DONATE NOW:

NEEF is a registered 501(c)3 in the USA. EIN 46-5760893

NEEF is a also registered Canadian charity.  Registration number 100910-5

All donations are tax deductible in the United States and Canada.

NEEF: Advancing Education and Creating Brighter Futures 

for Children in Mahakulung, Southern Everest

Author: Dilip Singh Kulung

Everest Mera Foundation, Chheskam, Mahakulung, Nepal

NEEF Project 2026: Keeping 650 Children Warm This Winter

The Nepal English Education Foundation (NEEF) is excited to present the following project for your consideration.

November 2026: NEEF will provide warm clothing, shoes, and socks to 650 children at Sagarmatha Secondary School in Bung, Mahakulung, Solukhumbu, Nepal.

The cost is $18.50 per student, for a total project cost of $12,000.

At their own expense, Dr. Ken and Marlene Ladouceur and Anne Kruse will travel to Solukhumbu, on the southern slopes of Mount Everest, to oversee the project and ensure our donors that the work described here is actually taking place on the ground.  This is a commitment NEEF has maintained since its founding more than 11 years ago.  All NEEF administration expenses are covered by Ken and Marlene. Every dollar donated goes directly toward helping children.

From Cowherd to Student: My Academic Journey

I began my formal education at the age of 13 after spending my early childhood working as a cowherd with my grandfather in remote alpine forests.

Seeing boys my age going to school made me ask myself:

“Why are they learning while I am looking after cattle?”

That question changed my life.

Despite my parents’ hesitation, I persisted and was eventually enrolled in Grade 1. I completed Classes 1–7 in my village and then walked for days to Lukla to continue my education.

To support myself, I worked for three years as a trekking porter, sometimes carrying loads of up to 90 kilograms to pay for my hostel, food, and education.

In 2004, I moved to Kathmandu and continued studying through a difficult period of political conflict. Through determination and perseverance, I completed an Intermediate-level English programme, a diploma in Social Science, and a Master’s degree in Applied Buddhism.

My journey from a young cowherd to a university graduate taught me something I have never forgotten:

Education opens doors, builds confidence, creates opportunities, and empowers us to open those doors for others.

Mahakulung: A Home of Everest Tourism Porters

Located on the southern slopes of Mount Everest, Mahakulung is a remote and culturally rich homeland of the Indigenous Kulung people, as well as Sherpa, Dalit, and other communities.

Despite its proximity to one of the world's most famous tourism destinations, many villages continue to face limited access to education, healthcare, transportation, infrastructure, and economic opportunities.

Everest tourism is one of the main sources of employment and income for people from Mahakulung. During trekking seasons, many local residents travel to the Everest region to work as porters, guides, cooks, kitchen staff, and other tourism workers.

For many families, tourism is not simply a career choice—it is a necessity for survival.

Sadly, some children, particularly those around 12 or 13 years old and older, have also left school to work as porters and help support their families.

Young and inexperienced workers can face low wages, exploitation, excessive workloads, unsafe conditions, and serious altitude-related health risks. Tragically, some porters have even lost their lives while supporting the tourism industry.

Mahakulung therefore represents a striking paradox: a community that helps sustain Everest tourism while many of its people remain economically vulnerable and educationally disadvantaged.

Greater investment in education, child protection, fair wages, healthcare, porter safety, skills development, and sustainable livelihoods is essential.

Seeing My Community Through Different Eyes

My work and travels through the mountains exposed me to the difficult circumstances faced by many people from my community, particularly in Mahakulung.

I saw people working as domestic workers, dung and firewood collectors, grass cutters, plumbers, masons, construction workers, kitchen assistants, trekking porters, assistant guides, and mountain expedition workers.

Many worked extremely hard in demanding and sometimes dangerous conditions. Yet limited access to education left them with few opportunities to improve their lives.

What affected me most was seeing children and young people from Mahakulung leave school prematurely.

Many completed only Class 5, 6, 7, or 8 before leaving their classrooms to search for work in the mountains.

Children who should have been sitting in classrooms were instead carrying heavy loads in the mountains.

They were not leaving school because they lacked intelligence, dreams, or ambition.

They were leaving because they lacked opportunities.

I began asking myself:

“Why are our people being exploited? Why do they have so few opportunities to improve their lives?”

These experiences helped me understand the powerful connection between education, poverty, employment, and opportunity.

Reconnecting During the COVID-19 Pandemic

During COVID-19, I lost my job when tourism came to a standstill. I became deeply concerned about how I would continue paying for the education of the young boy I had rescued from a mountain village in early 2018.

Suddenly, I remembered the North American couple I had met in Lumbini in 2014.

I thought:

“Perhaps, if I ask them, they may be willing to help him.”

