At a function held on 26th July 2008 at Shree Bhairabi Higher Secondary School, Nuwakot, to award scholarships to conflict affected and underprivileged children, the chief guest Mr.Posta Bahadur Bogati, Member of Constituent Assembly, Nuwakot 3, handed over a cheque of £1,510 donated and raised by the Cheadle Hulme School, Manchester, UK for the building of auditorium & hostel of Shree Bhairabi Higher Secondary School, to the chairman of the school management committee Mr.Badri Man Shrestha. The school, in appreciation, presented a gratitude plaque commemorating Cheadle Hulme School’s generous contribution towards the building fund. The plaque was received by Mr.Suman Pandey, President of Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, on behalf of the school.

It was during a trip to Nuwakot organized by EH for the teachers and students of Cheadle Hulme, that the latter decided to provide financial assistance in construction of the local school’s hostel and auditorium.

Mr.Badri Man Shrestha , chairman of the school management committee, receiving the cheque

Mr. Suman Pandey receiving the gratitude plaque

Nuwakot , July 26, Saturday: A function was organized on 26th July 2008 at Shree Bhairabi Higher Secondary School, Nuwakot, to award scholarships to conflict affected and underprivileged children, under Explore Himalaya’s ongoing community project ‘Each One Teach One’. Mr.Posta Bahadur Bogati, Member of constituent Assembly, Nuwakot 3 graced the function as the chief guest, while the guest of honor was Mr. Prem Tamang, Member of Constituent Assembly, Rasuwa. The program was chaired by Mr.Badri Man Shrestha, Chairman of Shree Bhairabi Higher Secondary School Management Committee, and was attended by Mr.Suman Pandey, President of Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, Principal, teachers and management committee members of Shree Bhairabi Higher Secondary School and other luminaries of Nuwakot.

Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, a Kathmandu based agency started the Each One Teach One project in 23rd Feb 2007with the goal of providing school level education to conflict-affected children in a bid to give them a better chance to live a happy, secure and healthy life. The project is primarily focused on ensuring children’s rights to education. For this, EHCSP seeks financial support from various donors. With the funds collected from the donors, the project aims to provide a monthly scholarship of Rs.1000 to conflict-affected children upto high school graduation. The money received will be directly utilized for the children’s’ school fees, stationeries, outfits and other necessary educational resources.

A total of 16 students received scholarships from British and Canadian donors in 2007. This year, a new group of 20 students received the scholarship. The chief guest Mr.Posta Bahadur Bogati handed over the scholarships to the children and their guardians.

Speaking at the function, Mr.Bogati lauded Explore Himalaya’s efforts to brighten the future of the children.

Mr. Suman Pandey introducing the children

   
A child receiving the scholarship from the chief guest, Mr.Posto Bahadur Bogati

The chief guest and other guests with the nominated children

Explore Himalaya and its exclusive partner Kipling Travel Denmark organised a 5 day Free Eye Camp in the five villages of Lamjung, Tanahun and Kaski in western Nepal. The camp that took place from 12^th to 17^th November 2019 was conducted by a team of 10 opticians and nurses from Denmark. The team which was led by Lene S. Lindedam (Nurse) included Jette Honore (Optician), Bjorn Nielsen (Optician), Tine Ottosen (Optician), Vibeke R. Stegmann (Nurse), Knud E. Stegmann (Optician), Lotte laursen (Optician), Annegrethe S. Nielsen (Nurse), Keith T. Nielsen (Optician),  and Jette Ronnenfelt (Optician). The team has been volunteering such camps in different parts of the world. 

The Free Eye Camp provided diagnostic screening and eye examining services along with counselling on eye health care measures. Some patients were also treated for minor conditions and provided with free glasses. Patients with cataract were referred to the nearby hospitals. Altogether 983 patients benefited from the Camp. The program was supported by the local clubs, police and volunteers from beneficiary villages. The village communities expressed their gratitude to the organiser team for their contribution in improving the eye health of public. The Eye Camp is a part of a Free Health Camp initiative being organised by Explore Himalaya and Kipling Travel biannually.

