What is MSS?
MSS is the umbrella or mother organisation in Nepal to which Hindu Vidyapeeth belongs. The late Dr. B.L Shrestha, who was also a co-founder of HVP, founded MSS. MSS is a socio-cultural organisation which stands for ‘Matribhoomi Sevak Sangh’ (lit –‘Dedicated volunteers serving the motherland’) The HVP schools remain its main project.
What is HVP Indrayani?
Indrayani was the former site of the HVP Thali school. An opportunity arose for the school to purchase its own land in the nearby village of Thali and so HVP relocated there in 1999. Since then the school has been known as HVP Thali.
What links does HVP UK have with the Nepalese community in the UK?
HVP UK was originally established by former UK volunteers who had worked at the HVP schools in Nepal. Naturally the committee that has evolved today and its core group of supporters are drawn from the British community. While to date we have had limited success in securing committed and regular support from the UK’s Nepalese community, we welcome more interest and are keen to build partnerships so together we can work for the benefit of a better Nepal.
What is the link between HVPSG USA & HVP UK?
HVP UK and HVPSG USA (Hindu Vidyapeeth Support Group USA) are completely separate organisations yet both are part of the global ‘HVP family’ and share the same primary aims of supporting the development of the HVP schools in Nepal. HVPSG USA is naturally made up of supporters in the United States, most of who belong to the country’s Nepalese community. HVPSG USA’s activities include a child sponsorship programme, sponsorship of annual events and competitions at the HVP schools as well as fundraising and wider awareness raising within the United States.
My office/school/family have unwanted materials such as clothes, books, computers, classroom materials etc that may be of use to the schools in Nepal. Does HVP UK have any system for collecting such materials so that they can be sent to Nepal and put to good use at the schools?
Unfortunately, HVP UK is generally unable to accept such materials. In the past we have sent equipment donated by supporters, such as computers, to Nepal. However our experience has taught us that the logistical problems of collecting such equipment, arranging for shipment, hidden costs and complex problems with paying duty on such goods mean that such well-meaning efforts are rarely worthwhile. Furthermore, most of these materials are nowadays easily available in Nepal. Therefore we have found it much more effective to concentrate on providing monetary support to enable the schools to purchase essential items that that they may require.
I am interested in visiting one of the schools in Nepal. I might also be interested in doing some voluntary work there. Is this possible?
Nowadays the schools experience a great number of international visitors each year. The schools generally welcome visitors who are interested to learn more about HVP and see its work in action first hand. If you are thinking of visiting please contact the school directly. The schools also host a number of volunteers each year through the GAP and Travelaid schemes. Such volunteers typically spend several months in Nepal doing voluntary teaching of English and other subjects or generally helping out around the school.
If you are interested in working as a volunteer teacher at Hindu Vidyapeeth you might like to consider contacting these organisations. The schools also accept volunteers on a less formal basis although at times there is almost a surplus of volunteers. The schools would particularly welcome volunteers who have specialist skills that they might be able to offer – particularly any forms of training that one might be able to give to teachers and staff. For more information about volunteering at the HVP Schools visit the HVP Nepal website at http://www.hvpnepal.org
How can I help or get involved with HVP UK?
There are several key ways that you can get involved with HVP UK. For more information see ‘How you can help’ by visiting Our How you can help page.
How can I be sure that any money I donate through HVP UK is used appropriately and managed responsibly?
HVP UK has been a fully registered charity since 2000. All our activities and accounts are independently examined each year and we work very closely with the staff of the schools in Nepal to ensure that funds are used to maximum effect. Everybody involved in HVP UK works in an entirely voluntary capacity and, unlike a lot of larger charities, we generally spend the absolute minimum on administration costs. This ensures that virtually all the money we raise goes towards helping those people in Nepal who it is meant for.
The HVP schools are charitably run institutions. Why is it therefore that students have to pay school fees and teachers are also paid salaries?
The HVP schools receive no financial help from Nepal’s government and unlike other private schools in Nepal they are run on a non-profit basis. The schools have to charge fees to cover basic overheads and as a means to sustain themselves. However these are minimal when compared with most fully private institutions. HVP is committed to providing scholarships wherever possible to help get disadvantaged boys and girls into school. Teachers are paid a basic subsistence salary and several work as volunteers.
