact.

Your support means CAIRN can continue to respond to the increased needs in post-earthquake Nepal, with expansion into the neighbouring communities of Kasigaon and Kerauja. These villages had received little help due to the remoteness of their

Nepal: One Year On

Namaste! location and landslides often rendering them inaccessible. Your help meant that through our local partners we delivered 2,000 sweaters to children facing a freezing winter in sub zero temperatures, together with the emergency educational supplies they need to continue their schooling.Political challenges compounded the difficulties already being faced in the wake of the earthquakes’ destruction, with a fuel blockade in protest at the introduction of a new constitution that neglected to address rights and interests of ethnic groups on the Indian border. The political protest put a halt to construction and rebuilding for 5 months. I am pleased to tell you that, despite the difficulties, CAIRN’s repair and rebuild programme is due to complete before the climate challenges of monsoon halt construction again.

Against this political backdrop, at the time of going to press, there remains $4.1 billion dollars pledged by international donors that has yet to be spent. Political bureaucracy means that funding schemes intended to spur rebuilding have in fact delayed it.CAIRN, as a smaller charity has an

advantage and has made a significant impact. CAIRN UK works directly with highly experienced implementing partners on the ground in Nepal, and benefits from their vast and invaluable local knowledge. As a result, in a year of political turbulence and uncertainty in Nepal CAIRN was able to maintain existing educational programmes, whilst contributing to the post earthquake needs within its existing communities and beyond.

The success of CAIRN’s achievements, during an extraordinarily challenging year were recognized last March, with an invitation to celebrate the Bicentenary of the UK-Nepal relationship at the British Embassy in Nepal, in the presence of Prince Harry.

None of these achievements would have been possible without the continued support of our donors. On behalf of CAIRN trustees, the UK operating team, our partners in Nepal and the children whose education you help support, thank you.

Elizabeth WoodcockCAIRN Development Director

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO LOOK FAR IN NEPAL TO BE REMINDED OF THE EVENTS OF LAST YEAR. In Kathmandu many buildings, particularly multi-storey apartment blocks remain vacant. On closer inspection one can still see the cracks, some plastered over, that are the outward signs of more serious structural damage. Many still live in makeshift encampments in the city.

ON SATURDAY 25TH APRIL 2015 A MASSIVE 7.8 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE STRUCK NEPALjust 48 miles north west of the capital Kathmandu. It was the worst quake to strike the region in more than 80 years. The area was hit with a second 7.3 magnitude quake 17 days later on 12th May 2015, causing further damage and suffering for those who survived the initial disaster. Aftershocks continue to be felt. There have been well over 400 aftershocks of magnitude 4 or greater in the past year. Experts have stated that not all the energy stored within the earth below the country has been dissipated. It is predicted that another earthquake of even greater magnitude is likely to strike Nepal again within the next 10 years.

THE DISASTER AFFECTED 8 MILLION PEOPLE. THE DEATH TOLL WAS JUST UNDER 9,000 AND AT LEAST 22,000 WERE INJURED. Homes, temples, roads, communities and livelihoods were destroyed in a matter of minutes. 505,000 homes were destroyed and 279,000 damaged. Two of the most affected areas were Gorkha and Lamjung, both districts in which CAIRN supports communities through educational programmes. CAIRN-built schools are earthquake proofed and, although suffering some damage, remained standing. Many government-built schools did not survive the earthquake.

SEVERAL UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES, WERE BADLY AFFECTED BY THE EARTHQUAKE. Of these, the 2016 CAIRN Trek visited Bhaktapur. Evidence of earthquake damage is all around, local businesses have suffered due to the decline in tourism and the painstaking process of re-building is slowly getting underway.

THE SITUATION HAS BEEN FURTHER COMPLICATED BY POLITICAL DISPUTES ARISING from objections from certain parts of the community; particularly those living in the lowland terai, to a new Constitution, announced last August. This saw the borders with India, Nepal’s lifeline to the outside world, closed for some 5 months. This led to severe shortages of all commodities; particularly fuel, which further hampered the relief and reconstruction effort. The supply of many items is still erratic at best and cooking gas is very scarce. Long queues can still be witnessed at fuel stations as supplies have yet to return to normal.

The Earthquakes

THE VAST MAJORITY OF NEPALIS LIVING IN RURAL VILLAGES IN THE AFFECTED DISTRICTS ARE STILL LIVING IN TEMPORARY SHELTERS constructed with whatever materials they have been able to salvage from their ruined homes or purchase with the limited funds released to date by the Nepal government. The Red Cross says that 4m people remain in temporary shelters.

HOW HAVE YOUR

DONATIONS HELPED?

