On top of the world: A life changing experience in Nepal
A group of Senior School students took part in a journey of a lifetime as they travelled to Nepal for an eight-day service trip.
Their destination was Sanjeewani Primary School in Nagarkot, situated 45 kilometers outside Katmandu, which was destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 2015 and rebuilt with the support of our Dulwich Pudong community.
The trip - one of several organized as part of our Global Citizenship programme - was designed to provide students with a transformative and enriching experience that not only benefited the local community but also empowered them to become compassionate, socially responsible, and culturally competent global citizens.
Our 22 students spent the majority of the trip participating in a range of activities with the school's pupils and teachers to encourage community service and engagement, as well as educational enrichment. These included Maths, English and Science lessons and games led by the students, an Olympiad Day planning workshop, and a project to paint the school fence.
They were also immersed in Nepal's rich cultural heritage through visits to temples and other historical sites, a home visit to a local family, a cooking session where they prepared local dishes, momos and choila, a session with a local women's empowerment group, and general interviews with school staff and local families. The group also had the chance to take part in sightseeing in Katmandu and Bhaktapur, a UNESCO listed heritage site, at the beginning and end of the trip.
Click on our gallery below to see some of the amazing photos from the trip.
Our students spoke positively and warmly about their experiences.
I really enjoyed getting to know each and every one of my students, playing with them, and teaching them all. Overall, my trip from the Nepal Project taught me many more things about myself, and also showed me life from people who didn’t have as much as me. But despite this, they were all still happy everyday and greeted us with smiles.
My experience in Nepal can most definitely be described as one of the most invaluable experiences in my life. From teaching the children at the Sanjeevani Primary School to exploring the cultural sites of Bhaktapur, there was no part of the trip that I didn’t enjoy. Not only did I have the opportunity to immerse myself Nepalese culture, but I began to understand the energy, dedication, and communication skills it takes to lead a large group through collaborative activities.
For me, going to Nepal was a truly eye opening experience. I got to do things I would’ve never done otherwise, some highlights being teaching the children and seeing the breathtaking views. I learnt to not only have more compassion for people who aren’t as privileged as me, but also respect for another culture. I’ve made meaningful connections with the children there, after seeing their unwavering positivity and smiling faces every day.
As a student who has already been to Nepal, I somehow was able to experience even more than before. It was great seeing the same students as last year and being with them as they improved their academics. I had lots of fun throughout the trip, eating new foods, teaching new topics, and meeting new people. Despite the bad weather, I'd say it was one of the most memorable moments of my life and that everyone should give it a shot during their time at Dulwich.
Dulwich Pudong has a long association with Sanjeewani Primary School following the 7.8-magnitude Nepal earthquake, which killed thousands of people across the country and caused extensive damage to the country's infrastructure, including its schools.
When the natural disaster struck, our community sprang into action, supporting Sanjeewani through the Nepal Service Project Co-Curricular Activity (CCA). Through their efforts, over 50,000USD was raised to rebuild the school, which was reopened to students in 2019, and we have continued to support the school by providing educational resources to ensure it can continue to develop and grow. Last year was the first time our students were able to return after the pandemic.
