School In A Bag (SIAB)
School in a Bag is a UK-based charity that sends and funds School Bags filled with educational resources to marginalised young people facing war, famine, natural disaster, famine and poverty worldwide. Each School Bag is filled with stationery equipment and resources that will enable a child to write, draw, colour, calculate, express themselves, and learn. HELP partnered with School in a Bag in 2012 and, since then, has distributed over 22,000 School Bags up to the end of 2023. Each bag is filled with essential learning resources for young people in schools across rural Nepal. A typical bright red School Bag provided by HELP contains:
1. Four copies
2. A sketchbook
3. Crayons
4. Pencils
5. Pens
6. A scale
7. A geometry box
8. A water bottle
9. A hygiene kit.
The hygiene kit was introduced in September 2018 and includes:
1. A handkerchief
2. Toothbrush
3. Toothpaste
4. Comb
5. Nail clippers
6. Soap within a zipped sanitary bag.
A bag full of joy and inspiration
" I am Sanchaman Tamang. I used to study at Shree Narayan Lower Secondary School, Helambu, Sindhupalchok. 8 years ago; I got a red school bag support from HELP. I was a grade 2 student at that time. Currently, I have completed my secondary-level education. I want to become an engineer in the future. The red school bag provided by HELP changed my learning habits. My parents used to work as a farmer during the season and work as labour during the off-season. They hardly ever could afford my studies but were not able to pay for my extra expenses, requirements, and educational materials. I used to take my books in hand and go to school. My books used to tear and get wet during the rainy season. Besides, I used to borrow other educational materials from my friends. One day, I got a bag filled with stationery, colour pencils, and a geometry box provided by HELP. I was so happy; I felt as if my inner wishes were fulfilled. It was the first time I filled a drinking water bottle which I always used to see other children studying in a boarding school. I could draw my dreams and fill them in with colours. I still become nostalgic about that moment; it always brings me a big smile. My books and notebooks were safe. My dreams were filled with colours. It was due to that one bag I wanted to go to school and study because I used to feel if I studied, then I would get more bags like that, which could bring joy and inspire me not to give up despite all hardships in life.”