A Christmas Message

Dear CLCR supporters,

This has been a year of expansion and development on many levels. The Heartland School's (HCA) student population has increased tremendously, many classrooms have been built, and conceptually HCA is extending it's educational impact by providing a Plus 2 (years 11 and 12 equivalency) programme in 2013.

Every step has been exciting, and I would like to thank all of you for your support and generosity over this year. You have enabled CLCR to create an educational environment that promotes a love of learning in a safe and dynamic atmosphere. You have also helped create scholarships for many children who may never have imagined themselves within a school, let alone heading towards graduation.

Of course, we still have much we would like to achieve, especially the introduction of the Plus 2 programme. This is a large undertaking, and one that needs to be planned and implemented well. We want our HCA kids to have as many doors open for them in their lives, so that they can truly work towards their dreams. Please take a more detailed look at this development, and if you can help in anyway, no matter how small, buy a brick or two for $5 each to create this new educational space.

Many thanks again, and have a Merry Christmas!!

Pat Price

Introduction to CLCR

The Centre for Learning and Children's Rights (CLCR) is an Australian, international not-for-profit organisation engaged in educational and humanitarian projects within specific areas of Kathmandu and Nepal. These have been achieved through volunteer work, project implementation, skills training and funding of specific programmes. They are designed to empower individuals with the skills and opportunities needed to lead a more fulfilling life.

Nepal is the third poorest country in the world with many of its youth living in dire poverty, lacking any education, and often reduced to begging and a life on the streets in an effort to survive. Children who do attend school are often physically abused, as a large percentage of the teachers within the nations schools lack any formal teaching qualifications and are often required to teach classes of up to 80 students - and the only student management technique that they are familiar with is severe corporal punishment. CLCR’s primary activities are to provide teacher training, demonstrate an alternative educational model, and to develop a 'model' school within Nepal.

Please watch the following narrated video to see the work of CLCR at the Heartland Children's Academy (be sure to turn on the volume).

Please click on the links to the left to find out more about our projects and how you can also help to provide opportunity to those who need it most.

CLCR is proud to be a partner with Global Development Group (GDG) (ABN 57 102 400 993) for our Nepali school project, The Heartland Children's Academy (HCA) - J537. GDG is an AusAID approved NGO carrying out quality humanitarian projects with approved partners to relieve poverty and provide long term solutions. GDG takes responsibility for the HCA project according to AusAID rules, providing a governance role and assisting in the areas of planning, monitoring, reviewing, and evaluating to ensure that the project is carried out to Australian requirements.

As part of our proud partnership with GDG, all donations over $2 in Australia and the USA to our Heartland School are tax deductible! As part of our Community Partnership with Westpac's Our Community online donations scheme, you can click on the red 'Make a Donation' button to make a secure tax deductible donation to us directly, and support HCA, and educational aid and development activities in Nepal.

CLCR Australia is managed solely by volunteers overseeing the administration, fundraising and project management in partnership with the GDG for the Heartland Children's Academy (HCA), Nepal. In excess of 97% of all money donated is sent directly to the school, its students and development initiatives.

This site was updated in October, 2011.