For 45 years, Usthi founder Kurt Bürki has been committed to promoting access to education and healthcare. To this day, he dedicates his time to supporting young people in India and Nepal. Now he and his commitment are to be honoured in a a documentary.

When Kurt Bürki talks about his past and his numerous experiences in India and Nepal, one is quickly fascinated. There is no doubt that his life offers enough material for a movie. The two filmmakers René Graber and Daniel Kempter shared this idea. They met Kurt Bürki in 2016 and accompanied him with their camera to the projects in India. This joint trip led to the documentary “40 Years of Usthi” and the lasting bond with Kurt Bürki and his commitment. Today, the two filmmakers are part of the Usthi Foundation Board.

Now they are tackling another film project that is entirely dedicated to the person Kurt Bürki and his eventful life. The film will not only show the impact of Kurt Bürki’s work in India and Nepal, but will also shed light on what shaped the Usthi founder, how he grew up and which people accompanied and inspired him on his way. Together with a small crew, the first research and filming took place at the beginning of 2021. The vision of the film crew is to have completed the documentary about the pilot and philanthropist Kurt Bürki in 2023.

On the website of the documentary you can find all information about the vision and the progress of the project (in german).

While the lower classes in India remain in distance learning, the situation in Nepal has gradually returned to normal. Since last autumn, declining cases allow all children to be taught on site again and the new Usthi project can be further expanded.

In contrast to India, no second wave of Corona is evident in Nepal so far. Since the end of 2020, the numbers have been declining. This allows schools to teach children of all levels in the classroom again. Also, larger groups of people are allowed to gather for activities again.

For the new Usthi education project in the Kathmandu Valley, it is now possible to expand the project’s activities. In January, the first distribution of school material was completed. 151 children were provided with school materials, clothes and a school bag.

In February, the first workshops took place at two schools on the issues of child rights, child marriage, child labour, health and hygiene. At Janajagriti School 54 girls and 18 boys and at Bagbhairab School 21 girls and 22 boys participated.

Further activities are planned for the upcoming months. For example, in exchange with the schools, it will be analysed how the schools can best be supported in improving the infrastructure. Some teachers would benefit from a more in-depth study of pedagogical approaches and of important topics related to childhood and adolescence. In order to support them, training in various areas is planned.

Due to Covid-19, the school year has been postponed a little and the new school year will probably not start until May. With the start of the new school year, the next distribution campaign of school supplies, clothes and bags will take place.

After almost a year of distance learning, a full return to face-to-face teaching still seems a long way off for most Indian schools. In Hyderabad, at least students from grade 6 can now return to classroom learning.

For almost a year, schools in India have been closed for most pupils. For the children and teenagers supported by Usthi, the conditions for learning at home are usually anything but ideal. Usthi would therefore very much welcome a resumption of classroom teaching for all levels as soon as possible.

Recently, we received good news. In Hyderabad, the green light has been given to resume classroom teaching for additional grades. As of this month, all students from 6th grade onwards are again allowed to attend classes in Hyderabad. There is hope that more grades will follow soon.

The situation in West Bengal is less optimistic. In western India, Corona case numbers are rising again and regional lockdowns are occurring once more. Fortunately, the regions where the Usthi schools are located are currently not affected. The schools will remain open for the final year classes and hopefully the exams can take place in June as planned.

For the younger school children, the situation remains challenging. A return to face-to-face teaching for all classes is still not in sight and is not expected until early summer at the earliest. The impact on the pupils’ learning success is still difficult to assess. In order to ensure that the school children do not keep up, the teachers make home visits to check and support the learning successes.

John’s Academy School was built by our local partners in Hyderabad last year and will enable almost 300 children to attend school from summer 2021 independently of Usthi. To equip the computer room, nine more computers have to be purchased. Therefore, Usthi is asking for donations.

Usthi’s partner organisation in Hyderabad is active in several areas together with Usthi. Now the partner in Hyderabad is realising its own school project, which will give children and young people access to quality education in the future. The operation of John’s Academy will start in June 2021 and will be financed independently of Usthi. In the first year, about 280 children will be able to start their school education. For the next three years, a continuous expansion to a total of 400 children is planned.

The construction of the school has already been completed and the classrooms are equipped with everything necessary for an efficient and pleasant learning environment. Further, sports facilities have been installed and the operation has been approved by the government.

Computer labs are a key element for the children’s learning success and IT skills are of great importance in the Indian context. The school now is in need of financial support to equip the computer lab.

With a donation for the computer laboratory of John’s Academy, you contribute to a high-quality education for the children in Hyderabad and enable them to acquire important skills for their future. Thank you very much!

Since the very beginning, Usthi has been advocating for a world in which girls and women can build their own future in a free and self-determined way. On International Women’s Day 2021, this cause is unfortunately far from over.

International Women’s Day is celebrated on 8th March. While there are many achievements to celebrate in the fight for women’s rights, the commitment to equality and against discrimination and violence is unfortunately still as relevant in 2021 as it was a hundred years ago.

Girls and women around the world still have to overcome countless hurdles and are all too often denied a self-determined life. In India and Nepal, they are often disadvantaged from an early age. And where money is barely enough for the son’s school education, the girl often has to take care of the chores at home or is married off at a young age. Since the beginning, Usthi has campaigned for girls’ access to education. A good school education empowers them to build an independent future.

Violence and sexual assault are no exception and happen not only outside the home but also in the private sphere. Often, women can only escape these adverse circumstances by running away. In India, single women enjoy little respect in society and sometimes struggle to find employment. This exposes them to the danger of human trafficking and inhumane work in the informal sector. With women’s shelters and professional skills training courses in Hyderabad, Usthi is committed to support young women. With the vocational training, the women can take the step towards financial independence and, at best, escape the threats of abuse and violence.

We wish all girls and women around the world a wonderful 8th of March. We will continue our effort for fair access to education and a dignified future for girls and women again this year.