Author: Ron Konecny (Ron Konecny)

I put down the phone after the BOD meeting in December and laid my head on the table. Three board members; Jane Sabin-Davis, Jiwan Giri and Sandeep Giri had just resigned…board members who brought clear insights, experienced guidance and passion to HEF . This was a large bitter pill to swallow along with the fear that we were partially crippled by the loss of these dedicated and talented individuals. Why did they resign? Each had their own reasons. Change was on the horizon and HEF could either keep it’s head down or embrace new opportunity. All organizations go through change…it...

As I sat in the dark, damp room, I heard chattering voices and the shuffle of paper all around me. I looked up to watch as razor blades were exchanged for rulers and a tub of glue was being passed around with a toothbrush in it for putting the glue on the paper’s seams. The five Nepalese women I was working with were busily creasing, gluing and cutting their lokta paper. In a few short hours they had quickly picked up the ability to make several sizes of paper bags. As I taught them where to measure, cut and glue...

by Timothy and Stephanie After a week of travel and sight seeing in Pokhara and Kathmandu, while worrying about a banda (strike), we arrived in Nangi. We had been planning this trip for a year and a half, planning to arrive one year ago. Our trip was put off due to political unrest. Our projects for the next three weeks were simple and straight forward. Steph, a teacher, had brought tools to help the local teachers to better teach English Language skills. Tim, a physician, also brought teaching tools to review basic anatomy, physiology, and physical diagnosis with the health...

Nangi, Nepal: September 7, 2011: Author: Chitra Pun The Dhaulagiri Technical School in Lete is spending three months in Nangi training 20 unskilled workers to be the new chefs in lodges along the Parbat/Khopra trails.  There are two chefs Mr. Khadka Subba and Mr. Prasanta Gauchan and Mr. Amar G.C. is an English teacher. The credit for this training goes to Mr Raman Pun, Headteacher at the Himanchal Secondary School, because he successfully brought it to Nangi village. We were very stressed because we had to conduct a training before this fall season but we are happy that we could...

What does an Israeli Internet entrepreneur have in common with an Education student from England or an American photographer have in common with a Spanish sociologist? They were all 2011 volunteers with Himanchal Education Foundation. Volunteers from America to Singapore spent anywhere from two weeks to four months giving their time and expertise to HEF’s network of projects. The individual projects included teaching at the school such diverse topics as English, rugby and dodge ball sports, photography, drama, flute music, writing, computer science and website building. In addition; Miguel, from Spain, researched and helped development a business plan for the...

Mahabir Pun and the Himanchal Educational Foundation wants to extend a big THANK YOU to RANKS team (Rohit, Anurakta, Netra, Karma and Sunil) who raised $1,060 for HEF running the Colorado Marathon on Sunday May 1st. — Great job!! Any money donated to the Himanchal Educational Foundation goes directly to Nepal to support the projects initiated by Mahabir Pun.  Mahabir has accomplished so much in a short period of time including installing wireless internet connections in many villages in the Myagdi District, allowing students and families to use the internet for educational purposes, and  medical staff to consult with far away specialists. At present HEF is supporting...

We just want to update you on the new trekking routes in and around Nangi, Nepal. Work on the lodges continues and by the Fall trekking season we should be open and ready for business. Check out the progress we are making. Let’s start our virtual trek in Nangi.                                                                                                                                So let’s walk up to Mohare and see what is happening at that site.  The climb from Nangi to Mohare intially goes past many incredible, old shrines topping a small ridge close to the village.  As you walk through the Enchanted Forest’s tall and lust rhododendrons,  you feel magically transported...

The new Nangi Trekking Lodge is almost done – just in time for the spring tourist season.  All of the villagers have been working diligently to get this completed. And a big thank you to Chitra Pun for all the work he has done with the trekking program in general.   At present Chitra is learning how to become a trekking guide. As you can see this program is being presented to many interested in making the new Nangi Treks the best possible!

 WOW – we are all so excited about the new treks!  Above is a picture of the almost completed Nangi Trekking Lodge which includes such wonderful amenities as a hot shower, hill-top southern exposure, a museum, and just a few minutes up the trail incredible historic worship sites.  If you have time, a quick trip to the enchanted forest will surprise and delight!  Also, we are pleased that Chitra Pun, who has taken a huge role in assuring that lodges get build & managers get trained, is presently taking a 140 hour class on trekking.   Thanks Chitra for all that...

Cross Breeding Project Update! It took two days for Chitra Pun and his fellow herdsmen to bring the newly purchased local cows and their babies to Mohare from Narchang – that is an elevation gain of over 5,000 feet from the KaliGhandaki River to Mohare Ridge.  Since our last post, it was decided by Nangi villagers and the school to purchase 30 cows and their babies for the Cross Breeding Project, instead of the original 15.  We are so pleased that a generous donor has sent the Himanchal Educational Foundation money for purchase of 1/2 of  these cows — a huge thank you...