Trek Nepal 2018

On 20 November 2018...

33 Computershare employees from the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Barcelona, Denmark, Madrid, Munich, Rotterdam, Stockholm and South Africa came together for Trek Nepal 2018.

Their aim was to raise £140,000 (AUD $250,000) for Computershare’s global charity Change a Life which supports the World Youth International School in Gokarna, Nepal.

Scroll through below to follow our trekkers' journey

Arrive in Pokhara (direct from Kathmandu) Duration: 30 minute flight Height: 895m

Drive from Pokhara to Nayapul Trek to Tikhedhunga Duration: 1.5 hour drive, 3 hour trek Height: Nayapul 2070m, Tikhedhunga 1540m

Trek from Tikhedhunga to Ghorepani Duration: 6 - 7 hours Height: 2840m

Trek from Ghorepani - Poon Hill - Tadapani Duration: 5 - 6 hours Height: Poon Hill 3210m, Tadapani 2700m

Tadapani to Jhinu Danda Duration: 4 - 5 hours Height: 1600m

Jhinu Danda to Tolkha Duration: 4 - 5 hours Height: 1350m

Tolkha to Australian Camp Duration: 3 - 4 hours Height: 1760m

Drive from Australian Camp to Pokhara via Phedi Duration: 3 hour drive

Early flight to Kathmandu. Visit to WYI School and the Sapana Dreaming children's home. Duration: 30 minute flight, 1 hour drive Height: 1400m

The team exceeded their fundraising target, and the final amount raised on Trek Nepal 2018 was over £160,000 (AUD $290,000). These funds went towards the construction of a boarding home on the WYI school campus for senior students.

Construction plans for the boarding home

Change A Life is also funding the construction of four new classrooms where senior subjects will be taught. Construction began on these classrooms in March 2019 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2019. Year 11 classes will then be able to commence in 2020, and year 12 in 2021.

Funds also go towards:

> Making significant improvements to classrooms and other facilities

> Supporting teacher training to improve educational standards at the school

> Providing scholarships to students in particular need

The trek was an incredible experience for our staff who bonded over sore feet, missed flights and heavy backpacks. They worked together to overcome obstacles and reach their goal as a team.

Scroll through their reflections on the journey below

“The kids at this school have such unconditional joy and love for their teachers; for the orphaned children they are the closest thing they have to parents. The bond between them was incredibly powerful.”

Chris Quaife, Employee Share Plans, London

“The privilege of just being born in a place where an education is a given, really hit home - where it’s available to every kid regardless of background or money. The simplicity of the lives of these children was incredibly humbling. They showed us genuine and absolute gratitude for what we had done to help them get an education.”

Jaclyn Hughes, Loan Services, Skipton

“Seeing the school brought it home as to why I was there, and really made me value what I’ve got. The children and teachers were so genuine and happy and made the day so much fun.”

Jeremy Lamb, Loan Services, Skipton

“It was so inspiring to see how grateful, happy and enthusiastic the kids were. Hearing their giggles, seeing them run to help their teachers in the tug-of-war against Computershare and dancing with them at the closing party were moments I will never forget.”

Ivana Cvjetkovic, Issuer Services, Rotterdam

“The warmth and happiness of the Nepalese people in the face of quite high poverty was uplifting, and a reminder to us in more fortunate circumstances that wealth isn’t just measured in capital possession, but in happiness. This is the thing I will remember most from my time in Nepal.”

David Watchorn, Voucher Services, Leicester

“Visiting the WYI school was amazing, seeing how happy and contented the children and teachers were when they had so little compared to us really opened my eyes. It has given me a different outlook on what’s important in my day to day life when you see people so happy in theirs.”

Jack Price, Communication Services, Bristol

“The pride of the children in their school was obvious and hugely humbling given the basic facilities. The sheer joy of the children was infectious and uplifting, amazing to see and feel, and the perfect end to our trek.”

Emma Lowry, Communication Services, London

“It’s rare when you do fundraising projects, often thousands of miles from the beneficiaries, that you get to see the true value that the money brings to the community. The students demonstrated their appreciation of our support, and in turn made us ever more grateful for the opportunity to be part of it.”

Josh Cooper, Marketing, Bristol

“Slowly, slowly”, the advice from the Sherpa twice my age, as he walked past with a bag on his head and a smile on his face, and I held onto to tree, crying inside! It’s a little bit up, it’s a little bit down, step after step, watching the ankles in front. Its gruelling, but the rewards never stop, even 6 months later. Nepal is epic.