Being home to the highest mountain in the world and the renowned Himalayas, Nepal is undoubtedly one of the best countries in the world for trekking. It’s stunning natural scenery, vibrant cultural heritage, ethnic diversity, unparalleled hospitality and warmth of the Nepali people make for a truly unique experience.
However, despite the fact that Nepal’s natural beauty draws hundreds of trekking tourists each year, countless rural villages just off the beaten trekking path sees little of the benefit. The Helambu and surrounding valleys where HELP operates is populated mostly by Hyolmo and Tamang ethnic minority communities who practice subsistence farming. Due to the difficult accessibility of these remote villages, government support is very limited even for the most basic facilities, especially access to quality education.
In view of this, HELP created the Teach and Trek scheme, where trekkers from abroad divide their time between volunteering at one of HELP’s partner schools and trekking. We realise that not everyone has enough time to do so, but still wants to contribute in a meaningful way when they come to Nepal to trek.
HELP organises treks with local, reliable, English-speaking guides and porters to tailor make your trek, significantly cheaper than using tourist orientated trekking agencies. Rather than charge a commission, fundraising trekkers donate 10% of the cost of the trek back to HELP. Arduous treks such as Everest Base Camp are also often used as fundraising campaigns. Fundraising Treks also create a source of livelihood for local guides and porters from the areas in which we work.
A group of 20 trekkers going to Everest Base Camp will collect enough funds:
• to build one classroom
• buy 1000 books
• provide 50 sets of desks and benches
• sponsor 100 students to buy text books and exercise books.
For more information on Fundraising Treks and the treks we offer, please contact HELP and take a look at the resources below.
