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FIRST STEPS HIMALAYA

  • Latest news from FSH

      11 September 2020
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    First Steps Himalaya is expanding its services and is now working in 3 districts of Nepal and will soon reach 3 other districts with its cutting edge early years education programme. A new Community Resilience Programme has been launched in the wake of Covid-19 to support marginalised communities already vulnerable to the socio- economic impact of the pandemic. This will be critical in reducing alcohol abuse, domestic violence and child trafficking as well as promoting improved health and hygiene, sustainable agriculture, improved nutrition and environmental protection.

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  • Post earthquake update

      10 July 2015
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    In April and May 2015, 3 massive earthquakes hit Nepal. Our project area in Sindhupalchok was one of the worst affected with 43% of total deaths being recorded in the district. 95% of buildings have collapsed or are beyond repair. Our newly built earthbag building stood up to the earthquakes and is now an example of safe and sustainable building solutions for Nepal. A huge thank you for supporting us..

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  • Update for 09/07/2012

      9 July 2012

    As First Steps Himalaya enters a period of rapid growth, there is a constant need to continue support to our existing projects. Your donation can help us manage a growing number of projects: both early childhood education and school projects in rural Nepal. Become a child sponsor for just NZ$ 40 per month and receive updates from us or support us with a donation to enable us to do even more. Become a friend of First Steps Himalaya and receive our newsletter and don't forget to like us on Facebook!

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  • Update for 21/02/2011

      21 February 2011

    Is looking for more regular child sponsors to support the ongoing running costs of the 7 early childhood and community health and awareness projects in rural Nepal. For just NZ$40?a month, you will be supporting us to provide education to at least 20 children at our child friendly services. We will send you the photo and details as well as updates twice a year on the progress of the child. As a small organisation, we personally know all the children at our projects and can keep you updated. You could even visit our project at our village tourism accomodation or join one of our treks. Contact us now! director@firststepshimalaya.org"" For more details. It's easy with givealittle- we have sponsors all over the world contributing through Givealittle. Thanks Givealittle for helping us make it happen!

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  • Update for 21/01/2011

      21 January 2011

    Thanks to Geoff for his recent donation. Geoff I couldnt find a way of thanking you. Thanks to all the other donors who make us such a successful Givealittle project. Durga is heading out to Nepal in a month and we have a trek going over in March which also visits the project. Our 7 Early childhood projects are going so well that we are looking at 10 more for November. But first we have to find more child sponsors to cover the ongoing costs so that over 200 children continue to receive a safe, child friendly and stimulating education! Sponsorship is just $40 a month. See our website for details

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  • Update for 11/01/2011

      11 January 2011

    Join the 'First Steps Great Adventure' a unique personal development course in Nepal. The Great Adventure is designed for those emerging leaders working towards more challenging leadership roles who wish to extend their capabilities. Test your nerve, swing high, blast through white water and have an adrenalin pumping ride to a new you! For more information see http://www.firststepshimalaya.org/content/great-adventures"" www.firststepshimalaya.org/content/great-adventures?or email director@firststepshimalaya.org""

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  • Update for 21/12/2010

      21 December 2010

    Sponsor a child this Christmas. For just $40 a month, you can contribute to our success. We will send you a photo and details of a child attending one of our 7 early Childhood centres with updates twice a year on their progress. People all over the world support in this way through givealitle. Visit http://www.firststepshimalaya.org"" www.firststepshimalaya.org and click on the givealittle button and donate. Thank you to all our supporters and a very merry Christmas! Fionna and all the team

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  • Update for 13/11/2010

      13 November 2010

    A huge thank you for all the recent generous donations. Fantastic to have people who really believe in us. We are on target with the new projects and working hard to complete set up of the new ECD rooms. We seek more child sponsors to support project running costs so that we can continue to expand our services. THANK YOU!

