As both of our project schools prepared for the grand celebration of Dashain Fest together at a single platform, excitement filled the air. After rounds of coordination meetings, Balsudhar Basic School in Dakshinkali enthusiastically volunteered to host the celebration.

Banners and flexes were printed, goodies for the FSM Marketplace were purchased, performances were practiced by students, invitations were sent out, and the event schedule was finalized. Everything was falling into place; until nature had other plans.

On September 26- 28, for three consecutive days, relentless rain battered the region. News of devastation spread across Nepal, and our partner school, Shree Saraswoti Basic School located at Tika Bhairav- Godawari, was not spared. A catastrophic flood, fueled by the unmanaged and haphazard construction, mining, and exploitation of the Nallu River basin, wreaked havoc on the community. Nine students from the school lost their homes completely. Their families were forced to seek shelter with relatives, left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Principal of Shree Saraswoti Basic School, Ms Sanu Maya Loh, reached out to Social Lab for support. Responding swiftly, Social Lab extended immediate relief to the affected families providing basic food supplies to help them through this critical time.