I felt shy and hesitant, but I gathered the courage to contact them and explain the situation.

To my great surprise and happiness, they immediately responded positively and agreed to support the child’s education.

I was deeply moved and immensely grateful.

At that moment, I realised that although we had been out of contact for years, the kindness and human connection created during our meeting in 2014 had never disappeared.

That reconnection became the beginning of something much larger.

The Beginning of a Wider Educational Partnership

In 2020,  Dr. Ken and Marlene asked me and my charity organisation, Everest Mera Foundation (EMF), a simple but life-changing question:

“Can we help the schools in your village?”

I was astonished.

At the time, I had been actively looking for generous individuals and organisations willing to support education in my community. Their offer came at a moment when I needed it most.

I already knew about NEEF’s work supporting Sotang School. I had seen how comprehensively the organisation was supporting the school, including English-medium education, teacher salaries, school buildings, modern classrooms, school supplies, and stationery.

Knowing the scale of their commitment, I had never imagined that their support would eventually reach my own village and community.

That moment marked the beginning of a meaningful educational partnership involving the Everest Mera Foundation, the Nepal English Education Foundation, and generous donors and supporters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere.

Six Years of Educational Support: 2020–2026

From 2020 to 2026, this partnership has supported more than 12 schools across Mahakulung, including secondary, lower-secondary, and basic-level schools.

Support has been directed particularly toward students from poor and disadvantaged families, including orphaned and vulnerable children who might otherwise struggle to remain in school.

Schools that have benefited include:

• Janashuddhar Basic School

• Chheskam Secondary School

• Chomolungma Basic School

• Kheroule Basic School

• Sahid Smriti Basic School

• Gudel Secondary School

• Pattale Basic School

• Himchuli Basic School

• Ratna Pragati Senior School

• Mahakulung Basic School

And other schools across the region

Several schools have received support on multiple occasions as new needs have emerged.

The assistance has covered a wide range of practical educational needs, including:

• Warm winter jackets and tracksuits

• Shoes and socks

• School uniforms

• Pens, pencils, geometry boxes, and other stationery

• Sports equipment, including footballs, volleyballs, badminton sets, and skipping ropes

• Hygiene and sanitation supplies

• Science laboratory equipment

• Teaching and learning materials

Other essential educational resources

We have also supported hundreds of orphaned and disadvantaged children through scholarships and educational assistance, including clothing, footwear, uniforms, stationery, and other essential supplies.

The purpose has always been straightforward:

To help vulnerable children remain in school and continue building a better future.

To date, nearly 5,000 students and their families across the southern slopes of Everest and the Mahakulung mountain communities have benefited from the remarkable collaborative support of NEEF, Everest Mera Foundation, and other generous donors.

But this is not merely a statistic.

Behind every number is a child, a family, a teacher, and a community whose life has been touched by an opportunity that might otherwise not have existed.

The Impact: Education Creates New Possibilities

For the past six years, numerous education-focused projects have been implemented throughout Mahakulung.

The impact has been particularly meaningful for students from poor and disadvantaged families who previously had limited educational opportunities.

Today, we are seeing encouraging results.

Students from Mahakulung have achieved strong results in government-conducted examinations in Nepal. Many have performed exceptionally well, with some schools achieving very high pass rates and individual students achieving GPAs above 3.0 out of 4.0.

These achievements demonstrate what can happen when children are provided with resources, encouragement, and opportunity.

The credit belongs first and foremost to the students, their families, teachers, and schools. At the same time, these achievements have been made possible through the dedication of NEEF, the generosity of its Board of Trustees, and the continued support of its donors.

Marlene’s Extraordinary Compassion and Courage

We were preparing to begin one of our fundraising treks to Everest Base Camp to support underprivileged children in Mahakulung.

Unfortunately—very unfortunately—on the very first day, Marlene suffered serious injuries to both legs.

It was early morning on November 1, 2022, at Manthali Domestic Airport. The sky was clear, and the stars were still visible as we prepared to catch our first flight to Lukla.

After checking out of our room, I saw Marlene walking beside the pool, with Dr. Ken slightly behind her, while I walked ahead.

Suddenly, I heard a strange sound and turned around.

Marlene had stumbled on an uneven section of the ground and seriously injured both legs.

I immediately ran toward her.

Her legs began to swell, and she was clearly in considerable pain. With no nearby medical facility and our flight approaching, the situation was extremely difficult.

Despite her pain, Marlene remained remarkably determined.

At first, it seemed the trek would have to be cancelled. Yet her thoughts were not focused on herself. She continued to think about the children of Mahakulung, their education, and their future.

A Lady of Extraordinary Courage

Giving up is simply not in Marlene’s nature.