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  • Update for 30/10/2010

      30 October 2010

    Just back from a 6 week field visit to Nepal. We have started a further 6 small ECD centres in existing community and school rooms. New staff have been recruited, trained and the rooms are in the process of being redecorated, carpeted and fitted out with storage units containing a range of suitable learning materials, art and crafts. This is a huge step forward and we are delighted with progress so far. Our library is very popular and is often full of Young people at school break times and before and after school. Our 'Saturday club' is for young people who love reading , art and playing chess. Our first fundraising trek was led by Director Durga Aran who took our group on the Annapurna Circuit before taking them to help at the project for a few days. We extend our services to primary schools by lending materials and training teachers in child friendly methods. Check our website for more details as well as our blog from Nepal. The First Steps Himalaya page on Facebook has photos and videos. Contribute now so that we can continue to provide these vital services! Thank you

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  • Update for 29/09/2010

      29 September 2010

    Writing this from Nepal where we are in the midst of setting up 5 new projects. All going well and some of the new carpet and paint arrived eventually by truck after two flat tyres. We really appreciate the support of our donors and wish you could see the changes being made here. The children attending our centres are so happy and learning lots. It is a joy to see. We have just started a Saturday Club for young people at our wonderful library. Huge thanks to the donor who gave money for Nepali language story books. They are very much appreciated. THANK YOU FIONNA

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  • Update for 31/08/2010

      31 August 2010

    DONATIONS FOR NEW PROJECTS An enormous thank you to Raf for his generous donation. The new projects start in Nepal in 10 days! There are lots of ways of helping us. We urgently need $100 to cover the cost of a cordless drill to use in the renovation of classrooms into early childhood rooms. Donate the cost of Nepali language books from $5 per book. Alternatively donate the cost of Nepali dolls and learning materials from $10-100. Donate this week and we can use your donation to purchase much needed equipment and toys. Follow our blog on our website http://www.firststepshimalaya.orgfrom 6th September THANK YOU

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  • Update for 21/06/2010

      21 June 2010

    TREKS TO BENEFIT FIRST STEPS HIMALAYA PROJECT WORK IN RURAL NEPAL PACH POKHARI HIGH HIMAL TREK: Join us on an 11 day off the beaten path camping trek to the five sacred lakes (Pach Pokhari) of the remote and magnificent Jugal Himal area. Our trek offers stunning mountain scenery, untouched traditional villages and a real sense of adventure. Dates: 27th September ex Kathmandu to 13th October (18 days) Price: NZ $ 2,475 Trip includes: 3 nights in Kathmandu, 11 night fully catered camping trek, 3 nights at the First Steps Himalaya project and domestic transport. TREK THE ANNAPURNA CIRCUIT: Due to popular demand, we are delighted to offer a second trek in October on the stunning Annapurna Circuit in Nepal. Join us on a 16 day tea house trek adventure through some of Nepalfs most spectacular mountains, ancient villages and rich cultural heritage. This 25 day adventure is the trip of a lifetime. Departs: 17th October ex- Kathmandu to 10th November (25 days) Price: NZ$ 1,995 Trip includes: Fully escorted 16 day tea house trek with all meals, porters and permits, 2 nights in the lakeside town of Pokhara, domestic transport including flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu, 4 nights in a mid range Kathmandu hotel, 3 night trip to the First Steps Himalaya project. Why trek with us? We are not just another big travel company! All profits from the trek help us operate our community early childhood development and family health projects in Nepal. Trek with us and you will really be making a difference to hundreds of lives! We really know Nepal! Our Nepali director, Durga is based in Nelson, New Zealand making it easier for you to plan and prepare and gain a better understanding of the culture and the people. You will have a unique opportunity to spend three nights at our project centre in Sangachok, Nepal where you can see at first hand the success of our work. Lend a hand and gain a real insight into Nepali village life. We recommend flight bookings with TRAVEL SMART, 253 Trafalgar Street, Nelson, New Zealand Tel: (03) 546 9229 For more information and detailed itinerary contact Fionna on (03) 5451903 or director@firststepshimalaya.org or visit www.firststepshimalaya.org

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  • Update for 27/05/2010

      27 May 2010

    Thanks to everyone donating to us! It is your donations that keep services running. The difference in the kids is incredible. These children are being given the gift of education, learning to love learning and preparing for school and life! Great news - we hope to roll our the same service to 5 more communities from October! Another 75 children and their families will benefit! Contact us to see how you can help us!

