Lecturer Helps Nepalese Children Turn a New Page

Children in a remote village in the Himalayas are setting up their first ever library with the support of a lecturer from Edge Hill University.

Tony Fagan, who lectures in Social Science, has organised a collection of English language books to send to school pupils in Monjo, Nepal.

Tony, a keen hiker, visited Monjo school - found high in the mountains above Kathmandu - in April last year during a gruelling trek to the Everest region.

After spotting that their school noticeboard mentioned a creative English writing course, he struck up a conversation with the headmaster and offered to help.

Tony said:

"The headmaster explained that they were trying to establish the first ever library for children and their parents throughout the region, but they were desperately short of books. I was so touched by the area and the warmth of the children and local people that I promised to collect some books and arrange for them to be sent out.

"Although some books have been specially-selected and bought, most have been donated by individuals, and I'd especially like to thank staff at Sefton Social Services Department in Southport.

"The books range from very basic ABC and early reading schemes, through to encyclopaedias, popular classics such as Wind in the Willows, and contemporary children?s literature. They should prove useful on three levels - as a tool for learning English, as a valuable form of entertainment in a remote area which, by western standards, is very under-resourced, and as a way of discovering the outside world."

Edge Hill University will meet the cost of despatching the books, which will be flown via Kathmandu to Lukla, 9000 feet up in the Himalaya, and then literally carried into the mountains by porter or yak to Monjo.

Local children attend Monjo village school from about four to12 years after which many leave to help support their family.

Tony, who was brought up in Anfield but now lives in Ormskirk said:

"This area of the Himalayas has a magical quality to it. It is breathtakingly beautiful and tranquil and the local population are incredibly hospitable. It is the type of place which lodges itself in your heart and you want to maintain the connection for ever."