| Nepal | - Nepal has a population of 27 million, 40% of which are under 14 years of age.
- Less than half the population over the age of 15 can read and write.
- Nepal is among the poorest and least developed countries in the world with 42% of its population living below the poverty line.
- Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy, providing a livelihood for over 80% of the population and accounting for 40% of GDP.
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One of the staff at University College Worcester (UCW) is going to Nepal next year to help teach the impoverished and street children. Anna Myers from Kempsey, who is a Personal Assistant at UCW, is hoping to raise money to help provide pupils with basic school equipment. She's flying to Nepal in January, to work with three Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), which between them help to educate street children and youngsters from destitute homes.
An average wage in Nepal is around £160 a year, but registration fees for attending state school are over £60 a year, meaning many children simply miss out.
She'll be working with three organisations: - Forum for Social Enlightenment - Nepal, (FORSE) which provides schooling, support and health education for children.
- The Rugmark Day Centre in Kathmandu, which houses and educates children rescued from under-age work (illegal child labour) in carpet factories.
- EPHC (Education, Protection & Help for Children), part-supported by the Rugmark Foundation, which provides education for street children and other disadvantaged youngsters.
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 | | Anna Myers |
Anna’s trip was organised by former King’s School teacher Gill Spilsbury and UCW student Pradip Rai, who run the Kathmandu-based (Worcester-operated) trekking company, Access-Himalaya, and who dedicate their spare time to helping the Nepalese people.
“Any donations could really help, in Nepal a school uniform costs £6, exercise books three pence and a dozen pencils 30 pence so we could make a real difference,” said Anna.
Anyone wanting to sponsor Anna can contact her on 07909 711341.
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