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  • Update for 12/04/2010

      12 April 2010

    Thank you so much to the donor who funded the librarian! The library was officially opened on Friday 9th April by Alison Abubaker from Scotland in memory of her son Yusef who died suddenly aged 12 years. Alison and two of her sons flew to Nepal for the opening. You can still help us - sponsors? book for the library for as little as $5 NZ.

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  • Update for 22/03/2010

      22 March 2010

    Want to volunteer in Nepal? Don't want to pay expensive agency fees? First Steps Himalaya provides the perfect solution. Our village tourism project provides comfortable accomodation, great food and an unforgettable?real Nepali experience. Contribute your skills, go on day hikes, teach English. We charge just $100 per week dinner, bed and breakfast. Contact us now on director@firststepshimalaya.org"" or check our website: http://www.firststepshimalaya.org"">www.firststepshimalaya.org

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  • Update for 10/03/2010

      10 March 2010

    Spring has arrived in the Himalayas along with the trekking season! Whilst thousands of tourists ply the Everest Base Camp Trek, Sangachok offers a completely different experience- the real Nepal! Our visitor accomodation is affordable, comfortable and off the beaten track! Interested in lending a hand? We need some volunteers to help paint our Early Childhood Centre?in March! In fact we have something for everyone for a few days, weeks or even months! Visit our website http://www.firststepshimalaya.org"" director@firststepshimalaya.org"" for more details. We don't charge ?exorbitant fees- so contact us now!

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  • Update for 25/01/2010

      25 January 2010

    My wish came true and thanks to a generous donor, the children now recieve fruit once a week. A huge treat! Lots more things to sponsor- training courses for our staff. $100 provides a tailor made two day Montessori workshop for our staff. This results in better quality services and happier children! Our tourist accomodation is now up and running. We are looking for a couple of volunteers interested in painting our centre around Easter time. Embarking on the much needed health advice programme. We would like to raise enough money to build an extra room for workshops and hire a health adviser to educate the community on health, home safety, better parenting as well as providing antenatal classes and maternity advice. We need $10,000 to do this...but every dollar counts!

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  • Update for 24/12/2009

      24 December 2009

    Dear Santa I expect you are very busy getting ready for tonight but guess what I dont want toys! That's because the lovely children at Nelson Montessori gave so generously this Christmas. In fact they raised enough to buy superb Montessori equipment for the centre. One little girl gave us all the money from her piggy bank. Now that really is giving at Christmas. In fact lots of people have given us money this Christmas so we can bring some joy to the children of Sangachok. How wonderful! Now Santa here is our list! We really want some storage units for all the toys and materials. At the moment everything is on the floor and it is difficult to keep it clean and tidy. We need at least 4 at about $100 each. I know you often leave pieces of fruit in our stockings. The thing is we would love to give all the children a piece of fruit once a week. They hardly ever eat any fruit otherwise and are undernourished as they eat mainly rice and not much else. For just $10 a week we could provide apples, oranges and bananas to all the children. Can you help us? Santa...my wish list is really long. Email me and i would love to tell you what else we need. mailto:director@firststepshimalaya.org"" Thank you so much and have a Merry Christmas

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  • Update for 08/12/2009

      8 December 2009

    On behalf of the all of us at First Steps Himalaya we would like to say a huge thank you to Raf and the Givealittle Elf for the recent donations. It is wonderful news! The building is almost complete with the toilet block under construction. The classes are in use and more and more children enrol at the centre. Our library opens soon with over 200 books in Nepali and English. This will be the first time the community will have had books other than school books and we aim to start a culture of reading for pleasure. Our staff have recently attended a Montessori training workshop in Kathmandu. They came away with lots of ideas and improved techniques. Our new campaign is for better parenting and improved childcare. This will involve working with the parents more closely helping to pass on positive parenting messages. We are looking for supporters to join our child sponsorship programme. Sponsorship is pooled and is used to sustain our project work. Always wanted to visit Nepal but put off by crowded trekking routes? Visit our project, lend a hand or enjoy day hikes around the area. The real Nepal experience awaits you! Check our website for details.

