About Bajhang
Bajhang District is located in the remote Far Western Region of Nepal. It is one of the eleven food-insecure districts in the region served by the World Food Programme (WFP). The Ministry of Education and WFP run School Meals Program in 200 of the total 454 primary schools in the district to provide students with at least one healthy meal per day while ensuring regular attendance at school. With this project, OLE Nepal and WFP aim to feed the mind in addition to feeding the bodies of students in this far flung district, and provide them an opportunity at a better future.
Project Strategy
OLE Nepal will work with development partners and local bodies such as the District Development Committee (DDC) and concerned Village Development Committees (VDC) to cover other project costs related to deployment, training, monitoring and support. The project will draw from the experience that OLE Nepal and its implementing partners including the Department of Education (DoE) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have gathered through four years of implementing laptop-based education initiatives, and will also utilize the educational content, training package, and technical models that have been developed during this period. The project will work closely with the District Education Office (DEO), DoE and WFP to plan and execute the programs, including community participation, teacher training, laptop deployment, monitoring and support.
| Year | No of schools |
| 2013-14 | 10 |
| 2014-15 | 13 |
| 2015-16 | 20 |
Project Activities
School Selection
A total of 20 schools spanning twelve Village Development Committees (VDC) in Bajhang district have been recommended by the Bajhang District Education Office (DEO) for the second phase of the program, resulting in total of 43 schools with our laptop program. The schools were selected as the conclusion of the field visit undertaken by a team consisting of DEO officials, World Food Programme (WFP) Sub-Office personnel, and OLE Nepal staff. The team visited various schools in the area and interacted with communities during the visit that took place from May 23 to June 8, 2015. Each school was required to fill out a detailed survey questionnaire on how the school planned to sustain the laptop program beyond the initial few years, what steps they plan to take to ensure success of the program, and how they thought the program would benefit their students. The responses provided by the schools were one of the determining factors in the school selection process. Along with the above mentioned component, schools commitment towards child-friendly learning opportunities was also equally important. It was also important for the schools to have basic infrastructure to carry forward the program with same determination and dedication as well as to have strong community support.
School Interaction
Orientation program has been conducted for the teachers of newly selected twenty schools. After the orientation program, basic training will be conducted for the teachers of newly selected schools in Bajhang. The main aim of seven day basic training is to familiarize the teachers with E–Paati (XO Laptops) and its functions along with highlighting the importance of integrating digital learning educational resources within their teaching-learning process.
Laptops have arrived
The XO-4 laptops were procured from the funds raised by OLE Nepal from individuals and organizations in Nepal and abroad. The laptops were tested and deployed to selected schools. Like the ones deployed in previous twenty three schools, new laptops for Bajhang will have same new features making it suitable for the schools in rural areas. It will run on ARM based processor which makes the laptop a much faster machine. Along with having more memory, storage and speed and consuming 40% less power, these laptops will also have a touchscreen featured on them. The technical team redesigned the Operating System to suit the new processor. They ported the software (E-Paath) bundle to be accommodated in the new processor. The team also added translation in new interface because of the new sugar version and worked on invoking Nepali character input.
Solar Power System
OLE Nepal has selected vendor for deployment and installation of solar power systems in the school and they have been successful in delivering solar panels to the respective schools. Not all schools have electrical power, hence, solar power systems will allow for smooth project operation of the program. Learning from the past experience, OLE Nepal has also brought some changes in designs of the desks by managing space for XO power adapter, allowing it to tie the power cords behind the desks and to make the classrooms neat and safe. The newly designed desks has been constructed and delivered to the schools. Our project partner for the solar power installation and desk is WFP.
Fundraising
We have successfully raised funds for 600 laptops for 20 more schools in Bajhang district. Various fund raising activities were conducted both in and outside of Nepal. We would like to thanks all our local and international donors for their generous support towards our campaign of reaching more schools for quality education in rural of the country.
Contributors
We would like to thank you all for your kind support towards our organization.
| 2014 | ||
| OLE Nepal Laptop fund | Kathmandu | $28135 |
| Ace Development Bank | Kathmandu | $252 |
| Ajay Shrestha | Kathmandu | $250 |
| Jyoti Sherchan | Kathmandu | $100 |
| 2012 | ||
| Caroline Vandeabeele | Kathmandu | $50 |
| Diana Hinova | Kathmandu | $50 |
| Jyoti Group Nepal | Kathmandu | $6,250 |
| Mustang Trails | Kathmandu | $364 |
| Rachana Dhakhwa Shakya | Kathmandu | $50 |
| Robert Piper | Kathmandu | $50 |
| Stine Heiselberg | Kathmandu | $50 |
We would like to heartily thank our major contributors for their support towards the organization. The immediate procurement of the laptops has been possible through their huge support.
 |
Daryl & Maxine Zook, Sarasota, Florida – $10,000
[ Year – 2014 ] |
 |
India Development and Relief Fund – $12,500
[ Year – 2013 ] |
 |
Help Nepal Network US Inc. – $12,500
[ Year – 2012 ] |
 |
Jyoti Group Nepal – $6,250
[ Year – 2012 ] |
We would like to thank you all for your kind support towards our organization.
