In spite of murmuring of ban against Facebook by political leaders, a Facebook based competition is helping build a school. Yesterday, a ground break event was organized in Chapagaun, Lalitpur.
Estimated to cost about $200,000 the construction is beginning with the funds won on the Facebook. “With the $100,000 we won on the Facebook, we are beginning the construction,” said Shisir Khanal, Executive Director of Sarvodaya Nepal. “US based Chase Bank organized a competition among non profit organizations. With 15,784 votes were a runner up,” added Mr. Khanal.
On Thursday, ground breaking was organized with traditional ceremony. The school will be built using local and sustainable materials such as stones, adobe, and bamboo. People who helped during the Chase Community Giving were also recognized at the ceremony.
What is Jyotidaya School?
Run by young people in Chapagaun, Jyotidaya School was established by local youth to provide quality education to poor and underprivileged families. Established as a non-profit school, this is neither a public school nor a profit making private business. The school was started to serve where most children pay a significantly less fee than in a private school, however the quality of education is comparative. Over the last few years, 100% of the students have graduated from the school where as national average is only 60%.
How did Facebook votes helped?
A regular user of Facebook, Mr. Khanal, noticed an ad by the Chase Community Giving Program to sign up for the challenge. The competition organized by the Chase Bank offered up to $250,000 to a non-profit with the most votes. Organizations on top 200 would receive $20,000.
“I thought we could definitely be on the top 200,” Khanal said. “However, we didn’t think we could win.” Using networks of Nepalese around the world, Sarvodaya was not only on top 200 but came out on the top five.
Initially Mr. Khanal asked his friends to help out. That clearly wasn’t enough. Since Facebook is popular among young people, he started reaching to youth in Kathmandu. He was supported by high school students at Brihaspati Vidyasadan in Kathmandu.
A campaign was launched in the school in Kathmandu. With the borrowed laptops, they went from school to school. “We went to at least 15 schools and the students there really were supportive,” Khanal added. “Because the voting process was little complex, we wrote step by step process on school blackboards.” Many volunteers helped in the process.
In addition, they put up a stall at ICT exhibition in Kathmandu. The organizers provided free space. “School in Kathmandu, stall at ICT exhibition, mysansar.com – a Nepalese blog were key source of support.”
“We even had booth set up at the national stadium on day of the World Cup Finals. Unfortunately, the internet didn’t work,” Khanal said.
What is Sarvodaya?
The organization that is building the school is not an INGO. “We are a network of organizations that is inspired by Gandhian philosophy of welfare of all.”
“Sarvodaya Nepal is established to promote non-violence and sustainable development by Nepalese young people.” In Nepal, Sarvodaya is 100% voluntary organization. Sarvodaya believes in beginning with self in our neighborhood and communities. Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement in Sri Lanka is considered a very successful grassroots organization.
(This is unofficial translation of the news published on Nagarik News. Written by Umesh Shrestha. on January 8, 2011)