Sano-Gomela Reconstruction

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Located on a hill above Phakding in the Solu-Khumbu (Everest) region of Nepal's Himalaya range, the Sano-Gomela school provides primary level education to the local children in the Phakding, Chuserma, Sano Gomela, Thulo Gomela, Ghat and Chermangding areas. The school was founded in 1978 by the Sir Edmund Hillary Foundation, also known as the Himalayan Trust, in response to community and outside interest in providing increased educational opportunity for the area's children.

The Himalayan Trust built and supplied the school with equipment and staff until the Nepalese government took over responsibility for the school in 1983. Presently, the Himalayan Trust provides teacher training in the region on an annual basis and provides limited supplies and teaching materials. The Nepali government however, does not supply funding for upkeep or improvements for the school and because it is not on the main trekking trail the school does not receive donations from foreign visitors like other schools. In the 22 years of operation the school had never been renovated and the desks, chairs, and classrooms were severely worn.

Compounding the problem was the increasingly overcrowded classrooms. In fall of 1998 the HEC began sending English teachers to the Sano-Gomela primary school through the Volunteer Nepal Himalaya TeachingProgram. At that time the school had only 60 students. As parents in the region learned of the HEC English program, many began to send their children there. The reputation of the school has spread, and enrollment is currently 114 students (nearly double the enrollment of the school two years ago); the school is now one of the largest elementary schools in the Solu-Khumbu district.

In response to the increased enrollment and troubled situation at the school, Pasang Sherpa, the coordinator of the Volunteer Nepal Himalaya TeachingProgram, began a capital campaign to renovate and expand the school. Thus far, the HEC has added several new classrooms and a library to the school, which has not only enabled more students to comfortably attend but has also allowed the Sano-Gomela school to offer instruction through grades 6 and 7. Previously, if students wanted to continue beyond grade 5, they had to walk 2 hours to reach the nearest school. Now that students are able to continue their studies locally, the community has seen a decrease in the drop out rate. The school has helped maintain the integrity of nuclear families and their traditions by keeping children in their communities. Increased local educational opportunities have helped to increase the probability that more students will at least begin secondary school. More students will then receive their School Leaving Certificate (the equivalent of high school graduation in the U.S.), which will enable students to find substantially better jobs.

In addition to the renovation of the Sano Gomela school, HEC has been able to extend the Volunteer Nepal Himalaya TeachingProgram so that it runs throughout the year and the school has also been furnished with new desks, chairs and learning materials for the school.

If you are interested in making a donation to the Sano-Gomela School Renovation Project or learning more about volunteering and teaching opportunities at the Sano-Gomela school, please contact us at info@mountainexplorers.org