To the end of 2019 we
have delivered:

248

Total projects delivered

656

Classrooms provided

38

Other (toilets, hostels etc)

159

Schools built or renovated

51

Libraries created

>40,000

Students helped

The Need for Pahar Trust Nepal:

Nepal has an estimated population of 29,500,000 people with over 80%, (or 23,600,000) living in rural or non-urban communities (1). The remoteness of the country presents significant challenges to education which is reflected in the literacy rates for people aged 15 and over which are estimated as 89.8% and 48.8% for males and females respectively (2). Although literacy rates are improving year on year and the country has seen additional aid support following the major earthquake in 2015 there is still significant disparity in the literacy rates between rural and urban communities. This inequality is demonstrated in a 2016 UN Human Development report. The Human Development Index (HDI) for Nepal (2015) ranks the country as 144 out of 188 measured countries, however when adjusted for inequalities the HDI value is reduced by 27% placing the rural community of Nepal in the lowest band forHuman Development (3). The Trust is working to provide improved educational facilities as well and innovative approaches to learning to ensure that even children in remote communities have access to quality education.

According to Unicef, the major earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015 destroyed 8,500 schools and 30,000 classrooms. In the worst hit areas, 90% of schools were destroyed (4). Over the last two years around 1600 schools have been rebuilt or repaired but there are still many thousands of children who do not have access to safe educational facilities. We ensure that all of our schools are designed to be safe, secure and spacious while ensuring they meet Nepali planning standards for earthquake resistance. This was evident in following the earthquake where some of our oldest schools did not suffer badly while buildings around them were destroyed.