| 2014 | ||
| Anjuli Piya | San Francisco | $200 |
| Anna Schmidt | Elkhart, Indiana | $75 |
| Anonymous | USA | $250 |
| Caroline Jacoby | Baltimore, MD | $250 |
| Carrie Hartzler Bhandari | Indiana, USA | $100 |
| Dairy Queen Grill & Chill | Goshen, Indiana | $250 |
| Harrie Vollaard | Europe | $5821 |
| Ilya Katz | New York | $75 |
| Jennifer & Geoff Buchholz | Goshen, Indiana | $150 |
| Jonathan Hartzler & Anike Wedel | Goshen, Indiana | $100 |
| Joseph B Callahan | Colorado | $150 |
| Jodi L. Greene | Illinois, USA | $250 |
| Karma Holistic Center | LA | $250 |
| Loretta Mast | Middlebury, Indiana | $120 |
| Lynn & Darlene Miller | Elkhart, Indiana | $250 |
| Manish Bajracharya | Kansas | $250 |
| Matthew & Erin Milanese | Indiana, USA | $650 |
| Martha Jacoby | Boston | $250 |
| Michael & Cecilia Haines | New Paris, Indiana | $120 |
| Pratik Goyal | India | $50 |
| Ram Chettri | Goshen, IN | $1500 |
| Ram Khattri Chettri & Karen James | Middlebury, Indiana | $1200 |
| Rohit Hegde | Poona, India | $1616 |
| Ryan Stoy & Laura Gilbert | Goshen, Indiana | $300 |
| Suman and Carrie Bhandari | Goshen, Indiana | $100 |
| Tonja Zook | Elkhart, Indiana | $600 |
| Vicki & Mark Smucker | Goshen, Indiana | $2000 |
| Wanda Vivequin | Canada | $5778 |
| 2013 | ||
| Anonymus | $10 | |
| Ben & Karen Mendoza | Goshen, IN | $100 |
| Christopher Gaby | Indiana | $100 |
| Dairy Queen Grill & Chill (Chris and Terry Adam) | Goshen, IN | $250 |
| Dan Scarsella & Suzzane Hertzler | Indiana | $250 |
| Daryl & Maxine Zook | Goshen, IN | $3000 |
| David & Doreen Behnke | Goshen, IN | $35 |
| Dawn Akins | Indiana | $25 |
| Edgar & Ethel Metzler | Goshen, IN | $100 |
| Frederick & Kimberly Kieper | Goshen, IN | $50 |
| IDRF | Washington DC | $12500 |
| John D Roth & Ruth Miller Roth | Goshen, IN | $100 |
| Jonathan Hartzler & Anike Wedel Goshen | Goshen, IN | $100 |
| Josheph Fernando | Indiana | $75 |
| Kyle Schlabaugh and Jessica Baldanzi | Goshen, IN | $150 |
| Laura Mills | San Francisco | $250 |
| Lynn Miller | Indiana | $125 |
| Matthew & Erin Milanese | Goshen, IN | $700 |
| Nisha Thapa | San Francisco | $100 |
| Polly Hoover | Indiana | $50 |
| Pooja Sherchan | San Francisco | $101 |
| Ryan Stoy & Laura Gilbert | Goshen, IN | $250 |
| Shamod Lacoul | San Francisco | $100 |
| Shanthi Muthiah | Washington DC | $150 |
| Swarnim Ranjitkar | San Francisco | $200 |
| Tina Lambdin Kingsbury | Goshen, IN | $100 |
| Tonja Zook | Goshen, IN | $500 |
| Topraj Gurung | San Francisco | $253 |
| Vicki & Mark Smucker | Goshen, IN | $1000 |
| Wade Psychological Services, Inc | Goshen, IN | $500 |
| 2012 | ||
| Amanda Lantz | Indiana | $50 |
| Anilpc | $20 | |
| Anjan and Anubhav Bhattarai | San Francisco Bay Area | $25 |
| Anup Dhamala | New Hampshire | $25 |
| Anonymous | $250 | |
| Anonymous | Colorado | $100 |
| Anonymous | New York, USA | $30 |
| Anonymous | San Francisco Bay Area | $62 |
| Anonymous | Washington DC, USA | $258 |
| Anshu and Sarju | Washington DC | $150 |
| Asim Lamsal | Australia | $100 |
| Ben & Karen Mendoza | Indiana | $100 |
| Bibek Kafle | Oregon | $50 |
| Bill Bowling | Oregon | $100 |
| Bina, Daman and Ariana | San Francisco Bay Area | $500 |
| Binesh and Sujin | San Francisco Bay Area | $40 |
| Boulder community and Sherpa Resturant | Boulder, Colorado | $598 |
| Carol Silver | San Francisco | $36 |
| Caroline Jacoby | Baltimore, MD, USA | $250 |
| Catherine V. and Timothy J Babington | Colorado | $100 |
| Chris & Robin Shetler | Indiana | $20 |
| Christa Robertson | San Francisco Bay Area | $50 |
| Connie Urro Muniz | Colorado | $20 |
| Deden Dolma | San Francisco Bay Area | $25 |
| Danile & John Martens | Indiana | $200 |
| Daryl & Maxine Zook | Indiana | $2000 |
