Taking Care of God’s Creation

The DRR training in 18 schools focused on different disasters and earthquake preparedness and has been very effective among the teachers and students, as they have recently experienced devastating earthquakes in their area. They learned how to remain safe during an earthquake and evacuation procedure following the earthquake while at the school. Teachers are now ready to conduct earthquake drills timely at their schools. Similarly, earthquake alarms, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits were provided to the schools and the teachers and students were trained on how to use them. As a result of the training the teachers and students now feel much safer at school than before.

Likewise, the eco education programme has significantly improved waste management, cleanliness, and plantation care in schools, churches, and their surrounding communities. Waste segregation and the availability of well-placed bins have made waste collection more efficient. With daily cleaning schedules and active participation from students and church members schools and churches are now cleaner. Eight schools and four churches have embraced eco-friendly behaviors such as composting, reducing plastic use, and repurposing materials. The programme has created a solid foundation for lasting environmental stewardship and inspired neighboring institutions to follow. The eco education programme has reinforced biblical values of stewardship and the responsibility to care for God’s creation. Participants, especially church members, expressed that planting trees and maintaining cleanliness align with their spiritual beliefs, viewing these actions as acts of faith and worship. The programme has deepened the understanding of interconnectedness between faith and the environment, inspiring a sense of purpose and hope for a sustainable future.

Testimonial of DRR and Eco-Education training

Master B.K grade 9 student of J* Secondary School said, “I found this training very useful for everyone, since we experienced an earthquake a few months back. During the training, I was thinking about those who lost their lives, they would have been alive if they had known what I learned today. I particularly liked the earthquake drill. I learned that instead of panicking during the earthquake, we can protect ourselves by hiding under desks and tables and walking to a safe place, carrying emergency items if possible after the shaking stops. This type of training should be conducted in every earthquake prone area of Nepal.” Similarly, Miss B* grade 7 student from B* Basic School said, “Today’s training was very helpful for us. We learned how to stay safe during the earthquakes and carefully move to emergency assembly point when the tremor stops. I will follow these steps if there in an earthquake.”

Miss S* a grade 8 student at B* Basic School, Rukum West shared her experience about the exposure visit to a farm as a part of Eco-education project, she said, “I am grateful for this opportunity. I felt inspired when I learned about companion planting where different types of vegetables are grown in the same field. I observed how animals are farmed and their benefits to farms. I learned how farms can be managed in a systematic way. I realized the importance of a well-managed farm for balancing the ecosystem. I am surprised to learn how community people are encouraged because of this farm.”

Mr. GM the pastor of B* Church, Chaurjahari. He mentioned the following regarding the plantation, “I believe that our church is not just a place of worship but also a reflection of God’s creation and care for them. Thanks for generous support. We have been blessed with plants to beautify our church grounds. Beyond their beauty, they remind us of our responsibility to nurture and protect God’s creation. Plantation have also become a teaching moment for our children, about the importance of stewardship and caring for the world around us.”

In the last couple of months my wife had a lot of issues with her health but she is doing well now. Recently on the 10th December and 3rd January we celebrated birthdays of both of our daughters and we as a couple celebrated our 26th wedding anniversaries on the 18th January. My younger daughter cleared her Bachelor in Fashion Designing with first class honours, while elder daughter is still waiting for her final semester result. Both the daughters have started working, elder daughter works at a bank and younger at a fashion house. My parents who live with me were at the UK visiting my younger brother and family and they are safely back to Nepal. My younger brother is married to a British women and he lives in Colchester.

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·       Please continue to pray for God's wisdom and discernment so that I continue to make wise decisions as the Head of EQUIP and as KISC Leadership team.

          Please pray for the safety of my team as they travel to/from project areas and for their families’ support and cooperation as they must leave their families behind quite often during project visit.

         Please pray for my younger sister-in-law to experience the love of Christ as she is not a believer yet.

Thank you, all the Baptist churches’ families for your prayers and thank you BMS World Mission for your faithful support and partnership over the years. In the past months I have been able to talk and communicate over the email with some of the churches’ folks and that has been great. Thank you for all the encouragement and Christmas greetings. I look forward to talking to you, hearing from you and meeting with you personally at some point of life. All I know is that you all have added value to my life in different ways. Much appreciated!

Yours faithfully,

Dil Bahadur Karki

Head of EQUIP