Bettering the lives of underprivileged kids in Nepal
During our summer, the 79th ANARE decided to pursue active change in the world and support Heaven Hill Academy in improving the lives of children living below the poverty line in Nepal. During the annual fundraiser, we raised $13,824 to fund the construction of two classrooms, a commercial kitchen, and a rooftop terrace at the Heaven Hill Academies' New Marigold Campus.
You may be asking, "What is the Heaven Hill Academy?" It’s a collection of four schools founded by the local lord and man of the people, Shamser Thapa. His dream? Start an inclusive, free school for all kids, where they can get a non-violent education. The result? Close to five hundred kids of the lowest caste are now getting a progressive education up to year ten, with the flow-on effect of eliminating child labour, marriages and domestic violence in these communities.
For myself, it’s been a change of pace. Sharing stories from my time spent living and running projects in these villages, to presenting a bi-weekly presentation to a bunch of well-mannered expeditioners, is not something I’d imagine happening during my time down south. I can’t thank everyone enough for standing side by side with me through the process.
This experience has gifted me is a whole lot of love and gratitude for all the people who stood behind Shamsers’ and my vision and trusted us to build a better future for the most deserving, dedicated and innocent children of New Marigold. Over the coming decades, thousands of kids will be nourished and have a safe learning environment thanks to the Davis 79th ANARE, and I think that’s something we can all be proud of!
Scotty Mallia
