Educating 100+Girls in College in Nepal Every Year

Dear All Friends, Namaste !

Here, we are sharing this Untold Story of how Trekking Porters, Guides and many other vulnerable family who lost their jobs from COVID-19 are affected in The Small World working communities in Solukhumbu, Everest area.

My name is Abi . I am 51 years old and I have been a trekking porter since I was 14 years old. I really have enjoyed being a porter, every season working with people from many countries and helping with their baggage to many mountain areas. I have done some very challenging treks, like Mera Peak base camp, many times to Everest base camp, the Rolwaling valley trek, and the Dolpa trek.

Since this is a seasonal job, I could not save money when I was working, but was able to take care of my family buying rice, sugar, salt, spices, and clothing for my wife and children and my children's education. During the trekking off season, I used to work in a firm with my family growing potatoes, wheat, and some vegetables and chicken to sustain the family.

I could never have imagined anything like this so called COVID-19 that has caused a very unpredictable time in my life. It has been completely over one year that I have not seen any tourists in the Everest region or any jobs for portering. It has been many months since we have even seen any dollars at all.

The most challenging situation right now is my children’s education. Their school re-opened two months ago but I couldn’t send my children due to the financial problem of paying school tuition fees and supplies. Every day, my children want to go to school; my wife is also suffering for a long time from high blood pressure and she has been taking medicine. So, I think probably, I can not send my children this year or until my job resumes. My son is only 6 years old and he is ok for not going to school. But my daughter Arati , 14 years old and in grade 6, is not able to understand our situation. She is very sad and misses her friends, every day crying as she watches them going to school without her. She has also tried to commit suicide. I have tried to find some loan within my communities, but with no luck, since everyone's stories are similar, and I don’t have collateral for a loan from a bank or financial institution.

A few days ago, I heard about The Small World and I came to meet with Karma and shared all my problems; I am praying for my children’s support to send them to school soon.

Everyday The Small World team is working in the filed how we can support children who can't return back to school without our support. Please, we need your support to reach our goal to continue keep children in school this year. for more information about the program visit here https://www.thesmallworld.org/ambassadors-for-education