Trailwalker team funds rebuild of rural Nepali school

Students at Shree Siddheshwor Basic School now have a safe place to learn, thanks to funds raised by the Platinum Jubilee Trailwalker team. The primary school provides an education to a poor and marginalised community in the Gandaki Province. It takes two hours by vehicle to reach the school from our headquarters in Pokhara.

Learning in poor conditions

Shree Siddheshwor was severely impacted by the devastating earthquakes of 2015. With only 28 students and very limited resources, the school had no funding available to make repairs. For years students had to study in dark and dilapidated classrooms. The stone walls were crumbling away, and the roofs were in a poor state with rotting timbers, constantly leaking when it rained.

“Before [construction], the school was in very bad condition,” said Putalidevi Nepali, one of Shree Siddheshwor’s schoolteachers. “During monsoon season, the roof used to make noise and it felt like it could come off anytime. We sometimes used to go up the roof and put stones and logs on it so that the wind wouldn’t blow it away. It was very scary for us when it was windy and rainy.”

The GWT intervenes

Over the course of several months, our team constructed a sturdy, earthquake-resilient building with three spacious and bright classrooms. We were pleased to hand over the school to the principal and teachers on 17 July.

“The new building is very good,” said Putalidevi. “The construction and finish is very well done…the students will have a good and clean environment in which to study. It will also help students take interest in their studies.

“I would like to thank [the GWT] and the donors from the bottom of my heart. None of this would have been possible without your help and support. Before, there was always the fear of our school building falling, water leaking, and wind blowing inside the classroom. Now we will no longer have to face that, and can focus fully on teaching and helping the students get better. I hope you will help us in the future wherever possible and you will have our full support. Thank you very much.”

Keshav Poudel, the school’s principal, is equally thrilled with the results. “I had doubts before the project started but the GWT proved me wrong by building such a wonderful project,” he said. “There are no words to describe such a wonderful organisation like yours.”

Anuska Nepali, who studies in grade three at Shree Siddheshwor, is eager to attend her new school. She told us her favourite subject is science, and that she and her classmates look forward to studying in their new rooms. “We like the doors, windows, and the classrooms,” she said. “Water used to leak from the previous building but not anymore. Thank you to the donors. We will study hard.”

Trailwalker team changes lives

Trailwalker is the ultimate endurance challenge, where teams of four trek 100km across the South Downs and aim to complete the course in under 30 hours. The event raises vital funds for The Gurkha Welfare Trust.

The Platinum Jubilee Trailwalker team raised an incredible £18,000 to fund Shree Siddheshwor’s school project and another school build in the village of Bangephadke. The team of four – Piers Lawson, Dillikumar Rai, Ed Flanagan and Heather Hitchins –  completed the challenge last year in under 24 hours.

The Platinum Jubilee Trailwalker team completed the course last year in under 24 hours.

“I am so delighted that funds raised by the GWT team have funded the refurbishment of Siddeshwor Basic School, in a remote and mountainous area of Nepal,” said Heather Hitchins. “What a transformation! Dangerous and damaged buildings have been replaced with bright and airy new classrooms. You only have to look at the children’s faces to see how happy they are. Trailwalker was a massive challenge for me and I am so proud of what we have achieved. A HUGE dhanyabad (thank you) to everyone who supported our team.”

Become Trailwalker Strong

If you are inspired by the Platinum Jubilee Team’s efforts and would like to make a difference in the lives of Gurkha veterans, their widows, and communities in Nepal, why not sign up for Trailwalker 2023? With a team of four, put your mind, body, and camaraderie to the test. Following the historic paths of the South Downs Way over rolling chalk hills and past stunning sea views, you’ll cover 100km through some of the most beautiful countryside in England.

Sign up for Trailwalker