Project Details

The project primarily aims to run a mobile library system in Barabise and Mahendranagar on a monthly rotational basis. Educational resources will be transported by local porters using dokos (traditional bamboo baskets used to transport goods in rural areas) to 10 different routes in each project area. Each route has two to four stops where books will be kept for about a week to fifteen days.

Other components of the project are:

Regional Community Center (RCC): A resource center will be built in Barabise and Mahendranagar. The RCC will have a library with 7500 books each that will act as a base for the implementation of the mobile library system. It will also be equipped with a projector, photocopier, computers, fax, and internet services. The community hall will be rented out for social functions. People using these services will be charged nominal fees in order to sustain the project.

Scholarships: The project aims to award scholarships to 300 bright and needy students to complete their secondary education (Class 8 to 10). The scholarship covers tuition, books, and stationery according to NSP's scholarship distribution guidelines. In line with NSP's mechanism, the district coordinator, who is either a student from Budhanilkantha School, or a member of SEBS, facilitates and monitors the process of scholarship distribution. Since volunteer monitoring is not feasible in our program areas, Barabise and Mahendranagar, the regional team conducts the process there.

Training: It is a key component of the program and has been integrated in the project to empower the local community. The training courses that will be provided are facilitator training for literacy classes, income generation training (farm-based), vocational/skills development (computer literacy), basic health care training (first aid) and then conduct health camp, vocational training (para-vet), library management training for staff, and finance/accounting training.

Benefits of the project:

• In two project areas, Barabise and Mahendranagar:
  
  • Easy access to reading materials and RCC programs for more than 30,000 individuals.
  • 150 scholarships.
  • 70 local staff hired
     
• About 150 other scholarship recepients throughout Nepal.
  
• Head office: Staff hired and office furnished.

Funds Distribution:

• Project areas: $133,660 (75.6% of project costs)
• Scholarship contributions throughout Nepal: $20,589 (11.7% of project grant)
• Headquarters: $22,522 (12.7% of project costs)