NYC Marathon 2015Challenge yourself in 2015, join our 2015 New York City Marathon team and help us secure a brighter future for Nepal’s children.
Event entry to the New York City Marathon is very restricted and we have only a few places left! Bookings are required before end of February 2015 to secure your spot. ACT NOW!
Officially foundation stone laying ceremony of Ghunsa School hostel & canteen building construction project at Ghunsa, Taplejung on November 3rd 2014, in presence of Himalayan Development Foundation Australia behalf Chairman Duncan Chessell and other board members.
The wood for the building has been cut locally is drying during the Nepali winter, cement and other supplies are being stockpiled onsite over the coming weeks, stone will be procured locally with villages chipping in labour and some materials with construction commencing in early April.
Our partner NGO the Kanchenjunga Buddhist Social Service signed an agreement with the local government of Taplejung District which will see the upgrade and management of some of the trails on the way into Ghunsa.
This important move will make it easier and safer for locals to trade goods, access education and seek medical help. It will also provide better access for tourists, leading to higher level of economic development in the area.
The Ghunsa Health Post was officially opened in December 2014 after receiving basic funding from the local government after much lobbying from our NGO partners the KBSS and the local people. The funding will provide two staff and basic medical supplies to assist the local people with basic health needs The Ghunsa health post will establish and maintain medical services and raise awareness of how to stay healthy. Health challenges can be a barrier to education, productivity in the economy and overall livelihood. Good health is essential for children to be able to attend, learn and concentrate in class.
The Himalayan Development Foundation Australia is currently looking into refurbishing the health post as the assigned room is lacking all basic medical requirements. We will also look at supplementing some of the wages for the staff in this remote post and increasing the range of medications available.
Sponsoring is an excellent way of helping children have a brighter future.
Working with families, children and communities to empower them to create lasting change for future generations is an essential part of our work in Nepal.
We focus on improving access to and quality of education for school-aged children in the remote communities of Nepal. Sponsorship programs include providing educational materials, training teachers and improvements to the school buildings and boarding house. Your ongoing donation helps us to achieve long-term support to these children.
You’ll offer a child real hope now and in the future when you sponsor. That’s because your money will help provide them with a stable childhood in their own community, as well as access to healthcare and quality education. So, when they reach adulthood, they can go on to lead full and independent lives.
Sponsoring a child can be a rewarding experience – both for you and the communities you are helping.
A group of children aged from 7 to 13 went on an amazing adventure with their families and friends, trekking into remote Nepal. Visiting the Ghunsa school and leading the way to 5,000m at Lonak Nepal, Kanchenjunga Base Camp trek. With their families and friends they raised more than $12,000 for the Ghunsa school and community development project.
We asked some of the kids about their adventures:
"The funniest thing when all the yaks were walking in a line, and they were holding on to each other's tails with their teeth.... like a Yak Train. The sherpa who was looking after them needed to get in front of the Yak Train, but he couldn't because it was such a narrow path. Then right up on the hill, there were Yaks really high up and they didn't know how to get down!
There was a mountain goat skeleton, and the sherpas told us that a snow leopard had eaten it!"
"The school at Ghunsa was very different - only Monday to Wednesday were learning days, and the other days were games and playing days. There were no computers or smart boards or stuff like that. Just 3 brick buildings and not many windows. The kids didn't wear uniforms like at my school. Going on this trip with my Dad helped raise money so the school at Ghunsa can have better facilities for all the children. These children have to travel a great distance to come to school. I hope we can make things better for the whole community."
"I liked making friends with all the sherpas and other trekkers. Dhall bhat was my favourite food! I've learnt how lucky I am to live somewhere where the schools give much more opportunity to learn all about different things. I hope the children of Ghunsa have more opportunities with our help. We have decided to sponsor a child in Nepal this year, so we can help make a difference."
Felix Wood - aged 9
"The craziest & funniest thing was catching the chickens for dinner. We had to make traps to catch them. Crossing some of the rickety, swinging wooden bridges was pretty scary. Mum needed a Sherpa to help her."
"The Ghunsa school is very different to my school. Ghunsa school is very small with very little furniture, no computers and the classrooms are very dark and cold."
"I was excited to make it to Base Camp with my family. I believe I was the only child to carry my day pack the whole way."
Laura - aged 12