My VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) placement is in Lamjung, an area very close to the earthquake epicentre, as the district borders Gorkha. I work training teachers in girl friendly and active teaching methods.

Strangely, the town where I live, Besisahar, was hardly damaged by the earthquake, as it seems the strongest shock waves ran eastwards towards Kathmandu rather than north towards us.

'Sisters for Sisters' is a project to encourage more girls in rural Nepal to go to school and stay at school until they are 16.  We have been working with the schools and village communities and have set up mentors, Big Sisters for the young girls, Little Sisters, who seemed to be struggling academically and/or are in danger of dropping out.

The project emphasises to the families and communities the importance and benefits of educating girls, something traditional culture in Nepal believed was unnecessary.  As the project is now midway through, we have been taking stock of the progress that has been made so far, and this is very encouraging.

The last school year finished in March, so then was a good time to assess how many girls have improved attendance and shown academic improvement. 

Reports are very encouraging, with almost all of our 500 Little Sisters still at school and passing all end-of-year exams, therefore eligible to move up to the next class. There have been one or two exceptional results — one girl only passed two out of eight exams last summer (term one) but recently in term three has passed in all eight subjects. Two other girls have passed with the top marks in their year groups. Remember these girls were selected because of poor academic results.

Likewise school attendance has also increased for many, with a rise by one girl from 15 percent to 83 percent between term one and term three, and many Little Sisters recording 100 percent attendance in term three.  Hurray!  These are the success figures that fuel the project and keep everyone feeling positive.

I was lucky to be in Besisahar when the earthquake happened. 

Not so the communities in the south of the district, very close to the epicentre; those have suffered much damage.  Many traditionally built homes in villages have been damaged or collapsed.

Our Sisters for Sisters project has been put on the backburner for three months whilst we help damaged schools and their pupils.  This is part of a UNICEF initiative, paid for from donations to the Emergency Earthquake Fund.  I will be assisting these damaged schools, and seeking solutions to enable their pupils to continue their education as soon as possible.

Firstly 'Temporary Learning Places' need to be provided where classrooms have been damaged and are unsuitable for use.  This is more difficult than it sounds — some schools have no road access and are many hours' walk from the nearest road. 

Then these temporary classrooms need to be equipped, so that lessons can begin again as soon as possible.  Where teachers are not available, because some have returned to their families and damaged homes in other parts of Nepal, I will be helping to quickly train facilitators, who can stand in until the qualified teachers return. 

The earthquake was very frightening for me.  How much more traumatic for young children who have seen their homes tumble, possibly killing family members under the debris. 

Counselling and therapy will be an important part in helping these children to resume a normal life and be able to continue their education. Again, I expect to be involved in training teachers to understand how to help these children.

Now that most of the rescue and relief operations here are almost over, it is time to start rebuilding and re-establishing normal life again.  Money from the emergency appeals will be needed to help these poor people, some of whom have lost everything except the clothes they were wearing when the quake struck. 

Not only have they lost all their possessions but also rural subsistence farmers have lost their precious rice seed, that would have been stored in the houses, ready to plant in June when the monsoon begins. Even if they have managed to salvage or buy more seed, what a stark choice for these people — plant rice so they have food for the next year or rebuild their houses so they have shelter. 

Please remember how lucky you are that you have food and shelter.  Many, many thanks to everyone who has donated to the Nepal Earthquake Emergency Appeal.

For more information you can read my blog on annmarcerinnepal.blogspot.co.uk