Schools in the Upper Dolpo only teach to grade 5 or 6. Children wanting further education must move to Kathmandu. Each village has a hostel in Kathmandu where the students live and study with other children from their village. They are supported by hostel staff, who are also from their village. This helps to maintain a sense of community and culture – a critical factor when they move from a village of a few hundred to the unfamiliar and chaotic environment of Kathmandu, population 1.5 million. The schools they attend have larger populations than their entire village! At today’s exchange rate it costs approx $1,500. per year. This is a financial impossibility for families in the Upper Dolpo who struggle to make a living through subsistence farming.

We are the primary support for the Karang Hostel. This is one of our largest, and perhaps our most important project. Students from Komang are cared for at the Himalayan Komang Hostel.  Shelter108 accepts students with qualifying grades from throughout the Upper Dolpo and Tibet. It has space for up to four students from Saldang each year. When there are more qualifying students wanting to continue their studies alternate arrangements for accommodation have to be made. 

Education is not taken for granted here on the Dolpo. It is a long journey to Kathmandu, a week by yak to the nearest roadhead, and then another week by local buses to Kathmandu. They will not see their families again until they complete grade 10. These are bright, highly motivated students, many of whom are wanting to return to their villages as teachers, engineers and health care professionals! They are incredibly grateful for your support!