The History of TOIT

The Beginning

1990: 12-year old Indra Prasad KHAITU, school kid and later founder of TOIT, reads a short but mind-changing biography of Albert Schweitzer. Inspired by the story of Dr. Schweitzer`s work in Africa, he decides to devote himself to the betterment of the Nepalese people.

1994: Indra meets Eva Dietermann in Bhaktapur. Wishing to help the poor children of Nepal by starting a school, he has to realise that he is too young for such a big task. Noticing his serious intentions and organisational skills, Eva suggests to help individual children through sponsorships and instantly offers to sponsor one girl for a year at school.

2000: Indra, now student in sociology and english literature, founds TOIT as an officially recognized non-profit NGO (Non-Government Organization) and opens an office in Bhaktapur. He quits his own studies, committing all his time to linking generous sponsors around the world to needy children in Nepal. From the very first year volunteers are working in the office to support him in his efforts.

2004: TOIT has grown to sponsor 150 children and offers after-school support for those ones who still face difficulties. Indra hires two staff members and resumes his studies. Plans are made for the most ambitious project in the short history of TOIT: The realisation of an own school!

2005: The foundation stone for an own school is set about 2 km far from the city center. New sponsors help to provide funds for constructing the building. A knitting and sewing project for women is brought to life in order to support the families of our students becoming self-sufficient.

Documents: Newsletter 2005

2007: "Saraswati Pathshala" opens its doors! 2 out of 4 floors are finished, offering 6 class rooms for 48 pupils and 6 teachers, a small library and a reception. From this day on all sponsored children attend our own school. First trip of Indra to Europe, visiting 70 conferences in France, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands in order to meet old and new sponsors.

Documents: School inauguration program

Growing

2008: The value of the school becomes apparent, as property begins to disappear from the school area. A night guard is hired.

2009: The school has now 3 floors, 7 class rooms, 96 pupils, and 8 teachers. The paperwork project is started to add some income to the school and a kitchen is installed. From this day on all students are provided with free lunch at school. Second trip of Indra to Europe to raise funds for the finalization of the school building.

2010: TOIT celebrates its 10 year anniversary! Starting from a dream and a single sponsored student, TOIT has become a well working organisation with its own school, international cooperations and outreaching projects. By now, our first student Sabita is studying at a university in India, proofing that our work in fact does make a difference. Since Sabita, more than 250 other children have been successfully linked to generous sponsors and got the chance for a better life. Every year about 20 volunteers from all over the world visit Bhaktapur to help TOIT through hands-on work in class, school projects or sister school cooperations.

With these achievements and lots of support in mind we were eager to keep going. 2010 the women project was extended to jewelleries in order to test new market options. The recycling and agriculture project were brought to life, which aim at teaching our students practical knowledge and adding to the school's income at the same time.

Documents: Financial Report 2009-2010

Oncoming projects and events

Plans for 2011:

• Finishing constructions on at least one other class room to enable all classes to move on to the next class in April! more information
• Establishing databases in school in order to edit student marks, evaluations, timetables, curricula and sponsoring details on computers.
• Equipping a computer room with 20 second hand laptops from sponsors to provide courses to staff and students. more information
• Installing a solar panel for minimum electricity supply and lessons on alternative resources. more information
• Buying weaving machines which will enable our women to produce goods of higher quality and value.more information
• Renovations in the TOIT office to provide better working conditions for our staff and a place to stay for our volunteers.