Throughout its 25 years, ANSWER’s tireless attempts to educate Nepali children has meant we had to walk the razor’s edge between castes, economic disparity, and party politics. ANSWER has persevered through…
When we first began enrolling ANSWER students, it was difficult to find a private school that would take a disadvantaged or low-caste student because the schools believed it would discourage high-class families from enrolling their own children. However, as more private schools were built, supply outstripped demand, and they began to open up to our students.
During the civil war, ANSWER was usually allowed through Maoist blockades in order to serve the poor. In so doing, we also served the private schools by enrolling our disadvantage students, and thus providing them with a deterrent from being targeted by Maoists (as it appeared they were offering scholarships to the poor).
Moreover, we had to be flexible enough to respond to medical emergencies and natural disasters. Our medical fund has literally saved the lives of ANSWER children and parents from cancer, accidents, and congenital anomalies.
Immediately after the devastating 2015 earthquake, we mobilized AAA (ANSWER Alumni Association – High School graduates) to rebuild and repair 18 or more students’ homes that were decimated.
At the same time, AAA initiated their own annual “pay it forward” program of holding successful blood drives and donating their blood (even though many are continually rejected because they are too anemic!)
When schools and internet cafes were locked up during the Covid pandemic, our students, having learned how to email their sponsors from our own computer lab, were able to access the internet using their parents’ “smart phones” and keep up with their classes on Zoom! This was not an option for government schools, and their students lost a year of instruction.
As for organizing against corruption, ANSWER-Nepal had joined hands with SOCH (Society for Humanism-Nepal) and AAA was on the street doing street-dramas and demonstrating against corruption already in 2017!
As a charity, ANSWER is apolitical and cannot speak out against political corruption, but our students were well-equipped to join others in the Gen Z Movement—fighting back with their placards, cell phones and social media platforms. “The Duty of Youth is to challenge corruption!”
I can’t tell you how proud I am that our kids are coming of age serving “the greater good” and not just themselves. They are recognizing their power to fight for equality and justice. However, proud of them as I am, ANSWER played no part in this insurrection; and although some of our students may have demonstrated, I am sure that none of them were involved in the violence. Our hopes and dreams are with all Nepalis in now building a more just society.
—Earle Canfield