Through the expertise of our implementing partners and their local knowledge, within a matter of days of the first earthquake, your donations enabled CAIRN to assist in the delivery of emergency food, shelter and blankets. This made a huge difference to our beneficiaries and had an immediate impact. Distribution of Emergency Educational Material Support reached beyond CAIRN’s immediate community to 2,000 children in earthquake damaged villages equipping them with the basic resources they needed to return to school.

Assisted by funding from The Whirlwind Charitable Trust CAIRN provided four Temporary Learning Classrooms to help children return to education and provided counselling to help the children suffering psychological trauma after experiencing the devastating effects of the earthquakes.

Assisted by funding from the AKO Foundation and Trotters, CAIRN has been able to repair and rebuild 19 schools, so children can return to education and resume normal routines in a safe environment.

Your donations have allowed CAIRN to stand by its long term commitment to its partners at a time of extraordinary need in the communities in which it works.

THE IMPACT

IN A COUNTRY OF EXTREME CHALLENGES: political, geographical and climatic. Normality has returned, but the memories one year on remain raw. The earthquake will impact on lives for many years to come. In the words of a colleague in Nepal “It only takes the rumble of a lorry on an unmade road to still frighten some children, make them jump and look round to see if they need to run to a place of safety”.

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EDUCATING CHILDREN IN RURAL NEPAL

CAIRN’s Early Years

programme is training 140 teachers across

19 schools and equipping classrooms

with resources to deliver interactive

lessons.

CAIRN has constructed and

equipped 30 libraries improving access

to books for children and their

communities.

CAIRN has constructed 21

schools improving access to education

for children in the rural hills

of Nepal.

Through SATHI Nepal, CAIRN provides over 1,000 educational awards

every year. They receive all the equipment they need to attend school,

together with social welfare support.

CAIRN is committed to supporting the communities in which it works and through its four implementing partners in Nepal, improving

the education of children in the rural hills, through school construction, library installation, training and equipping teachers with the core skills to deliver

interactive lessons and sending children to school through child education awards.

CAIRNs Fundraising Highlights

Fundraising Highlights

Donations raised during your charity year

2014/15 are funding the construction of a new library in Tanting

(pictured right) to replace the original library

destroyed in the earthquake.

Kensington parents, children and staff have been an incredible support to CAIRN and its communities post-earthquake. In November Anya Hindmarch welcomed guests to an evening of fizz, shopping and an exclusive handbag raffle. Anya spoke with incredible passion about her love for design and the business she has created.

Children enjoyed a mini-trek and mountain rescue course with The Exploration Society in Hyde Park during Charity Week. In May, Kensington parents enjoyed a wonderful evening of “colour” and dancing at KuPP, Paddington in support of CAIRN.

CHARITY OF THE YEAR AT THOMAS’S KENSINGTON

February 2016 Tobyn Thomas

officially opened the Battersea

funded school, Shree Budha Milan

in Pyarjung benefitting 342 pupils.

BATTERSEAACADEMY

Staff, pupils and parents joined

together to stage a talent show,

including Nepali themed singing,

dancing in support of CAIRN.

FULHAM

Post GCSEs in July 2015 three ex-Clapham pupils

and a friend cycled from London to Paris

to raise funds for CAIRN.

CLAPHAM

KENSINGTON

THANK YOU to the Thomas’s schools’ community for your continued support

HOUSE OF LORDS

Through the generosity of two private sponsors, CAIRN held a wonderful Reception

at The House of Lords on 28th January 2016.

The event saw the launch of CAIRN’s new logo and guests

heard from our speakers Baroness Fiona Hodgson, Tobyn Thomas, Chairman

and our guest speaker Trish Ginnelly, founder

of SATHI, our Education Awards

implementing partner.

10K LONDON VITALITY RUN

Tobyn, Isobel, Alice, Tilly Thomas and Oliver Woodcock ran past some of

London’s most well known landmarks.

BRIGHTON VITALITY HALF MARATHON

Eight runners from the Thomas’s Community took part in the Brighton Half Marathon on 28th February.

Thank you to all the runners and everyone who supported them.

We are grateful to Serena Richards of Slightly Potty Silk Flowers, a resident at

Kensington Palace Apartments, for welcoming CAIRN

supporters into her home for two mornings of Coffee and

Christmas Shopping.

COFFEE MORNING

Ben Thomas ran an amazing race and donations to CAIRN’s earthquake relief appeal were

overwhelming as support poured in for the people of

Nepal. Thank you to all supporters for the outstanding

kindness and generosity shown in the wake of the earthquake.

LONDON MARATHON

CAIRN took part in The BIG GIVE Christmas Challenge 2015, raising £20k

through the combination of the generous support of several donors and matched funding.

