Probably the best email in the world!

We all have good days and bad days. We all have days with bits of bad and bits of good. Some days are a mixture of VERY bad and VERY good, hopefully in that order, and we seem to be having one! Having heard that we were not to receive the £72,000 grant we had applied for to computerise our schools we received an email from Chiri Babu Maharjan in Kathmandu. Chiri is the chairman of the Bal Bigyan school management committee and we had recently written to the Principal of his school asking if they had any knowledge of formalised literacy tests we could use to seek evidence of our progress. Chiri replied on behalf of the school as follows:

"Dear Brian,

We believe that we do not have any method in practice for measurement of literacy tests in Nepal.  However, we firmly believe that there have been many improvements noticeably seen in our community school, particularly after we have received good support from Nepal Schools Aid (UK).  They are many, however the following are the main ones:

1. Currently we have a total of 301 students from pre-primary to Grade 8.  This number is so far the highest over the school's history of more than 50 years.  Recently, the District Education Office had forcefully merged quite a few contemporary schools of Patan due to lack of students.  But, Bal Bigyan enjoys a comfortable position
2. Girl students have been increased tremendously over the period of last 3 years.
3. Bal Bigyan has been able to provide quality education at free of cost.  Most of  the students are also receiving books, stationery and uniforms freely.  Parents have been relaxed from economic burden. One can see big smiles on the students and parents.
4. Drop-outs and absenteeism have been substantially less.
5. Parents liked adoption of English as teaching method and have shown their interests in enrollment of their children in the school.  It was not like that previously.
6. We expect that over a priod of next 3-4 years, our students will be able to compete with other students from the renowned and expensive schools.
7. Renowned schools of the adjoining areas have now shown their interest for enrollment in higher classes of the graduates of this school.  Indeed these days they visit in person for that purpose.   
8. Local community and NGOs/INGOs have also extended their cooperation in providing potable water system in the school that includes digging a deep well, installation of an expensive filtration plant, and providing overhead tanks.  A nice student friendly library has also been established in the school recently.  Lay down of school infrastructures will be continued in days to come.
9. These days Bal Bigyan has been popularly known by other schools for its Tutors who are providing excellent trainings to teachers from other local schools. 

On behalf of the students, SMC and teachers, I take this opportunity to thank you and your team for the great support that Bal Bigyan is receiving from NSA."

I don't think I need to add anything to this unedited section of his email.