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

Nuwakot, an amazing district flanking the capital valley Kathmandu is Nepal’s one of the best kept secrets. Easy access with very few tourist class hotels & restaurants, Nuwakot is an emerging destination for travelers.

Why Nuwakot is Nepal’s one of the best kept secrets & what exactly does Nuwakot offer for travelers?

First of all, Nuwakot has huge historic significance. It was from Nuwakot King Prithivi Narayan Shah conquered Kathmandu Valley. While doing so, Nuwakot palace square was established on a hilltop, which now has become the center of attraction for tourists visiting to Nuwakot. Though the massive quake of 2015 badly hit the palace square locals have initiated campaigns to restore the historic and cultural significance of this landmark.

Nuwakot is also the hub that enthusiastically practices medieval time cultures. Sindure Jatra, the unique festival celebrated at Nuwakot Durbar Square is probably one of the most fascinating celebrations across Nepal. Bull Fighting in villages like Taruka & Betrawati is entertaining festival that takes place only in Nuwakot District. The district also hosts annual Rice Plantation Celebration in different villages to entertain as much as travelers from neighboring districts like Kathmandu. Nuwakot is also a replica of Kathmandu that celebrates almost all jatras of Kathmandu Valley with equal degree of energy. Gai jatra & Indra Jatra are perfect examples. Like of Kathmandu, Nuwakot also practices the culture of worshipping its own Living Goddess, Kumari.

Talking about tribal cultures, Nuwakot is a mini-Nepal with Nepal. The cultures of many tribes and clans can be observed in Nuwakot district. Tamangs, Newars, Magars, Chettris & Brahmins and Dalits among others live in this district showcasing their own unique culture & lifestyles.

Since the district lies in a very close proximity to Langtang Himalayan Range, it is also the vantage point that caters incredible Himalayan vistas blended well with lush vegetation & raging Himalayan Rivers. Last but not the least, Nuwakot as a district also has huge potential in catering adventurous activities like mountain biking & motorcycle tours. Rugged terrains in the remote parts of the district are ideal for such activities.

The team- Danish Opticians, Explore Himalayans and the local representatives

After the treatment when the people lacking facility of eye check-up had the proper seeing abilities, to see the happiness in the faces of these people, made our day. We felt proud on what we did. Recently, six Danish Opticians through our exclusive country partner Kipling Travel were in the mid-hill settlements of Nuwakot, a district flanking Kathmandu. The opticians from Denmark and Explore Himalaya’s few staffs conducted a week long Free Eye Clinic Camps in different places of Nuwakot. Almost 2,200 people enjoyed the benefits of free Eye Clinic Camps and 1,650 people requiring spectacles received  free pairs of spectacles throughout the project.  In brief the Free Eye Clinic Camp was one of other effective Community Service Projects we have conducted.

Every day was a busy day. Hours before the eye clinic camp began; the people thronged to the site and stood in a long queue that sometimes stretched to several hundred meters. It was amazing to see the health consciousness in people and at times, it was difficult to imagine a long restless day ahead. However, the passion of the team never went down who were there to contribute something really important in any human’s life. From Day 1 to Day 7 the level of enthusiasm remained same and the willingness to help was intact.

Native senior citizens welcome the noble people

Day 1 :Nuwakot

The first day camp was set in a small health post nearby famous Nuwakot Palace. Nuwakot Palace having huge historic significance lies on a hilltop above Bidur, a small municipality 70 km north of Kathmandu.  The people of Nuwakot Durbar area and neighboring regions welcomed the Danish opticians and their two assistants with open arms. Before the camp started to work, the Community of Senior Citizens of Nuwakot conducted a small welcome ceremony. Seeing hundreds of people waiting in a long stretched queue, a long busy day was guaranteed. Despite of many patients, the Danish team of Opticians and their two assistant were able carry out an excellent job in the limited time. With the help of The Nepali doctor from “Trishuli Eye Hospital”, many people having cataract problem were recommended for operation in the lower town “Devighat” 25 min’s from Nuwakot. After a long day, the project was a big success, treating 350 patients. On the first day, 250 pairs of spectacles were distributed.

Local volunteers helping the elder citizens during Free Eye Clinic Camp

Day 2 & 3: Battar

Day 2 started with the fresh morning air blowing in the town Nuwakot. The venue for the second day was a gymnasium in the town of “Battar” 20 minutes from “Nuwakot Durbar”. As of Day 1, the people seeking treatment had lined up in front of gymnasium hall gate before we got there. A long line of people waiting in front of the gate was the sign of a very long day ahead. A long busy day ahead! we were okay with it. As the opticians began, their work the non-stopping flow of patients kept on moving into the hall seeking check-up. In addition, after 8 hours of hard work 150 people were recommended for cataract problem and 280 people were treated for their poor vision. The second day of event was hectic yet satisfying.

Second day at “Battar” was same as the first day. On Day 2 at Battar, 250 people were given free pair of spectacles.

The long queue of at Battar stretches to few hundred meters

 Day 4

A beautiful village of “Samari” was the venue for the fourth day of Free Eye Camp in Nuwakot. The work done in previous day was very remarkable and a motivating for all the team members. A small health post in the village was the workstation for the day. Now we were used to seeing people lining up in long stretched queues hours before the camp even started. Again, after 6 hours of hard work 200 people received glasses for their daily use.

