We show you great films, but what else does PPUK do?
Many of you know Porters’ Progress UK well, having supported us over a number of years. Others might recognise us for putting on that awesome film night at the RGS. But aside from the ongoing success of our Best of Kendal Mountain Film Festival, which brings the world’s best adventure films to the RGS in London (it’s a great night out – so buy your tickets for the next event on 17th May) – PPUK is doing a lot of important work for rural communities in Nepal.
We wanted to put the spotlight on one of the most important issues in Nepal at present – getting children from portering communities back into education. Two years on from the earthquakes that decimated many rural community infrastructures, Nepal may not be on the front page, but there are vast numbers of children who still have no school to attend. Of course, this is one of the many problems still being faced in these remote communities, but as an investment in the country’s future, we think it’s a good place to start.
Image credit: The Small World – rebuilding communities
Our primary partner for these education programmes is The Small World, whose focus is on creating community-owned projects, working with local people in both the decision-making processes and in implementation. This means listening to their needs, bringing people together in meetings, and maximising local resources – from wood and stone to the potential talent untapped by training. Trained engineers support and oversee the builds, but in the longer term the school is a community-owned asset that sits at the heart of the village.
In the first quarter of this year, we were able to support the building of a new earthquake-proof school building in Hakula village in the Waku Village Development Committee (~90 miles east of Kathmandu). We will also be funding school attendance and equipment in Rampure village in the Kaku Village Development Committee (in the heart of the Solukhumbu where our porter communities originate).
Very simply, this was made possible only by the generosity of our donors. So please, come along to the Best of Kendal event on 17th May at the RGS – you’ll have a great time, and your ticket will help us fund the next community project in Nepal.
Tom Buttle
PPUK Chairman