Rtn Chuda Karki: International Evening

At today’s International Evening we welcomed many of our members and their guests. It was a very convivial and enjoyable time. The speaker was Chuda Karki, the Chair of our Foundation & International Commmittee.

He illustrated his presentation with a number of photographs taken during his latest trip to Nepal. (One of them is shown here.) He told us how the relatively modest financial support we had provided to community projects in Nepal linked with Rotary Clubs there had multiplied in value through the additional support they had encouraged. The installation of a modern false ceiling transformed the environment of pupils at Daeleli School and free uniforms and free meals had been provided. The local Mayor had pledged the equivalent of £31,000 towards the development of a new school and set aside land for it. Solar lights had been installed in some of the homes, a few paid for by us and the rest from other donations.

A hostel had been opened in Bandipur Chhen. Housing has been built for homeless people.

There is further work still to be done in the area, however. For example, the children at Daleli School now had school uniforms but scarcely any had shoes.

But Chuda has a much more ambitious vision. He told us about the gradual disappearance of the Himalayn glaciers, which is causing problems with water supply and hydroelectric projects. Can we join with other Rotarians to save the Himalayan glaciers and rivers?