Himalayan Life exists to enhance the lives of children in the Himalayas. Our most recent project is in Yangri, Nepal. After an earthquake ravaged the remote Yangri Valley in 2015, the local school was destroyed and never rebuilt. That same year, Himalayan Life helped rebuild the community, equipping local residents with a new school and hostel. This new school, the Yangri Academic Centre (YAC), provides a stimulating learning environment while meeting the holistic needs of each student.

Due to the remoteness and socio-economic challenges of this area, children have limited opportunities. In addition, many of the students also experience various developmental and learning disabilities. While some thrive in the classroom environment, others have additional barriers. To address this need, we would like to extend YAC, providing an Outdoor Centre that serves a wider variety of learning styles and to provide critical support to more tactile learners, allowing participatory education for children of all abilities.

Build an 1800 sq.ft, two-story, multi-purpose building as the Yangri Outdoor Centre (Centre) in Yangri, Nepal by July 2020. The building will be engineered to Canadian seismic standards and will include interpretive classrooms, kitchen and dining area, equipment storage, and washrooms. A nearby meadow will be developed as a camping area and it will also be the location for a low ropes course. Yangri Outdoor Centre will cater to students from grades three through seven, with a long-term vision of serving grades three through ten.

Develop experiential programming beginning in September 2020 for over 700 student visits each year. The Centre will be embedded in the local Sherpa village of Gankharka. Through this program, local staff will teach visiting students about the indigenous Sherpa culture and local flora and fauna. In addition, they will provide outdoor adventure training and facilitate team-building through hands-on, educational exercises. Furthermore, this programming will give staff a framework for developing more participatory and inclusive learning for children with varying abilities.

Beginning in 2020, the Centre will establish a Leaders in Training (LIT) program. LIT will equip 88 Grade six and seven students with vital leadership skills, giving them hands-on opportunities to teach and lead activities for younger students.

Beginning in 2021, develop an ecotourism program linked to the Centre to provide earned revenue to fund the operations. The Centre will serve as an ecotourism centre and trekking base for various visitors of the valley. Participants will experience similar teaching received by the students and act as a hub for local trekking adventures. From here, groups will have the chance to ascend the stunning Yangri Peak, which is over 12,000 ft. This initiative will engage Himalayan Life donors, curious visitors and other interested groups, providing a steady income to help make the Centre self-sustaining.

Measurable Outcomes:

1. Build an 1800 sq.ft, two-story, multi-purpose building as the Yangri Outdoor Centre (Centre) in Yangri, Nepal by July 2020 as an extension of the Yangri Academic Centre.
2. Develop experiential programming beginning in September 2020 for over 700 student visits to the Centre each year.
3. Beginning in 2021, develop an ecotourism program linked to the Centre to provide earned revenue to fund the operations.

 

*Content provided by HimalayanLife