AirAsia X CSR Launch : Kathmandu, Nepal – One Child One Laptop Programme (OLPC)

Hidden at the back of these majestic mountains..

..somewhere within these picturesque valleys…

.. over sprawling plains and rivers…

..communities of Nepalese people work & live in hope of a better future for their families and their children.

We as part of the Malaysian media as well as the team from Air Asia X and our friends from neighboring countries traveled over bumpy roads, braved hair-raising cliffs drives and trekked in the dust and heat yesterday to visit one of the rural schools in the hope of shedding some light to their lives.

Frankly, after 4 days here, after all that I have seen, this is a tiny start. But it’s a beginning nonetheless.

As the sun rise each day, it brings with it a new ray of hope?

The country is breathtakingly beautiful with a wilderness and untouched primitiveness that should appeal to just about anyone with a sense of adventure. Sadly, the very poverty that hangs over this unexplored gem is the reason why it is still so naturally stunning.

However it doesn’t mean development should be deprived from these people and this land. For us, our mission was in support of Air Asia X CSR programme in Kathmandu, Nepal – One Child One Laptop Programme (OLPC); a community outreach project in partnership with OLE Nepal, a non-profit organization dedicated to improve the quality of education in Nepal, while reducing the disparity in education quality and access through the integration of technology in the classroom teaching-learning process.

BELOW: Mr. Azran Osman-Rani, Chief Executive Officer of AirAsia X going through the paces of using the new XO Laptops with the delighted students.

Other cheers include a useful knapsack and food.

The happiness and smiles elicited from such simple gifts made our trip worthwhile. I held back tears as I observed them silently.

The collaboration between OLE Nepal and AirAsia X for an initial period of 12-months is the first community outreach programme for us and the first for OLE Nepal in tapping corporate funding to reach out to the community as a non profit organisation.

We met Mr. Rabi, the charismatic Executive Director of OLE Nepal. As he addressed the media, students and proud parents at Chandi Devi Primary School, an air of hope and excitement could be felt among all of us.

The XO laptops will be pre-loaded with various learning tools including the curriculum based digital learning materials, E-Path, designed by OLE Nepal. The school will also be fitted with a local network that includes a server connected to OLE Nepal’s digital library, E-Pustakalaya.

The ceremony was officiated by Chairwoman (AAX), Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz who personally handed out 30 laptops to the selected students.

During my time there, I took the opportunity to explore the humble school with its very basic amenities and modest set up.

Obviously I’m past schooling “size”. -_-

But I soon discovered how bright and inquisitive the pupils are when they suddenly surround me as I started up my Asus Zenbook to edit the pictures for the event. I ended up showing them pictures of my life in KL; folders after folders of food, events, launches, even fashion photos! They ooh and ahhs and even named correctly what they saw on the screen. “Prawn”, “fish”, “camera”, “sandwich”, “cake”, “plane”, “market” were among the objects/places they pointed out. I could only nod amazement as they got each right.

Nepal –  her future lies with her children.

After bidding them farewell with heavy hearts and as we head back to the city of Kathmandu, I know deep inside all of us who were present that morning (the AAX, media and OLE team) were glad that we had spent our morning with the kids and hopefully, made a difference in their lives. It’s a beginning of more to come, just as Mr. Azran Osman-Rani had said.
Yes Mr Azran, more for these wonderful children and the people of Nepal please.

AirAsia X began operating flights to Kathmandu in July, 2012 and currently flies three flights weekly between Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu onboard the A330-300 aircraft in a 2-class configuration of 12 Premium Flatbed seats and 365 Economy seats.

AirAsia X was the first long-haul, low fare carrier to introduce Flatbed seats, which have standard business class specifications of 20” width, 60” pitch and stretch out to 77” in full recline position. The Premium flatbeds feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen. Premium seat guests also enjoy premium complimentary products and services including Pick A Seat, Priority Check-in, Priority Boarding, Priority Baggage, 20kg Baggage Allowance, Complimentary Meal and Pillow & Blanket.

FLIGHT SCHEDULE FOR KUALA LUMPUR- KATHMANDU, NEPAL

Flights From	Departure/ Arrival	Flight No.	Frequency
Kuala Lumpur to Kathmandu	11:45/14:00	D7 192	2,4,6
Kathmandu to Kuala Lumpur	15:30/22:25	D7 193	2,4,6

·         2- Tuesday, 4- Thursday, 6-Saturday 

For an account of my personal experience of the Premium Flatbed to Japan & back, check out it –> HERE.