The Cheboche Area Trust Inc 

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Past Projects and Achievements of  the Trust


Educational Scholarships

Individuals and groups who have become aware of the Trust have chosen to finance the education of  students from the village who show an interest and educational potential. The Trusts facilitates the passage of funds for this purpose. If helping in this way appeals to you, please go to Donations and Fund Raising to find out how you can contribute. A great success story was the a $600 donation from Maidstone Intermediate who held a sponsored Mufti day with each student donating $1.00 after seeing a Child from the village wearing a Maidstone Intermediate Sweatshirt in a photo.

It is hoped that this lad might be the first university graduate from the village as he is topping his class at high school.

Hot Houses

A  project to provide the village hot houses was very successful. From these hothouses, some families are being provided with food that we in New Zealand take for granted such as tomatoes, cucumbers, chillies, capsicums ..... Previously foods like this would have had to be walked in from towns quite some distance away. Now the villagers can have fresh produce at their door. Look in our gallery to see picutures of the Hothouses and the produce being grown.


Rebuilding of the School

The Past School was in bad need of repair. The New School built in 2009 provided increased protection from the weather during the Monsoon rains which tend to flood the classrooms raising issues of safety and health. It has enabled the play ground space to be better utilised for ball games such as soccer and badminton, popular games commonly played for in school grounds. Classrooms were made bigger to better meet the students learning needs. It is now much warmer and lighter and is also used as a meeting facility for the people of Cheboche

Educational resources
English Nepali books/writing materials/educational toys/science materials/maths equipment have been provided by the many involved in the Trust at various times over the past years. Again the weight restrictions imposed when travelling by air place restraints on what can be carried although there are now suitable outlets in Kathmandu for purchasing educational materials.


Solar Power

Nepal’s geographical situation means it is daylight at approximately 6.30am and dark at approximately 6.30pm throughout the year. No daylight saving here!

Lighting  traditionally was in the form of a kerosene lamp for those who could afford the fuel or from the open fires built inside each house. The effects of inhaling kerosene fumes and smoke for many years greatly affects the health and life expectancy of all members of the family. Night time activity is also limited in the dim light. The installation of solar power units on each family home, the monastery and school has made a difference. The quality of the air inside homes is much improved as single light bulbs now provide lighting and a radio brings news of the outside world to this very isolated village. The Trust was fortunate to be able to take up the Nepalese government’s offer of financial subsidy for solar power installation. Any initiative which decreases the need for the use of precious resources as a raw material is being encouraged. The solar panels were flown to Lukla, then carried by foot for 2 – 3 days. They were attached to the roofs by the villagers with help from a specialist in solar power installation from the supply company in Kathmandu.

Contribution to English Teacher
English is of prime importance. Most villagers regard the speaking of English as the potential for further education and/or employment prospects in the many tourist activities well known in the Himalayan region.  The current English Language Teacher Mr Hasta Bhadur Rai has been at the school for 6 years now and has provided excellent stability to the teaching base. Education is generally conducted in the national language of Nepali, and all children learn their local language of Sherpa. With English this makes them tri-lingual a feat which is beyond most New Zealanders.

 Clothing Donations

Trust supporters have donated a range of quality clothing for the people of Cheboche Village. Items most valuable and sought after include polar fleeces, hats, gloves, wool garments and baby clothes. The Trust has investigated ways to successfully transport the clothing to Nepal and up to Cheboche Village without incurring huge transport costs and, meeting the customs allowances at Kathmandu. The only other way to cheaply provide clothing has been for a visitor to the village to wear 2 or 3 layers as they try to find a fast route through Kathmandu airport. Once the clothing is at the village it is sorted  and distributed.