Altitude Project’s mission is to support education in the remote Upper Dolpo region of Nepal, a culturally and linguistically Tibetan area that is home to some of the highest-altitude villages on the planet.
Our work helps ensure that children in these isolated communities have the chance to learn and thrive. We provide vital support for school operations, and supply essentials such as greenhouse materials, portable solar lights, and women’s reusable hygiene kits.
These life-changing resources not only strengthen educational outcomes, but also enhance the health, resilience, and long-term sustainability of the villages.
Altitude Project Community Support Foundation is a non-profit society registered in BC and a registered charity in Canada.
100% of your donations go to Nepal – all administrative expenses are covered by directors.
OUR SCHOOLS
5 small schools, on the high altitude Tibetan Plateau, desperately needing help
Why Support Schools in the Upper Dolpo?
Many of you know that I have traveled to Nepal for the past several years to enjoy trekking through the Himalayas. However, it has been the people of Nepal that have captured my heart, especially those that live in remote areas only accessible on foot. In 2015 I was privileged to travel to an extremely remote part of the country called the Upper Dolpo for a 23 day trek through the high desert landscape.
During the adventure we stayed in a village called Saldang (3,770 meters / 12,370 ft.) where I met Pema Wangyal and Kunsang Lhamo, husband and wife, who operate the Saldang School. Pema is the school coordinator and Kunsang is one of the teachers. Their hospitality, and their commitment to the children of Saldang were exceptional. Kunsang is originally from Saldang and returned home to help her community after finishing her education in Kathmandu.
The school receives minimal funding from the government of Nepal. This is not uncommon in the remote areas of the country – most of the schools rely on donations from foreigners to operate.
For me, it was one of those moments to step off the sidelines and try to make a difference. Not just for Saldang School, but also for two neighbouring schools, Karang School and Komang School, that were in equally desperate need of funding.
Why these schools when there are so many schools and other types of projects in need of funds, not only in Nepal but worldwide?
My answer was why not these schools where a good personal connection had developed and in an area that is so remote that it sees very few visitors each year (we saw two other small groups of foreigners in 23 days). From the village of Juphal, accessible only by air, it takes another 5 days to walk to Saldang and entails crossing two passes of 5,000 + metres (16,000 – 17,000 ft)! Karang is a two hour walk to the north of Saldang. Komang is a full day’s walk to the east from Saldang.
My hope is that you will be inspired to join me.
Tashi delek (Tibetan), Namaste (Nepali) and a sincere Thank you
I’ve had the privilege of traveling to this remote region three times since 2015 and plan to return in the fall of 2026. This year marks our 10th anniversary of making a positive impact in the region.
Here’s how we’re helping:
- Supporting 5 schools (200+ kids) with essential educational resources
- Providing a hostel in Kathmandu for 30 students pursuing secondary education
- Building greenhouses to improve food security, over 300 built so far!
- Distributing reusable menstrual hygiene kits (700 delivered so far!) in partnership with Days for Girls Nepal to improve women’s health and dignity. Learn more about their work here.
One of the things donors love most about us is that 100% of donations go directly to the projects, administration costs are fully covered by our directors.
If you’re curious and want to help make a difference, or if you just want to know more about this stunningly beautiful land, where school supplies are transported by mule and yak trains, please explore our website. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have—email me david@altittudeproject.ca
Tashi delek (Tibetan), Namaste (Nepali), and a sincere Thank you
I have been asked, “With so many other important requests for our donation dollars, what is so special about the communities you are funding, ie: what kind of people are they, what is important about keeping their cultures alive in these remote areas, what is your personal or heart connection that causes you to care for them in this way. Should we really be funding remote communities that are not self-sustaining?“ You can read my answer here.
Where are the Schools that Altitude Project Supports?
Village Life in the Upper Dolpo
The Upper Dolpo Trek – the trek that inspired Altitude Project
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
Many of you know that I’ve spent the past several years trekking in Nepal’s Himalayas. What has stayed with me most, however, is not just the mountains, but the people—especially those living in remote villages accessible only on foot.
In 2015, I trekked through the Upper Dolpo, a high desert region among the most isolated on earth. During that journey, I stayed in the village of Saldang (3,770 meters / 12,370 ft.), where I met Pema Wangyal and his wife, Kunsang Lhamo. Together, they operate the Saldang School. Pema serves as coordinator, while Kunsang—originally from Saldang—returned after her studies in Kathmandu to teach and support her community. Their dedication to the children was inspiring.
Like many schools in remote Nepal, Saldang School receives very little government support and relies almost entirely on donations to survive. The same is true for the nearby schools in Karang and Komang, both facing equally urgent needs.
For me, this was a turning point. I could no longer stand on the sidelines—I felt called to help. And I chose these schools not only because of the genuine personal connections I made, but also because of their extraordinary remoteness. In 23 days of trekking, I saw only two other groups of foreigners. Reaching Saldang alone requires a flight to Juphal, followed by five days of walking across two passes over 5,000 meters (16,000–17,000 ft). Karang is another two hours on foot; Komang, a full day’s walk farther east.
These children live in one of the most inaccessible places on the planet, yet their hopes are no different from any child’s: to learn, to grow, and to dream of a brighter future.