As I sat in the dark, damp room, I heard chattering voices and the shuffle of paper all around me. I looked up to watch as razor blades were exchanged for rulers and a tub of glue was being passed around with a toothbrush in it for putting the glue on the paper’s seams.

The five Nepalese women I was working with were busily creasing, gluing and cutting their lokta paper. In a few short hours they had quickly picked up the ability to make several sizes of paper bags. As I taught them where to measure, cut and glue the paper, they followed along with me. Although I was the one who showed them how to make the bags, my output was steadily falling behind the number of bags that they were creating with their dexterous fingers and sharp eyes.

My name is Jessica and I am a senior high school student living in Singapore. For the past two years my family and I have gone to Nangi, Nepal, for a few weeks over the summer. The first year we went, we installed two solar water heaters so that the village can raise money for their school by charging hikers for taking showers when they trek through and stay at the new campground. Then this past summer, we helped to install a solar electric panel and battery system for the village’s new medical clinic. The clinic has medical and dental equipment , as well as a computer that has been set up to video conference with larger medical facilities. Since electricity in Nangi is not always reliable, having this source of energy will ensure that the clinic has a steady supply of electricity. Now Lila, Rupa, and Chitra will have the electricity that they need to take care of any illness or injury, no matter the circumstances.

Also this past year, as a more personal project, I taught several of the women in Nangi to make paper bags out of the lokta paper that they produce in the village. During our first trip in 2010, we noticed that the women made lots of beautiful paper, but, other than small journal books, there did not seem to be any other finished products to sell. At our home in Singapore, my mother and I sat and brainstormed ways to make their craftwork more easily sellable. One of our first ideas was to make paper bags. I figured out how to put a paper bag together from a piece of paper we had bought while in Nangi the previous summer, and after looking at the finished product, we knew that we had found just what we were looking for.

Over the summer, the women from Nangi and I made over 500 bags, which my family and I are now selling. We are selling them at the Singapore American School, where my siblings and I go to school. We are also looking into selling them on ebay. If anyone is interested in buying these bags (they would be great for holiday and birthday gifts!), please email me at scubadivingrl@yahoo.com. We intend to donate all of the money we raise to the school in Nangi.

by Timothy and Stephanie

After a week of travel and sight seeing in Pokhara and Kathmandu, while worrying about a banda (strike), we arrived in Nangi. We had been planning this trip for a year and a half, planning to arrive one year ago. Our trip was put off due to political unrest.

Our projects for the next three weeks were simple and straight forward. Steph, a teacher, had brought tools to help the local teachers to better teach English Language skills. Tim, a physician, also brought teaching tools to review basic anatomy, physiology, and physical diagnosis with the health care workers in the village. It was most enjoyable to interact with Lila and Rupa, Nangi’s Health Care Workers. Steph totally enjoyed her work and interactions with the teachers at the school. She fell in love with the children and came away with great admiration for the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the staff. From our perspective the projects went well. W certainly learned a great deal and hope that we were able to impart some knowledge as well.

Our spare time was spent exploring the area, especially the Sacred Forest, which was introduced to us by our guide and go to person Chitra. Day hikes, a weekend to Mohare, and attending local celebrations added to the fun we experienced in Nangi.

But most of all we enjoyed meeting and interacting with the people of Nangi. In addition to Lila and Rupa, we thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated all that Hectumari, Ganga, Krishna, Chitra, Kishan, the paper ladies, the mushroom ladies, Moti and the nursery, and so many more faces for whom we cannot attach names, did to help make this a truly extraordinary experience.
The beautiful smiles from the children and the countless greetings
of “Namaste” will stay with us forever. Nangi has done remarkable jobs with the mushroom house, the paper making project, the nursery, the fishery, the cross-breeding project and connecting so many of its people with the outside world through the internet project. The cleanliness and organization of the village was far superior to that of other villages we visited. This, in no small part, was aided by containing the domestic animals and having in place a system for collecting and disposing of trash.

Both of us left Nangi with much gratitude to Himanchal Education Foundation for affording us this amazing life experience. Only our active personal and professional lives in the US keep us from spending more time there. We look forward to the possibility of rekindling our acquaintances in the future.

For those people considering a volunteer project in Nangi, we heartily encourage you to do so. Your project should, as ours, be simple, straightforward and aligned with the goals and vision of the village. Prior experience in a resource poor environment would be of much help in understanding they rhythms of the village life.

Nangi, Nepal: September 7, 2011: Author: Chitra Pun

The Dhaulagiri Technical School in Lete is spending three months in Nangi training 20 unskilled workers to be the new chefs in lodges along the Parbat/Khopra trails.  There are two chefs Mr. Khadka Subba and Mr. Prasanta Gauchan and Mr. Amar G.C. is an English teacher.

The credit for this training goes to Mr Raman Pun, Headteacher at the Himanchal Secondary School, because he
successfully brought it to Nangi village. We were very stressed because we had to conduct a training before this fall season but we are happy that we could do it in time.

Dhaulagiri Technical School (DTS) is conducted under Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training of Nepal Government. Financial support for this training is by Asian Development Bank (ADB) through Skill for Employment Project (SEP).

Students will be taught to make local dishes from local food, along with continental dishes; their training includes theory and practical training. The students will take their new skills back to their home villages: two from Banskharka and Dandakateri, four from Nangi, one each from Dandkharka, Tikot, Khibang, Dhankharka, Khopra Danda, Pauduwar, Ramche, and five from Kaphaldanda village.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE NEW CHEFS!

