Media Release
Bengaluru, Jul 21: Eleven students from Nepal joined the ECHO Hotel Management Diploma programme on Tuesday, July 21 as a part of rehabilitation programme for the earthquake affected students in Nepal.
Archbishop of Bangalore, Fr Bernard Moras inaugurated the course at the ECHO centre in Kamanahalli.
Speaking on the occasion, bishop Moras said, “Many of the disasters are manmade and we must work towards protecting the nature. I wish the students a good future despite earthquake in Nepal”. He also welcomed each student by giving a flower.
As a major help for the earthquake affected Nepal, an education programme for higher studies was designed by Bangalore Cares for Nepal. Education of the children is one of the most affected areas in the earthquake affected Nepal. About 8,000 schools were destroyed in the April 25th earthquake.
Most of the children who completed their 2 are not able to go for further studies since their houses were destroyed and their parents could not afford to send to them to colleges. 11 such students from two villages were brought to Bangalore for the one year diploma programme. Another batch of students will join the Holy Cross Nursing School near Mysore in August.
The expense for the one year programme is about Rs 60,000. It is shared by Bangalore Cares for Nepal, Echo and Shanthi, an organisation in Nepal. The travel expenses are taken care by the families of the students.
Fr George Kannanthanam presented about the different activities undertaken by Bangalore Cares for Nepal for relief and rehabilitation in Nepal. 2,800 tarpaulins were distributed, 450 temporary tin roof houses were constructed and about 800 students were helped to go back to school.
A group of 10 volunteers were sent to work for relief in Nepal. He informed that the next plan was to build permanent houses. A report of the activities in Nepal was released by the Archbishop.
Fr Antony, Director of ECHO, spoke about the various rehabilitation programmes undertaken by the organisation to mainstream the children who were in conflict with law and now for the students from Nepal.
Jose, director of AIFO organisation that has been supporting the efforts through raising funds for the programme was also present.