Dispatch by cargo of clothes and other material

In the course of the 2015, a significant collection of clothes and other material was organised by the members of the Association and their supporters. The collected goods were dispatched by cargo and distributed amongst the populations of Palep (end of 2015) and Leptung (beginning of 2016).

The delivery of the materials was organised by the BHP team in Nepal, particularly Norbu Sherpa and his brother Tashi as well as Dawa, who personally went on site in order to organise the distributions to the people from the villages. On this occasion, and as with all other project undertaken in Nepal, the contacts established by Norbu Sherpa have been essential in overcoming the administrative and logistical constraints and ensuring the effective management of the project. Amongst the donations, the pupils of the village of Leptung were provided with equipment donated by the International School Beau-Soleil of Villars-s/-Ollon, Switzerland.

Distribution of warm equipment for the children of Ghunsa school

Situated in the home region of Norbu Sherpa, the school of Ghunsa requested our help with the funding of pupils lunches. BHP committed to donate the sum of CHF 2000 per year in order to guarantee the funding of these meals. In autumn 2016, the pupils have also received warm equipment, especially manufactured by the association.

Construction of the school of Leptung

A major project of BHP, the construction of the school of Leptung, is a success in every aspect. Emanating from the generosity and the close collaboration of Morand Constructions MA tallique, based in Bulle, and the architect’s office Comina in Sion, the building embodies the values of the Association: Swiss-Nepalese collaboration, participation of the inhabitants of the village supported by the volunteers from Switzerland, and a place of education opening up perspectives for the future. For this project our partners not only delivered the material and the financial means (transport from Switzerland all the way to Leptung) but they also personally travelled to Nepal to participate in the construction of the foundations and the installation of the building. BHP undertook to provide accommodation, food and other support for the volunteers on site as well as various costs related to the foundations and the salaries of the people working on site.

The project faced additional challenges as the road to the village had been extensively earthquake damaged and had to be repaired in order to be able to deliver the material. BHP also undertook to construct an access road to the village which hadnat existed so far. Both the Swiss and Nepalese skills and competences were called upon and they were fully rewarded at the moment when the green walls of the school rose up from the landscape of Leptung.

Looking forward, 14 class rooms, a sanitary building and a second building, renovated on the basis of the foundations of the former school will be finished in early 2017. BHP has been fortunate to be able to rely on a small group of volunteers, active in the area of construction, who made the journey from Switzerland in order to support the people from the village in the construction of the school. At this juncture we wish to thank those volunteers, from the bottom of our hearts, for their enormous efforts and contribution.

Strengthened by this positive experience BHP is planning its next project which is to build a school in the village of Palep, where many porters live. The Association has already supported a temporary construction, by means of iron sheets, following the earth quake and the planning for a permanent structure is now underway.

Collections of funds, conferences, presentations

In the course of the year 2016, Andrea Zimmermann and Norbu Sherpa have been invited by various different organisations to present the Association, its goals and the current projects. This has resulted in a more and more extensive network of contacts and people who are sensitive to our challenges and that are ready to become engaged, either personally or financially. Be it in the form of donations or by creating new bridges between people, these contributions are the essential basis of the life of our Association and we thank you very much for this from the bottom of our hearts!!

Momo evenings

Norbu Sherpa has also held food events to provide visitors to the Susanfe Hut, situated in the Valais, with the chance to enjoy Momos, a Nepalese gastronomic specialty of steamed raviolis prepared by hand. This has given visitors the chance to discover the Association and also contribute to it  all while enjoying a delicious meal!

Presentations given to humanitarian associations

Andrea Zimmermann has had the opportunity to present the Association and its projects to several welfare institutions in Switzerland.

Sale of cakes and presentation at the Valerette Altiski race

The traditional sale of confectionery, which always takes place at the end of the Valerette Altiski skitouring race, was embellished in 2016 by a Nepalese touch – masala tea, prayer-rugs and pictures of the snow-covered peaks of the Himalaya. This provided an opportunity for the participants of the race and their families to discover the activities of the Association and was organised by Andrea Zimmermann, member of the Team Valerette.

Design of flyers

The new flyer of our Association is intended to present our values, projects, the history of the Association and thereby reinforce our network of contacts who can offer us their support. The flyer can be distributed either in printed version or transmitted online to any interested persons.

The committee of the Butterfly Help Project wishes to very sincerely thank everybody who has contributed their support to our Association. Be it by means of a donation, moral support, a little bit of time, an uplifting word or specific knowledge, you have all contributed to making our Association and allowing us to follow our goals – to provide support and opportunities for the children and their families in this beautiful part of the world: the Himalaya.

THANK YOU