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Ghunsa School and Health Clinic
The construction of a school and health clinic in 1990 in the village of Ghunsa was the start of the
Kangchenjunga School Project. By raising money from slides shows and lectures conducted
over three continents, generous donations from family and friends, plus the support of a
number organizations sympathetic to the plight of the rural poor in Nepal, KSP was
able to construct a nine-room school and outfitt a medical clinic. A local village Buddhist
monk was also trained to function as a "barefoot doctor" by providing basic health care services
to other residents. [ more.. ]
Folay School and Health Clinic
Following the success of the first school and clinic in Ghunsa, a second school and
health clinic was constructed in 1994 in the village of Folay, a Tibetan refugee
settlement an hour’s walk from the first school.
The Folay School is for Tibetan children in exile, to ensure that their exile in Nepal
did not mean total alienation from Tibetan culture and education. With financial assistance
from The Tibet Fund and once again, the
American Himalayan Foundation, the construction
of an eight room school house, health clinic and out-houses were completed.
[ more.. ]
High Altitude Tree Planting
In contrast to the deforestation that exists throughout most of Nepal, the Kangchenjunga valley contains
impressive forests of juniper, oak, rhododendron and birch, containing a rich biodiversity that is essential
habitat for the protection and promotion of rare and endangered species. However, this once pristine area
is facing a number of threats to its preservation. Threats include the use of trees for
firewood, slash and burn agriculture, as well as unsustainable pundering of forests for medicinal herbs.
Since 1992 , the Kangchenjunga School Project has incorporated tree planting and environmental
education programs into most of their trips to the Kangchenjunga region.
The method is simple, but tediously slow and labor intensive. [ more.. ]
HIV Screening and Education
Although the Taplejung District lies in geographic isolation, it does not necessarily
follow that this same population lives in physical isolation, and is therefore
safe from the spread of HIV/AIDS. In fact, the presence of a large border patrol
of police and the constant trickle of traders together with other
groups whose home is days or even weeks away creates a large "at risk" floating male population.
In 1994-95 a district wide HIV screening was performed, in conjunction with an AIDS
PREVENTION and AWARENESS educational program. A complete demographic survey
was taken and blood samples were collected and tested to determine the prevalence of HIV
in the Taplejung district. [ more.. ]
Water & Power Systems
Although a group of British climbers initially installed a water system in Ghunsa in the 1970s, by the 1990s,
the system needed upgrading, with further subdivisions, plus improvements to the water storage tank.
A solar shower was also installed for use in the Ghunsa school, with the primary purpose
to promote cleanliness amongst the villagers by making personal hygiene a more attractive
proposition than washing in close to freezing water temperatures.
In April 1997 a group of volunteers traveled to Folay and Ghunsa, laden with solar panels and a portable
wind electrical generation system. The solar panels and wind generators were installed on
the roofs of both schools, in order to provide lighting and electricity for the
teachers' offices and the health clinic during the sunless monsoon months. [
more.. ]
| Home | Past Projects: - Overview - Ghunsa - Folay - Reforestation - HIV - Water & Power | Current Projects | |
