Posted by Jennifer Clark, Teacher of English, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator,  Forfar Academy

Life changing. Fulfilling. Rewarding. Unforgettable. Some of the many words that describe our recent expedition to Nepal.

 We arrived in a bustling, diverse and fascinating Kathmandu for a jam packed two week itinerary. We visited projects helping Nepalese children including the Disabled New Life Centre, the British School and Baraha Secondary School in Ghandruk. Baraha has been destroyed by the earthquake and since returning we are trying to set up links and raise funds to help them rebuild.

The Disabled New Life Centre was one of the highlights of the trip. We enjoyed talking with the children and learning about their interests. We loved joining in their music lesson and seeing how the children got involved in these lessons.”

 We also went on a challenging five day trek in the Annapurna Region surrounded by Himalayan Mountains such as Fishtail and Annapurna South.

 The trek was a challenging experience and allowed us an opportunity that might never be repeated. We stumbled across a school completely destroyed in the earthquake. Pupils are now taught in bamboo structures with corrugated iron roofs. Our aim now is to set up a link with the Baraha School and fundraise to help them rebuild.

 We visited Chitwan National Park learning about the local way of life, enjoyed on an oxen ride, trekked through the jungle, and washed the elephants. We somehow managed to find time to relax and sightsee in Kathmandu, Pkhara and Bhaktapur, a World Heritage site, terribly affected by the earthquake.

Our Nepal expedition was enjoyable and challenging in many different ways. From the physical challenge of the trek, to witnessing the poverty and difficulties Nepali people face every day. It opened our eyes and made us extremely thankful for what we have back home in Scotland. We plan to continue our links with Nepal and help Baraha School to rebuild. We hope that other pupils will have the opportunity to enjoy the experience that we have had.

We are all asking “When can we go back?”

 Mhari Ferrier, Lara Mertes and Jude Murray