Project Summary: Rebuild Nepal, Kshamawati Higher Secondary School

Years: 2015/2016

Located: Dolakha district

# Students attending 470 students

Life in the region: The people of this region are predominantly from the ethnic group called Thamis, and they face the challenge of limited access to education. The World Expeditions Foundation has been assisting this school since 2013 with the construction of a residential hostel for the students. The hostel will allow students to reside at school during the week, having a positive impact on school attendance. 

The hostel was at the foundations stage when the earthquakes struck and was mostly left in tact. The school buildings however were flattened. There are a number of organizations helping to rebuild the school including two local Rotary Clubs and their international partners. They will focus on the construction of the classrooms. The World Expeditions Foundation will focus on the construction of the main school building that includes laboratories, computer rooms, library and staffrooms. 

The World Expeditions Foundation will provide AUD$50,000 for this purpose. Demolition of the existing buildings began in October 2015. 

 

GROUP 1 Arrived: in Suspa Kshamawati on 28 November

Who are they? 16 travellers from Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the United Kingdom

Who is the WE Guide? Harka Bahadur Rai, is a qualified trek leader and he has a guide license. He began working with World Expeditions as a sherpa in 1996 and has been guiding since 2004. He has done a number of medical trainings with Dr. Jim Duff, Dr. Kulesh Thapa and Dr. Ross Anderson. He has been the guide on a number of our community projects over the years and he also leads our challenging treks in Kanchenjunga and Damodar Saribung region.

DAILY REPORTS

Days 1-2: The group was split into four groups for the project work. Group 1 = 6 clients are helping in digging the foundation. Group 2 = 3 clients are helping in rod carriage. Group 3 = 3 clients are helping in wood work. Group 4 = 4 clients are working on stone carriage 

Days 3-4: Group 1 = 6 clients are helping in digging the foundation. Group 2 = 3 clients are helping in rod carriage. Group 3 = 3 clients are helping in wood work. Group 4 = 4 clients are working on stone carriage.

Group 1 made a great start on the foundation work. Following their work at Kshamawati School this group headed off to the Annapurna Dhualagiri trek.

BIG thanks to each and everyone of you - Elke Bantleon, Rachel Newell, John Hewlett, John Nieuwenhoven, Maarten Nieuwenhoven, George Lenyk, Martin Pengilly, Sally Pengilly, Victoria Pengilly, Ben Pengilly, Katrina Sinclair, Amy Passingham, Samantha Stretton, Phillip Wilk, Angela Lewes and Sarah Reddie.

 

GROUP 2 Arrived: in Suspa Kshamawati on 23 December 

Who are they? 20 travellers from Australia, the UK and New Zealand. The group is made up of 11 adults and 9 children (ranging from 8 – 17 years). These families spent Christmas Day at Suspa Kshamawati ... what a memorable Christmas! 

Who is the WE Guide? Mani Raj Chhetri, is one of our senior leaders who has been leading treks for us for the last 22 years. He has led a number of student groups, private groups and community project groups. He is of Nepali origin from Darjeeling and he has done medical trainings with a number of doctors till date. 

DAILY REPORTS

DAY 1: Program by the students of Shree Kshamawati in the morning during assembly time. Some of the group helped in brick carriage and the rest of the group helped in digging the foundations 

DAY 2: Some of the group helped in brick stacking and the rest of the group helped in digging the foundation and mud carriage. Merry Christmas everyone - the group enjoyed a special 'Nepal style' Christmas lunch

DAY 3 The group went for a village walk in the morning, in the afternoon the group helped with foundation work 

DAY 4: The group enjoyed cultural exchange with the students and teachers of the school 

Day 5: The group continued worked in digging foundations and helping in mud carriage. A farewell celebration was had in the afternoon.

Group 2 continued the work of Group 1 further establishing the foundations. Following their work at Kshamawati School this group trekked in the Annapurna foothills.

BIG thanks to each and everyone of you - Jason Corbett, Niamh Corbett, Louise Wang, Allan Wang, Julia Wang, Matthew Wang, Frances D'souza, Nell Loneragan, Sascha Loneragan, Ella Loneragan, Dr Kelvin Hopper, Dr Carolyn Geczy, Lachlan Hopper, Deidre Sang, Scott Beagley, Laura Sang Beagley, Chalie Sang Beagley, Kate Sang Beagley, Lee Sang and Fongray Sang

 

GROUP 3 Arrived: in Suspa Kshamawati on 12 January 2016

Who are they? 3 travellers from Australia, New Zealand and the UK 

Who is the WE Guide? Sanjay Kumar Lama, has been leading treks for the last 10 years. He has led private groups in Nepal and Tibet and has done medical trainings with a number of doctors.

DAYS 1-2: Local trades people dug holes for the pillars and the 3 group members helped by carrying mud to the pillars 

DAY 3: The group members went for a village walk as all labourers/students were on holiday due to Maghe Sankranti which is a Nepalese festival 

DAY 4 The group members helped in digging holes for the pillars and in mud carriage 

DAY 5: This morning the group interacted with the students and shared the English language. After lunch the same work of digging holes and helping in mud carriage 

DAY 6 The group helped in digging holes for the pillars and in mud carriage 

DAY 7 The group went to Lama Nagi Village and distributed clothes to a school there 

DAY 8-9 The group helped in carriage of mud from the playground to the edge and leveled the playground.

BIG thanks to Daniel Rogers, Georgia Bartley and Stephen Donnelly