As a responsible and sustainable tour operator, Ace the Himalaya has launched the Child Education Sponsorship Program in collaboration with the Sambhav Nepal Foundation. The goal is to provide school level education to orphans and conflict-affected children to give them a better chance to live a happy, secure and healthy life through the means of education.
Sambhav Nepal was founded so tourism could have a positive impact for the underprivileged, marginalized, poor and minority groups. Making this program effective, Ace the Himalaya seeks financial support from its clients and various donors.
This project aims to provide the scholarship of US $250 to each child for their education in their own village. The funds received will be directly utilized for the children's school fees, stationery, uniforms and other necessary educational resources. As the school is located within the village there are no lodging or accommodation costs, which makes this a genuinely educational based sponsorship. All your money is goes towards the children's educational needs. In return, you can see and feel the real impact that your support has made as we keep in contact via letters and provide regular school reports, photos and updates on each child's progress.
Who are the beneficiaries?
1) Children from poor families who have an incomplete education
2) Those who are classed as 'lower casts' in their society
3) Talented children who score highly in their school evaluation and seek better educational institutions
4) Orphans or children who have been neglected by their parents
5) Conflict-affected children who suffer with physical or mental issues
6) Children who have been forced into child labor during armed conflict
7) Guides and porters working in the Himalayas to try to better their children's future
The contribution you make directly benefits all these individuals, as this project aims to empower underprivileged children and the communities in which they live. We realise education is a powerful tool to combat their misfortunes and help shape their future.
Since children are the future, empowering their lives now will, in the long run, undoubtedly empower the whole community and thus, the entire nation.
How can you help?
Investing in children is investing in the future. You have the power to make a difference in the lives of these individuals by supporting this project with your donation. Sponsors will contribute to the scholarship program for these children on an annual basis. The cost to educate one child for an entire year is US $250. 84% of the funds collected will go directly towards educational needs and 16% of the amount is used for administrative purpose and local coordinators. Local guardians will be authorised to utilise these fund for children's education. Moreover, they will report the children’s progress in school. We will periodically send you the child's progress report (every six months) to assure you that the contribution you made has been used for the purpose for which it was intended. With our sponsorship project we are aiming for long term commitment as in the future sponsorship may be required for high school and University education. If your sponsored child is extremely talented he or she may even get the golden opportunity to study abroad.
How are children nominated for the Sponsorship Program?
Firstly, we go to the villages and try to find out about the background and family history of the child. For verification, we check the facts with the other villagers. When we are sure that we have a genuine case, we ask the guardian of the child to fill in an application form and submit it with supporting documents, duly attested by their school and District Development Committee. We then make a profile of the child based on the facts and publish it on our website.
What is Special Sponsorship?
Special sponsorship is a bit different from our ordinary program. It provides the children with an opportunity to study in a private English school in a city, e.g. Kathmandu or Pokhara. This type of sponsorship is more expensive. The cost is anything from US $120 to US $150 per child per month. This includes all meals, hostel accommodation, school fees, uniform and regular health checkups. Children who are extremely extraordinary talented are nominated in this category.
Prem, Ace the Himalaya
22 March 2010
