Fifty-five girls and eight teachers should be boarding a flight from Adelaide to Kathmandu, embarking on a journey of a lifetime in early April.

While this is not possible, it is still very important to us that the Wilderness community stays in touch and continues to support our friends in Nepal. Perhaps even more so now, given the significant effect COVID-19 has had on the communities of Junbesi and Bhadaure. The collapse in tourism and trekking has become an economic disaster for its people.

Despite these challenging times, Wilderness School students are still involved in supporting these communities through fundraising and the ‘Sew Nepal’ project.

It has been great to see the girls at the Wilderness Bhadure Boarding House back at school, and we are continuing to support them and encourage them in their endeavours.

Priyankar Pariyar has completed Year 12 and is now teaching at another small school in her village. She is keen to go to university, and Danielle Kemp and Amelie-Rose are determined to see her have this opportunity.

There are currently 31 girls in Years 10, 11 and 12 at Bhadure who are continuing their education with financial support from members of the Wilderness community. Each were recently presented with their scholarship by Mr Ang Tshering Sherpa, the WIN Ltd Nepal In-Country Representative. We are so grateful for the Wilderness community’s ongoing support and can’t wait to see students continue to flourish.