For three days, 12 Colorado School of Mines students dug holes in Nepal that will hold septic tanks at the Chaurikharka school, work that officially kicked off the rebuild project of the school destroyed by last year's earthquake.
The Chaurikharka school is located in the Khumbu Valley, near the base of Mount Everest in the Himalayas. The area was one of the hardest hit from the April 25 earthquake, and the school is where local business owner and Goldenite Lhakpa Sherpa earned his high school diploma. The quake left the school in ruins --; students are still receiving their lessons in a temporary building without insulation.
The Mines students, who went as volunteers with Sherpa's nonprofit organization, Hike for Help, were in Nepal Dec. 26-Jan. 8. They dug holes, and, for the first time in the school's history, installed the Internet. The Mines students played volleyball and soccer with the Chaurikharka students and celebrated New Year's with the Nepalese people.
A highlight of the trip was presenting a $50,000 check to the school's management/Building Back Better committee. The check, Sherpa said, is thanks to the generosity of the people of Golden, who donated money through Hike for Help online or at Sherpa House. Also helping was Sherpa Brewery Pvt. Ltd, which partners with Golden City Brewery.
And it wasn't only funds that people wanted to give to Nepal.
After the earthquake, many brought clothing and hygiene products to the Sherpa House, Sherpa. So, the Mines students hiked for two days to deliver the items to the Dalit community of Sano Gumelav, which is north of the Chaurikharka school. At least 90 people, children to seniors, received blankets, clothes, toothpaste and brushes, school supplies and some other various hygiene products.
Although the Chaurikharka school has a long way to go--;Sherpa expects the project will take three years to complete--;the trip was a success. The Mines students instilled confidence in the project, Sherpa said.
"They got to put their hands on the project," he said. "All the volunteers made a big difference. (And) they brought back memories they will never forget."
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://goldentranscript.net/stories/Mines-students-start-rebuilding-Nepal-school,206378?branding=15
No comments:
Post a Comment