Since 2006 Save the Children Australia and Inspired Adventures have hosted a trip to a destination which incorporates a visit to a Save the Children program. Participants fundraise to gain a place on the trip, with money raised going towards Save the Children programs.
Last October, 12 people took part in our trip to Nepal, which involved trekking through the stunning Himalayan mountains and helping to build a classroom in the small village of Bihun. Prior to the trip, participants raised an amazing $50,000 – a wonderful effort.
Sally Roberts, Partnerships Coordinator at Save the Children, led the group and she tells us of their experiences: “There were many steps as we trekked up and down the mountain, in and out of valleys, passing random motels and stopping for a cold drink at obscure ‘milk bars’ along the way. The trek was a visual feast – stunning snow capped mountains one day, lush rainforest the next and acres and acres of rice fields everywhere you looked. On reaching Bihun we were all brimming with excitement, waiting to get our hands dirty and build the classroom for the school. We had an amazing welcome – the whole town was out, playing musical instruments and blessing us with red powder tikkas (the dot or mark many wear on their forehead) and floral leis, reducing most of us to tears. We were overwhelmed at how happy and welcoming the villagers were. Our camp was set up outside the town’s temple, and we quickly got to work moving boulders into place to construct the walls of the school. It was tough work in the 30 degree heat, but we all loved it. The feeling of satisfaction at the end of each day was indescribable.
We struggled with the language although we did try hard to speak the few Nepalese words our Sherpas taught us. Our language struggles delighted the locals and reduced many to giggles. We were a novelty to the local children who would come over during lunch or after school in droves and stare at us in our campsite or as we worked! A few of us taught English lessons at the school, playing hangman with simple three letter English words and drawing pictures of Australian animals on the blackboard. Kylie and Min drew all our dangerous creatures, such as sharks and red back spiders, on the blackboard. We teased them afterwards saying the children will be too scared to visit Australia now!
After three days our time in the village came to an end and reluctantly we had to return home. We’d done lots of work – we estimate about a month’s work in three days! The local construction team will now continue the work and finish the school. There were a lot of tears as we left – we were so touched by how grateful the village was and how beautiful the Nepalese people are.”
“By participating in this adventure, I was not only fulfilling a personal dream of being able to reach out to those less fortunate than myself, but I hope I am also able to teach my daughter important values in life, such as thinking of others and finding ways that she can help.” – Amanda
The group certainly made an impact on the local community. “The village won’t just be talking about the group and what they have done for their community for a few weeks, they will be talking about it for generations,” said Akash Shrestha from Save the Children in Nepal.
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