It’s a feeling of happiness that cannot be compared to anything else,” expressed Sumit Kedia, 34, who is the current Project Convener of Round Table Nepal-7 (RTN-7). [break]
Kedia has been involved with Round Table Nepal for the past nine years and is still going strong.
Round Table Nepal, a not-for profit, non-political and non-sectarian organization, was established in Nepal in 1999 with the motto “Adopt, Adapt, Improve”.
The organization currently has 18 members working for the development of schools around Nepal.
Amit Kumar Begani
“Our table have built buildings for four schools in total – two in Patan, one in Godavri and one in Chitwan very recently,” informed Amit Kumar Begani, 34, Vice President of the Round Table – 7.
“Freedom Through Education” is the project that RTN-7 came up with to help the needy schools in and out of the Valley.
Through the same project, they recently built two rooms for Shree Rastriya Primary School in Kathar, VDC - 4 of Chitwan and was inaugurated by former minister and CA member, Surendra Paudel. All around Nepal, Round Table Nepal has helped around 50 plus schools and it’s increasing.
“When we were building the two buildings in Kathar, the District Education Office (DEO) also offered to help us which was an exciting news for us. The children, including the ones living in the periphery of the VDC, can also go to school and get education now,” said Begani.
Echoing in the same line, Kedia added that after completing their education, they can have a better future and don’t have to go abroad for a job.
“Without education you don’t get anywhere in today’s world. That’s why we are focusing on education and for that you need schools, and so we help schools build buildings so they have a place to study,” he said.
The school in Kathar currently, after the construction of the buildings were completed, runs up to fourth grade. “We don’t just build buildings for the school but we also follow up. We will see if they need more help and we will help them again in due time provided we have the fund but all the schools have to be self sustainable. We do not want them to rely on us,” said Kedia.
Along with building schools for better education for the children, RTN-7 is also sponsoring six children for their education.
Financial aspect
Round Table Nepal, when it was initially established in 1999, was jointly sponsored and formed by independent association of Round Table India and Germany.
The organization now runs on funds collected from the members, charity events and international donations from developed countries Round Table, sometimes.
“Whatever we get from the donors or from our members, we use the whole amount in our projects like the school building one at the moment while the administration expenses are borne by the RTN members themselves,” informed Begani.
The members come together twice every month for a meeting – The business meeting and the social meeting.
“Sometimes the meetings are held in a restaurant, where in everybody pitches in for the bill, and sometimes we have meetings at a members residence wherein the particular member will borne all the cost,” said Kedia.
Sumit Kedia
Getting a membership
“We’ve come to realize that not many people know about RTN because we don’t have an office but we’re in the process of getting an office soon and more people can get involved,” informed Begani, adding, “However, to be a member there is no membership charge as such, but one needs to attend at least three business or social meetings and provided all the residing members approve, s/he can join the Round Table.”
Anyone aged between 18 to 45 can join the table according to their appropriate location.
For more information, log onto www.roundtablenepal.org.
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