Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong (2nd R, back) and former minister and political leader Pampha Bhusal (1st R, back) attend the distribution ceremony in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 26, 2018. Marking the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake of 2015 in Nepal, a Chinese NGO, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), donated educational materials to school students on Thursday. (Xinhua/Sunil Sharma)

KATHMANDU, April 26 (Xinhua) -- Marking the third anniversary of the devastating earthquake of 2015 in Nepal, a Chinese NGO, China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), donated educational materials to school students on Thursday.

The CFPA, which has been working in Nepal since right after the earthquake, distributed over 400 school bags along with stationery items to students of Phulchoki Secondary School located in the outskirts of Lalitpur district.

With the support from Chinese Enterprises Association of Nepal (CEAN), it also handed over a computer lab to enable students to have more access to information and advanced education.

The distribution ceremony was organized at the school premise amid the presence of Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong, former minister and political leader Pampha Bhusal, representatives from CEAN, students, their parents and community members.

"Most of the students in our school are from poor family backgrounds and backward communities. Thus, the generous support from China and Chinese people will contribute in their quality education. I am thankful for this assistance," Damodar Silwal, Principal at Phulchoki Secondary School, told Xinhua.

Founded in 1959, Phulchoki Secondary School is a well-known public secondary school in the area with over 1,000 students. The four-storey school building has been reconstructed recently after it witnessed severe damages in the disaster.

Expressing appreciation towards China for helping the education sector of quake-hit Nepal, speakers said such assistance will strengthen the people-to-people ties.

Pampha Bhusal, a former minister and a leader of CPN Maoist Center, said, "Education is a key to the future of children and we are glad to receive support in this sector from our neighboring country. It will definitely help us in achieving our dream of development and prosperity."

Addressing the ceremony, the Chinese ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong said China will continue to support Nepal in its socio-economic development. Stating that 22 projects under post-quake reconstruction have already started, Yu said that the Belt and Road Initiative would open up new opportunities for Nepal and Nepali people.

The CFPA has carried out over a dozen projects in the sectors like disaster relief, food, water and sanitation, disinfection treatment and health care among others in 14 districts of Nepal. It has invested about 12 million yuan (1.9 million U.S. dollars) to extend support to over 250,000 Nepali people in last three years.