Jenny and Corinna arrived at the end of February and decorated class 3. We did not know at that stage how many children from the 2018 class 2, would return.

Ann and Brian arrived in time for the new intake of children, which starts annually on the first Monday in March.

Jenny dealt with the paperwork whilst Ann helped with introducing new teaching ideas. These included the use of song, magnetic whiteboards and flash cards in learning the alphabet, subsequently practised on their own individual whiteboards. We pick storybooks on the animals they have done in the alphabet, these are read in Nepali and English just before they go home. They have a story related to what they are learning.

Ann and Brian were able to take individual magnetic boards with letters and numbers, gifted by Witney “Inner Wheel” as well as other materials for the school.

Brian organised the local carpenters to make another storage unit.

Nineteen children aged 2 ½ to 3 years came for admission to class 1.

Only one child returned from last year’s class 2. However, this is not as bad as it sounds. The two years spent at Happy Days Nursery (HDN) school ensures that each child can recognise, pronounce and write the English alphabet and count up to ten. They also know colours and shapes and can speak some English. They have good manners and are well integrated, playing and learning happily in groups.

At the end of year 2 the mothers take their child to be enrolled for the next year into a local Primary school. Each child has to pass a simple examination to get in. Jenny, Brian and Ann visited the nearest primary school and found our children seem to be among the best prepared for this stage and are amongst those who are top of the class. This is a successful outcome, thanks to our dedicated teachers and the resources that RTL UK is able to supply.

The children from last years class 1 have moved into class 2, where we have two new teachers.

Smita speaks local Nepali and perfect English, she has been a primary teacher for 8 years. Payal speaks Hindi and English and has a degree in Humanities.

Sangeeta and Sharda are now with us for their third year and work with the 2 ½ to 3 ½ aged children and do a superb job.

Smita, Sharda, Jenny, Sangita and Payal

Two of the local Room to learn Kalimpong (RTLK) trustees (both doctors) came, to give each child a medical examination and talk to the parents about general hygiene.

Similar to the Indian government empowering women programme, Jenny and Corrina have started a small scheme where the mothers embroider linen bags, working in the school. These will be sold in the UK. This is our third try at such a scheme which should help mothers to earn a small wage and raise funds for HDN school if enough money is accumulated.

RTL UK had a very generous donation to purchase and maintain a new vehicle to take our children to and from HDN school. Brian and Ann went into Siliguri with Andrew Lal to purchase a Maruti Omni 9 seater. Brian spent the first week checking out the routes and instructed the driver in keeping a log book. The mothers and children are delighted not to have to make the one hour walk to and from school.

We seem to have found our niche for the moment. That is to take poor children from 2 ½ to 4 ½ years old and equip them to enter primary school well placed. They are no longer segregated to the “Backward Group”, away from the well-established middle-class children in the way that that lower caste, schedule and tribal families often are. Happy Days Nursery School has assured their children have a good start on the educational ladder.

Views near and far from the school.

We are deeply grateful for the regular gifts from our supporters and annual grants from other charities. We would also like to thank all the others who have given furniture and school equipment. These have helped us improve the life chances of many young children and brought happiness to them and their families.
A large part of our funding comes from the generosity of guests at our annual Garden Party. This is supported with food and drink from Ann and Brian’s local, “The Old Swan”, in Old Minster Lovell and by gifts for the auction from family, friends, work colleagues and neighbours.
While all this has been sufficient up to now, we are advised that costs are rising. Also, our position has been adversely affected by the fall in the value of Sterling. More help will be needed to enable us to continue and develop our work.
This year’s garden party will be in Old Minster Lovell on 3rd August. If you would like to help us, please join us on the day, or send donations via one of the methods at the bottom of the page.