At Shree Kalika Secondary School, located 31 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu, students face numerous challenges that hinder their education. For many, the journey to school can take hours, with paths often blocked by mudslides. Parents struggle to justify sending their children to school due to its dilapidated state, lack of resources, and the need for children to work at home or in the fields.
Principal Uma Tamang had hoped that a one-time grant of 500,000 Nepali rupees (around US$3,650) would help improve conditions at the school and encourage attendance. The grant was part of a larger US$40 million program by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The first installment of 300,000 Nepali rupees (about US$2,200) had already been received, while the second installment of 200,000 rupees was due later this year.
This funding was intended for essential educational materials like books, toys, and maintenance of the school, as well as for organizing community events. However, with the end of most foreign aid under US President Donald Trump’s administration in January, Tamang realized that the remaining funds would never arrive.
While the grant wouldn’t have solved all the school’s problems, Tamang believes it would have helped make the school environment more inviting, keeping children engaged and helping parents see the value of education. “We didn’t just dream of filling classrooms with toys and bright learning materials,” Tamang explains. “We envisioned giving children from poor families a chance for a better future by strengthening primary education.”
