NRNA Former President Shesh Ghale and Wife Commit NPR 578.5 Million to Support Bhotekoshi Flood Affected Children

Kathmandu / The floodwaters in the Bhotekoshi area have receded, but the suffering caused by the disaster continues. For many children and their families, the impact of the flood has not ended. Their education, health, living conditions and future have been affected by the disaster.

Amid this difficult situation, former President of the Non Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) International Coordination Council (ICC), Shesh Ghale, and his wife, Jamuna Ghale, have pledged long term support of up to NPR 578.5 million (NPR 57.85 crore) for children affected by the Bhotekoshi floods.

The support will be provided through the MIT Group Foundation under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the National Child Rights Council (NCRC). The programme aims to support eligible flood-affected children under the age of 18 through Grade 12.

According to the foundation, the support will be based on the needs and circumstances of each child. It will cover education, food, accommodation, clothing, healthcare and other basic needs required for their well-being and continued education.

The initiative is designed as a long-term programme rather than short-term relief. Its main purpose is to help children continue their education and meet their basic needs while rebuilding their lives after the disaster.

The floods have created serious difficulties for many families in the Bhotekoshi area. Some families have lost homes and property, while others are struggling to provide basic necessities for their children. In such circumstances, continuing education can become a major challenge.

The Ghale couple said they were deeply moved by what the affected children and their families have gone through. They said they wanted to stand with the children not only during the current crisis but also in the years ahead.

Their aim is to help the children continue their education, receive the support they need and look towards the future with hope. They believe the difficulties caused by the flood should not determine the opportunities these children will have in their lives.

For the Ghale couple, the initiative is about more than financial assistance. It is a long-term commitment to help affected children as they grow and to ensure that the hardship they have experienced does not become a permanent barrier to their education and future.

A disaster can cause major damage within a short period, but its effects can continue for years. For children, the loss of education or basic support can have a particularly serious impact. If financial hardship forces a child to leave school, returning to education later can be difficult.

The programme therefore places education at the centre of its long-term support. By committing to assist children through Grade 12, the initiative aims to help them remain in school during an important stage of their development.

The assistance will not be limited to school fees or educational materials. Depending on the circumstances of individual children, support may also include food, accommodation, clothing, healthcare and other essential requirements.

The foundation has also recognized that every affected child may have a different situation. The nature of the assistance will therefore be determined according to the needs of eligible children.

The Nepali diaspora has a long history of supporting Nepal during disasters and difficult times. Nepalis living abroad have regularly contributed to relief and recovery efforts when communities in Nepal have faced natural disasters and other emergencies.

Shesh Ghale has been actively involved in the Nepali diaspora for many years. He served two terms as President of the NRNA ICC and has been involved in business and social activities in Australia for many years. He has also extended support to Nepal during different difficult situations and disasters.

His latest commitment, together with his wife, focuses specifically on the long-term needs of children affected by the Bhotekoshi floods. Rather than limiting support to the immediate relief period, the programme seeks to remain with the children throughout their school education up to Grade 12.

Disaster recovery is often associated with rebuilding houses, roads, bridges, schools and other physical infrastructure. However, rebuilding people’s lives is equally important. For children, education, healthcare, food and a safe place to live are essential parts of recovery.

Immediate relief can help a family survive the first days and weeks after a disaster. But children need continued support long after the headlines have faded and emergency relief has ended. Their education cannot simply be put on hold until families recover financially.

The Ghale couple have said they want the affected children to know that they have not been forgotten. While public attention may decline after the immediate crisis, the difficulties faced by children can continue for years.

The commitment of up to NPR 578.5 million is intended to provide sustained support to eligible children through Grade 12. Its real impact will depend on how effectively the programme reaches the children who need it and how successfully it helps them continue their education and meet their basic needs.

The Bhotekoshi floods may have damaged homes, disrupted education and changed the lives of many families, but the disaster should not determine the future of their children. Buildings can be rebuilt and physical damage can be repaired, but lost years of education and missed opportunities are much harder to recover. By making a long term commitment to the children of Bhotekoshi, Shesh Ghale and Jamuna Ghale are seeking to ensure that the flood becomes a chapter in their lives not the force that defines their future.