HVP stands for Hindu Vidyapeeth. It seems odd that the concept of ‘Hindu’ should be particularly emphasised when one of the main aims of HVP’s education system is to promote interfaith understanding and tolerance. Why is this?
In answering this question it is important to establish that the concept of Hinduism in Nepal is more to do with the culture as opposed to religion. Nepal is constitutionally a Hindu kingdom, but this is more a reflection of the way of life than a religious predetermination. Since HVP exists within this Hindu culture, the Hindu way of life forms the basis of understanding in education. But this does not mean that other religions represented in the country, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity, amongst others, are not tolerated. Indeed they are embraced as being one and the same, all with an equal goal; that of spirituality and friendship among all peoples – the main philosophy which the HVP schools aim to promote.
HVP talks about ‘tolerance’, ‘unity in diversity’ and the ‘evils of the caste system’. However the make up of children at all schools seems predominantly that of the so-called ‘higher castes’. Why is this?
Analytically this is easy to explain. In the case of the HVP Central school in Kathmandu, the make up of the students is in fact predominantly ‘Newari’. The Newari people, both Buddhist and Hindu, migrated to the Kathmandu Valley, especially the city areas, centuries ago and now form the highest proportion of peoples in the community as a whole. Logically, this is reflected in the proportions of students at the school.
In the case of the HVP Thali school, students are predominantly of the Brahmin and Chettri castes, but again this is simply a reflection of the locality. Thali, Indrayani and other surrounding villages consist mostly of these communities.
HVP Dang, being in a more remote rural area, consists of a much greater representative mix of communities, many of who are those of the lower or so called ‘untouchable’ castes. HVP is active in trying to eradicate the practice of caste- and racism and especially tries to support those from ‘untouchable’ communities by offering sponsorship and scholarships where possible. Caste practice was never mentioned in any of the ancient texts that Hindu society is based upon, but was introduced latterly and has unfortunately proved incredibly difficult to eradicate. It is because of these difficulties that HVP hopes to aid as many students from these ‘lower caste’ communities and help them to integrate themselves more into society through education. This is why HVP UK’s Sponsorship programme is so essential; to help get more of these children educated and integrated.
What are YSP and SSA?
Youth Society for Peace (YSP) is an organisation founded by Nepalese youths. It works with young people to promote the importance of peace and social responsibility. Many of its members are former students of HVP. Shanti Sewa Ashram (SSA) - lit. Selfless Service of Peace Ashram –provides a venue for large-scale meetings and programmes and acts a a headquarters to initiate projects and bring people together for worthwhile spiritual and charitable causes. Both YSP and SSA are independent organisations but work closely with Hindu Vidyapeeth.
I have heard that the HVP schools and the associated activities of SSA and YSP are involved in political activities such as the Journey For Peace movement? Is it appropriate that funds donated by supporters for the prime purpose of educating children should be expended in activities that may be in conflict with the Kingdom of Nepal?
Money donated to HVP UK and forwarded to HVP Nepal is exclusively used in the development of the three schools. For instance, money given by sponsors for a particular child is only ever used for the education and/or living expenses of that child. Though they share the same vision and work alongside each other, Shanti Sewa Ashram (SSA) is financially totally independent of HVP Nepal, as is the case with Youth Society for Peace (YSP), whose members are all former HVP students.
Secondly, HinduVidyapeeth, Shanti Sewa Ashram (lit. Selfless Service of Peace Ashram) and Youth Society for Peace have no political affiliation or motivation. Their aim is to promote peaceful values amongst the youth and the community through educational talks, activities and projects. Any meetings or programs attended or organised by any of the members of either organisation are strictly apolitical. They are simply attempts to promote the idea that all problems may be solved by peaceful means, with the hope that the youth of today who share these ideas may become the leaders of tomorrow. With Nepal’s political leaders unable to prevent escalating violence in the country, is it not essential that values of peace be promoted at grass-roots community levels?
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