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  • Update for 24/11/2009

      24 November 2009

    Fionna Heiton, Director, recently visited the Nepal project. After just three months of operation, there have been radical changes in the children. The children love the classes, follow simple instructions and take part in activities readily. They all love drawing and puzzles. A little disabled boy who constantly fell over banging his head is now sitting, standing and playing musical instruments. Our staff now see much cleaner, active children. Parents love the classes too and many mums often linger to do wooden puzzles with other mums. The project moved into the new premises at the end of October. The new spacious classrooms are ideal for busy active children. The library has a range of bright colourful books to suit all ages especially young children. An exciting new opportunity to benefit the project is the village tourism programme. You can now visit Sangachowk staying in comfortable accomodation, hike around the area, relax or contribute your skills and time. See our website for more details!

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  • Update for 26/09/2009

      26 September 2009

    The building is almost finiished! Durga arrives back in NZ today after 3 months of hard work with the community in Nepal to achieve our vision. The roof will soon go on and we just need the plaster, paint work and finishing touches. The Sangachowk Early Childhood Development Centre and the Yusef Abubaker Memorial Liibrary open in October. The children are already making wonderful progress and parents cant wait till we can extend the number of classes available. To offer high quality programming we have kept the teacher: child ratio at 1:6. The community were surprised at this intitially but can now see the reasoning has paid off. First Steps Himalaya has been delighted with the enormous support growing day by day. If you would like to really make a difference with us - contact Fionna through our website www.firststepshimalaya.org Organise a fundraising event for us, volunteer and trek with us in Nepal or become a child sponsor. For those in the Nelson area, come along and find out more about our work on Sunday 4th October at Hampden Street School Hall, Nelson from 11am - 4pm at Hands on For Himalaya. The event offers a range of natural therapies to pamper yourself and delicious Himalayan cooking. Help us now by donating so that we can complete the fit out of the ECD centre at Sangachowk, Nepal. Bring a smile to hundreds of faces. Thank you and Namaste!

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  • Update for 28/08/2009

      28 August 2009

    The purpose built early childhood development centre is currently under construction in Sangachowk under Durgafs watchful eye. We need just $1000 to pay for the plaster, paint and final fit out!The community donated the land and we have a contractor working with Durga to produce 2 classrooms, an office, toilets and a community library. We are very grateful to the local school who have continued to allow us to use a classroom until our building work is completed. There has been a huge amount of activity in Sangachowk over the last few months as trucks have struggled through monsoonal downpours to deliver sand, cement, iron rods and stone. This has been very much a well organised community effort! 50 children are already enrolled at the temporary centre and our classes are a huge success with the children who for the first time in their life are drawing, listening to stories, creating with play dough and exploring our wide selection of educational toys! Parents say they cannot believe the change in their children and want more sessions for their children. We hope to achieve this by October when the new centre opens. Child sponsorship has now started and for just $40 a month you can help us keep our project running and expand to other villages! By sponsoring one of our project children, you will be helping us to run our early childhood development services. Sign up now to be a sponsor as an individual, a family or join together with friends and colleagues to jointly sponsor a child as a team! We will keep you updated with your childfs progress and you might even choose to visit one day! HOLIDAY WITH A DIFFERENCE? VOLUNTEER WITH FSH! First Steps Himalaya welcomes enquiries for volunteers for the Sangachowk project. We are in interested in anyone who might be willing to contribute their skills and time for a short period. We are particularly interested in people with an education or health background. Contact firststepshimalaya@gmail.com

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  • Update for 17/03/2009

      17 March 2009

    We are delighted to say that the Sangachowk community Early Childhood Development (ECD) project is underway. Our Field Director Durga is working closely with the community who are enthusiastic to support the new venture. We are raising funds NOW to build the centre and offer the following services: Play based pre-school classes for children aged three to five Mother & baby classes offering parent education on child development, nutrition and safety Play groups for one to three year olds Growth monitoring ? weight and height checks Promotion of vaccinations Ante-natal classes, ante-natal exercises, nutrition, birth preparedness and complication readiness Home based play groups for outlying households Library services Training of female community health volunteers Advocacy campaigns on child marriage, child trafficking, child labour & environmental issues Contribute to this project!

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