Walk for Nepal (WfN) is an annual fundraiser held in Boston and Dallas by several organizations—including NCEF—to gather like-minded individuals in support of Nepal. This year, NCEF members comprised 27 of the walking participants in Boston. In Dallas, over 600 participants turned out to support the cause, a huge achievement given the limited experience with fundraising events like this in the Dallas area.

Besides walking together on a beautiful afternoon, attendees enjoyed outstanding Nepali food, great music, and highly motivational speeches. These events fostered a wonderful exchange of ideas, plans, and information, which gives a great deal of hope about Nepali issues despite the turmoil happening right now. NCEF volunteers from all three cities noted the high level of enthusiasm in the crowd and are confident that next year's efforts will be even greater. Even better, the NCEF model of an all-volunteer organization with little operating costs especially appealed to participants.

Hem, a volunteer who organized the Boston event, with other walkers.

Fundamentally, the NCEF believes that education is a cornerstone of development. The reality is, there is no great divide between NCEF kids and ourselves; they're beginning down the same road we once were on. The only difference is time and education. If NCEF students were afforded the same education, guidance, and care many of us received, the possibilities for their futures would be endless. They'd be able to enlighten their homes, communities—the whole world. That's what this fundraiser is all about.

NCEF and its volunteers would like to thank all of the donors, vendors, sponsors, and organizers for making such an impactful (and fun!) event possible.

Ghyasang Ghising.

NCEF is proud to support Ghyasang Ghising through school. Ghyasang lives is in Bhimeshwor, Charikot, Dolakha and recently passed the national 10th grade exit exam called SLC. The child of farmers, he and his family of eight had been relying on his parents' very limited income until recently when his mother fell ill and eventually passed away. His father and older siblings have limited involvement in raising and supporting Ghyasang and his sister.

Ghyasang is a very hardworking student with dreams of being a top pupil. He walks an hour everyday to get to school and looks forward to the possibility of getting even further education with the help of NCEF. Recently, he told volunteers in his own words how NCEF has changed his life for the better. The translated letter is below.

A Letter to NCEF

An essay written by Ghyasang Ghising, who recently passed his SLC, on his experience with NCEF
Translated by Atul Pokharel

Since I was small, I've had an intense desire to read and write. Before our older brothers and sisters enrolled us, my sister and I would sit and play a game of studying by writing on a squash leaf. Our older brothers enrolled us in our village's school and from that day on, our longing for study was fulfilled. I studied in our village school until grade 5. After that, I followed my friend's advice and enrolled in Shree Kalinchok Upper Middle School, Charikot, in the 6th grade. In our village school, I would always attain either first or second place. After coming to this school, I was successful in attaining first place when going from sixth to seventh grade. I was encouraged to do even better and again, when going from class 7 to 8, I graduated in first place.

While my sister and I were in the 6th grade, both of our elder brothers and one of our sisters got married. They became busy in their own family environments and took a step back from supporting us. Our father also started drinking alcohol. What little income he had earned with the katero, he would finish spending outside of the house—he wasn't concerned with anything at home. For our mother alone to educate the both of us was very difficult. Until the fifth grade, we didn't have to buy books; we didn't have to give any monthly fees. However, when we entered classes 6,7 and 8, then we had to buy all of our educational materials in addition to the monthly fee. Both of us borrowed old books from a 7th grade friend to study.

My mother struggled to provide the income needed to educate us. Eventually I couldn't pay my monthly fees, purchase my books, or even buy my school uniform. But, as they say, "Those who don't have a birthmark [indicating luck], have the Lord." Through [NCEF]'s [volunteer] Tenzing Sheerab Sir, I received assistance with my educational materials and even extra-tuition classes. Now I did not have to be deprived of an education! My confidence to study grew and, following his advice, I started intently doing so. In 8th grade, I set the goal of completing my School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exams with distinction.

For the first two quarters I had the chance to study well and take my exams. However, just in time for the third quarterly exam, my mother fell ill with a disease that gave her chest pains and caused blood to come out of her mouth when she coughed. On the final day of my 9th grade third quarterly exam, I found out that my brothers and uncle had admitted my mother to the community hospital. The disease could not be correctly identified and so we took her to Kathmandu's Teaching Hospital. Even after keeping her there for 10 or 12 days they could not diagnose the disease so she was discharged from the hospital and my brothers took her in. But, you know what is amazing? My mother had been given medicine at the hospital, based only on a suspicion of what might be wrong, and it did not work while she was there. But when we gave her the medicine at home she gradually became better.

Soon after, class 10 started. Because I was supported by [NCEF] through Tenzing Sir, I did not have to buy books or pay enrollment fees and I enjoyed continuity in my studies. At the same time, I felt a deep concern for my mother. She had gotten well after 2-3 months of taking medicine, but she got back home and started smoking and drinking. When we tried to explain [why she should stop], she wouldn't listen. After nine months, our mother fell victim to the same disease again. All of the brothers who had helped her find treatment were in Kathmandu; they paid no attention to our mother. Even though we wished to, my sister and I could not do anything ourselves. Time kept going by. I couldn't give priority to my studies. As the SLC exam was coming closer, my mother became very sick. I took 2/3 of my send up exams (pre-SLC screening exam) but on Magh 6, my mother passed away. I couldn't take my Send Up exams properly. My goal was to achieve distinction in the SLC exam and I tried my best, but because of the effect of my mother's death I couldn't achieve first division marks. Instead of distinction, I had to content myself with first division.

Since then, I started a new campus life. I also decided to take up the Science stream. This organization bore all of my expenses through the 10th grade. If I had not received the help of [NCEF] by way of Tenzing Sir, I probably would not have been able to take the SLC. Today, I am studying Science. Even now, I do not receive any support from my elder brothers. If I cannot get the support of any organization today, perhaps I will be deprived of further education and my goal will be limited to my dreams.

Ghyasang Ghising
KHSS
Charikot, Dolakha

An excerpt from Ghyasang's letter: "...However, when we entered classes 6, 7 and 8, then we had to buy all of our educational materials in addition to the monthly fee. Both of us borrowed old books from a 7th grade friend to study. My mother struggled to provide the income needed to educate us. Eventually I couldn't pay my monthly fees, purchase my books, or even buy my school uniform..."

Get to know other kids like Ghyasang.