What does an Israeli Internet entrepreneur have in common with an Education student from England or an American photographer have in common with a Spanish sociologist? They were all 2011 volunteers with Himanchal Education Foundation.

Volunteers from America to Singapore spent anywhere from two weeks to four months giving their time and expertise to HEF’s network of projects. The individual projects included teaching at the school such diverse topics as English, rugby and dodge ball sports, photography, drama, flute music, writing, computer science and website building.

In addition; Miguel, from Spain, researched and helped development a business plan for the new trekking enterprise; Colin, from England, was able to conduct required university research examining how cultural changes impact the local Shamans, who are spiritual healers and advisers; a family of six from Singapore built a solar electric system for the new medical and dental clinics.

Mark, a university student from England, had this to say about his experience:

“I set out with the intention of teaching a UK sport, Rugby, to the Nepali children to introduce them to a not so world widely known sport and also the sport encourages teamwork and healthy lifestyle so I thought I would try to implement this as a fun and healthy change for the children… I had to write up a report of my findings and ended up writing about whether gender inequalities still existed in Nepali culture, with regards to education.”

He summed up the sentiments of many former volunteers:

“Everyone is so kind, welcoming and funny and are so eager to help you learn their customs as well as ask us about ours.”

He also offered a few words of advice and encouragement:

“My advice to other volunteers would be to make sure you have a clear objective of what you want to achieve before you get out there and also to have a few sips of Dutch courage before getting on the jeep to go to Nangi from Beni!”

HEF welcomes volunteers with a diversity of skills. The only requirement is to be 21 years of age or have at least two years of college or university studies completed. Contact Dr. Leonard Skov skovl@unk.edu for an application or Dr. Debra Stoner debra@himanchal.org for more information.

Mahabir Pun and the Himanchal Educational Foundation wants to extend a big THANK YOU to RANKS team (Rohit, Anurakta, Netra, Karma and Sunil) who raised $1,060 for HEF running the Colorado Marathon on Sunday May 1st. — Great job!!

Any money donated to the Himanchal Educational Foundation goes directly to Nepal to support the projects initiated by Mahabir Pun.  Mahabir has accomplished so much in a short period of time including installing wireless internet connections in many villages in the Myagdi District, allowing students and families to use the internet for educational purposes, and  medical staff to consult with far away specialists.

At present HEF is supporting various income producing projects that have been highlighted previously.  The idea of these projects is that HEF will train and support the project at the beginning and then after the initial success, the project support itself. 

If you want to help match the $1060 raised by RANKS, please make an on-line donation today.

If you want to see all of the pictures from the race, visit our facebook page or type in the following url:  http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.212562258762795.59194.204085609610460

Five kindred Nepali spirits – Rohit, Anurakta, Netra, Karma, and Sunil (RANKS for short) are running the Colorado Marathon on May 1st, 2011 in Fort Collins, CO, and better yet – they are dedicating their marathon run to raise funds for Himanchal Education Foundation and support Mahabir Pun.

We would greatly appreciate your pledging your support for their marathon by contributing here – http://www.himanchal.org/contribute/

Also – become their Facebook fan and follow their progress to the big race day

We just want to update you on the new trekking routes in and around Nangi, Nepal.

Work on the lodges continues and by the Fall trekking season we should be open and ready for business. Check out the progress we are making. Let’s start our virtual trek in Nangi.

Cloudless day in Nangi.

As you can see, the interior still needs some work.

                                                                                                                               So let’s walk up to Mohare and see what is happening at that site.  The climb from Nangi to Mohare intially goes past many incredible, old shrines topping a small ridge close to the village.  As you walk through the Enchanted Forest’s tall and lust rhododendrons,  you feel magically transported to another world.  After about two hours you get to the ridge walk, where you can see the Pokhara area on one side  and the Kali Ghandaki valley on the other.

Mohare Interior

And a few additional pictures from other lodges along the route for your enjoyment.

Ready and Waiting for Trekkers!

The new Nangi Trekking Lodge is almost done – just in time for the spring tourist season.  All of the villagers have been working diligently to get this completed. And a big thank you to Chitra Pun for all the work he has done with the trekking program in general.  

At present Chitra is learning how to become a trekking guide.

Chitra presenting information to trekking guides

As you can see this program is being presented to many interested in making the new Nangi Treks the best possible!

Trekking Guide Class

Nangi Lodge

 WOW – we are all so excited about the new treks!  Above is a picture of the almost completed Nangi Trekking Lodge which includes such wonderful amenities as a hot shower, hill-top southern exposure, a museum, and just a few minutes up the trail incredible historic worship sites.  If you have time, a quick trip to the enchanted forest will surprise and delight! 

Also, we are pleased that Chitra Pun, who has taken a huge role in assuring that lodges get build & managers get trained, is presently taking a 140 hour class on trekking.   Thanks Chitra for all that you do to assure that our trekking routes as as good as they can be.

Many of the trekking lodges were build with support from the villagers, community, schools, and external funding.   We also were pleased when a US donor stepped forward to provide the funding for finishing the  inside of the Nangi Lodge – pillows, beds, bathrooms, etc.  Thanks to all who have made this project successful. If you want to help, we will need the interior of Mohare Lodge furnished & up front money to purchase staples.

Below is a picture of the newly completed Mohare Lodge.  Hope you can join us!

Cross Breeding Project Update!

It took two days for Chitra Pun and his fellow herdsmen to bring the newly purchased local cows and their babies to Mohare from Narchang – that is an elevation gain of over 5,000 feet from the KaliGhandaki River to Mohare Ridge. 

Cows Trekking to Mohare

Cross Bred Animals with a Yak