Calls Over Ridges Nepal Distributes Nutritious Lunch Program and Scholarships to Khiji Demba Students

Calls Over Ridges Nepal (CORN), with the financial support of Be Global Foundation and Calls Over Ridges headquarters, has distributed nutritious lunch programs and scholarships to secondary schools in Khiji Demba Rural Municipality. In the first phase, students from five secondary schools have received scholarships.

According to Sang Doma Sherpa, the President of CORN, out of seven secondary schools in the municipality, five secondary schools with a total of 24 students have received scholarships. “For immediate use, 50% of the scholarship amount is given directly to the students while the remaining 50% is deposited into the school's account, which can be used for future needs of the students,” shares Sherpa.

In this first distribution, Narmadeshwar Secondary School in Ward No. 1 received NPR 16,500, Phulmati Secondary School in Ward No. 5 got NPR 21,000, Shivalaya Secondary School in Ward No. 9 received NPR 16,500, Kundali Secondary School in Ward No. 4 received NPR 15,000, and Chandeshwori Secondary School in Ward No. 2 received NPR 18,000.

Mingmar Sherpa, the Program Lead of Khiji Demba, CORN, explained that the Quarterly Scholarships for the academic year 2081 were distributed to students from primary to secondary levels, based on students' needs, dedication, and academic performance as per the MOU signed in September 2023.

In addition, following the success of a pilot nutritious lunch program at Narmadeshwar Secondary School in Ward No. 1, the organization plans to extend the program to three more schools. Initiated as a trial in January, the nutritious lunch program will now expand to other schools in the rural municipality.

CORN has collaborated with Khiji Demba Rural Municipality, parents/schools, and Be Global Foundation to implement the nutritious lunch program through a tripartite agreement. Starting in July/August, the program will be implemented in Chandeshwori Secondary School in Ward No. 2, Kundali Secondary School in Ward No. 4, and Phulmati Secondary School in Ward No. 5. According to Khiji Demba Program Lead, Sherpa, the program aims to provide nutritious lunches to all students and enhance student attendance in school.

Gambu Sherpa, Chairperson of Khiji Demba Rural Municipality, stated that the nutritious lunch program plays a crucial role in increasing student retention, enhancing educational quality, improving results, and developing skilled human resources. “The program has been implemented in partnership with CORN, and we are excited. Initially, the program will be conducted in secondary schools, with plans to gradually expand to all schools," said Gambu Sherpa.

CORN, which has been operating programs in Gorkha Municipality of Gorkha district and Jiri Municipality of Dolakha district, has extended its initiatives to Khiji Demba this fiscal year. The organization runs the nutritious lunch program in Khiji Demba. It also conducts various educational programs, including scholarships, school buses, library management programs, and teacher training, with support from Calls Over Ridges Headquarters in Gorkha Municipality and Jiri Municipality, along with the nutritious lunch program.