Inspirational Karnali visit

Schools are struggling to provide quality education, especially in the remote mountain areas in Nepal. But with the efforts of dedicated teachers and contributions from the whole community and agencies such as Unicef and Save the Children and their local partners, we found that they are also making important progress.

We took the trip in preparation of the joint annual review of the education sector program to monitor the status of reforms and the general situation facing students and teachers. Ada joined me and the team to Kalikot district which is in the Karnali zone. This is part of a region which is the hardest to reach and where poverty and the lack of basic infrastructure is affecting pretty much everything. Together with government representatives and various development partners we learned more about the real situation on the ground, including all the challenges that people face every day in this part of the country.

Child clubs continue to impress me big time! Involving children is no doubt one of the best ways to promote local accountability and promote every child's right to education!

Here are some pics: Field visit to Kalikot

School theater at Lincoln - One Planet Future

Ada had one of the lead roles together with her two best friends in the lower elementary school play -One Planet Future. She has been practicing being "Bulky Waste", a red sofa, all semester along with a lot of songs for the play.

The show and all the kids were really impressive. A lot of work paid off as they proudly presented the play to their families today with a clear message to take care of our environment! The Bulky waste girls did great, they remembered all their lines, which were the funniest ones in the whole show, and sang beautifully. Filip and Kristine also made it back from Norway just in time to see the show. She couldn't be happier that Holi came in the way for the original show time.

Good job Ada!

Pics from the show: https://picasaweb.google.com/lasse.storholt/OnePlanetFutureMarch2011#

Christmas and new year celebration in Kathmandu

We enjoyed a very nice holiday season in Kathmandu this Christmas, for the second time in Nepal. Although we missed Norway and our family and friends there, it was a good for the four of us to enjoy the holiday preparations and Christmas eve together. We were also lucky to have Lasse's parents and Nazli come and visit from Boxing day until 3. January. Winter break at Lincoln School is three weeks, and Kristine was working, so in the end everybody kept busy and especially loved having Kari, Olle and Nazli around.:) Being with the grandparents again meant a lot to Ada and Filip.

Here are some pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lasse.storholt/JulOgNyttar2010#