Day 5 Samaribhanjayang (Kalabari)

The location for the fifth day’s Clinic Camp was in a Buddhist monastery in village of “Kalabari” south of Samari. The monks and the local people welcomed us with a lot of enthusiasm. They had a hope of seeing better on sighting our team in their village. Again, the people of all ages lined up for the checkup before the team reached the venue. After a long day of hard work 150 people were given glasses for their poor vision and the fifth and of the charity project ended with the happy smiles in the faces of people who got treated.

Danish opticians giving 100% to make sure that free Eye Clinic Camp benefits more

Hard work continues

Day 6 & 7 Sele

The venue for the sixth day Free Eye Camp was at a local government school in the beautiful village of Sele. Needless to mention, there was a long queue on the venue, hours before the project started. The sixth day of Free Eye Clinic Camp started and with a lot of energy.  Yet again 150 people were given free pair of glasses and the second last day of the program was very successful.

The last day for the program was scheduled just for a half day. 120 people were enjoyed the benefits of free Eye Clinic Camp on this day.

Isn’t the smile beautiful? We are proud that we made that smile possible

Sometimes a small help means a lot to one who badly needs it

After a hard work, everyone deserves refreshing few moments

Welcoming session at Nuwakot

Elaine Brown from Wilderness Expertise led a team of 11 students and 1 teacher from Blue Coat School, Reading UK for a month stay in Nepal. First they went to Mustang and then to Nuwakot for community project. They stayed in local home-stays for 7 days and involved in different community based activities (30^th July -5^th August).

EH: How are you feeling now?

Ms. Brown: Good. Thank You.

 EH: When did you start the project?

 Ms. Brown: We started in Nuwakot on 30^th of July

 EH: How was your stay there?

 Ms. Brown: Food was really good, we felt very privileged during the stay in Nuwakot.

 EH: Your accommodation was organized in local home-stays, how did you manage your stay there?

 Ms. Brown: We separated into groups; everybody was placed single except for:

two girls (only two of them in the whole group), one of them having the habit of eating less, one boy with the problem of sleep walking, with me at Shyam’s house and a bit naughty boy with the teacher

EH: What’s the purpose behind this program?

Ms. Brown: After we were sure that we wanted to have such program, the students started fund raising, doing jobs. They were trained, we met with blank itinerary. Once we decided to come to Nepal we did research, identified the learning needs of the students. Challenge and community involvement are the two elements that should be in the program. We met each other in different intervals of time did costing, familiarization, training etc. Despite of having nominal budget left with us after our visit to Mustang, we still wanted to do it.

EH: Why Nepal?

Ms. Brown: I had been here before and I am passionate about Himalayas, especially I admire Tibetan Buddhist and Hindu culture. So it is partly because of the leader’s choice. I had positive past experiences. During the whole course of time the students transformed themselves to be self dependent…. Personal development! All we want is to build confidence, good attitude, respect their parents etc. After this visit the students are willing to come back to Nepal.

Nuwakot community service project- Garden being cleaned

EH: How did you find the community there?

Ms. Brown: The entire community was welcoming and gentle with strong community bond with each others. Community takes care of each other in contrary to UK…a good lesson for us. Technology has not overcome their lifestyle, 4 generations in a single family. “Small scale is sustainable”.

Don’t have to be big to be happy. Nepalese lead a very happy life.

EH: What is your best part?

Ms. Brown: Best part is always different for different people. For me it is quite emotional. The importance of building relationship during the home-stay with the family of  Sharmila is so far the best part for me.

EH: How was it in Mustang?

Ms. Brown: During the trek to Mustang the tea houses contributing to the community was WONDERFUL.

EH: What are the areas of your focus in Nuwakot?

Ms. Brown: Our focus was on community activities like painting and renovation, interaction, clearing local historical taps (favorite activity), plantation, short health awareness classes. We also focused on community interaction, so we organized sports like football regularly in the evening at Tudikhel.

EH:  Did you find it difficult to communicate with them?

Ms. Brown: Not at all. Only in the beginning when the students were nervous.

EH: Do you see any area of improvement?

Ms. Brown: Nothing. It’s a self-contented community….some youth want to settle in modern setting, getting ready to leave, but I think they are lucky to have such a life.

EH: Difference between Mustang and Nuwakot?

Ms. Brown: Mustang very Tibetan whereas, Nuwakot is a typical Hindu community. Besides highly contrast cultures geographically, Mustang is dry- desert like Tibetan Highlands but Nuwakot is lush green, almost tropical. I loved the thunderstorm in Nuwakot, which is the most memorable moment in Nuwakot.

EH: Any last words?

Ms. Brown: I would recommend, don’t expect to be working physically, rather emphasize in building relationship. My team is ready to work again, we expected to be involved more physically like 6 hours a day of hard work but we were involved just few hours a day, opposite to our expectation. But we also learnt to manage expectation…….at the end we learnt that building relationship is very important… and we are quite happy with the whole things.

EH: One word to describe the whole experience?

Ms. Brown: Privileged

A time to leave the memories back