Day 1 & 2: 12^th & 13^th November

Location: Kanti Mandir School, Sundar Bazaar, Lamjung

Day 1 – Time: 2 pm – 5 pm, Total Number of Patients: 41

Day 2- Time: 9 am – 4 pm, Total Number of Patients: 228

Day 3: 14^th November

Location: Shanti Madhyamik Vidhyalaya, Kunchha-1, Lamjung

Time: 9 am – 4 pm

Total Number of Patients: 425

Day 4: 15^th November

Location: Rastriya Madhyamik Vidhyalaya, Rupakot, Tanahun

Time: 9 am – 4 pm

Total Number of Patients: 450

Day 5: 16^th November

Location: Lekhnath Adharvut School, Begnas, Kaski

Time: 9 am – 3 pm

Total Number of Patients: 212

Location: Annapurna Royal Camp, Begnas, Kaski

Time: 4 pm – 5 pm

Total Number of Patients: 52

By Ingita Dangol, EH Sales Department , Helambu Circuit Trek “When you leave the comfort of your home and home country to engage in volunteer project in Nepal where your help is greatly needed, it will have a deep impact on you as well as the local people life also. Sometimes we forget how privileged we really are. We complain about our daily lives, health, education, work but when you spend time in a local community of Nepal that has significantly less than you do and is struggling in different ways, you might realize that your problems aren’t all that bad.” –  CKY Student Group, Helambu Circuit Trek  

Helambu Circuit Trek

As previous year, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure of Nepal in partnership with Travel Adviser (Hongkong) once again operated 6 nights/7 days Full Camping Trek of Helambu Circuit from 25^th Nov to 01st Dec 2018. The trek which included 16 students and 3 teachers of CKY School of Hong Kong had the objective to explore the rural communities and discover the natural beauty of Nepal. The group had a whole week of fun and adventure. However, the students also wanted to make the trek purposeful. They donated medicine to the local health post and educational equipment to the local schools. At every donation point, the group was warmly welcomed and cheered by teachers, students, health practitioners and local people. The trek started their Helambu Circuit Trek from Sundarijal, north of Kathmandu valley and ended at Kiul.

On the way to Tharepati

A photo moment while on the way to Golfu Bhanjyang

Bhumeswori Secondary School at Kuil

A brief outlook on the group’s daily activities is as follows:

Day 1: Drive to Sundarijal and Trek to Chisapani (2054 m) – around 5 hours

At around 8:30 am, the group departed from Hotel Shangrila to Sundarijal. The groups reached Sundarijal, their trek starting point at 10 am. The first two hours was a bit strenuous due to a steep uphill path which looked like never ending. Everybody took lots of short rests during the first few hours. On the way, they passed through Shivapuri National Park. It took them around 5 hours to reach at Chisapani.

Day 2: Trek to Golfu Bhanjyang (2142m) – 6/7 hours

The trek continued through the refreshing forested area and beautiful settlements to Chipling village for lunch. After lunch, it continued to Golfu Bhanjyang for overnight camp.

Day 3: Trek to Manginggoth (3285m) – 8 hours

Early in the morning after breakfast, the trek started. Before lunch which they had at Khutumsang, there was a short program held at Khutumsang Health Post where the group donated medical supplies and had short briefing about health post. Later on, the group visited Himalayan Primary School where they conducted events like Hungry Hippo, football and paper airplane. During these event, the group got mixed with local students and enjoyed their moment together.

At Khutumsang Health Post

On the way to Chisapani

Painting Activity at Himalaya Primary School at Khutumsang

Himalaya Primary School at Khutumsang

Day 4: Trek to Melamchi Gynag (3300m) via Tharepati (3685m) – 7 hours

Early morning, the group went for a 3 hours’ trek to Tharepati from where the magnificent mountain ranges could be seen. After lunch at Tharepati, they hiked down to Melamchi Gyang where they stayed for overnight.

