Hellok sits off the main trail toward Kanchenjunga Base Camp — a cluster of mountain villages with strong community ties, emerging young leaders and a landscape that demands practical solutions. For years, the area received little outside support, leaving families with limited work options, basic school facilities and a health service stretched by distance and terrain.
HDFA’s work with Hellok is built on partnerships with local leaders, the Rural Municipality and Almost Heaven Farms. Together, we focus on improving daily life in simple, effective ways: stronger teaching in the classroom, better hygiene and water systems, a more reliable supply of medicines and equipment, and new skills that help farmers grow and earn more from their land.
The Hellok village sits in the foothills of Kanchenjunga Region
Location of Hellok, Nepal
At the school, English teachers, coaching classes and improved facilities are helping students stay engaged and progress with confidence. Clean water, safer toilets and a fenced school compound have made the environment more stable and supportive for learning. In the health unit, updated supplies, staff training and community health sessions are strengthening basic care across the surrounding villages.
A major focus in Hellok is building long-term food and income security. With training in orchard management, composting and soil health — along with the establishment of a locally run biofertiliser factory — farmers are adopting new methods that improve yields and support more sustainable livelihoods. Women have begun launching small enterprises with shared backing from the community, the Municipality and HDFA.
Hellok remains remote and shaped by the challenges of mountain life, but the foundations are shifting. Better teaching, stronger farming systems and active local leadership are opening up more stable opportunities for families — and giving children more reason to stay in school and look ahead.
