HVPN-UK's Freya celebrates Holi with staff and students at HVP Central

Namaste! The staff and students of the HVP schools have been celebrating the Hindu spring festival of Holi - also known as the festival of colours because of the bright powders and paints that friends and strangers alike cover each other with in a riotous day and night of fun and laughter. Holi signifies the victory of good over evil, and new beginnings signalled by the end of winter and the start of spring.

HVP Nepal and HVPN-UK are looking forward to the year ahead with a sense that new beginnings are on the horizon. Plans are coming together for the replacement of the wing of HVP Central that was demolished following earthquake damage in 2015. The volunteer schemes in Durham, Oxford and Cambridge universities are recruiting teams for summer teaching placements - with more support from HVPN-UK than ever before. HVP Central has had a full 'spring clean' to address earthquake damage and improve the environment for students and staff. A new hostel building at the Children's Peace Home in Dang is under construction and will provide provacy and comfort for the female children resident at CPH. Two of HVPN-UK's committee - Freya and Laura - are in Nepal for their respective jobs and connecting directly with friends old and new in the HVP movement while helping us to support the schools and projects in the best ways possible.

There are also challenges ahead. The new wing at HVP Central is essential for the school, which is currently struggling for space to deliver lessons and extra-curricular activities, but is an expensive undertaking for which HVPN-UK is committed to helping fundraise. The demand for supported places at the Children's Peace Home in Dang from families struggling to provide an education for their children continues to exceed the capacity of the scholarship scheme and the scale of the CPH site.

With your continued support and encouragement we know we can meet these challenges and make the most of opportunities and new beginnings to help build a stronger future for Nepal. On behalf of the HVP Nepal-UK Committee and Trustees I would like to thank you once again for your ongoing support.

Remember - we'd love to see you on our Facebook Group for more regular updates www.facebook.com/groups/hvpnuk/

Matt Larsen-Daw

Chair, HVP Nepal-UK

Staff and scholarship students at the Children's Peace Home celebrate Holi 2018

New 3D architectural images show the ambitious plans for the new wing at HVP Central. Designed to the highest specifications with pro-bono support from top engineers, the building will meet the present demands for space and allow the school to continue to grow into the future. It is designed with the risk of earthquakes in mind, and has a lift to improve access for students and visitors with requirements for inclusion. The Nepali government has been supportive of the project as an example of good design and a vital community hub in the event of another disaster. The HVP board is in the final stages of selecting a contractor and building work is expected to commence this summer. HVPN-UK has already contributed £15K to help prepare the ground and kick-start work, but the total building project is still unfunded and requires at least a further £115K.

If you can support this important infrastructural project with a donation or by raising money through individual sponsorship your contribution would be hugely welcome.

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A spacious new hostel building for girls at Children's Peace Home in Dang is taking shape, and will improve quality of life for the supported students living on site.

Thanks to support from HVPN-UK the buildng at HVP Central has been repainted inside and out, with extensive work carried out on toilets to improve conditions for students and address damage from the earthquake. This work has been very warmly received by students, staff and parents alike.

Friend of HVP Kay Haw has organised a charity rave in Nottingham, and we're delighted that a portion of the profits will go towards the school building at HVP Central! Go along if you are near Nottingham, or share details with any friends who are in the area. Red Dwarf fancy dress theme for anyone wanting a bit of extra fun - but not compulsory :)

www.facebook.com/events/207927206421057/
Friday, March 23 at 9 PM - 3 AM
The Angel Microbrewery
7 Stoney Street, NG1 1LP Nottingham, United Kingdom

If you'd like to get more involved in the running of HVP Nepal-UK we would love to hear from you. We need support with website maintenance, communications, administration and fundraising. It's a great way to gain experience of running a small but ambitious charity, and to stay in touch with friends of HVP in the UK and Nepal. Email hvpnuk@gmail.com for details of committee positions, fundraising ideas or details of becoming a trustee.