Despite suffering serious injuries to both legs, she refused to give up and went on to complete the Everest Base Camp Trek.

Oh gosh, can you imagine it?

Her courage, determination, and compassion are truly an inspiration to us all.

Meeting the Children of Chheskam

After completing the Everest Base Camp trek, we travelled to Chheskam to monitor previous projects and implement a new educational initiative.

More than 350 students gathered together in a single day.

Many came from some of the poorest families in the community, while others were orphaned or otherwise vulnerable.

When Marlene saw the children, she was deeply moved and became emotional throughout much of the programme.

For me, that moment demonstrated the depth of her connection with the community.

She was not simply visiting a remote village as a donor or guest. She had developed a genuine emotional connection with the children and families of Mahakulung.

Her response reflected compassion, concern, and a deep desire to see these children receive the opportunities they deserve.

It remains one of the most emotional experiences I have witnessed.

Dr. Ken and Marlene: An Inspiration

Dr. Ken and Marlene have become tremendous personal and professional inspirations to me.

I consider them among the kindest and most compassionate people I have had the privilege of knowing.

Their concern for disadvantaged children in Nepal extends far beyond financial support. They genuinely care about education, opportunity, dignity, and the long-term future of children and communities.

They have devoted a significant part of their lives to supporting Nepal, particularly children and students in Mahakulung.

Their commitment has inspired us to continue working for children who need opportunities the most.

They have become trusted supporters and advocates for orphaned children, disadvantaged students, and struggling families—often putting the needs of others before their own.

November Education Support Project: Keeping 650 Students Warm and Ready to Learn

This November, NEEF trustees Dr. Ken, Marlene, and Anne will visit schools and communities supported through our past initiatives.

During this important visit, the Nepal English Education Foundation, in collaboration with the local charity Everest Mera Foundation, will launch a winter education-support initiative for approximately 650 students at Sagarmatha Secondary School in Bung, Mahakulung Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu—one of the region’s oldest and largest schools.

As winter begins, many families who rely on subsistence farming, seasonal labour, trekking, portering, and tourism struggle to afford warm clothing for their children.

With a total project requirement of $11,971, the initiative will provide each student with:

A warm 220 GSM super-poly tracksuit

A T-shirt

Shoes & socks

Your donation is more than clothing:  it is an investment in dignity, health, confidence, education, and opportunity.

Every contribution can help a child stay warm, attend school comfortably, focus on learning, and dream of a brighter future.

Please join us in making this November warmer, brighter, and more hopeful for 650 children.

Every contribution matters.

A Message of Gratitude

On behalf of the people of Mahakulung, I express my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ken and Marlene Ladouceur, the respected Board of Trustees and donors of the Nepal English Education Foundation, and supporters across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere who have contributed to these educational efforts.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who has helped bring educational opportunities to children living in some of the most remote communities of Nepal.

The journey that began with a chance meeting in Lumbini in 2014 has grown into something far greater than any of us could have imagined.

It has become a partnership built on trust, friendship, compassion, education, and humanity.

The support of NEEF, its Board of Trustees, its donors, and its partners is much more than financial assistance.

It is a gift of opportunity and hope.

It can help a child remain in school.

It can give a student confidence.

It can help a family overcome a difficult period.

And ultimately, it can help break the cycle of poverty through education.

Together, we can help give the children of Mahakulung the opportunity to build brighter futures.

WARM WINTER CLOTHING

It was alarming for us to realize that a warm jacket, a pair of shoes, or even a pair of socks are barriers to children being able to get to school and even stay in school during the cold winter months in rural Nepal.  NEEF works exclusively in the isolated region of Mahakulung and more specifically in the rugged high altitude province of Solukhumbu.  When we were in Chheskam last fall we heard stories of parents unwilling to put their small children on the long walk to school crossing raging rivers, and confronting wolves, bears and tigers. I've enjoyed a very successful career in school administration across North America and I've never dealt with tigers! If NEEF can provide shoes and socks, a track suit, or some school supplies to assist with the burden then we will always step up and try.  The onus then lies with the parents, or more specifically the children, to take responsibility for their own success.

Children are held out of school when they don't have a school uniform, a simple shirt and tie. They are held out of school when they lack something to write with or to write on.  We have found that these young people have incredible potential that will never be tapped if they aren't give the chance.

The following pictures were recently taken in the Mahakulung region of Nepal showing the faces of the people:  the little boy who wouldn't have the pencil, the little girl who wouldn't have the pair of shoes, another girl who holds her washcloth wearing her warm tracksuit, the classroom of kids showing off their soap and toothpaste. We have lots and lots of great pictures of grateful children. Their happiness is all the reward we need for the support you provide to the Nepal English Education Foundation.  Thank you.

FACES