Day 5: Trek to Malerepo – 4 hours

Before they moved towards Malerepo, the student group visited Melamchi Gyang Secondary School and donated stationery, sports materials and medicine to the Headmaster of the school.  After lunch, they headed to Melerepo.

Camping at Golfy Bhanjyang

Medicine and Stationery materials donation at Melamchi School

Lunch at Melamchi Ghyang

Day 6: Trek to Kiul – 5 hours

After breakfast, the group trekked to Kiul where they had a short program at Shree Bhumeshori Secondary School. They donated stationary and sports materials to the students and had a short briefing about their goals.  Later on, the group spent some moments together with the local students by playing and dancing.

Day 7: Drive back to Kathmandu from Kiul – 4 hours and International Departure

After early morning breakfast, the group headed towards Kathmandu by bus. On reaching Kathmandu, the group had a sightseeing tour to Kathmandu Durbar Square. They also had refreshment and lunch program at Hotel Marshyangdi.  After lunch the group explored Thamel Bazaar for shopping and hunting souvenir and gifts to their friends and family. Finally, a week of adventure was wrapped up with a candle light dinner at Hotel Shangrila, where the group had a short review session with the members and the staffs of Explore Himalaya. This was one of the best parts of their trip, where they got to share their words and daily experiences. All of them expressed their gratitude to Explore Himalaya for arranging such a meaningful trek for them  and expressed their hope to get such opportunities in upcoming days.

On the way to Malerepo

Himalaya School at Khutumsang

Farewell dinner at Hotel Shangrila

Pabitra Samaaj Sewa Building Project Donors’ List so far: 

1. Explore Himalaya & Himalayan Pre Fab – US $8775
2. Marcus Brown, C/O Deepak Dhamala, Nepalese Honorary Consulate General Adelaide – AUS $7000           
3. Lars Gundersen, Kipling Travel Denmark – €500
4. Sujeeta Shahi – €500 
5. Kantipur Electrical – NPR 11,100                                            
6. Joseph Shrestha- NPR 10,000                                                     
7. Ram Narayan Bhai – NPR 10,000                                             
8. Hema Shahi Thakuri – NPR 1000   

[We are still raising fund for the completion of the project. Interested donors can contact us at suman@explorehimalaya.com]                                    

Mr. Marcus Brown laying the Foundation Stone at the building site

The Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Pabitra Samaaj Sewa building was held on 30 January 2018 at Budhanilkantha. The foundation stone was laid by respected Marcus Brown from Adelaide amidst the presence of Dikchhya Chapagain, President of Pabitra Samaaj Sewa and the Representatives of Explore Himalaya and Himalayan Pre-Fab. The pre-fab building will provide a permanent earthquake resistant shelter to 15-20 residents under the care of the organization.

Preparing for Puja before laying the Foundation Stone

The building project was jointly initiated by Explore Himalaya and Himalayan Pre-Fab, a subsidiary of Explore Himalaya; after the residents of Pabitra Samaaj Sewa were forcibly evacuated from their previous resident at Dhapasi. As it was not possible to complete this project without the collective efforts, Explore Himalaya and Himalaya Pre-Fab started the initiation by contributing half of the fund and appealed for the rest from the generous contributors. Mr. Brown, who honored the ceremony, was among the few to extend the hand of support by raising funds from Adelaide community. The project has given hopes and happiness to all the destitute sheltering in the organization. The building is expected to complete within 6 weeks. For the full story on the building project, please follow our earlier blog at https://www.explorehimalaya.com/2018/01/05/pabitra-samaj-sewa-charity-project/ 

Mr. Marcus Brown writing on visitors’ book

[In addition to being a trailblazer in Himalayan adventure, Explore Himalaya is also one of the forerunners in Nepali tourism to incorporate community service in company’s regular activities.]