ICT Computer Lab Project

In this day and age, technology is an essential component to nearly everything. In most of the world, the use of smartphones and computers is a part of everyday life, yet the children of Nepal do not have a reliable way to learn how to use them. Some school children are lucky enough to have a teacher who is innovative and instructs them using a textbook or a cardboard “computer”, but this is no replacement for the real thing. Children in much of rural Nepal are most unlikely to have access to proper technology education. Lack of technology access widens the gap between who is able to move upwards in society. In a land famous for its towering peaks and tumultuous rivers, the bright young minds of Nepal are its greatest natural resource. Education is the key to unlocking that vast potential and solving the issue of poverty in Nepal. The KarmaFlights Foundation Educational Improvement Project is collaborating with eduTechNepal to build and staff at least 25 well-equipped computer labs in rural Nepal by the end of 2025. But this important work is expensive and we can’t do it alone! We need the support of people like you.

About KarmaFlights Foundation’s Work

The KarmaFlights Foundation is a Nepal-based non-profit organization. Founded in 2011, we strongly believe in each child’s immutable right to a safe and secure learning environment. The goals of the KarmaFlights Foundation are to improve the lives of Nepali children by improving access to quality education, quality healthcare, and empowering regular citizens to be leaders in their communities. We achieve these goals by supporting the whole child, including implementing a range of activities targeting school children, teachers, and community members. This involves cultivating trusted relationships, listening to local stakeholders, and building sustainable solutions. Through this work, we cultivate trusted relationships with the communities in which we work. 

KarmaFlights Foundation has many projects in the remote villages in three provinces: Gandaki, Lumbini, and Karnali. Specifically: Kaski (Pokhara), Gorkha, Tanahun, Parbat, Baglung, Gulmi, Rukum (East) Rukum (West), and Dolpa. 

To support individual students, we provide merit scholarships, long-term kinship scholarships for children who have lost families in the earthquake, school uniforms, and warm jackets. On the village scale, we provide emergency disaster relief; training on child-nutrition, waste management, and earthquake preparation; and distribute hygiene kits and livestock to families; and hold community health camps for medical, dental, and mental health care; and support installation of hydro-electric power, solar power, and road infrastructure improvements. These initiatives have positively impacted thousands of people, including children, and have saved lives.

Our Educational Improvement Project aims to build a minimum of 5 earthquake-resistant schools, 25 well-equipped computer labs, 100 libraries; provide water and sanitation facilities to 500 families; and award 750 long-term educational scholarships by the end of 2025.

 Computer Lab Project

The most pressing project for KarmaFlights Foundation, and the one that we most need your support to complete, is the construction and staffing of the Computer Labs. For this project, we are currently focusing on the schools of Gorkha, Baglung, and Gulmi districts, although we would like to expand further West to the Rukum districts soon.

The Nepal government is already funding some high school computer education, but it is not consistent. The sad reality is this is not enough, as many rural students are unable to attend or finish high school. We must do better for our children and give as many children as possible access to computer technology. The KarmaFlights Foundation is trying to fill that need. 

There is significant interest in, and benefit to, increasing computer literacy for students as Nepal continues to grow and engage with the world economy. There is a special need in remote locations that have exceptionally limited access to technology. Our aim with this project is to increase access to computer-based education to more schools, and younger students. As Nepal is ever changing, computer education is essential for future jobs. 

So far, KarmaFlights and eduTechNepal have already built and staffed 16 computer labs in the Baglung, Gorkha, and Gulmi districts, with 3 more labs to be completed in June 2023. We have already seen the tremendous impact on over 6000 students and school staff. Schools have been improving organizational capacity and the ability to apply for grants in a formal fashion. 

Why invest in Computer labs? 

In the villages where KarmaFlights works, the predominant livelihood are farming and cattle herding and there are very limited educational opportunities. By increasing the computer literacy of these communities, especially among the younger generations, we see an increase in quality of life and employability. Just as importantly, by exposing children to more information, they can learn about the world beyond their classrooms–provided that the internet reaches the village in the future. Additionally, the technology provides teachers with an additional educational tool, allowing them to innovate and actively engage students. By empowering children’s education and introducing them to technology, we are investing in the long-term wellbeing of their villages. Allowing children to start computer use at a young age allows their knowledge to blossom into talents and occupations, improving their communities at the same time. 

The computer labs require more investment then just computers themselves: it also requires a trained teacher. KarmaFlights has collaborated with the eduTechNepal Foundation to pay a portion of the salary of a trained teacher, who will help to oversee the lab.

It is equally important to provide the children of rural Nepal with computer education. There are many schools that have a computer course, but most of these schools do not have a physical computer–the students are learning by just reading the textbook. We have a responsibility to prepare our children as world citizens, which includes digital literacy. With a good computer education, children are more likely to be able to find good jobs. Many village children need to enter the job market after lower high schools to earn money and sustain their family economy so they can live a better quality life. Because of this, it is important to introduce them to computers and technology well before they reach high school.

The current generation has dramatically shifted towards technology, which was only enhanced by the impact of COVID-19. Computers provide the skill that students need to thrive in the digital age. Schools situated in the remotest part of Nepal do not have the financial resources to provide their students with technology and government budgets tend to focus on teacher salaries, not infrastructure or equipment. With access to computer labs, students can compete in and have access to the world.

With your financial support, the KarmaFlights Foundation can help the next generation be more successful.