Life in Sindhupalchok

"The name Sherpa does not mean mountaineer, guide or porter- it is simply the name of a race of people, Tibetan in origin, who inhabit the southern flank of the Himlayan range. They are good and bad, strong and weak, honest and dishonest like the rest of us. But few of those who visit them can remain indifferent to their loyalty, affection and charm, or unimpressed by their remarkable toughness and courage."

                                                                     -Sir Edmund Hillary, Schoolhouse in the Clouds  

   Sindhupalchok District is located just north of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, and stretches northward to that country's border with Tibet. Though only 45 miles from Kathmandu, the trip to Helambu requires a five hour bus ride and a ten hour trek. The region shares a long history of trade and cultural influence with Tibetans, and Tibetan Buddhism is widely practiced among the district's Sherpa, Yolmo, and Tamang populations. Sindhupalchok is a Himalayan district with spectacular opportunities for trekking, but also an isolated region whose scenic beauty translates into difficulty for its populations who live their lives without most modern comforts. The people in Sindhupalchok are largely subsistence farms, though there are also shepherds and laborers. Some of those who are lucky enough to have had some education earn a living as trekking guides. Helambu and Baruwa, where VEC operates, are in the northwest corner of the region.
http://www.un.org.np/maps/district-maps/central/Sindhupalchok.pdf

Education

   Education has become a priority for many in Nepali society, but the country has seen little in the way of job creation and is one of the least developed countries in the world. Many Nepalis now look to future generations to bring development and prosperity to their country, but nearly 60% of Nepalis plan to leave Nepal for temporary and often dangerous jobs in Malaysia and Middle Eastern countries.

    With the completion of Gangkharka village's first boarding school in April 2009, VEC has created what it hopes to be the central point of cultural preservation and economic development in Helambu. The education of nearly 90 children in both Kathmandu and Helambu is funded by VEC and its donors. Many of these children have lost parents or were left behind as their mothers and fathers left to find employment overseas. As a result, there is a critical gap in the passing on over language and tradition that must be overcome. By educating these students in Helambu, a vital step is taken toward the preservation of their culture, and many can find a new sense of family among their fellow students and other inhabitants of Helambu. 

Healthcare

   There is little access to quality healthcare in Helambu and Baruwa. There is a small medical clinic in Baruwa that is staffed by a doctor working for the Nepali government, but there is a drastic shortage of medical supplies. The trek from Gangkharka to Baruwa can be six hours by foot. With no roads or mechanized means of transportation, there is no hope for speedy response to a medical emergency. In early 2011, VEC will establish a medical clinic in the village of Yangri, two hours south of Gangkharka. Yangri is ideally situated as a central location between surrounding villages, and will cut down on the time it takes for medical assistance to meet a person in need.