SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine after walking hours to the only school available within a 50-mile radius you crowd yourself into a building wrecked by a landslide with your other 80 classmates. This scene might sound like what we expect from a documentary about the poor lives of children in developing countries; but, in fact, these children feel truly grateful to participate in this daily ritual. Imagine how they will feel when a brand-new and landslide-resistant school is completed in January 2010.

The excitement received from the community is confirmed by the school's headmaster: "The number of applications coming in this year has increased by threefold."

Nepal Education Initiative Organization (NEIO) Pilot Program

After a monsoon hit Nakote in 2007, the school building was severely damaged. Despite such devastation, villagers were determined to continue the school's operation by recreating temporary space with tarp.

Nepal Education Initiative Organization (NEIO) saw Nakote's need as an opportunity to fulfill its mission of providing a sustainable educational environment for children living in Nepal's Himalayan Valley. NEIO piloted its first project to rebuild the school for the communities in a permanent form.

The goal of the project is not only to reconstruct the infrastructure, but also to involve local communities to take ownership throughout the rebuilding effort. A partnership is established between NEIO and local communities, where both parties are responsible for fundraising. Ultimately, the school officials will be self-sufficient to administer the physical space and academic programs of the school.

Initial Phase Completed, Final Phases Are Well Under Way

A Nepalese engineering firm helped to kick-start the project by charging a nominal fee to design the floor plan of a two-story school building that can withstand earthquakes and monsoons. With a strong fundraising effort from NEIO and local communities, the first floor was completed before monsoon season began in May 2009.

Starting this month, founder of NEIO (Wayne Cheung) and volunteers from across the globe have united again to execute final phases of the rebuilding. The project is expected to be completed in the next three months.

How You Can Help - Volunteer Program and Donations Now

As part of the goal of improving access to quality education for children in rural Nepal, NEIO provides the opportunity for volunteers to teach on a variety of topics in English or Chinese Mandarin. This is not only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the children, but also for the volunteers who would like to enrich their life experiences and enjoy the scenic beauty that Nepal has to offer.

Last but not least, did you know that $100 can provide desks and chairs for a full classroom? $500 can help several teachers receive training? $2500 can build a library for the entire school? Act now! Even the smallest donation can make a huge difference! All donations are tax-deductible. Check out: http://www.neio.org/how_to_help/index.php

Media Contact:
Gloria Sun
Business Development
415-480-4872 or gsun@neio.org

Nepal Education Initiative Organization is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization (EIN #: 26-1703247). Please visit http://www.neio.org for more information.

This release was issued through eReleases(TM). For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Nepal Education Initiative Organization

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