Helambu Mayor Hosts Delegation of Child Rights Practitioners from Kenya and Denmark

The Mayor of Helambu Rural Municipality Nima Gyaljen Hyolmo played host to a delegation of five child rights practitioners from Kenya and Denmark in his office recently.

The delegation was visiting Helambu Municipality as part of a 10-day Cross-Country Exchange of Experience on Children’s Right to Parental Care. They represented networks at national and global levels between Kenya, Denmark, and Nepal.

During the visit, the Mayor informed the delegation that his office is working at ensuring that no child below 10 years will stay in a hostel in the future.  Helambu has a whole school approach to education encouraging schools, parents and communities to work together for the betterment of their children.

The Mayor notes that the floods that happened in 2021 caused a lot of havoc and together with the Covid epidemic meant that schools were closed on and off for nearly two years. This had direct impact on children as many schools are still recording very low achievement of children, schools which are thinly spread across the Municipality.

To address these challenges, the Mayor informed the delegation that his office has given a keen focus on protection and support of children in a number of ways. He lobbied the Nepalese government to provide free lunch for all children from class one to class 10 in Helambu. The Municipality wants to establish Community Resource Centres to enable children with disabilities to study from their homes. He has also engaged in a process of assisting youth to make subject choices in relevant trades so they can stay and work in their community i.e., science, civil engineering, tourism and hotel management. He wants to provide education to all youths, discouraging them from going to the cities spending big amounts of money on mediocre education.

The Mayor has established a new model school where he is interested in trying out new models of teaching which are both updated and more relevant to the communities. He applied to the Danish teachers to resume the teacher exchange program that was discontinued some time back as it was very useful.  The Mayor said the Municipality aspires to provide free education and health care services to all especially to children.

The Mayor has made impressive headway in proving services for pregnant women, even providing a free ambulance service to hospital in acute cases.

The Mayor passionately talked about the impact of climate change. He has secured that experts on climate change conduct impact studies and design future action and protection plans for Helambu Muncipality, these are expected to ready by early next year.

“The Mayor has a grasp of development issues of the Municipality especially issues affecting vulnerable children”, noted Mr. Tim Ekesa, Director Kenya Alliance for Advancement of Children.

“We are very impressed by the Mayors commitment to his people. We have travelled to many places but it is rare we meet someone who has a holistic approach to his people’s needs. He knows his people. We see Helambu as a very positive example of how you can challenge very complex problems” noted Camille Legendre from 100% for the Children, Denmark.

The delegation, latter met with 12 Community Field Facilitators for a briefing on the “Whole School Approach” done in the 34 primary schools in the Municipality, which was led by Mr. Gopal Lama, Director of Just Nepal Foundation.  A truly impressive educational approach which digs deep into the challenges posed by education, especially to vulnerable communities.

“Not a hit and run approach but an approach which takes time but will surely secure deep changes regarding inclusion and academic relevance. Real change takes time, and it seems that this municipality recognizes this, and is willing to take the time needed. It is seldom we see this kind of commitment from our politicians “, noted Charlotte Lea Jensen from Denmark.

Benson Kiptum from the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya was impressed by the ideas and plans presented by Community Based Rehabilitation outreach workers to support children with disabilities in the future.

The delegation returned to their respective organizations inspired.