Students raises over $5,000 for library in Nepal

The students at Sisters Elementary School (SES) got an inside look into the lives of the people of Nepal two weeks ago during a special assembly. Mark Lamont, a teacher at SES and also co-founder, with Rand Runco, of Ten Friends, a Sisters-based non-profit organization, educated students on Nepali life.

Students were shown where Nepal is located and learned that Nepal isn't the only place in the world where most people don't have a book to read, don't have safe water to drink and don't have proper sanitation. They learned that in fact billions of people are in the same situation; a far cry from what people in America enjoy and take for granted.

Lamont challenged the kids to help raise money for a library in the village of Tungkhaling, which has a population of approximately 200 people. The library would mark the 15th library that Ten Friends has established to date. A goal of $2,500 was set and, if reached, would be used to purchase 500 to 600 books.

Students outdid themselves and doubled expectations with a total donation of $5,143. A walk/run for Nepal was the culmination to the fundraiser. Kids and school staff ran/walked for one hour the afternoon of May 16.

Lamont was overwhelmed.

"It just reminded me of how great a community Sisters is and that even in hard times here they'll go out of their way to help others," said Lamont. "I'm very grateful to be in such a wonderful community."

With the additional funds, 1,000 books will be purchased as well as maps and globes, local contractors will be hired to build bookshelves and also benches for people to sit on while they read, and solar lighting will be installed throughout the school. If funds stretch far enough, a bathroom will also be built at the school.

Lamont told The Nugget that once the library is in place hundreds of students and adults will walk to the village from as far away as five miles to either attend school or just enjoy reading a book.

Currently in Tungkhaling, the only books students have seen are the thin paperback textbooks that their teacher uses for reading, math and English.

"When these kids do learn to read there aren't any books," said Lamont. "They've never even seen a map or a globe unless they walk six to eight days to the village of Khandbari."

The library will be set up in one of the five rooms of the existing school, a structure of stacked stone blocks. Lamont and Runco will bring a 24-by-12-inch oval solid steel plaque with them to hang inside the library. Inscribed on the plaque are the words, "Library is donated by Sisters Elementary School, Sisters, Oregon USA 2012 'today a reader, tomorrow a leader."'

Books will not be purchased in the U.S. and taken to Nepal because of the expense involved. The books will be bought in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, and 80 percent will be written in the Nepali language.

If bought en masse, the books will average $2 each, with an additional $2 added for the cost of transportation.

Lamont and Runco plan to leave for Nepal in early July and one of the first items on their agenda will be to set up the new library in Tungkhaling.

Lamont told The Nugget that the reaction from the villagers to a new library is always touching.

"They are so grateful," stated Lamont. "They have a village celebration and put on a program for us where they dance and play music. It lasts at least half a day!"