In Biratnagar, a city in southeastern Nepal, DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation has supported the Salesian community present on site by financing the purchase of a bus to transport economically disadvantaged students.
PROJECT NAME: Equipment for the Don Bosco School in Biratnagar
SCOPE: Strengthening institutional presence
BEGINNING: March 2023
DURATION: 1 year
RECIPIENTS: 225 girls/boys between 4 and 12 years old and 20 teachers of the Don Bosco School in Biratnagar.
The Salesian School Bus has increased participation. And having more students enrolled means having a more equitable, more sustainable, and more stable school.
On the outskirts of Biratnagar, a city in southeastern Nepal with just over 240,000 inhabitants, there is a Salesian school. This structure was created to serve students who live far away, too, perhaps in rural areas near the city: to get them there, it was necessary to rent local vehicles and this expense had repercussions on the teachers, too, to whom adequate salaries could not be guaranteed.
The purchase of a school bus, financed by DON BOSCO NEL MONDO Foundation, changed the context, generating positive effects in many respects.
First of all, of course, having a safe and reliable means of transport alleviated the concerns of parents and guardians regarding the safety of children during their daily travel.
The school bus, then, allowed economically disadvantaged children and young people to access education, bringing equity.
The availability of a means of transport also generated an overall increase in student participation, an improvement in their academic performance and their emotional balance.
Finally, the increase in enrollment has also had a beneficial impact on the financial stability of the school, which, thanks to the additional revenue, can provide more competitive salaries to educators.
The Story | Justice: "Going to school was too expensive: now I feel happy and less stressed"
Justice (sixth-grade student, Don Bosco School)Project recipient
My name is Justice and I am currently a sixth-grade student at Don Bosco School. Although I gained admission to the school, my journey to and from school was a significant challenge. My parents could not accompany me because of the high cost of transport and I was too young to travel alone. From the day I started riding the school bus, my daily commute has transformed into a joyful experience. Now I can go to school and return home with my friends, feeling happy and less stressed. I am also getting good grades. I am deeply grateful that my school has given me this precious opportunity.
