Volunteering and charitable work in Nepal
The Share the Load Foundation began as a way to promote the wellbeing of Himalayan mountain porters and to improve their overall working conditions. Porters form a large part of the backbone of the trekking industry and as a whole is a worthy profession for the many men and women that work in this field.
As our Foundation has progressed our focus has shifted towards development in rural and mountain communities, such as education and infrastructure development, not wholly just the wellbeing of the porter community.
Trekking throughout the Himalaya and through remote villages brings you face to face with harsh mountain living. We decided that we wouldn’t be able to operate as a responsible tour and trekking company without giving back to the communities we love so much.
Our Aims
Our main objective is to work in conjunction with local communities to further their development and to assist with infrastructure development, such as medical facilities and running water pumps and promote viable educational resources (such as the re-building of schools and training of teachers).
This objective has been ever so more important after the devastating effects of the earthquake that hit Nepal on the 25th April 2015. We hope that with your help, we will be able to achieve our goals. This is why for every set departure tour to Asia we sell, 1% of the trip price will be donated to our charity.
The Share the Load Foundation are also pleased to be supporting two schools:
The Mandali Primary School in the remote Nepalese village of Baluwa. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas and in the heart of the Ghorka region, Baluwa is off the beaten track, far from the classic tourist trail. It is also KP’s home village.
The Shree Krishna Primary School in the remote district of Shirkhabesi VDC, Nuwakot, Nepal. This school was completely destroyed in the earthquake. The Share the Load Foundation is funding its rebuild, which is commencing 6th December 2015. Please see our UPDATES section for more information.
Mandali School
The Mandali Primary School, which is the only school in the region, is also in serious need of a library, text books, calculators and the basic supplies needed for children to learn.
The Share the Load Foundation was originally started to distribute clothing, sunglasses and outdoor trekking equipment to our porters, their families and communities while trekking, after seeing first hand the conditions that they so often live in. This grassroots initiative has now expanded to include other deprived areas of Nepal and to not only provide clothing and trekking equipment, but also to assist in the educational development of school children.
How can you help?
Nepal Earthquake Fundraising
Since the catastrophic earthquake on April 25th we have been raising money in a number of ways, here are a few ways you can donate to our appeal:- Donate money using the donate button below or via BACS payment to Share the Load Foundation, Barclays bank, address 1-3 Parliament Street, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 8SE, England, account number: 40199664, sort code: 209956 IBAN: GB51BARC20995640199664 SWIFT: BARCGB22
- When you come one of our tours please bring any educational supplies, sporting equipment or old clothes with you. Or contact us to see how we can distribute items in Nepal for you.
- Plan a fundraiser or challenge event with proceeds going towards the Share the Load Foundation. Lost Earth Adventures can provide guidance, pledge sheets and promote your event through our social media channels. Please get in touch with us for more details.
What will we use the money for?
100% of your donation will go directly towards the relief effort in Nepal, reaching vulnerable and remote mountain villages (providing safe drinking water, food and shelter) as well as rebuilding the Shree Krishna Primary School. Time and costs for administration are covered by Lost Earth Adventures.
Photos
Click on the arrows below to take see some of our charity work and projects in Nepal.
Work In Progress
April 2012 - Ran a teeth cleaning program at the Mandali Primary School, donated books, pens, sporting equipment and class room materials.
November 2012 - Donated 100 jumpers to help the pupils get through the harsh winter. Took boxes of classroom equipment from our generous donors as well as kitting out 4 porters in high quality outdoor clothing.
January 2015 – we constructed a clean drinking water tank, ensuring that the villagers don’t have to go on a dangerous journey to collect their water.
April 2015 – On the 25th April 2015 an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 hit the Gorkha region in Nepal. The effects of this earthquake lasting only a few moments, has been devastating for a country we know and love so well. At the time of writing more than 8500 people have died. On the 12th May there was an aftershock of 7.3 which can only be described as an aftershock when in comparison to the first mammoth quake. The effects of these devastating earthquakes will be longstanding without external aid and support.
We matched client donations and sent £1300 to Nepal. Money was used to provide immediate relief to those affected close to the Langtang region, providing emergency food rations and temporary shelters.
June 2015 – Abseil for Nepal, Charity Fundraiser with Climber Jonny Dawes – In June we raised over £3000 towards rebuilding the Shree Krishna Primary School in Nepal. The one-day event saw us abseiling the height of Kathmandu (1500m) at Stanage Edge in the Peak District. The event was also supported by prolific climber, Jonny Dawes whom taught our supporters the fine art of climbing “no handed.”
December 2015 – Started delivering building materials to the Shree Krishna Primary School
We are now raising money for classroom equipment and school uniforms. If you'd like to help support this remote little school then donations are very welcome. Thank you.
Please visit the "How Can You Help" tab to find out the best way to help Nepal.
Video
Rebuilding Shree Krishna Primary School
Shree Krishna Primary School was completely destroyed and for 7 months, the 40 students and their teachers had been learning in temporary shelters, underneath tarpaulin and corrugated iron walls. This was not an ideal or long-term solution.
The Share the Load Foundation and Lost Earth Adventures worked with local NGO, Nepal Cyclists Ride to Rescue (NCRR), as part of their 7-Schools in 7-Weeks Campaign. NCRR is comprised of members from the Nepali Mountain Bike Team and were some of the first people to reach this area post-earthquake. We’ve been lucky to work with these guys for the past 6 years.
After meeting with the NCRR as well as residents, local leaders, and school principals, we learned that long-term relief in the area required the rebuilding of 1 secondary and 6 primary schools.
Construction began on the 7th December 2015 and was finished in April 2016. The project employed local tradesman, engineers and workers. For the most part we used materials sourced from the local area. The school is built to be structurally resistant to further earthquakes/tremors.
Why a School?
Nepali schools are an important part of advancing this developing nation because they provide kids with a safe place to pursue their education. When properly built with full cooperation from the local community, schools can also serve as community centers and safe houses from natural disasters.