Thomas’s Academy, Battersea, Clapham, Fulham & Kensington together

commemorate the Nepalese Earthquakes of 2015

THOMAS’S SCHOOLS REMEMBER THE EARTHQUAKES ONE YEAR ON

Thomas’s Academy, Battersea, Clapham, Fulham & Kensington together

commemorate the Nepalese Earthquakes of 2015

CAIRN Early Years Programme in partnership, with Global Action Nepal, has trained 140 teachers across 19 schools to improve educational opportunities for children with disciplined, but enjoyable and interactive lessons.

Earlier this year, Joanna Thomas spent a month during February and March visiting all 19 schools to observe the programme in action.

The teacher training has incorporated a pilot programme, initiated by Joanna Thomas, introducing Montessori materials, within the 19 schools to be used in conjunction with the Nepali government curriculum.

The programme is now established and a proven success, providing a template that can be replicated in other schools. The children report that they enjoy attending school.

The pupils enjoyment and interest in lessons has led to increased parent involvement in the education of their children. Head teachers report improved attendance rates amongst current pupils and some schools have seen an increase in pupil numbers as families favour the village schools that deliver the CAIRN/Global Action Nepal Early Years programme.

Our educational partners, BK Shrestha and Pemba Tamang of Global Action Nepal visit Thomas’s Fulham

Founder trustee Joanna Thomas visits CAIRN Early Years Schools

17th February - 17th March 2016

CAIRN EARLY YEARSPROGRAMME

“We are proud of having CAIRN as a partner to improve the

quality of education for children in the remote villages in Nepal”

BK Shrestha

TREKKING IN NEPAL

THOMAS’S FAMILIES HAVE BEEN TREKKING IN NEPAL

WITH CAIRN SINCE 2007. THE TREK IS A UNIQUE AND

LIFE-ENHANCING EXPERIENCE. A 17 DAY ADVENTURE

ACROSS THE MAGICAL COUNTRY OF NEPAL, VISITING

THE MAGNIFICENT HIMALAYAS, THE HUSTLING CAPITAL

OF KATHMANDU AND THE STUNNING NATIONAL PARKS

WITH THEIR ADJOINING RIVERS. THE OPPORTUNITY

TO WITNESS FIRST HAND THE WORK OF CAIRN’S

PROJECTS AND THE LIFE IN THE RURAL HILL VILLAGES

IS AN UNFORGETTABLE FAMILY EXPERIENCE.

Binod and Paul of Insight Himalaya

CAIRN organises its bespoke treks in partnership with Insight Himalaya, a leading, highly professional trekking company, with over 25 years of experience.

OPPORTUNITY OF A LIFETIME

TREK - The trek is carefully planned and managed to suit families and you can walk at your own pace enjoying breath-taking views of the Himlalayas.

A typical route will take in 6 - 8 villages with a rest day. The highest point of the route is 2,200m so there is no difficulty with altitude and all that is required is the ability to walk at a gentle pace for 4 - 6 hours on consecutive days.

RAFT - White water rafting down the Seti Ghandaki River. It flows from the ice flows and glaciers of the Annapurna Massif and is one of the holiest rivers in Nepal. Skilled river guides make rafting easy for all to experience overnight at Seti River camp, 16 permanent twin bedded safari style tents in peace and tranquil riverside camp.

SAFARI - Meaning ‘Heart of the Jungle’, Chitwan is famous as one of the best wild life viewing parks in Asia. Spend two days at Kasara Lodge on elephant back and jeep safaris.

Provisional dates for the Spring 2017 trek are 31st March to 17th April, if you would like to register an interest please e-mail: lizwoodcock.cairntrust@gmail.com

GET INVOLVED

Sponsor an EventWhether you are an organisation or an individual, you can sponsor one of our events and help make a difference in Nepal. We are looking for

sponsorship for events in 2017 to commemorate CAIRN’s 10th Anniversary. Please contact info@cairntrust.org or 020 3327 4177

Simple Ways to get involved

RUN SPREAD

THE

WORD

BAKE CYCLE SELL VOLUNTEER

To get involved contact Team CAIRN on: 020 3327 4177 or www.cairntrust.org

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE Online at: www.cairntrust.org

By Cheque to: The CAIRN Trust, 2 Red Lion Square, Wandsworth High Street, London SW18 4LSBy Bank Transfer: Royal Bank of Scotland . Account Number: 10057718 . Sort Code: 16-00-55

Registered charity no: 1120038

£150 sends a child to

school for a year through our Child

Education Awards

£250 trains a teacher to

enhance the quality of lessons, delivered through CAIRN Early

Years Programme

£1,000funds a child’s education for

10 years

£2,500 renovates and

equips a CAIRN Early Years classroom

Support a Programme in Nepal