Veterans Educational Projects in London from 27 May to 17 June 2023

Gurkha Zilla Gurung Samaj UK (Charity Registered No 1175191) conducted an educational project for the veterans, their wives and widows in Northeast London from 27 May to 17 June 2023. On the first day of the project, Vice Chairman Min Gurung welcomed all the participants and thanked them for their participation. The Project Management team leader, Founder Chairman/Trustee ex Lt (QGO) Tham Parsad Gurung then briefed them on the project’s  full concept. Following this,  the program commenced with the introduction of Soldiers’ Sailors’ & Airmen’s’ Families Association (SSAFA) and about their core tasks by Councillor Bishnu Gurung, a Gurkha veteran, who is also the Divisional secretary of the area.  

Northeast London’s area representative, Mr Deubahadur Gurung, coordinated the program and arranged all the necessary provisions for the project. A total of thirty-seven veterans, their wives and widows participated and benefited from this project. They were excited and keen to gain knowledge in practical English and IT subjects. Additional topics such as dental health, Infections control, pharmaceutical information, nutrition, diet and health were also included in the programme to give them general knowledge in various subjects. Covering as many necessary and varied subjects as possible during the three weekends’ periods, lessons were successfully delivered to the participants.

The project was made possible when Gurkha Zilla Gurung Samaj UK (GZGS UK) were successful in securing a fund for the project form the Veterans Foundation UK for an amount of £30,000. The project was divided into three areas to deliver its objectives to as many veterans as possible. It was conducted in Ashford (Kent), Northeast London and Hampshire where majority of Gurkha veterans have settled down. At the end of the project, the participants will have gained knowledge and skills on practical language speaking skills, improved their confidence to be able to interact with  diverse communities in their locality and elsewhere.

The final program for Northeast London will be concluded on 8th July 2023. All able  participants will be taken on a trip to Winchester Gurkha Museum and Wokingham, Grays Open Farm PYO for educational and recreation purposes where the participants will be encouraged to practice their English-speaking skills.