| David Silva and Linda Spangler | San Francisco Bay Area | $50 |
| Dawn Akins | Indiana | $25 |
| Daisy Kansakar | New York | $100 |
| Diane Smith | Indiana | $50 |
| Dieter Bruhn | Colorado | $50 |
| Dinesh Bhandary | San Francisco | $100 |
| Diwas and Smrity Shrestha | Colorado | $150 |
| Doug Mayeux | Texas | $200 |
| Emily Martin | $25 | |
| Frisco community and Himalayan Cuisine | Frisco, Colorado | $480 |
| Hara Rani | San Francisco Bay Area | $258 |
| Help Nepal Network US Inc | USA | $12500 |
| James and Martia Corin | Colorado | $30 |
| Jason Oswald | Indiana | $150 |
| Jennifer and Geoffrey Buchholz | Indiana | $250 |
| Jesbina Piya | Boston | $50 |
| Jill Meola | Colorado | $50 |
| Joe Fernando | Texas | $25 |
| John | $250 | |
| Jonathan Hartzler & Anika Wedel | Indiana | $75 |
| Jonathan Hartzler & Anika Wedel | Indiana | $100 |
| Kushan Maskey | Dallas | $50 |
| Kyle Schlabaugh and Jessica Baldanzi | Indiana | $50 |
| Lynn & Darlene Miller | Indiana | $75 |
| Manjima Sharma | Texas | $250 |
| Martha H. Jacoby | Boston | $250 |
| Mary Pat Munding | Colorado | $50 |
| Matthew & Erin Milanese | Indiana | $400 |
| Maureen T Valenta | Colorado | $200 |
| Mitch & Heidi Siemens-Rhodes | Indiana | $100 |
| Nam and Tom | Colorado | $500 |
| Neha Dahal | San Francisco Bay Area | $20 |
| Niva Shrestha | Boston | $250 |
| Nora | $250 | |
| Numa and Lokesh | San Francisco Bay Area | $500 |
| Pennington Wimbush | Colorado | $500 |
| Polly Hoover | Indiana | $40 |
| Prajani KC | Arizona | $100 |
| Pratima Adhikari | San Francisco Bay Area | $25 |
| Pravin Rana | Washington DC, USA | $150 |
| Prerna | Boston, USA | $1,250 |
| Ram Khattri Chettri & Karen James | Indiana | $1325 |
| Ravi and Usha Kachhapati | San Francisco Bay Area | $101 |
| Richard & W.Jean Hirschler | Indiana | $75 |
| Ronald and Deborah Schwartz | Colorado | $250 |
| Ryan Stoy & Laura Gilbert | Indiana | $100 |
| Sagar Dangi | $25 | |
| Sahayeta (c/o Nisha Thapa) | San Francisco Bay Area | $250 |
| Samodh | San Francisco Bay Area | $25 |
| Sanchita and Bhuwan | San Francisco Bay Area | $100 |
| Sbjc | $100 | |
| Shovna and Jimmy | Colorado | $100 |
| Sophia Sapkota | San Francisco Bay Area | $20 |
| Surya Chataut | San Francisco Bay Area | $250 |
| Sushma KC Manandhar | Florida | $30 |
| Swarnim Ranjitkar | San Francisco Bay Area | $100 |
| Stephen & Colleen Lindsey | Indiana | $150 |
| Terry & Melody Ernsberger | Indiana | $75 |
| Thilin and Mamta | San Francisco Bay Area | $60 |
| Thomas Choy | Indiana | $100 |
| Thushan Hemachandra | Indiana | $100 |
| Tonja Zook | Indiana | $250 |
| Tonja Zook | Indiana | $500 |
| Trista & Travis Nunemaker | Indiana | $200 |
| Veronica Riquelme | Washington DC | $100 |
| Vicki & Mark Smucker | Indiana | $250 |
| Vicki & Mark Smucker | Indiana | $250 |
| From Marathon | ||
| 2012 | ||
| Abhaya Shrestha | NYC | $50 |
| Alistair Bridie | Australia | $100 |
| Alok Nepal | Washington DC | $25 |
| Anonymous | Washington DC | $50 |
| Anonymous | San Francisco Bay Area | $500 |
| Ashmita Pande | Washington DC | $100 |
| Awishmaran Basnyet | Washington DC | $15 |
| Dechenla and Binay | BostonDC | $200 |
| Grishma & Ritesh Shrestha | Washington DC | $40 |
| James and Anne E. Buckley family | Washington DC | $1000 |
| Rabin & Monica | Washington DC | $25 |
| Rainpiya | San Francisco Bay Area | $250 |
| Sarah Kate | Washington DC | $100 |
| Sheila Liljenquist and Kevin Buckley | Washington DC | $100 |
| Triguna Basnet | NYC | $100 |
Open Learning Exchange is a registered 501(c)3 charity, and your donations may reduce the income tax you have to pay. You will receive an automatic receipt for your donation by email, and a formal receipt by mail at the end of the year.
For more information or inquiry, please email us at donate@olenepal.org